Is the Totem Rainmaker a Real Tear Jerker?

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[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

A few points. 1.) I love the Rainmakers. I've compared them blind next to a $3500 pair of B&W monitors of the same size, and it was no comparison at all. The Rainmakers were so much better. Everyone who listened to the comparison confirmed it. I'm aware of the slightly elevated tweeter's response, but love the extra air, detail and soundstage. I think they've got better than most caps on it, and I think that helps it be non-fatiguing to listen too. They're designed to be listened to without toe-in, somewhat off axis. 2.) They don't fill the cabinets with foam or polyfil. They use Borosilicate mineral based paint instead for resonance control. 3.) I thought that woofer looked awfully similar to one in your design. I love paper cones in general. 4.) I've had them for years, and I've never heard any port noise. One thing Totem does is tune a bit extra deep for their size, so if driven harder than I'd care to listen, I'm sure that could become a problem. 5.) As a nearfield monitor on my computer, while playing Call of Duty it's almost like cheating with all the extra detail, haha. You can hear people sneaking up on you no problem, and just a stereo pair soundstages so well, you can tell exactly where they're coming from. 6.) Totem uses those connectors to avoid more solder joints. They think solder is degrading the sound, so they use mechanical crimping methods instead. Weather that helps or hinders the sound I don't know, but I know they do it on purpose. 7.) Totem tends to go simpler on crossovers with fewer components, favoring purity of the signal path rather than the flattest most "corrected" response. I'm not doubting you aren't taking them to another level, and have faith in your design, I just wanted to point out a few things about the Rainmaker. I was sad to see them discontinued, but still own a mint pair myself, which I keep in much more expensive company.

[@Justwantahover]

I got some B&W 706s and they sound a bit "fooffy".

[@davobmw]

Almost any Totem speaker will sound better than any B&W speaker. Totem isn’t mass marketed like B&W speakers. Unfortunately, B&W is now considered the Bose of somewhat higher end speakers. Last 15-20 years is when they started going down hill. Once they started making the 600 series in China is when it went down hill. Same with Kef. No longer a respectable name it once was.

[@marctoupin3968]

The damping material is a multi-coat borosillicate glass paste hand-painted inside the cabinet. This paste is also used on the tube of the reflex port, which is made of damped acrylic and affixed with an anti-resonant glue. The borosilicate is a more lasting and stable damping material than foam, which tends to oxidize and degenerate over time, changing a cabinet's Quality Factor (Q).

[@dannyrichie9743]

That stuff does nothing to control box resonances or standing waves.

[@audiophilefool]

@@dannyrichie9743 It doesn't? Why is the spectral decay "pretty clean" then?

[@dannyrichie9743]

@@audiophilefool A spectral decay isn't a measurement of cabinet resonances. It measures the decay of the signal from the drivers.

[@audiophilefool]

@@dannyrichie9743 Thanks for the explanation. I thought that cabinet resonances would play a part in that, because if a cabinet is vibrating from being exciting from the drivers, it would surely show up on the measurement as well??

[@terrywho22]

@@audiophilefool FYI, from online source Audio Judgment, "The cumulative spectral decay tells us if there are any problems with resonances. If the driver is ringing because of inadequate damping / cone break-up / high impedance spikes at resonance, or some enclosure panels are resonating, it should appear on the CSD plot."

[@jaywatterworth]

I love my Rainmakers and enjoyed your remarks. They are in my office (nearfield). I have a pair of Forest Signatures upstairs as my main surround system. Love those, too. Clean and clear. Thanks, Danny!

[@marcfavell]

I love the Totem Winds one my favorite speakers ever ❤😊

[@christiantessier6599]

Totem are the best for me Forest is amazing for my poor acoustic room

[@russellparker4568]

The kind of speaker that needs zero toe in then. Nice work

[@jasonme3557]

Hey Danny Totem is among my favorite companies. I have had the Forest, the original from 1999 when it was Dynaudio Driver and seas tweeters. I still have not found a speaker close to that one. I had the Hawk and for such a small slim, such a nice sound. This Rainmaker is among their lower line. I am sure you know the Model 1 is legendary . Would love to see you work on that one. Keep it up. I am looking forward to your 80's style speakers.

[@davido4872]

I also had the original Forest. It was never a Dynaudio driver. Actually, It was a look alike from China - Hi Vi. A nice, relatively inexpensive driver. The surrounds on my pair went, and I ended up buying the exact replacement drivers at a much lower price than the Totem dealer quoted.

[@jasonme3557]

@@davido4872 Maybe but the set I purchased in 1999 did have the dynaudio. The Dealer showed me, I do know later on dynaudio stop selling as a third party. My hawks had the scanspeak. Less the dealer was lieing he had one floor model with the driver removed. Made in Denmark dynaudio 17w.Three inch voice coil. Anyway I have yet until recently find a speaker that matched that one. QLN Take care

[@thomasmleahy6218]

​@@jasonme3557 lying.

[@stephenc2738]

These videos are testament to manufacturers producing speakers to a budget to fill the gap between particular models and bring in revenue. GR Research has likely performed more acoustic tests on loudspeakers than the manufacturers, exposing some good, some mediocre and some awful products proving costs don’t correlate with sonic ability. Danny is doing a great service for the consumer.

[@davido4872]

@@jasonme3557 Possible but unlikely because mine were an early pair from 1999 as well. Liked them but did get a little tired of the tipped up highs. I've heard that QLN are good speakers - enjoy.

[@mpitogo1978]

I have a pair of Totem Hawk and by far a favorite but it won't play loud like bigger speakers. It's surprisingly full range in my measurements from my MLP using REW.

[@EclecticApotheosis]

My ears are aging and I listen at low levels. I like the fact of the elevated high end. I'm really grateful to see this analysis and all the insides.

[@slaving300]

I had them, and they are bright, now I have the JMlab Daline 3.1 and they are better in every aspect, incredible speakers.

[@Cartier_specialist]

I have some JMLab Focals -- I forget the actual model number but believe it or not in my bedroom set-up I ended up using the NHT SuperZero A450 from 1995 and they killed everything in their path. I don't have any problem spending extra if the sound quality merits it but in my particular case the SuperZero A450 knocked off all the other speakers I put them against and most were newer and all of the other speakers were magnitudes of dollars more expensive.

[@barneyohara467]

When I go into an audio store and say I listen to classical, they put on some miniature floorstanders and play some light background music, as if I listen to music for the sole reason of wearing a yellow cashmere sweater, etc., hold a glass of wine and try to impress other "businessmen" with my high tastes and expensive purchases. I'm a janitor who puts Prokofiev on at "11" (that's a volume rating from the past) and judges an audio system by whether or not it clears the 3 feet of wet Canadian snow off my roof in less than 2 thumps, or not. I cannot express how sad it makes me feel when audio salesmen have NO idea of the power in classical music and try to brush me off with overpriced, tinkly junk. NOW that I have that off my chest, the first millionaire to have read this is permitted to send me a pair of Focal whacchamacallits, the ones the size of a standing freezer, at no charge to me, of course. Oh and Macs and Denafrips and d'Agostino while you're at it. Ya. See? See?? Ya. Johnny Rocco. yaa.

[@nancy4don]

Just wondering - did you try sealing/plugging the port? Essentially making them acoustic suspension speakers? Would be a fun/interesting experiment.

[@markdompig5030]

I see this review 1 year after it’s post and break in tears. Do I understand Danny has fixed this Totem to the sound of a regular speaker?! 😂

[@ford1546]

Then the treble is guaranteed to be made by SEAS, which is the only Norwegian speaker factory. Their tweeters usually is relatively good. But I don't quite agree with the sound type that many midrange/bass elements from seas have. Not always the easiest to make a crossover for!

[@mnfv77]

Hi Danny. Believing or not in your magic I allways learn on your videos. I have a doubt though, do you ear the speakers or you are based in measurements only? This speaker seem very good on its original form. You can make it different, but better?

[@RennieAsh]

Part of it would have to be by ear for them I'd think, as you generally cannot measure a difference (or one in the audible range) between a decent cap/inductor and a doubly more expensive one. And then you have to wonder about psychoacoustics

[@dannyrichie9743]

No magic involved. These are now better in multiple ways. There is no doubt.

[@stephens3845]

@@dannyrichie9743 Maybe better to Danny. But how about the person who handpicked each part and designed the cabinet(all to achieve a specific sound), Vince Bruzzese. The Rainmaker was in production for 18 years. How many of your designs have been in production for 18 years? Danny, you want all speakers to have a flat frequency response. Like Audyysey, this neuters speakers to sound more alike than different. Some of us find that boring.

[@dannyrichie9743]

@@stephens3845 Shame on the person that handpicked an iron core inductor, used ferrous connectors, and PVC jacketed wire. Improvements were made in balancing out a mess of a frequency response. Cabinet damping was improved. Internal damping was improved. Signal transfer from binding posts to tube connectors was significantly improved. Also, a flat frequency response has nothing to do with causing a speaker to sound boring.

[@stephens3845]

@@dannyrichie9743 Thanks Danny, you make some good points.

[@bohdan3239]

Hey Danny, Stuff the Totem ! We want a daily progress report on the Brute. For once I'm seriously interested in this one. It does the job for an economical but serious full range 3 WAY !!

[@JukeboxAlley]

I have the totem dreamcatchers, and their very good, even when compared to the ls3/5a and kef ls50, and proac I've had, their very musical and perfect nearfield and engaging, also one of the few speakers I've had that sound nearly perfect with that new controls set all flat, normally some usually need a bump on the high end or low end. The engineer of the totem dreamcatcher said they like the cabinet to be more lively in timbre instead of the usual inert cabinets most go for. I think they nailed it just fine with the dreamcatcher, tweeters not bright either. German acoustics tweeter and peerless made in Denmark model woofers, both very well built. haven't heard the rainmakers though but would like to.

[@dannyrichie9743]

Cabinet resonances and coloration is never a good thing. That is not musical or part of the music. It is just noise. Also, those woofers are not made in Denmark. They were made in India.

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

Trendy haircut mate. Looking good.

[@gregorycollins3096]

It looks good to me. Thanks for the review.

[@micheandmikey]

Interesting. I have Totom Tribe In Wala speakers for my rear channels in my theater. They sound amazing, I'm curious how they would stand up to the G-R test. Thanks!

[@keithneal5369]

Surely these loudspeaker manufacturers check the frequency response of their products. How on earth do you manage to get a 5 DB lift in response from the tweeter. If you can flatten the response, why cant they do this before release. Even I could sort out some of the problems with this loudspeaker. Damping in the cabinet, sort out the port and remove steel screws and replace with non magnetic ones. Always find your video's informative and entertaining.

[@davidristic3800]

If you had these speakers at zero toe-in, having your listening position slightly off axis from the tweeter would negate some of that rise, perhaps all of it. We don't know what position the manufacturers may have in mind and might be engineering output from a baseline position of zero toe-in.

[@keithneal5369]

@@davidristic3800 I take note of your comment and agree that not toeing in the speakers would negate this anomaly. I have tannoys which need careful placement . They can sound top end heavy if toed in too much. I personally like dual concentric loudspeakers. They seem to be making a bit of a comeback.

[@RennieAsh]

They don't always design for flat response. They use borosilicate damping, and no fluffy stuff (some people think you get clearer response this way) The port may be small due to resonances developing in larger ports, and needing to be excessively large for the cabinet due to the low tuning frequency. As for the nuts and bolts, it only matters to some people. Aside from a tiny bit of extra resistance or inductance which is generally not audible, there is far more effect from that coil of wire that's immersed in a really strong magnetic field no? Each manufacturer has different people with different philosophies on sound, so you get these differences. Each person buying a product will also tend to believe different parts of the audio story

[@alecrowell3953]

Fascinating video (as usual :>). I've got a pair of Totem Mites in the bedroom--should I send them in for you to take a look/listen. Unlike the Rainmakers, they're solid little suckers (though that may because their diminutive size gives them the cabinet stiffness of heavily reinforced speakers); I hear no prominent ringing, but haven't put them on a 'scope. However, I imagine they have the same sort of compromises in binding posts & crossovers.

[@pjmvdbroek]

How is this guy the absolute reference for sound quality?

[@dannyrichie9743]

Who said that I was?

[@davekallerae5672]

Have you heard of the fire line from totem . They use their special magnet to each .no crossovers.

[@RennieAsh]

Sounds like an underhung design with polycone or similar for smooth rolloff. It would have some directionality and possible phase issues at some angles unless the woofer can roll off early enough. Also how do they do baffle step compensation?

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Amazing speakers with the torrent technology. Especially the Tribe Tower. That’s the only speaker I have ever heard that does not sound like a speaker. The sound does not sound like played back by speakers. The electronics were by Moon by Simaudio. The instruments sounded just like instruments are in front of us with a human singing in the middle

[@vynleshmynle7372]

This speaker sounds exactly like it’s supposed to. The owner / designer of Totem doesn’t release a speaker if it doesn’t sound exactly as he intended. There is no acoustic fluff in any of Totems speakers. They implement a proprietary coating on the speaker interior. Those steel screws were used for a reason, don’t kid yourself. If they affect the sound they were supposed too. If you don’t like the way these speakers sound then sell them, the jiggery pokery this clown is selling won’t make the speaker sound any better, just different. There is no “fixing”this speaker. Save yourself the time, money and aggravation.

[@dannyrichie9743]

If you believe that a wall coating will absorb internal standing waves, that steel screws don't negatively alter the response (and sound), and that a tweeter level 5db louder than the woofer makes things sound better then I have some ocean front property in Oklahoma that you might be interested in. If you think port chuffing noise and cabinet resonances are a good thing, and that coloration is just what all music needs because that is how they were designed, then someone has really fooled you. These were not well designed.

[@Hiluxtaco]

Hello, Danny!! 🙋‍♂️

[@PetrosKostopoulos1]

To fix this stuff… hilarious 😆 😂😂😂😆

[@RennieAsh]

Compromises. He added more stuff, made the off axis response "worse" for a little better on axis. It's closer to a sidegrade in some ways

[@cablezilla]

Have you ever done, or thought of doing, any speaker models from NHT?

[@dannyrichie9743]

We have looked at NHT models. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWW9fYKDo8l1oK8

[@Gnorghosz]

Hmmm... I think this is a good example of the difference between theory and reality. A friend has these Rainmakers and my goodness is that they sound better than any other speaker we have compared, none of the limiting parameters he mentions stand out when listening. Is it because Totem is a Canadian company and this guy is American? Not sure. But what is certain is that Americans always say that they are the best. So, it would be a bit in this logic, without obviously mentioning that he wants to sell his own speakers, because they are so much better...

[@dannyrichie9743]

The measurements are the same no matter how far North you live.

[@Silver_Surfer_1]

If you go to a bigger port it will need to be longer correct. For those who might attempt that change it would be good to let those that don't know, how much of a change is needed. Just saying.... 🤔

[@bernardchesneau3091]

How about placing a RLC circuit in // with the tweeter to level the tweeter and leave it at that with optional better x-over parts.

[@RennieAsh]

Yes I'd personally attempt somethign like that as the new crossover trades some off axis anomalies to get that lower tweeter level

[@J_adventures1]

“Fix”? more like tune it to your preference. Nothing is wrong with the speaker. Just may not be your cup of tea.

[@ClassifiedBrief]

A speaker acting as an eq is not right. The artist mixed the music so certain frequency and sounds were certain levels. Do you think a speaker then doing its own tweaking is natural? No. It changes what was made in the studio. It's wrong. Plain and simple.

[@paulb4661]

​@@ClassifiedBrief Then again not every listener sits dead centre in an acoustically adapted studio, in fact, the vast majority listen to music in rooms of differing sizes with various furnishings, which will tend to modify the response to a varying degree.

[@ClassifiedBrief]

@@paulb4661 right so why should you start with a speaker that produces its own eq? Exactly you don't want to.

[@paulb4661]

@@ClassifiedBrief Because it's easier to slightly elevate very high frequencies in a speaker, so that it's flat 30 off axis than to adapt a room. Metal domes generally do that on axis, you know - they have the tendency to beam on axis prior to onset of the so called oil-can resonance, or break-up. Your position relative to the axis, distance and how lively the room is, has much greater influence on the response than this. The point is, that it may actually lead to better listening experience under non-ideal conditions, so common in ordinary rooms and that's why.

[@RennieAsh]

@@ClassifiedBrief How do you know the artist/engineer was using perfectly flat monitors ideally setup? And the end result of this change was a little worse response off axis which is still being like an EQ. The artist also mixed sounds at a certain global reference level - but not everyone will listen at such level - Fletcher Munson curve has entered the chat Not everyone necessarily wants "what the artist intended" whatever that means, but what sounds good to them. The only real way to hear it as the artist finalised the music, is to go to the studio it was done in, or at least get their monitors and attempt to recreate said room at home.

[@robertgranberg6018]

Is Therese any way to come in contact With GR Research?? i have som spesific questions about the crossover in the ess amt limetid edition loud speaker model,,

[@dannyrichie9743]

Our website does include contact information.

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Yamaha NS-690s can be found for 500. Absolutely stunning speakers. That is the LSA spectral decay. Looks gross. Instead of connetors, why not hard wire high quality braided cables to the crossover? Why not add an LPad for the tweeter? Or a series and parallel resistor? For that matter why not have the xovers external to the cabinets?

[@grantw7946]

They are rated 47Hz min. So you need a subwoofer to cover the bottom end. The 20-40HZ test is true but really not applicable. Set you amp to cross over to the sub at about 40HZ.

[@MrRonnmaui]

Great review! I almost bought that particular speaker. Have you heard the Kerr Acoustic K300?

[@nettydrone9100]

Have you heard or evaluated the Totem Beaks? What could you say about these having effects on the sound? Love your tech analysis - thanks

[@dannyrichie9743]

Send one in and I'll let you know.

[@nettydrone9100]

@@dannyrichie9743 - Thanks for your reply. I don't have one to send in.

[@Taffy84]

I listened to the Beaks and heard no dif. Placebo IMO.

[@nettydrone9100]

@@Taffy84 Thank you for your reply!

[@JMJM75257]

I'm curious is there no way to measure the diameter and Length of the current port and match with another that is bigger but shorter to keep same tuning? Would be very simple to just drill a bigger hole no?

[@dannyrichie9743]

Calculating correct port sizes are very easy.

[@myturkishlife1777]

Love these video's...👍 Best wishes from Turkey 👍🇹🇷

[@seanb3303]

I think a lot of consumers like the V-shape tuning. The Harmon Curve for headphones 🎧 is kinda V shaped.

[@kevinwest1607]

Danny would die of a heart attack if listened to my setup. Klipsch powered by class d amp😮

[@alexkay1874]

Good video Any up grades for Totem Sttaf ?

[@wendellgayheart9228]

Once again…the only good thing in this speaker are the parts that Danny uses in his speakers…love these video’s lol

[@dannyrichie9743]

The woofers were pretty good.

[@wolffi90123]

What does the slanted cut on the port do? My guess would be that it works a bit like a flare.

[@RennieAsh]

Maybe also helps reduce a resonance/spread out the Q

[@epi2045]

Another great video where the sum of the parts simply don’t add up. When you look at Totem pricing, I understand why Danny is so popular.

[@TomT-bn1lm]

Totem does a better job than most for the price. Decent parts in most of the crossover compared to other high end brands at the same price points. Sure, the Rainmakers treble was hot, but the cabinets work well, the driver selection is pretty good and the overall speakers is good quality. How many other speakers get a relatively positive overview before upgrades?

[@vynleshmynle7372]

If your talking about speakers made in China or some other 3rd world country then perhaps the sum of the parts may not add up. The drivers that Totem uses are not Chinese junk, they come from European countries and are fabricated to Totems specifications, they are not typically bought off the shelf items in almost all cases.

[@chelillingworth9466]

Is it possible to order US Coils inductors from you, or from them directly, looking for a 3mh

[@hoth2112]

Sure, just give us a call or shoot us an email.

[@alexw890]

They sell direct from their website but only ship via FedEx and it’s pricey.

[@dangerzone007]

Rather than mucking around with the crossover consider replacing the tweeters.

[@RennieAsh]

Why not just make a pair of speakers from scratch

[@dangerzone007]

@@RennieAsh yes

[@kohnfutner9637]

That speaker would have killed my ear when I was 35 and under. I still think it would be way too bright for me.

[@raynabozny2338]

Danny have you ever heard Watkins Gen 4 ?

[@kenhiett5266]

Let's see how cheesy Totem crossovers are. I'm a fan of their element line and their in-house drivers, but maybe even those fairly expensive speakers are smuggling iron and sand-cast without my knowledge.

[@mikerichardson60]

Sorry but trying to evaluate a speaker by simply staring at the parts or the frequency response charts in nonsensical. I love my Totem Staffs almost as much as my considerably more expensive ProAc SuperTablettes. This just seems to be an advertisement to sell unnecessary "upgrades".

[@dannyrichie9743]

No, not at all. There are measurements that tell us what the audible issues are, and this one had some issues.

[@CraigJervis-qf8zp]

Does anyone make upgrade kits for gr research speakers?

[@dannyrichie9743]

We offer upgrades on almost every model we offer.

[@georgepyrgelis4217]

I'm so disappointed from the companies I was expecting this from totem it happens and other models!!!

[@thomasmleahy6218]

Translation, please.

[@djfirestormx]

aircore inductor on parralel with the tweeter does not matter if it is 18 awg or 16 awg, its not in signal path and thus via PHYSICS does not alter the sound or power of the tweeter. it only effects the crossover with the impedence difference, which can be adjusted with the rest of the crossover if the engineer knows what they are doing. just another classic misdirection as to what is and is not acceptable in a crossover. Again parralel inductors have NO CURRENT HANDELING THUS AWD ONLY MATTERS IN TERMS OF IMPEDENCE ADJUSTMENT

[@dannyrichie9743]

Actually, they are in the direct signal path and do matter.

[@djfirestormx]

@@dannyrichie9743 oh my well then. It's weird to see inductors on signal path of a tweeter. They trying to roll off something in the top end that's bad then I guess. I assumed it was low pass which only thr impedance of the inductor is reliant. What an odd crossover 😂

[@dannyrichie9743]

@@djfirestormx Even coils that are in the shunt circuit are still in the signal path.

[@Cartier_specialist]

It took me way too many pairs of speakers to figure this out but I don't like metal tweeters, I prefer silk dome tweeters. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is other than the metal dome tweeters just have a harshness to them that gives me listener fatigue in a really short period of time. Am I missing any vital frequencies? I doubt it.

[@christiantessier6599]

Totem forest are metal tweeter and sweeter than soft dome or silk in my others set of speaker.

[@jogmas12]

I’m sensitive to brightness

[@machone539]

As you get older, "What brightness?". hahahhaah

[@kelvinbarrett6745]

Same, music should never be bright 🎵

[@RennieAsh]

@@kelvinbarrett6745 Idk, some people make music like that on purpose.

[@kelvinbarrett6745]

@@RennieAsh harshness brightness is simply just distortion it ruin's the music 🎼

[@drc97086]

That’s a big thumbs down for the crap, seemingly all manufacturers use in their crossovers…..build your own.

[@jogmas12]

Good, bad and ugly

[@C-man553]

The steel business is ridiculous.

[@peekaboo4390]

I consider Totems to be of the white van variety of speakers.

[@rickcorel5154]

It is unacceptable that even expensive speakers need an upgrade.