This is probably the best value minimonitor in the market yet. For such a small spk, it has tremendous bass, excellent imaging, sweet mids, but a little bright in the highs.I recommend using SET tubes with about 18+ watts with them - don't worry about the power rating, they will make the model 1 sing. I use the Unison Research Smart 845 monos (passive version) to great effect. To get that last octave of bass, I highly recommend the REL Strata or equivalent sub. Set it at about 42hz and drive directly from a line level output, and what you get is a full range spk system which can rival some costing 5 times the price.

Excellent speaker overall. But watch out for the edgy upper midrange. Listen to the new signature ($2000USD), with them most of the problem is being taken care of by Totem.I runit with Micromega (CD), McCormack amps with an excellent result in a small to medium room.

The best I heard so far. I've changed so many speakers in the past because I can't seem to live with too many compromises of a bookshelf. Don't expect bass, expect imaging and so on that's what we all have been told. The Model One delivers everything I could ask for, and more. I place them in a fairly small room and anything larger than that makes the bass tubby.
The Totem one has one of the smoothest midrange and trble, including a punchy, fast bass that grooves with even the fastest funk and fusion tracks. Believe me, there's no fatigue and every nuance and detail is laid bare by this powerful speaker. Resolution is high, yet not to the point where it's dry, sterile and uninvolving. I play in a live band quite often and they are as good as the best studio monitors. A slight forwardness, but does not make you edgy when listening for a long time.

It's hard to fault this speaker, but you must use a really good amp, 100 Watts minimum and a fairly good one. I partnered the pair with a Plinius SA-100 Mk.II, a Music Reference 9 Mk.II, even many others too numerous to name. One conclusion, the speakers really can reveal the quality of the amp and recording!

Incredible speaker. Don't let the size fool you. Bass isn't all that great but it's tight and controlled. Imaging is great and it's a gem. Sure it's a bit pricey but worth it. I heard much better resolution, imaging and tight bass by filling the Target stand w/ sand. This is one speaker I'll be w/ for a while!

I just replaced Martin Logan Aerius with Totem One Signatures. Mated with the Krell integrated and a Sony XA7es, the sound is heavenly. I'm in hifi nirvana.

I heard both the single wire and biwire(not Sig) versions of this speaker several times. Each time, Ive walked away unsatified. Although the bass sounds reasonably full and punchy, there's something wrong in the midrange that I cant quantify, and the highs just dont sound right. Soundstaging/imaging was fine, but wasnt completely cohesive and believable. In the end, they sound small and hifi-ish, and I cant help feeling like they lack subtlety/delicacy.
Amplification: Cary CAD300sei, Krell KAV300i, Audible Ill Mod 3A/Sonographe 400, Bryston BP?/4B, Anthem Int.1.
CD: various YBA, Wadia, CAL, SonicFrontiers single-box players.

I agree with Greg about the mid bass. I think that these speakers are good for a mini monitor in most respects, but there is a MID BASS HUMP! It was design to give the listner a impression of deeper bass. If you compare the Totems to the Dynaudio 1.3 monitors you will hear it right away. Both speakers use drivers made by Dynaudio. The Dynaudio speakers are totally uncolored where as the Model 1's have a mid bass hump. The Dynaudio speakers play exactly what is on the recording the way it was recorded by the engineers. Where the Totem plays the recording with a exaggerated mid bass. It is similar to adjusting the mid bass on a equalizer. I am not saying that what Totem does is bad because a lot of speakers have some kind of coloration. And by the ratings of this speakers reviews I am guessing that a lot of people like or don't mind the mid bass hump. I am using Dynaudio as a example because Totem uses Dynaudio drivers in there entire product line. The Dynaudio speakers are totally uncolored. I would give the Totem Model 1 Signatures a 3 rating in there $2000. price range. In there price range I feel that there are far better mini-monitors. I prefer ProAc Response 1SC's , ProAc Tablette 50 signatures ($1800) , Monitor Audio Studio 2, and Monitor Audio Studio 6 by a large margin, with the ProAc Response 1SC's as my top choice. I even prefer these to the $4000. Mani2's I auditioned the Totem model 1 sig's at home in my system like I did with the other speakers over a long 3 day weekend. I have a Krell KSA 200S amp running directly into a Levinson # 39 CDP, the CDP has a volume control so I do not use a preamp. I use Audioquest Crystal speaker cable biwired.

I bought the Totem Signature 1 about 3 months ago. They replaced the NHT 2.5i in my system mainly because the 2.5i's were too big for my room. The room is about 9' x 14' and the bass was too boomy.
When I auditioned the Signature 1's in my room I was immediately astonished. Bass was not as deep as the 2.5i's but very fast and controlled. Imaging is supposed to be the 2.5i's strength but the Signature 1's blew them away in terms of width and most notably depth. The sound seemed to extend past the rear wall.

Other traits of this speaker that I immediately noticed is that there is a great
sense of "air" and midrange clarity. The treble range is very smooth.
I also heard significantly more detail than the 2.5i's on familiar tracks.

I found that the Signature 1's mature quite dramatically after they have burned
in. I have about 60 hours on them and there is a marked improvement in the
sense of "air" and imaging.

Very satisfied.


Associated equipment
--------------------
Classe CAP-150 Integrated Amp
Rega Planet CD Player
Transparent Musicwave Plus Interconnects
Transparent Musicwave Plus 8' single biwire Speaker Cables
Target R1 Speaker Stands (Sand Filled)

What can I say? I just dig these speakers ... and I've heard LOTS of them before settling on this pair. The midrange is a little forward but only in comparison with some other speakers -- it's all relative anyway. But the bottom line is that the midrange is simply gorgeous and dimensional, and the top is sweet. The bass is quick although not subterranean, but one can't have it all at this price range, can one? And boy does it image!The only cone speaker I can live with at this price, and perfect for smaller rooms. Needs a powerful amp though.
4 stars is my final verdict (after all it doesn't reach 20 Hz!), but 5 stars for the price!

Totem Model 1 should not combinate to KAV-300i (or such solid like Amp) anyway. If you try connect it to Tube Amp like GTA SE-40/AR simply 4/2/845 then you will know how great this Speakers are. Also a solid stand and cable(such like Tara labs RSC Prime 1000 bi-wire $300 3m/pair) is most. If you are enjoy Music rather than HiFi effect then I think it beats ProAc Tablette 50 signatures. And it is not the competitor to ProAc Response 1SC or Focal Audio FS68 Sign.(For the price not for the sound quality).
P.S. The price for Model 1 in HK is less than US$1000.00