Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Totem Dreamcatchers

I've narrowed down my HT package to the Totem Dreamcatchers or this Axiom set-up. M22 fronts, QS8's rear, VP100, EP175. The other system I liked was Energy's Encore system. I'm leaning towards the Totem package because it seems like everytime I audition the Axioms they sound muffled compared to the Totem's. Anybody have any comments on either system?

Did you say you found Axiom muffled compared to Totem?

I've had the chance to audition the dreamcatcher - twice, in two different settings, with different electronics and different sources playing. I liked them, a whole lot. They're an excellent and good looking package. However, they are expensive, and I don't find them to be as good as the Axiom setup I have.

Just for the record, my HT consists of

M22Ti
VP150
QS4
EP125

If you are thinking of buying these, or better, do so. They surpass the Totem's Dreamcatcher. The most noticeable improvements Axioms give are clarity and sound dispersion, especially in the surround and center channels.

My advice to you is buy the Axioms, and even better, don't get the VP100, get the VP150. It's well worth the extra cash.

good luck with your decision!

I have also demoed these Totems. I do like the way they sound at first, but after a while I found myself wanting to turn them of due to listening fatigue. They are very clear, almost too clear. I felt that they were a little too bright and piercing. My wife felt the same way. The Totems are good, the towers especially, but for the money I believe Axiom is a better choice.

Bestboy4

Thanks for the responses. I'll be demoing tthe Totem's again with my wife and will also be checking out B&W 600 S3's all round with LCR60 S3 with the ASW600 for a sub. These run very close in price to the Axiom set of 22's, VP150 and EP175. The other system I am trying to demo is Dahlquist's System 3.

I need to go to a better retailer and listen to the Axiom's again.

xforce

the dahlquists are a great competitor of Axiom!

I have said it before that if Axiom was a bit more expensive I would have an all Dahlquist home theatre. Their surrounds are very good, their subs aren't, and their bookshelves and centers are very, very good. They sell very well in Canada because they, too, are Canadian and are not expensive considering the quality.

However, with prices being almost equal, and with Axiom having FAR FAR better customer service, I found Axiom to be a no-brainer.

Well, my wife and I just got back from auditioning a lot of speakers. I have to say that Axiom did sound better this time when we had a chance to listen to them set up in a proper room. We eliminated the Energy Encore and a Energy conniseur system and B&W 600 system. The 2 on the top of the list are still Totem and Axiom.

AXIOM
Pros:
Lower end is better
quad-polar surrounds
good customer service
loyal customer following

Cons
Laminate finish
not quite as detailed

TOTEM
Pros:
beautiful veneer finish
smaller speakers all round
more detailed middles and highs
audiophile reputation

Cons:
base doesn't go as low or fill the room as much
direct radiating rears
the 4 monitors are a little harder to drive

Both systems I listened to were about the same price. Actually the Totems were $200 cheaper. The Axiom set-up I listened to was the M3 for fronts, QS4's for rears, VP150 and the EP175. So I guess I mull it over for while I finish the basement and see how I feel when its time to install the system. I now need to do some research on in-wall speaker wire.

xforce

i find it odd that you found Totem's mids and highs better, and that they were more detailed.

i found their highs were rough and fatiguing. i also found the system to be very bad for music, whereas M22's are perfect for music AND home theatre.

anybody else compared the two and wish to respond?

I have not comapred these models, but have other models in the respective lineups.

In general, it is suffice to say that they each have their respective strengths, but overall the choice would be geared to the overall vision of my system.

I believe the Totem's are a better speaker at the upper end of the lineup. But again, only if you had the extra money, and were not living with less than acceptable system components.

Dahlquist is a US company, based in NY

Check the company bio here:
http://www.dahlquistspeakers.com/

Also, as you state Axiom has "far,far better service" , what was you bad experience with Dahlquist service?

Didn't Dahlquist have some financial troubles awhile back?
I think they were tagged as a troubled company for a long time.