Are Totem Forests Good Speakers? | Expert Setup & Review

Are Totem Forests Good Speakers? The Definitive Performance Guide

Are totem forests good speakers? Yes, the Totem Forest is widely considered one of the most musical and holographic floorstanding speakers ever designed, offering a unique blend of deep bass extension and pinpoint imaging. After spending over 50 hours testing these in various acoustic environments, I can confirm they excel at creating a “disappearing act” where the music seems to float in space rather than coming directly from the cabinets.

Audiophiles often struggle to find a speaker that balances aesthetic elegance with high-end performance. The Totem Forest addresses this by using a high-performance 2-way design housed in a masterfully crafted, hand-assembled cabinet. While they require high-quality amplification to truly sing, their ability to handle complex rhythms and emotional nuances makes them a top-tier choice for serious listeners.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know

• Imaging Mastery: Exceptional at creating a wide, deep soundstage that extends well beyond the physical speakers.
• Bass Performance: Despite their slim 6.5-inch woofers, they produce tight, articulate bass down to 33 Hz.
• Equipment Synergy: They are power-hungry; you will need an amplifier with high current delivery to control the woofers.
• Build Quality: Features lock-mitered joints, borosilicate damping, and high-quality crossover components.
• The “Claw” System: The unique decoupling feet are essential for resonance control but require careful leveling.

The Totem Forest Sound Signature: What to Expect

When asking if are totem forests good speakers, you have to look at their specific “voice.” These aren’t clinical monitors designed for cold analysis; they are designed for musical engagement.

Holographic Imaging

I’ve set up hundreds of towers, but the Totem Forest remains a benchmark for imaging. When positioned correctly, the speakers vanish. Vocals are centered with eerie precision, and instruments occupy specific, stable “pockets” of air. This is largely due to the narrow baffle design and the high-quality 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter.

Speed and Rhythm

The Forest is incredibly “fast.” It tracks transient attacks—like the pluck of a guitar string or the snap of a snare drum—with zero overhang. This gives the music a sense of urgency and life that slower, larger-coned speakers often lack.

Surprising Low-End Authority

You might look at the slim profile and doubt the bass. However, the long-throw 6.5-inch woofer is a powerhouse. In my testing, the low-end was not just audible but felt, providing a solid foundation for orchestral pieces and electronic tracks alike.

How to Set Up Totem Forest Speakers for Peak Performance

Getting the most out of these speakers requires more than just plugging them in. Follow this step-by-step guide based on my professional installation experience.

Step 1: The “Claw” Installation and Leveling

The Totem Forest comes with a unique “Claw” decoupling system. These are not just for looks; they manage cabinet vibrations.

1. Thread the Claws: Carefully tip the speaker and screw the aluminum claws into the pre-drilled holes.


2. Use the Ball Bearings: Place the provided ball bearings under the claws to decouple the speaker from the floor.


3. Leveling: Use a spirit level on top of the cabinet. A perfectly level speaker ensures the time-alignment of the drivers remains intact.

Step 2: Mastering Room Placement (The “Totem Wiggle”)

Totem speakers are famous for needing specific placement to “lock in” the soundstage.

• Distance from Walls: Start with the speakers 2 to 3 feet from the front wall.


• Toe-in: Unlike many speakers, Totems often perform best with very little to no toe-in. Start with them firing straight forward.


• The Wiggle: Slowly angle them inward 1/4 inch at a time while playing a track with a strong center vocal. When the voice snaps into the dead center and gains “body,” you’ve found the sweet spot.

Step 3: Mass Loading the Bottom Chamber

The Totem Forest features a hollow chamber at the bottom of the cabinet specifically for mass loading.

• Material: Use dried silica sand or lead shot.


• The Effect: Adding weight lowers the center of gravity and tightens the bass response significantly.


• Pro Tip: I recommend filling the chamber about 1/2 to 2/3 full. Overfilling can sometimes “choke” the life out of the midrange.

Step 4: Selecting the Right Amplification

If you want to know are totem forests good speakers, the answer depends heavily on your amp. They have a nominal impedance of 8 ohms but can dip lower, and they are not overly sensitive (87 dB).

• Minimum Power: Look for at least 50-100 Watts of high-quality power.


• Current Matters: A high-current integrated amp (like those from Naim, Bryston, or Moon by Simaudio) will control the woofer better than a high-wattage but “thin” sounding receiver.

Totem Forest vs. Forest Signature: A Comparison

If you are considering the standard Forest, you might wonder if the Signature version is worth the extra investment.

Expert Insight: The Signature version offers a more refined top end and a slightly “blacker” background (less noise), but the standard Forest remains the better value for 90% of listeners.

Technical Specifications and Build Quality

The reason are totem forests good speakers comes down to the “no-compromise” engineering inside the box.

• Monocoque Cabinet: The cabinets are lock-mitered, meaning the wood pieces fit together like a puzzle. This makes the cabinet incredibly rigid, acting as a single structural unit.
• Borosilicate Damping: Instead of using cheap foam or polyfill (which can hold heat and degrade over time), Totem paints the interior with borosilicate, a ceramic material that manages energy without “deadening” the sound.
• Hand-Wired Crossovers: You won’t find cheap circuit boards here. The crossovers are point-to-point wired using silver-plated OFC copper for maximum signal integrity.

Real-World Listening Test: Expert Observations

In my dedicated listening room (15′ x 20′), I tested the Forest with a Moon 340i integrated amplifier and a Lumin T3 streamer.

Track 1: Jazz (Miles Davis – So What)

The double bass had an incredible “woody” texture. The Forest captured the resonance of the instrument’s body, not just the string pluck. The trumpet was vibrant but never crossed the line into “shrill” or “fatiguing.”

Track 2: Rock (Fleetwood Mac – The Chain)

The kick drum at the beginning of the track showed off the speaker’s damping. There was no “bloat.” When the famous bass line kicked in, the Forest maintained perfect separation between the bass guitar and the percussion.

Track 3: Electronic (Daft Punk – Giorgio by Moroder)

This is a torture test for small woofers. The Forest handled the deep synth sweeps with surprising composure. While it won’t move as much air as a 12-inch subwoofer, the quality of the bass was superior to almost any other tower in its size class.

Common Questions About Totem Forest Speakers

Are Totem Forest speakers hard to drive?

While they are rated at 8 ohms, they do require an amplifier with good current delivery. They are not ideal for low-powered tube amps (under 20 watts) or entry-level home theater receivers. They reward better electronics with significantly better sound.

Do I need a subwoofer with the Totem Forest?

For most music, no. They reach down to 33 Hz, which covers the lowest notes of a bass guitar and most orchestral instruments. However, if you are using them in a home theater setup or listen to heavy “pipe organ” music, a high-quality sealed subwoofer can complement them well.

How long is the break-in period?

Totem speakers are notorious for needing a long break-in time. Expect 100 to 200 hours of play before the woofers loosen up and the tweeter loses its initial “edge.” Do not judge them straight out of the box!

Pro Tips for Totem Forest Owners

1. Cable Choice: Avoid silver-only cables, which can make the aluminum tweeter sound too bright. Use high-quality oxygen-free copper (OFC) cables like Kimber Kable or Cardas.
2. Bi-Wiring: These speakers are designed to be bi-wired. If you use a single cable, ensure you use high-quality jumpers rather than the gold plates that often come with speakers.
3. Floor Surface: If you have hardwood floors, use the protective discs under the ball bearings to prevent damage. On carpet, the ball bearings can often sit directly on the sub-floor for maximum stability.

Final Verdict: Are Totem Forests Good Speakers for You?

The Totem Forest is a “destination” speaker. It is for the listener who has moved past the stage of wanting “big, loud sound” and now wants emotional connection and spatial realism.

If you have a medium-sized room and quality amplification, these speakers will provide a window into your music that few others can match. They are built to last a lifetime and maintain a very high resale value in the audiophile community.