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It doesn't take special ears to become an audiophile... just perhaps some doctor's orders to listen to music. Join our marketing associate Jo Bayne for a week of product testing and reflection on what the word "audiophile" truly means. 

Check out her previous entry here.

Tuesday, 3/3/15: Totem

Ever get that feeling that your speakers are too loud, but not quite loud enough? For example, you’re listening to your favorite song that is introduced with a fabulous buildup of chords and notes and instruments that you want to swim in, but you find yourself cringing in anticipation of the climax because it seems to reach out and claw your eardrums every time you play it?

Well, Totem Element Metal Speakers don’t do that.

Let me explain, as I sit here in my cozy audio room on the Gramophone sales floor. I am a Coldplay fan - not new age hyper-digital fad-following duets with Rihanna Coldplay (the only “new” song of theirs I like is the minimalistically entitled “O”), but acoustic guitar and piano Coldplay. Therefore, Parachutes, their debut album, is my favorite.

The second song on this album, “Shiver,” includes one of these musical introductions I just alluded to. It’s a quiet build-up that lasts a little while before it crests into a fun smash of guitar and the song’s melody. I just turned the volume up, and instantly regret it once this song comes on. Lazily I wince and take a deep breath, expecting to have to leap top lower the volume again at the drop of a hat, as all speakers before these have caused me to do the same.

Then CRASH -- as I expected -- without the singe. What just happened? I’m not leaping. I’m still relaxed. This crescendo has led me to the pleasure of a breaking wave, not a screech of tires.

The song continues and I look ahead of me in awe. I knew I loved Totem Speakers already since the night I came to Gramophone’s fall vendor demo and was introduced. However, I knew not their potential to take such intimidating change in volume and sound and tame them into beautifully tamped submission. I swear, Totem could take the sound of heavy, shattering glass and transform it into cacophonous birdsong.

Jo’s Song Recommendations for Totem Speakers: “O,” Coldplay “Shiver,” Coldplay “We Never Change,” Coldplay “Boy With A Coin,” Iron & Wine “Walking Far From Home,” Iron & Wine Anything Chopin Soft, warm music

Join us in early May for our Spring event, The Evolution of Audio, where you too can discover all the latest technology and listening experiences Gramophone has to offer. Click here for more information and to RSVP today!