Totem Acoustic Introduces KIN ONE 2-Way Speakers

Posted by John Thomson of wifihifi.com

Totem Acoustic, a Canadian manufacturer of high-end audio speakers, has announced the release of the all-new KIN ONE, a completely redesigned entry-level 2-way monitor loudspeaker residing in Totem’s KIN companion-brand lineup.

Throughout Totem Acoustic’s 38-year history, the 2-way monitor loudspeaker has been at the foundation of the manufacturer’s mandate of creating speakers that are defined as highly musical, accurate with perfect phase coherency, and with three-dimensional expansiveness that defies their compact smaller chassis design.

 

Totem Acoustic’s KIN companion brand was introduced in 2014, born from a desire by Totem to engage a wider audience by offering affordable products for today’s audio capable devices. Tens years on, KIN has evolved into a full-fledged loudspeaker series, featuring both powered Bluetooth and passive loudspeakers, soundbars, subwoofers, and an integrated amplifier/DAC with features including aptx HD Bluetooth and a phono stage.

 

 

Using “trickle-down” technology from the company’s premium Totem brand, the KIN ONE benefits from technical know-how in driver technology, cabinet design and crossover circuitry, fine-tuned from Totem flagship products including the Model One and Element FIRE v2.

 

 

The mandate of KIN ONE and the complete range of KIN products is to create a speaker that performs far beyond its price point and physical stature, allowing audio enthusiasts an opportunity to experience speaker performance from an audiophile company with close to four decades of experience, but with affordability and flexibility in mind.  Knowing that KIN attracts a younger demographic and is intended as a gateway to Totem’s higher-end speakers, the KIN ONE is being released in five different satin finishes to complement the flair and taste of the KIN customer which is a first for Totem.

The KIN ONE uses specific custom proprietary drivers and MHEX woofers (Multiple Strata Hex Cone) that are stiffer than metal but produce very fast responsiveness. The titanium infused soft dome tweeter is harmoniously matched to both the woofer and the cabinet, resulting in what KIN calls a “perfect phase response.”

Totem’s companion brand KIN attracts a younger customer and is considered a perfect gateway to the world of high-end audio

Fans of the Totem brand will immediately recognize the KIN ONE look like a much smaller version of the Element Fire v2 (which has an MSRP that is 14 times more expensive). This specific cabinet geometry assists with the base tuning of the KIN ONE in conjunction with the crossover. Using just seven high quality precision components, the 2nd order crossover is minimalist but remarkably effective in achieving maximum performance from the drivers inside the small custom cabinet. Totem has added a long L-shaped port that virtually eliminates cabinet resonances. This port design allows information to exist below 65Hz (i.e. 40Hz @ -12dB).

“When experiencing music on a pair of KIN ONE’s speakers, especially when powered by Totem‘s integrated KIN AMP, you will find they are easy to listen to over extended periods of time, due to a soundscape is full-bodied, non-fatiguing and uncongested, featuring lots of spatial cues, exceptional phase linearity and plenty of mid-bass authority” explained Lucy Lentini, Vice President, Totem Acoustic.

 

“All genres of music sound realistic and lifelike, thanks to a very open sound signature that creates good space with separation between instruments and voices. The KIN ONE has great voicing as the portrayal of instruments is highly accurate along with honest scaling, especially for vocals. Of equal importance, just like all other Totem loudspeakers, the transients across different frequencies are effortless, producing honest harmonic decay for a very realistic sound. Finally, they can play loud while remaining musically clear” adds Lentini.

The KIN ONE has an MSRP of $599.00 USD / $699.00 CDN and are now shipping. The KIN ONE will be on display during CEDIA

KIN ONE Features:

Ported 2-way design / 1” Titanium Infused Soft Dome tweeter and 4” MHEX Cone Woofer / NominalImpedance 6 ohms / Sensitivity 89dB @ 1watt / Crossover Frequency 2.5kHz (second order) / Frequency Response 65 Hz to 22 kHz ± 3 dB and recommended power 20 – 100W / Dimensions (H x W x D): 5” x 9.5” x 6.25” (bottom) x 5.25”(top) / 12.7 x 24.3 x 15.9 (bottom) x 13.3cm (top) / Weight: 6.25 lbs each / Available satin finishes: Pink, Blue, Orange, Black and White / Matching magnetic grills included / Recommended placement: 3” – 2’ from rear wall; 3’ – 12’ apart / Wall-mount Thread: ¼”–20 allowing the speakers to be mounted directly on the wall.