Final adjustments included comparative nearfield (8') and farfield (16') listening, low-frequency sweeps with a signal generator, phase checks, listening to pink noise, and adjusting my listening position for the best soundstaging and imaging.
The Forest's deep-bass output…
Description: Two-way, floorstanding, reflex-loaded dynamic loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) aluminum-dome tweeter, 6.5" carbon-fiber-cone bass/mid unit with 3" voice-coil. Crossover frequency: 2.5Hz. Crossover slopes: 12dB/octave. Frequency response: 33Hz-20kHz, ±2dB. Sensitivity: 87dB/W/m (2.83V). Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 6.4 ohms minimum. Amplifier requirements: 120W continuous, 200W peak.
Dimensions: 36" (910mm) H by 8" (205mm) W by 10.6" (267mm) D. Weight: 36 lbs (16.2kg). Volume: 25 liters.
Finishes: Mahogany, black ash.
Serial numbers of…
Analog sources: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Ittok tonearm, Spectral moving-coil cartridge.
Digital source: Krell MD-1 CD transport, Adcom GDA-700 D/A processor.
FM tuners: Day-Sequerra FM Reference Classic, Rotel RH-10, Magnum Dynalab MD-102, Model 205 Sleuth RF amplifier.
Preamplification: Krell KBL, Mark Levinson ML-7A with L-2 phono section, Margulis and Duntech MX-10 moving-coil preamplifiers.
Power amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.334, Bryston 7B-ST (monoblocks), Bryston 9B-ST (5 channels).
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio…
The Totem Forest's voltage sensitivity came in a little under specification at an estimated 86dB(B)/2.83V/m, but the 1dB difference is within the margin of error in this measurement. It may be of only average sensitivity, but the Forest's plot of impedance magnitude and electrical phase angle against frequency (fig.1) revealed it to be a very easy load for the partnering amplifier to drive. Even what is probably the worst-case condition—a combination of 7 ohms magnitude and around 25 degrees capacitive phase angle in the lower midrange—will hardly stress even the…
One of the problems with a magazine like Stereophile, whose review focus is of necessity on the new, is that long-standing, well-designed models can get short shrift. We do try to give second and even third listens to products that have impressed us in the past, but even then, much of quality can get overlooked. So when Totem Acoustic's Lucy Lentini suggested at the 2004 CEDIA Expo that it was high time I gave room in my home to a pair of the Canadian manufacturer's Forest speakers, which Larry Greenhill had raved…
The Totem Forest's sensitivity is low, at an estimated 86dB(B)/2.83V/m, but its impedance graph (fig.1) reveals it to be an easy load for the partnering amplifier, dropping below 8 ohms only in the lower midrange, and then to 7.2 ohms. In the measurements sidebar that accompanied LG's 2001 review, I mentioned the presence of various high-Q cabinet resonances; these affect the impedance plots by producing small glitches in the midrange, at 270Hz, 520Hz, and 700Hz. Fig.2, a waterfall plot calculated from the output of a plastic-tape accelerometer fastened to the…
One of the unalloyed pleasures of being an audiophile is helping friends put together their systems. In a hobby often obsessed with getting the sound perfect in your room, in your chair, where only you can park your fanny, helping a friend buy audio gear is a way to make the sweet spot a little bigger.
Last year, I helped my friend Kurt buy speakers. Wanting something that would work in the small space near his new flat-screen TV while matching his tasteful décor, he asked if I knew of a speaker that might…
Digital Sources: Theta Miles CD player via S/PDIF output; Benchmark DAC1 D/A converter; Sony Vaio laptop running Vista and Sony Sound Forge 9; M-Audio Fast Track Ultra USB interface.
Power Amplifiers: Pass Labs Aleph 3 & XA30.5, Manley Stingray iTube.
Loudspeakers: Revel Performa F30, Totem Acoustic Forest, Klipsch Palladium PB-17B.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDXV coaxial. Interconnect: Sain Line Systems Pure & Reference (both balanced). Speaker: Kimber BiFocal XL. AC: Sain Line Systems Reference.—Erick Lichte