Legacy Audio Speakers - Page 3

Hi,

I recently listened to the old Focus HD (with three 12" woofers). The local dealer does not have the new model in store, and I will have to buy the new ones before I get a chance to listen to them. Can anyone with experience please give me some info in what difference I can expect between the old vs the new version of the Focus HD when it comes to sound quality?

When it comes to sound quality- I noticed a big advancement in the latest versions of the Focus. I imagine this comes down to the newer drivers as well as the simpler designed crossover the designer has mentioned in articles.
The new Focus has great dynamic range and is extremely quick and detailed.
The new midrange drivers are impressive. They do a nice comparison between the old and new drivers here:
Legacy Midrange Demo

Thanks for the quick and good reply, really appreciate it!

I`ve decided to jump into it and i will receive an offer tomorrow on a new pair of Focus Legacy HD.

I agree with HSchmitt - the new Focus HDs are light years better than the older models. You will notice much tighter and better controlled bass with the HDs. The midrange is much better, as evidenced by the video that was already linked. The Silver-Graphite mids are much more open and natural sounding than the old kevlar haxacone drivers. And the high and low ribbon tweeters are extremely sweet and smooth sounding, and and the crossover between them is just perfectly integrated. The tweeters are very detailed and open, but are not harsh or brittle at all. You will be very happy with your choice. Congratulations!

DMarks

Thanks alot DMark1! That gives me greater confidence that I made the right choice

As a proud Focus SE owner, I'd like to add that these speakers continue to impress two years later. I have gradually upgraded preamp, amp and source and each time was rewarded with immediate and obvious improvements. I've visited local hifi shops and listened to speakers costing 2-4x their cost and wouldn't trade them. On top of that, not all speakers that do music well can handle the dynamic and LF requirements of home theater. The Focus SE and matching Marquis HD excel in this regard.

Interesting comments on the Focus SE version mjbuoni.


I guess and hope some of those positive words also apply to the HD version

GREAT NEWS!!

Legacy just announced a new speaker, the Legacy Audio Signature SE, which fits in the line-up between the Classic and the Focus. It is a SEALED enclosure design, and is said to be perfect for music and home theater use. These should go great with sealed subwoofers in a home theater! I have a set of three Signature SEs on order from Legacy, so I will post my thoughts on them after I set them up and spend some time with them.

The Signature SE is comprised of two 10" aluminum woofers, one 7" silver-graphite/rohacell mid-woofer, one 3" folded kapton ribbon midrange, and one 1" folded kapton ribbon tweeter. The mid-woofer, midrange, and tweeters are the same drivers used in the Focus and Whispers, and the 10" woofers are a similar design to the Focus' 12" woofers.

Frequency response is rated at 22 Hz-30,000 Hz +/- 2 dB.
Crossover Points are: 180 / 2,800 / 8,000
Impedance is rated at 4 ohms.
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Recommended amp power: 10 - 300 Watts
Dimensions are 48"H x 12"W x 13.75"D.
Weight is 110 lbs each.

The SE model has an upgraded, stiffer braced cabinet, performance matched drivers to .25 dB tolerences, upgraded Solen caps in the crossover, and Kimber Kable silver wiring to the tweeter. Finish options are Natural Cherry ($5,995/pr MSRP), Rosewood ($6,150/pr MSRP), or Gloss Black Pearl ($6,450/pr MSRP). Custom finishes are available at additional cost.

I can't wait to get mine!!!

I'm glad to see they brought back the Signature model! I have had a set of the Signature IIs for, I guess, 15 years now, and they still sound great, although they do not have these newer drivers. But the design is the same. I will say, these need a big room to dig down to 22hz.

http://www.legacyaudio.com/products/view/expression/

I don't remember seeing this model before, either. Might be a killer surround tower.

mtrot: My room is plenty big enough to support a 22 Hz tone, no problems there!

If you have the Sig II, it may be worth your while to consider trading in your current speakers for the new model. The new drivers are WAY better than the older ones (which were very good in their day, of course). Bill Dudleston's driver designs have advanced A LOT over the past 15 years.

Yes, the Expression is also a new, ported 2.5-way design Legacy just added. Two 8" silver-graphite/rohacell drivers; one is a woofer, the other handles midrange duty, plus a spiral ribbon tweeter. It fits between the Studio and Classic HD, and basically adds additional bass extension to the Studio "monitor" concept, in a tower design that doesn't need stands...

FR: 38Hz - 22kHz, +/- 2dB.
Crossover Points: 500 Hz / 3000 Hz
Sensitivity: 94 dB
Impedance: 4 Ohm
Dimensions: 38.5"H x 10.75"W x 10.75"D
Weight: 68 lbs each
MSRP: $2,695 to $2,995/pr, depending on your finish option.

The Sig SE look fantastic Dennis. I can't wait for you to get yours. I am sure they will sound outstanding .

You know, about 15 years ago, I bought and installed in my parents' house a set of Legacy speakers that were about the size of the new Expression. I don't remember the model name, but it may be the same basic design. I was at their house over the weekend, and it is amazing the sound they produce from their Onkyo 608 receiver.

Very cool Dennis. I can't wait to see/hear them.

Craig

Very cool Dennis. I can't wait to see/hear them. I 2nd that.
Hi, To my friends here.

Your friend,
Larry
E-town,PA

I finally heard the Legacy Signature SE at THE Show Las Vegas... wow these are impressive. Excellent dynamic capability with beautiful midrange clarity and detail. Low end extension was very impressive and yet tightly controlled.

The Signature SE reminds me of the Focus, in a smaller footprint.
Most importantly, like the Focus, the Signature SE is musical
They really make listening enjoyable, and are a nice option for those that want the sound of the larger Legacy's in a smaller size at a lower pricepoint.

Thanks for those comments HSchmit, I am very excited to get my set of three matching Signature SEs, along with a pair of Phantom HD surrounds for my theater. I am hoping they come before February!

The Sigs were designed to be a slightly smaller, more affordable version of the Focus, yet they use most of the same drivers and parts - including the amazing ribbon mids and tweeters. Another advantage for home theater guys is that the Signature SEs are a completely sealed design!! They will mate very easily with sealed subwoofers.

I heard the Legacy setup at CES. Not sure which ones were playing but what ever they were running at the time, they sure sounded very very good. Can't wait for you to get the SE's Dennis.

Hello Everyone,

Just came back from CES 2012 and spent all three days at the high end audio area. Amazing! I am rather new to the high end market so take it easy on me. I am now sold on the Legacy Signature SE or the Classic HD speakers after auditioning them at CES. Incredible speakers.

Question: I wanted to select my speakers first before buying what is going to drive them. I want to use the speakers for two channel and 5.1 channel. I know with audiophiles I will need tubed amps etc.. but I do not have it in the budget. I was thing on buying an AV receiver Pioneer Elite SC-55 (140 watts) or the Integra DTR-80.3 (145 watts). to get the power to the Legacy speakers I was going to Bi-Amp the speakers. Any suggestions if these AV receivers would do the job on these 4 ohm speaks bi-amped.

Also buying the Oppo-95 blue-ray palyer

Thanks
Andre58

Legacy speakers are very efficient, so you should be OK with the Integra, which is rated for 4 ohm speakers. Not sure about the Pioneer.

That being said, most people buying speakers of that caliber do use a separate power amp.

Andre58- you'll be good to go with the Integra and Legacy's which, as mtrot said, are efficient. As long as the Pioneer is rated for 4 Ohm speakers, you should be ok.

Also, good choice on the Oppo sounds like a great system!

Hello Everyone, I have decided on the Legacy Signature SE's. I am going to drive them with the Emotiva XPA-5 5 channel amp rated 300 watts (4 ohms) & 200 watts (8 ohms) per channel. I am thinking about the Emotiva UMC-1 processor but heard bad things about it. I might go for the Integra DHC-40.2 to save money. I would like the DHC-80.3 but double the cost.

Any comments?

Thanks
Andre58

Been awhile since I've posted in this thread, but I, too, have finally decided to take the "Legacy Plunge." I nearly bought a pair of Evolution Acoustics MMMicroOne's after last year's T.H.E. Show, but I got a little tired of waiting.

Most likely I will be buying the new Sig SE's, but I am still considering a lightly used pair of the Focus SE's as well. Somehow I think I'll be more than well-served by either option.

Apparently the overwhelming response to the introduction of the Sig SE has caught the folks at Legacy a tiny bit flat-footed. The demand has been, by all accounts, quite phenomenal. That's not too difficult to understand when you consider the performance per dollar these things can apparently provide.

I will be hooking mine to a 25 year old but very trusty, and still quite fine sounding, original and nearly mint PS Audio 100C dual mono amp, at 200wpc into the rated 4 ohms impedance. In my room, considering the efficiency of even this sealed box design from Legacy, this should be sufficient to almost literally blow the roof off, if that ever becomes....errrr....."necessary." And seeing as how I am an almost near-field listener at 8-feet, I am expecting quite an immersive experience regardless of listening volume.

Remainder of the front end will be my Wyred4Sound STP-SE pre, a McCormack UDP-1 universal silver disc spinner, and occasional use of my Music Hall MMF-9 'table through a modded PS Audio phono pre.

Can't wait.

Congratulations, lateralgs!

You hit the nail on the head with the Legacy performance for price comment- both the Focus SE and the Signature SE provide a whole lot of performance at their price points.

Thanks, HSchmit!

That means a lot to me coming from someone who has had the opportunity to really hear them, even if it was in a show environment. I certainly don't expect to be disappointed!

If I buy the Sigs, it could be a couple months before they are delivered, and then there's break-in time. But I will definitely return to offer up my impressions after I've had some good time with them.

Thanks again, man...

Hi Andre,

First, congratulations on your decision to get the Signature SEs!! I'm sure you will be thrilled with them.

Yes, the Integra DHC-80.3 is the latest pre-pro Integra makes, however the DHC-80.2 units are virtually identical, still available, and at reduced prices. These two processors sound the same, having the same 32bit/192khz Burr Brown DACs and identical S/N Ratio specs of 110 dB.

The main differences are that the 80.3 added a new HQV Vida VHD1900 video chip with 4K video upscaling (the 80.2 has an excellent HQV Reon-VX video chip), some minor enhancements to network streaming capabilities, and a new surround mode, DTS Neo-X for 9.2 channel systems. (the 80.2 has Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz for 9.2 channel duties). Both units support 3D. Everything else is the same between these two units.

The 80.2 is a excellent pre-pro, so unless you feel you absolutely must have the newest features, you'll save a bunch of money with the 80.2, and get virtually identical performance. BTW, the Integra DHC-80.2's twin sister is the Onkyo PR-SC5508. Sometimes you can find even better prices on the Onkyo, even though the Integra and Onkyo are identical inside their boxes.

My two cents, anyway. :-)

Auditioned the Signature SE- a very musical speaker.
These have the same silver wire for the top end, solen caps and hand wound coils as their Focus SE, (which, btw, blow me away).

Also I did the old knock on the cabinet test (with permission, of course!) and I have to say, this is a solid speaker with thick cabinet walls -ouch, my knuckles

The slim line grill is nice (important for the wife acceptance factor). The switches on the back for bass and treble control are great for those final tweaks in the room. All in all, a really impressive speaker, I think many people, myself included, will enjoy these.

Thanks DMark1, The only problem with the Legacy Sig's right now is that I am going to have to wait for them. On the other hand, this will give me time to investigate your suggestions for the pre-pro.

Your advise is always highly welcome.

Interested in hearing comparisons of the new Sig SE and the Focus SE from those who've heard both.

russ_777, me too, because I am currently trying to decide betwen the two, and I've heard neither!

A Cardinal Sin, I know. But I don't get to hear many speakers out where we live...and the return policy for Legacy is great, so risk is somewhat minimized.

Nonetheless, I would like to hear what anyone who has had a good chance to hear both models might have to say.

Really, my single biggest curiosity is this: How much difference does that second 7" Rohacell-backed mid-woofer in the Focus SE really make??

I think bass and dynamics should be great in both models, with little practical difference for 2-channel music listening, except in large rooms, or if you listen to a lot of sound effects, perhaps. And since they both use the same ribbons, to me, it seems to come down mainly to that second 7" driver.