Totem Acoustic

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Break in time

2. Amplification

3. Mass Loading

All Totem floor models work very well without any type of mass loading. However if stability is an issue or if there is a particular over emphasis in the bass in the room they are used in, then mass loading can be experimented with. Variables such as electronics, wiring and room dynamics play a definite role and therefore the option is there for your experimentation.

4. Substances Used for Mass loading

One may use: clean dry sand,silica sand, dry particulate matter or non-odor kitty litter.

5. Toe-in or not

Due to the fact that all Totem speakers have great off-axis dispersion, toe-in is generally not needed. Imaging will therefore be more stable from any point in the room. If the speakers are placed very far apart (over 7 feet) then a slight toe-in may be experimented with. However if room geometry does not permit a straight-ahead aspect they will also perform very well with a slight toe-in.

6. Bi or Single Wiring

Bi-Wiring Advantages

Bi-wiring obviously has a greater energetic flow and allows less saturation to occur to either the tweeter or woofer. Information to the speaker is basically an electron flow through the wire.

If the terminals for both the tweeter and woofer have the advantage of each having a particular signal going to them (without different medium/material interference via jumper) then that signal has less interference. The signal also has a greater wire surface area to go through and the result is a greater dynamic headroom, clarity and imaging capability.

Single-Wiring Advantages

There are some cases where a high quality single wire allows for a better tonal balance for a particular need.

Single Wiring is definitely a very good way to proceed as long as the four terminals are there. The user has the choice of connecting just the lower two terminals and through this obtain a certain "tone". Reconnecting the wire to the upper two terminals gives the user more high frequency emphasis. Connecting the red positive at the bottom and the black at the top (diagonally opposite) or vice versa will give you two more "tone" options.

In conclusion the customer/dealer has four possibilities with a high quality single wire. We recommend the diagonal connection when using the single wire to create a greater balance.

7. Placement: from rear wall

8. Placement: distance apart

The sub woofers: Completely variable but generally in the front plane.
Dreamcatcher: Ideally in the front plane towards the corners of the room.