To a certain degree the consumer loudspeaker category has turned into a “me-too” market. Standing out through its unique designs is the Canadian audio manufacturer Totem Acoustic, which has developed a reputation for high performing, affordable and solitary products in a crowded field.
Following a company tradition that includes its Model One and Element Fire products, Totem has launched its Sky bookshelf monitor.
“Compared to our current and even comparable heritage models, I wanted the Sky to have the widest broadband appeal for today's world of consumers,” comments Vince Bruzzese, founder, president and designer, Totem Acoustic. “I wanted it to be easier to drive so it didn't require extremely powerful amplification; [I wanted it to] provide even deeper bass than models we have with similar dimensions, and I paid careful attention to on- and off-axis response so it could provide an immense, holographic result and excel in just about anywhere a customer chooses to place it within their home.”
Internally, the Sky features a 5-inch woofer, along with a 3-inch voice coil that is wound with flat wire to avoid air gaps to enable a long throw and a power handling capability up to 500 watts. The speaker also employs a 1.3-inch soft dome with a neodymium magnet that helps the speaker extend up to nearly 30kHz.
The Sky utilizes a first-order crossover that features a minimalist design to control the speaker's drivers, and Totem notes the speaker's usage of borosilicate within the enclosure eliminates standing waves that affect cone movement. Totem says borosilicate, unlike other materials, will not deteriorate, and it will remain a consistent performer throughout the life of the speaker.
Lucy Lentini, vice president of sales and marketing of Totem, says the company spent countless hours voicing the Sky to ensure it met its performance expectations, while maintaining Totem's signature sound.
“Sky was aptly named for the wide-open nature of its sound,” explains Lentini. “Based on preliminary feedback from our valued dealers and worldwide distributors, it also suitably expresses both the height of our expectations of it and its limitless potential. And from a new product perspective, while it offers a variety of innovative, unique characteristics that are true to our heritage. Like all Totem speakers, the Sky auditory abilities defy visual expectations.”
Design features
- Compact and aesthetic design
- High-performance, acoustical finish
- Large gauge air core coils
- High-level point source imaging
- Ideal for two-channel music and home theater systems
Technical features
- Full mono-shell, hand-assembled chassis
- Lock mitered cabinet joints
- Exclusive, hard-wired crossover
- Solid twin-pair, gold-plated terminals
- Magnetic grills included for easy removal and longevity
The Totem Sky bookshelf speaker will retail for $1,850.
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