Piecing together an amazing audio system is often a lifelong pursuit for audiophiles. Start with a nice set of audiophile speakers and an entry-level power amp, and build up from there. Sell or trade pieces of gear to incrementally improve your setup until you achieve your version of audio nirvana. The journey is the fun part – not so much the destination. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work, right?
For younger audio enthusiasts starting out in the hobby, this may not be the case anymore. Youthful audiophiles face numerous, real-world obstacles to achieving their dream HiFi system, perhaps more so than previous generations. Sometimes stagnant wages, notably higher costs of living and barriers to purchasing or renting a space to call home seem to be highly relevant topics for many Millennial and Gen Z folks. As a result, the definition of audiophile is changing – newcomers to the hobby often prioritize versatility, connectivity, and ease of use as much if not more than pure sonic performance. Essentially, they are looking for products that look good, sound good, and are easy to use.
Modern audio manufacturers have responded to this by peppering the market with soundbars, tabletop systems and, more recently, active and powered HiFi speakers both large and small. Totem, a Canadian HiFi company known for producing innovative loudspeakers since the late 1980s, sent me their new KIN Play Tower II active speakers for review, which improve upon the original KIN Play design and feature upgraded connectivity options and components, all in a relatively compact, user-friendly package for under $2,300 – about the same cost as a pair of fine speakers and entry-level separates. A key question remains: can these speakers convince both new and seasoned audiophiles that powered speakers can rival traditional passive systems with separate components? Let’s explore this and more in the review ahead.
What Makes the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers So Special?
- The Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers contain some impressive internals and power that allow them to play loud, clear, and present a wide soundstage. The speaker pair utilizes a 200-watt RMS per channel Class-D amplifier, pushing proprietary, dual five-inch natural hybrid woofers and one-inch infused soft dome tweeters. The power rating is more than enough for most listening applications, and probably more than you would find in a decent entry-level or even mid-level integrated amp at this price point. The result is a speaker pair that has huge dynamic range and had no trouble filling my medium-sized listening room – and sounded great doing so.
- The rear-ported Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers go quite deep, considering their size. With a reported frequency response range of 30Hz – 22kHz +- 3dB, a subwoofer is not necessary to capture and reproduce mid- to low-end frequencies with clarity and precision. I’ve been reviewing a lot of bookshelf and compact speakers lately, so getting my hands on a pair of speakers that can hit 30Hz was something I was looking forward to – and the KIN Play Tower IIs did not disappoint. Bass was clean, concise, and capable throughout my listening tests. However, if you do find yourself desiring a little more low-end thump, the KIN Play II Towers have a sub-out for adding a powered subwoofer. More on that later.
- Totem improved upon the original version by making a more connectable speaker, and the KIN Play Tower IIs are about as easy to set up and connect as any powered transducer on the market. The latest iteration of the KIN Play Tower speakers includes HDMI ARC, multiple optical inputs, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, stereo RCA, line-level, and active phono inputs. Additionally, they feature Totem’s AMP IN preamp bypass and auto on/input sensing, allowing the KIN Play Tower II to be seamlessly controlled and woken up by external streaming components, such as Sonos and custom installation systems.
- Totem offers the KIN Play Tower II in both black and white satin finishes, which are compact enough to place in just about every listening space without taking up too much room. As a reviewer who has a few different listening spaces in my home, I appreciated the compact design and understated aesthetic. At around 40 inches tall and weighing slightly under 40 pounds, I was able to easily move them around my listening rooms for optimal placement and experimentation, and the understated design allowed them to blend seamlessly into the space. The white satin finish on my review pair was very well done and looked high-end when contrasted with the all-black driver array.
- The Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers come with a two-year limited warranty on the amplifier and a five-year warranty on the drivers, starting from the date of purchase. While not quite as robust as brands such as SVS, which offers an unconditional five-year warranty paired with industry-leading customer service, it is better than many mainstream competitors that typically only offer a measly one-year warranty on their powered products. Totem, in typical Canadian fashion, is also well-known for its customer service – so that’s an added and welcome bonus.
Why Should You Care About the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers?
At first glance, the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers seem to cater to the soundbar crowd – consumers seeking an audio upgrade via a hassle-free, all-in-one speaker solution. Many will appreciate the ability to plug in the speakers and immediately start playing music, whether wirelessly or wired, without the need for separate components – this convenience might even appeal to traditional audiophiles looking for a solution for a bedroom or secondary system. However, there’s more to these speakers than just simplicity. They are not merely big, loud, glorified Bluetooth speakers; they excel in critical listening, showcasing finesse, and audiophile-level imaging generally lacking in this market segment, which could pique the interest of audiophiles across the spectrum of the hobby.
Some Things That You Might Not Like About the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers
- The Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers fall a little short in terms of modern connectivity options for this price class. Opting for HDMI ARC instead of eARC seems like a missed opportunity, as eARC would have offered higher bandwidth and better support for advanced audio formats, appealing more to audiophiles. The lack of WIFI and/or Ethernet is also disappointing, though understandable, given that including these features might be cost-prohibitive.
Listening to the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers …
M83’s “Oceans Niagara” off their 2023 album Fantasy is a lush, dynamic, synth-rock track seemingly made for testing audio gear. After turning the volume somewhat close to max (standing at a safe distance and with my trusty earplugs on hand), the first thing I noticed was the absolute power these speakers put out. The song starts out with a relatively standard power riff, but then explodes into a maximalist chorus, heavy with beautifully arranged synths and a chest-thumping bassline. I was able to easily separate the song’s various layers and levels. The Totem KIN Play II Towers were an absolute blast to listen to, filling my listening space with clear highs, distortion-free bass, and an overall lively but accurate sound signature.
Next, I tested Totem’s claimed 30Hz low-frequency response with Megan Trainor’s latest hit, “Criminals.” This song, featured in the Netflix show The Perfect Couple as an intro with a Bollywood-style dance number (seriously, who knew Liev Schreiber could move like that?), caught my attention recently. Diverging from Trainor’s typical doo-wop style, “Criminals” incorporates electronica and house influences, showcasing prominent mid- and low-end bass frequencies and an awesome bass drop. The Totem KIN Play Tower IIs performed well, but the five-inch drivers occasionally struggled with some of the more demanding bass sections. Connecting my trusty Sunfire subwoofer to the system made a significant difference. The KIN Play Tower IIs benefited from offloading bass below 100Hz to the subwoofer, resulting in more detailed tweeter performance and stronger mid-high vocals. At higher volumes, these powered towers definitely benefit from the added support of a subwoofer, but for non-bass-heavy music, or casual listening, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Will the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers Hold Their Value?
Totem has recently enjoyed a resurgence online, with many popular YouTube reviewers praising their products. Although I have yet to see any secondhand Totem products on Facebook Marketplace, plenty of vintage and newer Totem items sell well on eBay. Their products comfortably occupy the space between “affordable audiophile” and “great value,” appealing to buyers who appreciate their reputation and are willing to pay a decent price for quality used gear. While powered speakers typically have a shorter lifespan, compared to their passive siblings, with proper care and attention, these speakers could easily become a household fixture and possibly be sold or gifted to a novice audiophile just getting their start in the hobby.
What is the Competition for the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers?
- The Q Acoustic Active 400 Speakers are a $2,999 set of active floorstanding speakers that utilize six digitally controlled discrete amplifiers per pair. Connectivity options, via the included control hub, include Bluetooth 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, and Roon support. They also feature Balanced Mode Radiators (BMRs), which maximize horizontal dispersion and produce room-filling sound. Q Acoustics is quickly gaining attention in the audiophile world, making these speakers an intriguing choice for those seeking an active tower pair with a cool aesthetic and some forward-thinking features.
- The ELAC Navis ARF51 floorstanding speakers retail for just under $4,000 per pair, but can be often purchased at a discount for half that price. The ARF51 are, by definition, more of an active speaker set, meaning each driver has its own amplifier. They boast 300 total watts of Class-D power and feature a one-inch concentric soft dome tweeter, a four-inch aluminum cone midrange driver, and three 5.25-inch aluminum cone mid-bass woofers per speaker. The result is a very powerful, authoritative powered speaker pair that would have no trouble mastering any genre of music, and they look very high-end. It should be mentioned, however, that the Totem KIN Play II Towers have a better stated low-end frequency response at 30dB, versus 43 Hz for the Navis ARF51.
Final Thoughts on the Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers
The Totem KIN Play Tower II Powered Speakers were a lot of fun to experience and review. They played music with both attitude and finesse, effortlessly filling my listening space with appropriately loud, dynamic sound – rivaling that of some passive floorstanding speakers I’ve tested in this price range, which is particularly impressive, given their built-in Class D amplifier. The KIN Play Tower IIs are an excellent value for anyone looking to complete their HiFi system with a single purchase. I look forward to what Totem – a storied brand always on the cutting edge of the latest audio trends – has in store for us in the coming years.
