TOTEM SKYLIGHT, the brilliant little speaker that could

[@m_DT]

Proud Totem owner over here.

[@gertwitter9164]

About twenty years ago, i bought a pair of Totem Arro speakers. Still enjoying them almost daily. I saw this model is even still in production.

[@ginom407]

I have a pair of the Totem Sttaf from the 90's that still sound amazing. They're never leaving house.

[@Kbaum752]

I'm still loving my totem mites after twenty years. Adding a REL T5i subwoofer put them over the top

[@alfredtolentino8614]

Nice. I’m running a Totem Kin with a Rel T7. 👍

[@-x21-]

I traded my skylights for mites.

[@jonaskromwell4464]

Totems really surprised me when I auditioned them. They put out a shocking amount of bass for such a small package and sound incredible.

[@rmccormack920]

I purchased a pair of these in 2020 from a local brick and mortar (sound unheard). I finally received these (pandemic related supply chain issues) and hooked them up to my near(ish) field setup. By the time they arrived, I had gotten a pair of the Klipsch RM-600’s and coupled with a Rel subwoofer, I was very happy. I hooked them up briefly, and they ended up in a the bedroom for evening relaxation. In the past few months, I was ready to try something other than the Klipsch. I was ready to jump into “something else”....and then I saw your review (again). I moved the Klipsch’ and put the Skylights in. OMFG....was this a bottle of fine red wine that I had let breathe? Were these past months a burn in? Whatever.....these speakers have bloomed. They sound so amazing and I am so glad I didn’t jump on to the next best thing. Thanks Steve.

[@plaubelmakina8916]

The owner would be a great interview guest.

[@michaelmityok1001]

Ya wud luv 2 c that interview!

[@brandonburr4900]

I agree. Not sure I have ever seen the ownerf/designer of totem speakers. Is it the original guy that started totem? I know their is a following for this brand over the years but the other bigger names seem to overshadow it.

[@kozmiczian795]

good work, Steve. Detailed and expressive.

[@norton750commando]

One thing about Totems, is the soundstage they give, you really don't have to find the "sweet spot" for getting the most out of your music listening pleasure, you can get it sitting off axis. I have a pair of Dreamcatchers and they are really special. My son was in his room about 25 feet or so down the hall from the stereo, and I had put on the 2017 repress of Massive Attack's Mezzanine on the TT. He came running down the hall to listen to the album.

[@rrtind]

I absolutely love this review. Really informative but also passionate. I heard a pair of totem speakers over 20 years ago and they were very special back then. Great review Steve 👌

[@MrCraptakular]

I am from the UK and picked up my Totem Sky with official Totem stands last week. Running with my Sugden SE21 amp and the combo of totally amazing! Highly recommend Totem and Sugden for that matter!

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

The Totem Tribe Tower is THE ONLY speaker I‘ve ever heard that sound exactly like the instruments it plays back.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@keplermission4947 Did you like your own comment? Are you a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist? I am a clinical psychologist and I recommend never call someone a narcissist or psychopaths or any other (personality) disorder without testing them comprehensively.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

@@keplermission4947 There is no „if“. I am a clinical psychologist. I studied in Munich for two Bachelors one in Business Psychology and the other in Clinical Psy and did my master at the University of Ulm. As long as you are a human being you are welcome and not a stranger to me.

[@preparetomeetthypnoom9201]

My favorite version of Dark Side of the Moon is the one with Syd Barrett singing and playing guitar on it.

[@malaudisa]

I have had a pair of Totem Acoustic Dreamcatchers for the last 10 years., driven by a Naim Uniti Atom. Two years ago, I set out to upgrade the speakers, with a hefty budget ceiling of around $5k. Everything I tried didn’t seem to be worth changing the Dreamcatchers for. The sound they make is son natural, so live, esp. female vocals that make you believe Ella is in your living room. I’m still thrilled with them, and I wonder if I’ll ever have the energy and motivation to go on the hunt for a better sounding speaker, since it’s so laborious and difficult to actually setup and hear other products side by side.

[@keithwalker8090]

I've heard that Totem and Naim owners are like cult members. So I think the only way you can upgrade is to listen to another totem or Naim. It sounds like your in a good place.

[@bjornlagerwall]

I too have the Dreamcatchers, got a good price for a demo pair. Upgraded everything now except the speakers. Using a a Primaluna tube amp and a Hegel DAC. Very nice combo.

[@StealthParrot]

I have 5 Totem Kin in-wall speakers in my home theater room and they sound fabulous. I fell in love with Totem speakers when I first heard the Mani-2 decades ago.

[@johnkelley4404]

Just bought a mahogany pair a week ago. Fabulous! Paired to my primaluna prologue premium amp Rotel 1572 CD player and transparent plus Gen 5 interconnects and speaker cables. It sounds similar to the Totem sttaf I owned,but a little more open and less bass but not by much. Great review

[@billappleton3986]

Love the new albums and music + audiophile reviews

[@mikecoffee100]

Canada is not just for Curling but also Great sounding speakers like Totems

[@mipepim]

I have the same speakers!!!! I love them.!!!

[@jaywatterworth]

I was at that Doors concert. You are right on in your assessment except not mentioning that the whole band was top rate.

[@JoelOman1980]

I used to own a pair of Totem Mite standmount speakers some 10 years ago. Miss them a lot. They were soooo good!

[@ZeroFidelity]

Nice job, Steve! It's great to know that Vince has retained his passion for the craft!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks Sean!

[@bobb.9917]

Thanks for your enthusiasm, knowledge and passion with the gear and more importantly "the music"! It is always a pleasure!

[@TO-vw3sy]

If you've never listened to the Totem Model One, the original...I'm not sure how you can call yourself an audiophile. Simply incredible speaker

[@damianzaninovich4900]

Great review, I enjoyed the music reviews as well. You mentioned bootlegs. I’ve been listening to a homemade cd my brother made from Ray Davies’s “Storyteller” era which is legitimate but most of the songs on this disc are bootlegs from this tour. The dynamics are eye opening, never hear commercial recordings made like this. It sounds like Ray Davies is in my room. I’ve never heard a bootleg that sounds this good. 80 minutes of some of the best music I know of. We love the “Village Green” era before and after. We are Kinks fanatics.

[@MarkBanks77]

Totems are incredible 👍

[@richardsauer7494]

What irks me about bookshelf speakers is the cost of the stands... what are these thing made of ? Gold. Might as well buy a floorstanding speaker.

[@chuckgillespie1]

Amen - I just bought $600 stand mounts and $1000 for subs and $150 for the stands....

[@elijahmohamed1886]

I realize it is kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch new series online ?

[@kadenmarco576]

@Elijah Mohamed i use Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)

[@edencarlos2219]

@Kaden Marco yup, been using Flixzone for since april myself :D

[@elijahmohamed1886]

@Kaden Marco thanks, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D I appreciate it!

[@geoffreyvanhouwaert8677]

Signature one on the other hand💕

[@rd264]

heard the AR 3a speakers with the AR integrated amp and turntable. really good. dont scoff !!

[@henriksrensen3220]

I love standmount speakers. Love your reviews Steve 👍

[@mike-js1jj]

Thanks for the review. My Totem Forests really came to life when I hooked them up to the Prima Luna Evo 400 what a difference . I do wonder at times if there a bit bright though.

[@benjaminqilafku5714]

These Totem speakers look ordinary but sonically punch above the weight. They have only one flaw are very expensive here in Italy, cost about 1400-1500 US dollars. I was seriously considering buying them but their price tag turned me off and took a completely different route bought a set of large floor standers for 500 less and I'm happy as a free bird. By the way the speakers I bought are called Magnat Transpuls 1500 and are very similar to a Klipsch FORTE III in size. Give an audition if you can or buy them straight away because I swear will not regret it. Big bold, natural, live venue sound is going to be the reward for less then 1G

[@seanmangan2769]

I've always liked Totem, I have the Dreamcatchers, and the original Model 1s. Magic.

[@SaZooCaballero]

Yep, same here. I've had many speakers, and pound per pound Dreamcatchers are unbeatable.

[@davidmiller1534]

If we're going to do bookshelves, I hope to see something from Revel, KEF (R3), or Monitor Audio.

[@newgunguy4176]

I love that your intro is only 4 secs long!!!

[@madisongraham9307]

Saw The Beach Boys 127 years ago also in Dallas in mid-1969s... never had their LOs only 45s...I will now have to get the CD (and check Steve’s math)!

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Totem make thier own drive units ... Some of which are the best in world

[@techmetal2292]

What are the acoustic panels you have on your wall? They look very interesting

[@tonykazz2779]

Geeze, your lens is making a nice soft look

[@dayfornight88]

I scored a nice pair of totem dreamcatchers my favorite speaker ever . when playing them if I close my eyes I think I'm herring imassive towers high end..

[@barfdog17]

if i end up with a pair of skylights it will be this review that led me to them

[@ionobelisk]

What you say about the Fillmore makes it sound like The Astoria in London, now sadly demolished for a new underground station. Just the best venue

[@nevigo5519]

Is the plates on the wall with different small holes (like Kefs meta) to absorb certain freq? Thanks for the video Steve. Love from Copenhagen.

[@bradleydurbin6784]

How do these speakers compare to Paradigm and PSB since they are also Canadian Speakers?

[@-x21-]

Try playing Either or Both by Phoebe Snow. Her voice triggers the port problem. It should sound like her singing though a plastic pipe... Steve, I cannot believe you didn't hear the port bleeding into the mids. This was a major fuckup for Totem. I guess I had mine for longer...

[@mikecoffee100]

ok I have the original Rainmaker and a pair of Mites and a Pair of Skys and am happy with each one of them.

[@Raskolnikov1863]

You must review Arro! Blows away your affordable speakers

[@jeffkalina7727]

Heard this speaker in a shootout last November. It had a very engaging sound everyone enjoyed. Would be top contender as a secondary, small room speaker at $1.0k.

[@arthurwatts1680]

Steve has been a fan of Totem speakers since the 1880s ;) (OK, OK - he's only a few years older than me, but I struggle to remember ANY of the audio gear from the 80s. I know my turntable was crap but few of us cared as long as we could hear the music on the records. I'm fairly sure everything I had was Made In Japan - sadly, that was before they made the leap to high quality manufacture).

[@kjbunnyboiler]

Interesting, for some reason I can remember kit my school had in the early 70’s , I can also remember the reg plates of my fathers cars from the 60’s.The thing is I think my memory is actually pretty crap especially with peoples names! I guess the brain retains some things better than others and it very much depends on the individual! I also remember the vat number of a company I worked for briefly in the late 70’s. It was 9 digit number and there’s no reason why I should remember it. I can’t remember my own vat number My business had in the 80’s! With Hifi though I can usually tie a pic with a model number

[@arthurwatts1680]

@@kjbunnyboiler Nope - back then it was whatever consumer-grade gear I could get my hands on and that was it. I know there WERE hi-fi shops in Sydney but I knew I couldn't afford any of it so I didn't bother - my priorities were the music and partying. Saw a lot of live bands and enjoyed the vinyl I owned, but there was absolutely nothing memorable about the brand names where I shopped - if was probably JVC or one of the other brands that slapped their name on anything to turn a profit. FWIW, I've never forgotten my tax file number or my Army regimental ID. A young Steve Guttenberg trying to sell me Totem speakers would have given up very quickly ;)

[@Lightworker444]

Could you review the Kin Monitors? I see nobody doing it and I don't understand why. They have a smaller woofer than the powered Kin Plays, and I'd like to know how the Monitors sound, stage, etc

[@mbvx7]

when are you doing a KLH Model 5 review?

[@rd264]

heard the AR 3a speakers with the AR integrated amp and turntable. really good. dont scoff !!

[@mbvx7]

@@rd264 what does that have to do with me or my question?

[@dynacoman7363]

Wonder how sound of Skylight compares to Sky. Skylight has slightly larger woofer, smaller cbnt, 1/2 price.

[@alfredtolentino8614]

Love the video👍🎶 How would these fair inside a Salamander cabinet?

[@ionobelisk]

Don't know if it's still the case, but Mission always advised parallel over toed in.

[@1leesuperka]

Soo happy to see Totem getting reviewed! I think they get less attention than they deserve. I own a pair of Dreamcatchers and Rainmakers. They are truly amazing. As a Canadian, I thank you for praising one of our best companies in Hi-Fi! Now, how about some Bryston?

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks Steve. I’m going to check out the Dark Side the next time I’m listening to my system.

[@aag1140]

Totem One

[@danielshia1575]

hey steve! curious how you compare the Skylights with the LSX - between those two for a desktop set up!

[@davidstein9129]

Steve, Thanks for another informative & fun review. I own Totem Tower speakers. I have a quick question for you. Which company makes the charcoal colored diffuser panels behind the speakers in your listening room? Thanks So Much.

[@jlmain5777]

Speaking of Carol Kaye, she would make a terrific interview and I’m sure she would do it.

[@MG-iv8oo]

care to comment on the skylight compared to the totem arro (which i have just ordered). thx

[@garysmith8455]

Thanks Steve, great review as always. Your Martin Logan man here.. Just wanted you and the audio community to know, that JUST THIS WEEK, I sat down and listened to that VERY SAME Beach Boys recording edition. Wonderful sound indeed. I believe Carol Kaye is the bassist throughout those arrangements with that 'wrecking crew'... I remember very well hearing those tunes when they were on the air in rotation before I even owned an FM radio ((O: My dad bought my mom an FM table radio in 1967 and that was really a break through sound back in those days.....NO static from lightening during the summer storms.......sorry, I didn't mean to get carried away, but, I am sure you've been there (O:

[@mcpoulet13]

Hi, would these pair well with a NAIM Uniti Star? I believe that these might be the best in the price range but I'd appreciate any other suggestions.

[@Jeton6]

Neil Young is an artist acutely aware of how badly CD's could amputate psychedelic rock compared to LP, so I expect engineers on his classic recordings will hold similar values when mastering to high-res media.

[@mikrophonie5633]

Neil Young made psychedelic rock? That's probably news to him.

[@davidstein9129]

Does anybody know who makes those square, diffusion panels behind the pair of Totum speakers?

[@richardpauli4515]

Thanks for this review. I bought a pair of Dreamcatcher’s in Cherry finish (my first and only Totems) about 6 years ago and really enjoy them. However, I think that bass is a little bit lacking, so I was wondering if you might have an opinion on matching the Dreamcatchers with a small sub? Unfortunately, Totem isn’t making a Dreamcatcher sub. I think they said that the Kin mini would work well. Thoughts?

[@davidstein9129]

One person said he paired them with 2 REL subs & likes the sound very much. I don't remember which model REL

[@EirkenElite]

It's all about those linkwitz crossovers

[@ForsakenSparrow]

How do these compare with the Kef LS50 Meta?

[@jimmatheos9069]

Did you test the totem with the stock jumpers or your own? The photo that you posted shows stock jumpers.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Stock

[@rhwinner]

Totem speakers have a reputation for being amazing at moderate sound levels but sometimes lose their composure with loud, rock tracks.

[@marcgabor9690]

Steve are you listening to Pet Sounds in stereo or mono? Your review inspired me to put on my lava lamp and dive into to pet sounds. For a change I listened to the mono mixes (Tidal has them in MQA) and WOW. Amazing how deep the mixes are. I never feel like I'm missing any ambiance or separation even though the same thing is coming out of both channels. Brilliant.

[@johngutmanis3580]

Steve any idea what kind of amps and speakers were uses at the Fillmore in it’s hay day? Thanks

[@mikrophonie5633]

They used to serve hay at the Fillmore? Didn't know that.

[@pingkichan7285]

Can you tell me what is that black panel behind the speaker, where can I get it and how much is it? Thanks

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

It’s a GIK difuuser it’s about $50

[@pingkichan7285]

Thank you.

[@jogmas12]

Crunchier?

[@alexp-de]

just curious, is the video with more viewer home setups still coming?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes on Wednesday and Friday, it’s a two-parter

[@atoz6552]

I want a pair of Arrows for my small room

[@brandonburr4900]

Steve, With that sorta consistent 7 to 8 ohms rating that just screams try me with lower powered tube amps and some first watt class a magic or some sit amplifiers 😀

[@PanAmStyle]

Very nice review. I remember hearing the original Manis when they were just released, at a high end show in Toronto. Indeed it was amazing to hear all the bass coming from those little guys. Steve, if you still have the Skylights in house, try playing St. James Infirmary on The Bright Mississippi disc by Allen Toussaint. Wow, what a great version and recording! I’d be interested to hear your impression of how the Totems rendered that piece - it’s so much fun!

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

Great for "HiFi" recordings, but how does it recreate what the artist intended on something like Art Brut's Slap Dash For No Cash?

[@fletchermunson6225]

I massively screwed up. Instead of going up to the strip and seeing the Doors at the Whiskey, I went to the Troubadour. Sigh.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Seems like a good name for an in- ceiling speaker? 😅

[@mesonto]

Generally the Totem speaker line have vastly superior tonality compared the majority of other speaker manufacturers. This is where I think they are well worth their money. Also, you mentioned the speaker grills... funny enough Wilson Audio could take some lessons from Totem in this area. (Grumble, grumble, had to repair my over priced Wilson speaker grills several times, grumble grumble.)

[@tonykazz2779]

Your Crib is catching-up with J.Darko

[@Finn-McCool]

The second coming of the Polk Audio RT15 😆 Looks aren't everything though I suppose.

[@danielwilliams1921]

Where’d all the crazy-cool shirts go?

[@joeragu7056]

Hi I like your videos can you please tell me how I can send you a question about a product ? Thanks Joseph ragusa.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks Joseph, you can email [e-mail] Say what the product is in the subject line. Please understand I get offers all the time that I rarely accept, so don’t take it personal

[@joeragu7056]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks I will not take it personal you are very good at what you do I can understand why you get so many ! Actually just wondering what you think of gallo speakers and did you ever do a review of them thanks again Joseph.

[@danielnicholls6868]

wait to you get to the tribes or V2s

[@ICU2002]

Hello Steve, when are you going to review the JBL 100 anniversary speakers? Any chance?

[@JohnJohn-lk4lq]

Hope not it’s a shit speaker

[@ICU2002]

@@JohnJohn-lk4lq Have you heard it???

[@JohnJohn-lk4lq]

@@ICU2002 clearly I have, I wouldn’t comment if I haven’t. Jbl is a joke

[@themastroiannis]

@@JohnJohn-lk4lq of course you didn't listen to them! you're lying yet again. i went to your house and you still have your pair of Dayton Kremola Speakers!

[@bizyz]

we really don't get to see much of this speaker.should have shown close ups of it as well as what the back looks like.

[@jfasselin4301]

Made in Québec

[@aceberganabolic]

is it just hobby ? or u paid by companies ?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I get paid by Google, the company that owns KZbin. You know all those commercials of people hate? That’s where the money comes from

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

My former speakers were the Arro's now replaced by the Kin Mini + Sub just because the imaging of the Kin is better. Probably due to the 6dB filtering. Thinking about replacing these by either the LS50 or these Totems with the Sub. Never liked KEF but the LS50 should be different. Never heard them though.

[@wiebl5266]

with so much experience, you can really enrich the audience--your fans. BUT you spend 40% of the time rambling on about music that you reminisce... it's meaningful and special to you, but not to me and many others--I'm sure. Of course those who adores you will come to your defense here. Perhaps you have a rich experience to talk about old music that others do not have the privilege to experience like you did, but how does it benefit the audience--who tune in to find out more about TOTEM Skylight?

[@JEG6919]

Never heard a memorable totem speaker. Just another two way speaker. They’re not alone, however.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

No problem, they’re doing fine without you👍You know we don’t have to all agree what could good sound is, have you not been paying attention?

[@JEG6919]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac There are two way bookshelf speakers as far as the eye can see today. An opinion can be a individual who has heard their offerings more than once, never feeling there was anything above average about them. Differing opinions should be encouraged.

[@LiuMav]

I heard the totem bookshelves before. When set up properly, it can bring out emotions and dazzle the senses.

[@JEG6919]

Bruce Liu l've heard totems on a multitude of occasions. If you don't compare them to anything, you may think they are OK. The unvarnished truth is they are forgettable.

[@kenhiett5266]

@@JEG6919 And yet Jason from 2 channel listening rates the Totem Element Fire as one of the best speakers he's ever owned. Not just the best bookshelf speakers, but one of the best speakers in general. This is from a guy that's owned many highly accomplished speakers. I put the Element Fire V2 on my shortlist to audition, so we'll see if your opinion has any merit. I'm highly doubtful considering the raving reviews regarding the in-house Torrent driver. My money is on your comment being put to bed.

[@tonykazz2779]

You are too bleached-out, adjust colour balance

[@ryanschipp8513]

10lb speaker for 1k? Nope. I'll take the NEW pair of Canton reference 9.2's I got for $1100 shipped. They should feel ashamed to sell a 10lb speaker for 1k. Holy cats! Thats a lightweight.

[@HareDeLune]

Lol! Speakers by the pound.

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@HareDeLune Yep. Makes a difference in cabinet resonance and shows if they are cutting some corners.

[@HareDeLune]

@@ryanschipp8513 I prefer cutting corners. All the corners. Less diffraction that way. ~_^

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@HareDeLune lol

[@geoffreyvanhouwaert8677]

I didn't like these...

[@Yessssz]

... why?

[@geoffreyvanhouwaert8677]

@@Yessssz they were bland, no sparkle, no music, but that's just me, maybe my room or amps didn't work with them

[@Yessssz]

Geoffrey, thanks for the comment. I feel like I had similar experience listening to a pair of Totems with Audio Research years ago, though I can’t remember the model.

[@geoffreyvanhouwaert8677]

@@Yessssz the signature one is actually one of the best bookshelfs for smaller rooms i've ever heard...

[@phillipmaxwell6882]

I like the tonal balance and and signature of totem speakers. To date I have never owned them. I find them a little to expensive for what they are........

[@phillipmaxwell6882]

But by no means are they flat. They always have that Bruce buzzy sound.( sorry about spelling of bruzzy)

[@phillipmaxwell6882]

Excuse me,Vince bruzzy sound.