New Product Launch: Totem Bison Speaker Series

Totem Acoustic introduces the Bison Series.

The Bison epitomizes Strength, Stability and Consistency. 3 words that accurately describe Totem Acoustic’s 35 year journey of continual global success as a loudspeaker manufacturer in the high-performance audio spectrum. Being the largest and most

powerful terrestrial mammal in North America, the Bison is symbolically sacred to many indigenous tribes; a culture that has been a beacon for Totem Acoustic throughout the company’s storied existence. The new series is comprised of 3 models and this will grow organically over time. The Bison Monitor redefines the luxury bookshelf category, defying visual expectations with its impactful sonic performance which is rarely associated with such a small enclosure. The Bison Tower and Bison Twin Tower are aimed at those who want a loudspeaker that’s equally proficient with all sources and mediums. Totem Bison loudspeakers are not finicky about placement or electronics and were created to take charge and effortlessly manage today’s music that continuously expands in both sheer volume, as well as available sources. In essence, each of these Bison models will seamlessly elevate your music to a higher echelon, going even further than the award winning SKY series.

The Bison Monitor has exceptional width and depth of image was extracted from Element FIRE V2, resulting in more spatial and lifelike restitution, a prairie like (re: wide open) soundscape, ultra fast responsiveness, and exquisite harmonics, particularily in the upper octaves. The newly developed woofer is the result of 4 generations of development that provides a greater dynamic capability and when combined with a 43% increase in the cabinet volume vs. the SKY Monitor, yields a true “plug and play” monitor that is both easy to drive and flexible with regards to placement. Furtermore, the Bison Monitor possesses an remarkable ability to resurrect live recording ambience and create great separation of instruments, all the while still remaining very cohesive sonically. As well, the bass foundation is nothing short of a an even more jaw dropping experience thanks to all these improvements.

The lateral soundstaging abilities of the Bison Monitor were applied to both the Bison Tower and Bison Twin Tower, resulting in ultra wide and deep characteristics with great centerfill, whereby musical information hits you from all sides. Both Bison Towers are easier to drive and offer up a more flexible setup than the highly regarded SKY Tower and easily exceed the performance of the now legendary Totem Hawk, especially in terms of midrange and harmonics. The Bison Tower and Bison Twin Tower sound “right” in terms of tonal accuracy in any application with any genre of music thanks in part to uncanny 3D harmonics. The Bison Twin Tower offers a more powerful scale that is capable of filling a larger listening space while maintaining virtually the same phase coherency as the Bison Tower, yet is still comfortable in a smaller room. Finally, both Bison towers create the perception of a slightly warmer sonic signature in comparison to the Bison Monitor as a result of a frequency response that extends well into the bottom octave, yielding bass response that is round, sumptuous and fast, while sounding musical.

All three Bison series models employ a new tweeter that was designed to our specifications and guidelines. This tweeter is a neodymium activated, 1.3” laser etched, textile, soft dome, modified especially for our Towers. It extends up to 30kHz and low enough to contribute to the midrange band, creating an uncanny charm. The artisanal cabinet design features a lock-mitered, monocoque cabinetry with incorporated full cross bracing. Lock mitering produces a cabinet 4 times as rigid as V groove assembly and provides a substantially larger contact point for gluing. The extra gluing surface area allows for expansion and contraction over many decades without any sonic degradation whatsoever. The Variable Density Fiberboard (VDF) used for the Bison series is a unique recipe with a density of 90% on the exterior sides and 65% towards the interior. The denser extremities increase strength and help maintain shape whereas the less dense interior is acoustically preferred, causing no repetitive nodes or underlying resonances. A single piece monocoque design chassis is for much better structural integrity similar to a Formula 1 race car. Finally, Borosilicate coating – an industry unique dampening material – manages energy dissipation in a desired, controlled manner within the enclosure while keeping the cabinet musically alive and yielding an improved transient response. As well, this coating significantly adds to the longevity of the loudspeaker.

The success of Totem’s “Acoustic Decoupling Claw” on other tower models has made it appealing to include with both Bison Towers. A newly engineered version was created specifically for both the Bison Tower and Bison Twin Tower that uses a high-density composite to successfully break up standing waves. The Claw controls surface resonances, tightens bass and accurately heightens the soundstage. They are fitted with ¼”-20 thread inserts to accommodate optional spikes which are not included. The Bison Towers were voiced using the claw without spikes, which are neither required nor recommended. The thread inserts have been integrated should the rare need for spikes arise, for instance to add stability on a thick carpeted surface.

All 3 Bison models are available in either new White Oak, Black Ash or Satin White finishes, include matching magnetic grills and feature high quality 4-way bi-wireable speaker terminals.

Bison Monitor Significant Design Features:

  • Ported 2-way design with 1.3” laser etched textile soft dome tweeter and a 5-1/4”long throw woofer with 3” voice coil.
  • Nominal Impedance 8 ohms / Sensitivity 87dB @ 1watt / Crossover Frequency 2.5kHz (first order)
  • Frequency Response 40 Hz to 29.5 kHz ± 3 dB and recommended power 30-150W.
  • Dimensions (h x w x d): 13.11” x 6.73” x 9.57”.
  • Recommended placement: 6” – 3’ from rear wall; 3’ – 8’ apart

Bison Tower Significant Design Features:

  • Ported 2-way design with 1.3” laser etched textile soft dome tweeter and a 5-3/4” woofer with copper capped voice coil.
  • Nominal Impedance 8 ohms and Sensitivity 88dB @ @ 1watt / Crossover Frequency 2.5kHz (first order)
  • Frequency Response 33 Hz to 30 kHz ± 3 dB and recommended power 30-150W.
  • Dimensions (h x w x d): 33.46” x 6.89” x 9.13”.
  • Recommended placement: 6” – 3’ from rear wall; 3’ – 8’ apart.
  • Mass loadable cabinet to effectively modify interactions with room acoustics without altering the speaker’s placement.
  • Includes optional sound isolating Claws, increasing the cabinet’s height by 0.59” and overall width by 1.57”.
  • Ported 2-way/3-driver design with 1.3” laser etched textile soft dome tweeter and dual 5-3/4” woofers with copper capped voice coil.
  • Nominal Impedance 4 ohms and Sensitivity 90dB @ @ 1watt / Crossover Frequency 2.5kHz (second order)
  • Frequency Response 31 Hz to 29.5 kHz ± 3 dB and recommended power 30-200W.
  • Dimensions (h x w x d): 38.39” x 7.36” x 10.24”.
  • Recommended placement: 1’ – 3’ from rear wall; 4’ – 12’ apart.
  • Mass loadable cabinet to effectively modify interactions with room acoustics without altering the speaker’s placement.
  • Includes optional sound isolating Claws, increasing the cabinet’s height by 0.59” and overall width by 1.57”.

Bison Twin Tower Significant Design Features:

  • Ported 2-way/3-driver design with 1.3” laser etched textile soft dome tweeter and dual 5-3/4” woofers with copper capped voice coil.
  • Nominal Impedance 4 ohms and Sensitivity 90dB @ @ 1watt / Crossover Frequency 2.5kHz (second order)
  • Frequency Response 31 Hz to 29.5 kHz ± 3 dB and recommended power 30-200W.
  • Dimensions (h x w x d): 38.39” x 7.36” x 10.24”.
  • Recommended placement: 1’ – 3’ from rear wall; 4’ – 12’ apart.
  • Mass loadable cabinet to effectively modify interactions with room acoustics without altering the speaker’s placement.
  • Includes optional sound isolating Claws, increasing the cabinet’s height by 0.59” and overall width by 1.57”.

For more information, please visit the Totem Bison Speakers Collection page.