This is my HT Living Room that I have built slowly going from One upgrade to another, the setup is far from being finished there is a lot more to come. I have just recently redone my gallery with the hidden rating system so please re-rate my gallery and feel free to leave a comment constructive or positive is always appreciated.

Current Setup:

Speakers

L/R --> Totem Forests, Mahogany
Center --> Totem Model One Signature, Mahogany 8 ohms Unshielded
Surrounds --> Totem Rainmakers, Cherry
Subwoofer --> Paradigm Studio Sub15, Rosewood

AV Components:

Receiver --> Arcam AVR-400
Power Amps --> Bryston 6B-SST
DAC --> Arcam rDAC
BDP --> Oppo 83
TV --> Panasonic TCP55ST30



Cables

Totem Tress Speaker Cables
Nordost White Lightning IC Oppo to receiver
Nordost White Lightning IC Dac to receiver
Nordost White Lightning Receiver to Power Amp
Nordost Blue Heaven Digital Interconnect
Nordost Blue Heaven 15/20 PC for AVR400
Nordost Blue Heaven 15/20 PC for Bryston 6B-SST

Replaced the DVD48 and BDP S-580 for this Oppo83, I might keep the S-580 for it's 3D capability.

Bryston 6B-SST 100 pounder sitting on the floor too big to put on my furniture.

Just wanted to showcase the new Element Wood Center channel using a newly designed 6" torrent driver. Of course the Chick is good looking too

I know I am suppose to have the unshielded version of 8 ohms and I assure you it is. The speaker is a special order as Totem discontinued it not so long ago and they don't have some of the older tags to match what's inside the speaker.

Gallery rating:

(4.9) (68 ratings) Show ratings

Gallery rating:

(4.9) (68 ratings) Hide ratings

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Comments (108)

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Comments (108)

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tommygunz  » May 04, 2013 02:46 PM

Fantastic set my man!!!! Those Totem speaker are beautiful, and I bet it sounds great. Kudos!!!!!

Clinton3779  » Apr 08, 2013 11:48 PM

Wow great setup definitely a 10/10 awesome job!

BigAl87  » Apr 08, 2013 11:24 PM

Thank you Mike for the comment I really enjoy this setup, it' brigs me a lot of joy in 2 channel configuration and Totem is certainly a nice involving speaker but their are other very interesting choices around.

Miker107  » Apr 08, 2013 08:03 PM

Hey Olivier, it's been a while since I've looked at your gallery and everything looks amazing. If I ever decide to upgrade from Energy I will need to give Totem some strong consideration. I just wish I had dealers around here.

Tech-UK  » Mar 03, 2013 02:12 PM

Great setup and nice gear.

BigAl87  » Mar 02, 2013 01:14 PM

Thanks you so much Jim for your comment and yes indeed I am an Audiophile and Cinephile, this why I have a Hybrid system than can do both very well.

Jim Hawkins  » Mar 02, 2013 01:10 AM

Bryston, Totem and Arcam. Yeah, your an audiophile. Sweet setup!

aces high  » Dec 19, 2012 10:17 AM

The panels look great Olivier! Everything is really starting to come together. A top notch system.

BigAl87  » Nov 15, 2012 01:02 PM

deltadube, replied to you in a pm.

deltadube  » Nov 14, 2012 03:06 PM

Hi Big Al.. im new.. im building a new low budget ht.. construction of a room in the basement of my bungalow.. and been looking to start from the beginning setting up the audio componets as well.. i was just looking at totems in my citys hi end audio store.. where they love totems.. i was checking out the forrest hawks etc.. do you think i could get decent surrond sound with a denon 4520 ci with a pair of forrest like the center you have as well.. and some rain makers for surround... and a sub would storm do or do i need thunder? that about blow my budget i like movies music 50/50.. would love to hear you un bias commments my room to be built 20 x 12 x 7.1 h... thanks...

ldgibson76  » Jul 12, 2012 11:38 PM

BigAl. First off, thanks for posting the photo. I can see that a new stand is in your future so that the Bryston, Arcam FMJ and the soon to arrive Furman Power Center can be accommodated properly.;) That's a coincidence, because I'm currently eyeing an Elite 15 PF i model myself. I'm considering replacing my old Panamax MAX5100. It's been a good device, but it's the oldest component in my setup and it's about that time.

BigAl87  » Jul 12, 2012 09:30 PM

ld just so you know my furniture is a bit old and small but I have taken a picture for you, The amp is sittinig on top of the furniture for now, I am looking to upgrade it and cable management is kind of bad , I want a new power conditioner also, thinking of a Furman Elite 20 PF i

ldgibson76  » Jul 12, 2012 06:17 PM

Hello Oliver. Is it possible for you to take a photo of the setup with the rack doors open so we can see how the components are arranged inside of the rack, especially now that you have the Bryston 4B-ST! Again, your system and setup is superb!

BigAl87  » Jul 11, 2012 08:51 PM

lDlisturb3d and cme4brain, I thank you both for your great comments on my setup, I have never imagned in my wildest dream to won such system, and I am proud of it, i just have a few little tweaks left to do and it will be complete.

cme4brain  » Jul 11, 2012 12:54 PM

I like a nice clean setup. You have a great media room- melded the audio/video with the room itself, so neither is lost to the other.

lDlisturb3d  » Jul 10, 2012 06:20 PM

Lookin very nice, I recent purchased the Dark Side of the Moon SACD, I swear thats the ONLY way to listen to that AMAZING album. Blown away!! I would consider myself a full blown audiophile but i know i love good music.

BigAl87  » Jun 25, 2012 09:16 PM

Thanks for your comment but where do you see vinyl? You mean in the Hotel Rooms at the Montreal show yeah nice and one of them with the Gemme Audio is insane.

nefilim  » Jun 25, 2012 12:01 PM

BigAl87 : has very cool and pro looking H.T Love to see vinyl in use ! ... 10/10 !

wayneq1982  » Jun 22, 2012 11:44 AM

Great looking set-up, how do you find music sounds through the Arcam?

venusiansky  » Jun 20, 2012 01:22 PM

Nice setup. I used to have my PC next to my television, but it is now in another room. (Yay for no more fan noise!) Check out my gallery for ideas.

BMWAL  » May 21, 2012 11:44 PM

Very nice system, Love the speakers!!!!!

BigAl87  » Apr 06, 2012 09:15 PM

John, Rich, Sean thank you guys for the greats comment, i am very happy on how my system has evolved.

SeanMF  » Apr 06, 2012 11:27 AM

Congrats on the center Olivier!

prerich  » Apr 06, 2012 09:31 AM

Wow! Nice addition with the model one!

Johnny Vinyl  » Apr 06, 2012 03:27 AM

Hi Olivier! WOW! The system is looking really good and congrats on the new Model One centre speaker!

BigAl87  » Apr 06, 2012 03:10 AM

Thanks E for the great comment and yes I am excited . I mean you must have been to when you got your Electras, man they are nice, I heard the Scala Eutopia and WOW, Heard the Chorus and they were quite nice, I can only imagine something somewhere in between.

ejusted  » Apr 06, 2012 02:14 AM

Looks like the set is now complete!!! You must be really excited. I know I was....congrats on the new addition.

BigAl87  » Mar 27, 2012 08:53 AM

Thanks! Steve i really appreciate your comment, and yes the sub I would qualify it as Fantabulous , it's a solid performer and i love it.

sergmark  » Mar 27, 2012 01:00 AM

Looks good man. Nice clean setup. That subwoofer must shake the walls !!

BigAl87  » Mar 10, 2012 10:13 PM

Thank you so much ld I appreciate your great comment

ldgibson76  » Mar 10, 2012 12:43 PM

Yo Oliver! Now that's what I'm talkin' about. The setup and ensemble looks outstanding. Very elegant without sacrificing performance. Well done my friend, well done.

BigAl87  » Mar 03, 2012 10:58 PM

Thank you Andrew Iappreciate and if all goes according to plan i might just get the P2 with Blue Ortofon for 599$ and then the Naim XS.

aces high  » Mar 03, 2012 06:14 PM

The new tv looks great, your system is really coming together Olivier. Can't wait to see what's next.

BigAl87  » Mar 02, 2012 11:13 PM

LD Thanks on the comment, lol funny you say that the TV is not centered and I realise that after I posted the picture I just moved the TV to the left on the Wall mount and it now sits right where it should be.

ldgibson76  » Mar 02, 2012 01:09 PM

Hello BigAl. The new Panny ST30 looks great. I wish I could have procured the ST30, but I'm satisfied with the S30 for now. Congrats to the new addition. Is it possible, if you can or if the system config allows, try to adjust the positioning of the stand and the center channel a little to the right so it sits evenly under the new TV. If you can't due to cord lengths or space, no big deal! The system still looks fabulous!

ZIPPO  » Mar 01, 2012 09:46 PM

New TV! Congrats!

spaceape  » Feb 23, 2012 07:44 AM

I really love the timeless look of your speakers.

Spurrier Sucks  » Jan 22, 2012 08:24 PM

That is some nice gear you have. Would like to hear those speakers.

GBMidge7  » Jan 21, 2012 03:11 PM

LOVE the cherry gear... very neat setup, just killer. And I see we like to show off our theaters with similar picks... Love me some The Dark Knight : ).

BigAl87  » Jan 11, 2012 01:15 PM

Thanks Byrdman!

Byrdman03  » Jan 11, 2012 01:15 AM

Nice Gear!!

BigAl87  » Dec 18, 2011 08:12 PM

Thanks Rich really nice to read such nice comments, I love them, the depth is insane and imaging is astounding.

prerich  » Dec 18, 2011 07:28 PM

The Forest are great Al!!!!! Those are very nice indeed!!!

BigAl87  » Dec 18, 2011 11:32 AM

Thanks John on theCompliment and I sure will tell you what improvements it has brought, at first glance you can read first impressions in my thread, the Bass is more controlled and deeper for sure but the Rainmakers did holg their own very well. The imaging is better also since the cabinet resonnance seems lower than the Rainmakers and the tone is a tad warmer also as I expected since the Forest is extremely close to the Sttaf tonaly speaking with heavier bass of course and a bit more revealing not as forgiving as your Sttaf, the second order X-Over gives them those sweet mids that you love so much on the Sttaf also. Sound stage is impressive too, Altho the Rainmakers were good the Forest makes it even easier to locate each instruments. I swear the Rainmaker still impresses me a lot for a fraction of the price. If you ever come to Montreal in April I'll make you audition both side by side to compare.

Johnny Vinyl  » Dec 18, 2011 05:24 AM

Congratulations on the arrival of your new Totem Forests, Olivier! Your system has just been stepped up by several notches, and I have no doubt the aural experience for both movies and music has increased dramatically. After a few weeks, and once you are more familiar with their sound signature, please let us know what you think their strengths are, and also, any differecnes you hear with or without the Totem Beak tuning pods. Congrats again my friend on an exquisite upgrade...your system is looking ing mighty fine!

BigAl87  » Dec 18, 2011 01:14 AM

Thanks Lawrence, I am very pleased with my system and worked my a.. off to built it and still is a work in progress, BTW I have changed my 550 for a 580 for 3D support in the eventuality I buy my next TV I will certainly get a few animation movies in 3D. Yeah the HK DAC is good with excellent CD playback but the truth is I still connect it to the rDAC and sounds even better but I still need to connect to the analog section of it for the SACDs. That Sub 15 is a beast but imagine if it was ported .

ldgibson76  » Dec 18, 2011 01:00 AM

Al, what's so cool about your system is it's understated elegance. How do I mean? Not just in the aesthetic, but it's also reflective in your choice of components. The Arcam AVR400 and the rDAC. The Sony BDP-S550 (a very strong blu-ray player). The HK DVD-48 known for it's high quality DAC's and excellent CD playback. Obviously the Totems reeking of high quality and very elegant, almost bordering on unassuming,.... Your system is one with the interior. But, there's a beast within..... The Paradigm Sub15! Putting to rest the assumption that your system is all grace and refinement, void of the ability to bring to life a high impact movie soundtrack. I would put your system up against any on this site. Without question, a wolf in sheep clothing. Congrats on the accomplishment.

BigAl87  » Dec 18, 2011 12:20 AM

Lawrence I do intend to review it I have been suppose to write my review of the Forest for quite a while, I have to say that imaging and sound stage has improved over the Rainmakers but the Rainmakers are still remarkable, One other thing I like is that the Forest is just a tad more laid back vs the Rainmakers and tone matches perfectly John's Sttas also a tad warmer than the Rainmakers. Those show absolutely no cabinet raisonnace well all speakers do but the Forest is superior than the Rainmakers for sure and therefore improving the imaging which was alredy exceptional with the Rainmakers, the controll on the Bass is amazing. Now is it completely different?, Of course no it's a Totem and the Rainmaker center will be just fine as a center for the time being and should still have a very close timber match with the Forests.

ldgibson76  » Dec 18, 2011 12:09 AM

Wow Al! I know I left a comment in your gallery. For some reason, this has been happening lately when i post, the contents of the post disappear! Anyway, what I said in the disappearing post was... Congratulations on acquiring the new Totem Forests Floorstanders. They look fantastic and really complement the room and configuration. Now, it's a no brainer assuming that the low-end performance has improved. But how about the imaging and the soundstage? More definitive, more depth? Tell me! tell me! tell me!

BigAl87  » Dec 18, 2011 12:08 AM

Haha not bad they are a bit darker than the Rosenut finish but yeah it's pretty darn close.

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