I am considering getting either the B&W 685 (for the fronts) along with the HTM61 center speaker or the Totem Dreamcatcher with the Storm sub.
I am really split between the two setups. Can you suggest which one would be the best to go with given a small-ish room and the main tasks being music and gaming (not so much movies)?
@MahaVakyas I've got a no-brainer answer for you. Get the Totems! By comparison the 600 series B&W's are an entry level speaker and if your main concerns are music and gaming you don't need a center channel. Frequency extension will be much better, imaging superior, midrange purity better, and you get real wood veneers instead of vinyl wrapped particle board. Totem is handmade in Canada, B&W in China by robots ect. Totem is a connoisseur speaker, B&W is everywhere, even sold in Best Buy now.
@Photo314159 Thanks for the quick reply. Would you suggest that I get a 5.1 setup with the Totems or just stick with a pair for the fronts and the sub for a 2.1? I really want great sound and I am going to be running the speakers/subwoofer through my Denon AVR-2805 (an older A/V Receiver that I don't use currently for my home theater). This speaker system will be for my custom computer (multi-monitor uber computer :p) and I really want great sound for music and especially games.
@MahaVakyas Well, I'd say save the money you'd spend on the other speakers and buy a better amplifier. Totems aren't the greatest match for receivers amplification. The Arro's are 4 ohm and that Denon is not rated for 4 ohm use. You could run the L&R preouts to a good amp though like a Parasound A23. Or a decent Integrated amp would work great.
Longtime Arro owner here and for those who wants a bit more bass headroom and response I suggest the Totem Dreamcatcher or Storm subwoofer. With either you can play pretty well any genre of music including techno dance, metal with compromising the quality the Arro brings. I have owned mine with a Dreamcatcher sub supported by Bryston amplification since 1998. No desire to upgrade as of yet!
@94cdnm3 Yes that will elevate the system a bit. I believe the Dreamcatcher sub is discontinued though, so you'll have to go with the Storm sub if you want to add bass. If you can, once you add a sub, crossover the Arro's somewhere between 50hz-80hz and you'll get more out of them also.
@quinonezes86 The beaks are $100 a pair. I'm not familiar with the miniwatt, butt from the specs I see online unfortunately I'd say no. 3.5 watts is quite low, even for tubes. Totem would be your best resourse on this though, they may have a better answer for you.
@TheZubaroo Thanks! They actually sound creepy good as headphones, probably one of the few speakers that this would work with since the drivers are so close together.
Great review!
I am considering getting either the B&W 685 (for the fronts) along with the HTM61 center speaker or the Totem Dreamcatcher with the Storm sub.
I am really split between the two setups. Can you suggest which one would be the best to go with given a small-ish room and the main tasks being music and gaming (not so much movies)?
Thanks.
MahaVakyas 2 months ago
@MahaVakyas I've got a no-brainer answer for you. Get the Totems! By comparison the 600 series B&W's are an entry level speaker and if your main concerns are music and gaming you don't need a center channel. Frequency extension will be much better, imaging superior, midrange purity better, and you get real wood veneers instead of vinyl wrapped particle board. Totem is handmade in Canada, B&W in China by robots ect. Totem is a connoisseur speaker, B&W is everywhere, even sold in Best Buy now.
Photo314159 2 months ago
@Photo314159 Thanks for the quick reply. Would you suggest that I get a 5.1 setup with the Totems or just stick with a pair for the fronts and the sub for a 2.1? I really want great sound and I am going to be running the speakers/subwoofer through my Denon AVR-2805 (an older A/V Receiver that I don't use currently for my home theater). This speaker system will be for my custom computer (multi-monitor uber computer :p) and I really want great sound for music and especially games.
MahaVakyas 2 months ago
@MahaVakyas Well, I'd say save the money you'd spend on the other speakers and buy a better amplifier. Totems aren't the greatest match for receivers amplification. The Arro's are 4 ohm and that Denon is not rated for 4 ohm use. You could run the L&R preouts to a good amp though like a Parasound A23. Or a decent Integrated amp would work great.
Photo314159 2 months ago
u sell speakers in shorts?
die101 3 months ago
@die101 Lol, no. I did this review on my day off. I don't wear T-shirts either.
Photo314159 3 months ago
@Photo314159 very impressive speaker, but a significant resemblance with role audio's - windjammer, perhaps you could take a look/ review
die101 3 months ago
Hi I live this video,hey I have a quetion this speaker you don't recomend whit a reciver or yes
agustin8036 4 months ago
@agustin8036 I don't reccomend a receiver, only a good quality integrated amp or seperates.
Photo314159 4 months ago
Longtime Arro owner here and for those who wants a bit more bass headroom and response I suggest the Totem Dreamcatcher or Storm subwoofer. With either you can play pretty well any genre of music including techno dance, metal with compromising the quality the Arro brings. I have owned mine with a Dreamcatcher sub supported by Bryston amplification since 1998. No desire to upgrade as of yet!
94cdnm3 4 months ago
@94cdnm3 Yes that will elevate the system a bit. I believe the Dreamcatcher sub is discontinued though, so you'll have to go with the Storm sub if you want to add bass. If you can, once you add a sub, crossover the Arro's somewhere between 50hz-80hz and you'll get more out of them also.
Photo314159 4 months ago
How much are the beaks? Thanks for the vid. Do you think a mini watt n3 can power the totem arros?
quinonezes86 6 months ago
@quinonezes86 The beaks are $100 a pair. I'm not familiar with the miniwatt, butt from the specs I see online unfortunately I'd say no. 3.5 watts is quite low, even for tubes. Totem would be your best resourse on this though, they may have a better answer for you.
Photo314159 5 months ago
Great review!!! I loved the headphone bit!
TheZubaroo 6 months ago
@TheZubaroo Thanks! They actually sound creepy good as headphones, probably one of the few speakers that this would work with since the drivers are so close together.
Photo314159 6 months ago