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Legacy Focus SE

murraycamp

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I am in the market for a speaker upgrade and may have the opportunity to buy a pair of these used. I could not find any reported measurements. I would appreciate hearing about anyone's experiences and opinions of these speakers.

They will be for a 21'x30' room and powered by (ultimately) Hypex NCore amps (probably nc500 based). I primarily stream Qobuz hi res files throughs a CCA into a miniDSP SHD. Other sources are occasional RB CDs and some vinyl as well.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 

ahofer

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I auditioned a pair of these. My subjective impression was they were very easy to listen to and had a big speaker feel, somewhat on the “warm” side, perhaps not as detailed as the more expensiv KEFs and ATCs I heard the same day. I could imagine myself living with them long-term-and fatigue potential is one of my main audition criteria.

They seemed to punch well above their weight, price-wise ($8k?). I heard them with Krell, Anthem, and Primaluna amps,I think (dealer was hyperactive with amps). The tube amp didn’t seem like a good choice, but it has weird frequency response.

I ended up buying Harbeth SHL5+, but listened to them on another day.
 
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murraycamp

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I auditioned a pair of these. My subjective impression was they were very easy to listen to and had a big speaker feel, somewhat on the “warm” side, perhaps not as detailed as the more expensiv KEFs and ATCs I heard the same day. I could imagine myself living with them long-term-and fatigue potential is one of my main audition criteria.

They seemed to punch well above their weight, price-wise ($8k?). I heard them with Krell, Anthem, and Primaluna amps,I think (dealer was hyperactive with amps). The tube amp didn’t seem like a good choice, but it has weird frequency response.

I ended up buying Harbeth SHL5+, but listened to them on another day.

Thanks!
 

Ron Texas

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If the price is right and what you really want is floor standing speakers then it's a go.
 

Sal1950

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Bill's built a number of versions of the Focus loudspeaker, don't know if I ever heard any.
What I do remember is everything I heard from his lines were very impressive sounding.
Can't remember which ones he had at the Tampa show last Feb, one large floor stander and a stand mount in separate room.
Both revealed a Class A sound IMO
I've always had great regard for Bill Dudleston as a speaker designer.
If the price is right I think I'd grab them, they should fit your room size very well.

John Atkinson at Stereophile measured the Focus 20/20 model way back in 2004
https://www.stereophile.com/content/legacy-audio-focus-2020-loudspeaker-measurements
 
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geek101

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I have met Bill in person without knowing who he was. Was thoroughly impressed on how well he answered some of my questions.

That aside I did listen to a lot of speakers @ RMAF 2018 and what stuck me was the value for $$, the detail towards engineering excellence and comittment to providing great sound using science by Legacy Audio. They are one of few vendors that insist on good room correction.

I listened to Focus SE , the Focus XD and Aeris. I would go for the larger ribbons and bigger drivers. They have Caliber XD that you can custom order with bass section powered.

When budget constrained I would go with Caliber XD (save money on amplification) and later add a sub.

I would characterize the sound has fatigue free, getting those larger ribbons and special drivers does lower the distortion and room correction is important.

For me the alternative is a pair of ATC SCM 19a but they still need a sub.

Good luck. It is very hard to find honest speaker.
 
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murraycamp

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I appreciate the input. Unfortunately, the opportunity passed and they were no longer available by the time I expressed serious interest. Not in the cards. Back to the hunt.

Maybe some Zu Omens. I hear they have effective electrosmog filters. ;)
 
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