This is the first of what I hope will be many videos that celebrate excellent synergies between hi-fi components. In this video, I go over a special pairing between the Totem Acoustic Sky and the Heed Elixir. This system can be a GREAT solution for the audiophile who listens to a wide variety of music and doesn’t need a lot of modern features.
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USD Pricing (as of the time of this video)
Totem Acoustic Sky: $1850/pair
Heed Elixir: $1195
REL T5i: $749
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The music that’s featured in this video!
The Jayhawks – Two Hearts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc21WfDL8Mo
Muddy Waters – Folk Singer
https://www.amazon.com/Folk-Singer-Muddy-Waters/dp/B00000JNOJ/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1515276893&sr=8-14
Illinois String Jacquet – Swings the Thing
http://www.elusivedisc.com/Illinois-Jacquet-Swings-The-Thing-Hybrid-Mono-SACD/productinfo/APSAV8023/
***Note**** Both recording samples were taken from the stock mics on a Sony RX-10 camera.
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Manufacturer Product Pages
Totem Acoustic Sky
https://totemacoustic.com/en/sky
Heed Elixir
http://heedaudio.com/elixir-family/
REL T-5i
https://rel.net/shop/subwoofers/serie-ti/t5i/
Price: $46.95
Magnavox MM435-WH 3-Piece Compact CD Shelf System with Digital AM/FM Stereo Radio, Bluetooth Wireless Technology, and Remote Control in White | LCD Display | AUX Port Compatible |
MULTIPLE OPTIONS: Play your music the way that suits you! Choose between the CD-R / CD-W compatible CD player, AM/FM radio, 3.5mm aux port, or the Bluetooth wireless technology. LCD DISPLAY: Large LCD screen that makes reading what's on display easy ... (as of November 27, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $146.99
LG CM4590 XBOOM XBOOM Bluetooth Audio System with 700 Watts Total Power,Black
Bluetooth connectivity FM radio tuner USB to USB recording 700 watts total power Cd player (as of November 27, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $98.00
Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver with Phono Inputs & Bluetooth
(2377)
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Magnavox MM441 3-Piece CD Shelf System with Digital PLL FM Stereo Radio, Bluetooth Wireless Technology, and Remote Control in Black | Blue Colored Speaker Lights | LED Display | AUX Port Compatible |
(204)
You should do something special for your upcoming 5k subscriber milestone.
I am thinking of buying a pair of Dali Opticon 6 – they cost together what one of these speakers cost! Must be very good though for that step a price. Have you heard any of the Dali Opticons? And very good videos by the way – a lot of tips you normally would have to learn through years of experience with speakers.
Bing watching your video reviews! Well done. I appreciate the auditions at the end. Thanks.
The source is important plus cables to complete a System
Hi Sean. I have a pair of 15 yr old Klipsch RB-35’s (big ass bookends). I have changed my amp and source over the years, but I cant get away from those damm horns! lol So any videop with a sweet pairing for Klipsch products would be great!
Sweet looking system 🙂
I’ve never heard a REL but I have a newer MK Sound V8 “movie” subwoofer (small sealed 8″) I’ve been pretty impressed with it musically for what a paid $300
I know this isn’t the main purpose of the channel, but maybe a video on any recommendations for inexpensive components. These things are an order of magnitude more expensive than I could ever spend
Hi Sean. Great video! I live in rural New Zealand and the nearest “hifi” shop is a plane ride away! Keep em coming!
Only assholes by this overpriced shit
I have the DALI Zensor 1 speakers which you favorably reviewed a while ago. Can you recommend any specific or even several amps which may be a good match for them?Use an old Arcam A65+ which may be bit underpowered for them. Seem to have trouble bringing out the bass part of the music!
Well done.
Totem mites, old regards brio and theorems TD 160. Totem makes great speakers
Hey Sean, which do you like better, the Totem Sky or the Harbeth P3ESR? Thanks.
OK Sean – I’m going to be pedantic, but how is this a ‘system’ when you haven’t specified a source ? Just sayin’ ……
Noo.. you repeatedly said high end. And then said it will sound good with low rate and mp3s.. (lower quality recoding source material in will sound good in this system!!)
A Signum for a high end system are that bad recodings will sound for what they are. It will sound bad with low quality source and vice versa.
So if all recordings sounds good as you said, then it is a sign of a non high end system. Period.
Yes it is still a nice system.
But give it the highest performance rating as high end is to stretch it out to far.
great video and great system! 🙂
in my estats.. in that recording and my setup i ear something wrong in the midrange but maybe it’s just the sucky reverb in the voice.. i think there is a hole in the low mid.. you can ear it on the horns too.. maybe your dac or the room..
a cd player option with it?
aesthetically pleasing, for the visuals it would be a definite attraction. where should one put the subwoofer, front centre, front left or right? Does it matter?
I like this idea of showing systems. Good initial post man. Questions: (1) is that a class D amp, and if so, did you notice any issues on the top end? (2) you mention in a comment here that you’ve already got budget one lined up next, but I wanted to post this for your thoughts as well. Both these speakers and this amp have gotten praise at absolutesound (though I know some think they praise everything). BUT… this amp is rated at 50 watts and I’ve heard these speakers are kinda power hungry. It looks like there *COULD* be a lot of value, but only if the amp can output enough to drive those speakers. Would be cool if someone could get a demo package to try out and review… *cough* hint *cough* Here’s the link: http://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout-elac-system-2/#tab-features
Simaudio any good?.
Love me some Muddy Waters… That sound was from the Album “Folk Singer” I think ?
how does it compare against KEF ls50w?
Some of you are no doubt wondering why I didn’t spend much time going over the REL T5i in this video. The answer is simple: I feel like only a small portion of you will feel the need to experience *more* bass with this particular system. Beyond that, the REL T5i is an excellent performer that’ll compliment just about any high-quality stereo system. It just so happens to match the aesthetics, price, and performance of the Heed/Totem pairing well. So at the end of the day, it’s simple: If you love your deep bass, add a REL T5i (or two).
The way you describe the Totems is exactly what I’m trying to solve with some Martin Logan 35X’s. They can be bright but their clarity is outstanding. I feel like the Elixir would be a great pairing as well. Thanks for the review.
Have you any experience of Peachtree Nova 150 and how it pairs with the Totem Sky?
Yeah prefer a versatile sound myself. Auditioned totem sky towers a few months back with a high end Yamaha integrated amp and wasn’t impressed. I believe the problem was the matching of the components. From my past experiences in owning many Yamaha products over the years, I don’t think that is a good match for the Skys. I would bet a brand like Luxman would match those speakers exceptionally well.
I like that you started playing the components you reviewed at the end of the video.
Great review! I have a small listening room, and I really like the size of that REL subwoofer! My wife just picked me up a pair of KEF Q100 speakers, I think the might really go well with that size of sub!