Another word on the Totem Kin Play

Here's another take on my impressions of the Totem Kin Plays. I don't know what it is about them, but they continue to impress me. There is something lively about them that I don't seem to get from my Rotel 15 series separates and Bowers and Wilkins 705S2 bookshelf speakers.

Since my earlier review, I have moved the Totems to another wall at the back of my living room. With the ability to switch back and forth between both systems on the fly using a Bluesound Node 2i for the Rotel system and an Amazon Dot plugged into the RCA's on the Totem Kin Plays, I'm finding myself listening to the Totems more and more. Unless I'm losing my hearing, I find that to be very impressive.

Again, the Totems only cost a grand and in comparison to the price tag on my Rotel 15 series with the Bowers, I would expect there to be a more drastic difference. There are differences that could be considered significant, but if I can switch back and forth between both systems and enjoy the Totems as much, if not more (lately), than my big system, I think that says a lot about how great of a pair of speakers these little Totems are.

What makes this sink in a little more is that I'm using the DAC in an Amazon Dot… so there's likely a lot of room for improvement with a proper streamer and DAC. All this to say that they are fun to listen to, and I'm very thankful to my friend Steve for lending them to me. I'd like to buy them, but times are tough. I'll miss them when they're gone. C'est la vie.

On another note, something I really enjoy doing is inviting people to listen to different pieces of music on the systems I own and review. While listening to one song I switch between different components and speaker systems and ask my guests which they prefer and what they like about the sound. I get all sorts of interesting responses and this often expands my appreciation of a piece of equipment and I get a perspective from others that I wouldn't otherwise been exposed to. That makes this hobby all the more fun!

Again my main complaint about the Totem Kin Play is that they don't have an app. My friend Steve said that he would like to see a crossover on the speaker so that they can cut base frequencies below a certain threshold (80 Hz) to the 5 inch mid/bass driver but I think lowering the bass significantly would accomplish the same thing (Not technically but audibly I'm sure).

All that said, after spending some time with these speakers I'd be really excited to hear the Totem Kin Play Tower.