I used to have a pair of the first version of the Focus SE. By far the best speaker I have ever owned. I sold them 7 years ago because I needed money. I've regretted it ever since! I was powering them with a Modwright KWI 200 integrated. That combination had a big full sound. Strong solid bass, clear mids and highs. I'd crank up the system and the music was still clear and the walls vibrated. The Focus SEs are efficient but they like a lot of power. They are a 4 ohm speaker but the ohmage goes down to 2.8 so one needs a powerful amp that can handle 2 ohm loads. I come from the rock and roll world and have been to so many concerts I can't remember them all. I played bass in a hard rock band in the mid 70s. I did mobile DJ. I love to feel the music! If I could afford them again I'd buy them in a second. Wouldn't even consider anything else.

Absolutely agree with your consensus across all parameters. Bill is truly one of our industries' 🐐.

Had the pleasure of hearing these a couple time at different audio shows and it was pure pleasure. They’re sound absolutely amazing.

I agree, Legacy has been around for years. And since I was in my early twenties I wanted to own a pair but they have always been just out of my financial reach, and I refuse to own second hand speakers. And the fact that this company has been around for so long is a testament to the quality of their product. I am glad you all took time to let the light shine on them. Well done.

Thank you for this video, the Focus SE and Focus XD are on my list as my next speakers, so this really helps!

I agree that this was a very warm and pleasant revue of the Legacy Focus SE speakers. But I would like to add to this because I am and have been an owner of the original Legacy Focus speakers since 1995. First, there are some differences between the SE and the original model internally, but the sound produced is very, very similar. Bill used and still uses the Focus model as his template for comparing sound with all his new speaker models. The main difference between the model of Focus I own and the 'new' SE model is with the midrange speakers were changed (probably due to production run ended of the original drivers), and the use of an EMT tweeter on the SE model. Also, the original model weighs 175 lbs vs. 135lbs! No doubt there are some other differences to account for 40lbs per speaker difference. The both have a very similar frequency range, although the original model goes down to 16Hz (+-2 dB). It also is 3dB more efficient - 98dB! So, now for the sound. I like many types of music, but NO rap and no Country, but just about all other music. But my favorite is classical and Jazz and vocals that are with a clear voice. My classical music various greatly from Baroque to the classical period, ensembles quartets to full orchestra, but very little opera. My jazz varies from the early days of jazz from the 20s-40s, classic jazz as well as 'Newage' jazz'. My vocals vary less that the music, but singers with clear voices, which includes many, many male vocalists from the 40s thru the 90s, and female vocalists that from the 70s thru to today with a few female artists. So, I play a lot of different music on the Legacy Focus speakers. My setup is a super sound system that I converted into a home theater, so I never play pure stereo. I have a 7.2 Surround sound system, with three (yes 3!) Legacy speakers up front. My center channel speaker is the Legacy Silver Screen center channel, which is the Focus minus the woofers, so it sounds just like the left & right speaker. My side speakers are also Legacy speaker a diapole speaker, and the rears are PSB Stratus Goldi's full size floor standing. This is an amazing home theater system, and with 2 subs (very different kinds) the room shakes. My Focus are bi-amped with a total of 490 RMS w/ch (220 w/ch for the bass and 270 w/ch for the upper). All the other speakers have their own amps. Now back to how the Legacy Focus sound. The overall most impressive sound is when playing full classical music - symphonies that are dynamic. Classical music is the most dynamic of all, where it can be so very quiet that you need to turn it up to hear it, and then a few moments later comes a crescendo. This requires a lot of reserve amp power, so I disagree with the review that you can play the speakers with just 30 watts. Of course it would play, but why would anyone pay $10,000 US and not have an amp that can really drive it! I would recommend AT LEAST 100 RMS w/ch, and the more the better! Also, the review talks about too bass heavy, but I do not think this at all. It plays bass as low as the source offers (like when I play my classical organ music), but it is NEVER overbearing and is always matched with the rest of the range. It is also very well balanced with the rest of the frequencies. I would not recommend not getting a sub woofer if you are watching and listening to movies, which have a lot more than just music content. So, if you are building a home theater with the Legacy Focus speakers, get at least one very tight sub, and adjust its volume when watching movies. But when playing music, you have to pay 3-4 times the amount to get a noticeable 'better' sound. With jazz, you feel the music, especially when playing Newage jazz, like Dave Grusin. Vocals sound like the singer is in the room with you. That is why I like singers with a clear voice, and on these speakers it is amazing. This is a testimony to the speaker's upper bass and midrange. These speakers are extremely clean sounding, and with lots of power, there is never any bit of distortion, at any volume level. In the review they talked about the Focus having poor or weak imaging. I think they need to rethink this, or perhaps, next time they get a pair rearrange the setup. Perhaps they are placing them too far away from the back wall or corner, or they are toed in too much? The distance between the speakers will impact how much they are toed in. I have been to a lot of audio shows, and very few speakers have better imaging. Those that I have encountered that do are a few of the all electrostatic speakers, the German Mbl line of speakers, and the Legacy Whisper. I had a private viewing at the Los Angeles Legacy 'show room' about 5-7 years ago and brought a whole bag of my own CDs. So, I was listening to music I was very familiar with. while the Whisper did NOT have the low end of the Focus, it was clearly more impressive with its imaging. The whisper speakers did have the electronic crossover as part of the setup. I got to play music for about 4 hours straight. This probably contributed to the imaging as well. The other comment about the Focus SE having too much high end seems a bit out of wack as well. Perhaps they do not listen to music that is full range. Rap definitely has no range, and country and most pop music is very limited as well in frequency range. Rock is also quite limited, and emphasizes the low end. So, I offer this comment to leave the message to the readers out there that this is not a flaw or a detriment in the Legacy Focus speakers. Adrian's comments about the speakers are really right on. They can play any type of music and really well. They are extremely dynamic and will go from very, very quite to a huge sound instantly. Of course, the amps you use will impact this, and that is why I commented on the 30 w/ch (as stated by Legacy) being enough to do this. And the other comment about the main complain to sell these speakers is there size, is also right on. Only people where music/sound is very important in their life would be willing to have such big speakers, and not just because they take up a lot of the room space and are 'in your face', but also the move ability of them! Vincent (07-30-2020)

I went on cregslist just for fun, I came across old Legacy Audio Focus from late 90s. Original owner. I was like nah it's quite expensive $3k. A week later I went back on cregslist it was still there. I heard on KZfaq PS Audio, video about most important components in audio, he said "main speakers is where you want invest the most" So I decided go to listen to them. I was blown away. The clarity of the sound, the base, you don't even need a subwoofer, because it has 3 12" subwoofer drivers in each tower, unlike only 2 on new Focus SE. Btw that previous owner replaced his old focus with new Focus SE. He also told me to run this towers bi-amp. So I bought Crown xls 1502 to run subwoofer drivers and pioneer receiver SC-1522 (Also got on cregslist for $200) to drive mids and highs

These speakers are reasonably priced for what you get. When I was in college I could afford the best audio. Now that I am 77 I can barely afford the middle of the road audio. And then there are cables to consider!!!!

Sadly, in todays world, mainstream "respect" is virtually synonymous with marketing dollars. I received my Focus SE's a couple of weeks ago and they sound like nothing else I've ever experience, even at lower volumes. If you want an average experience then go with what the mainstream press touts but if you want truly phenomenal performance, quality and support, stick with the enthusiast community.

I want the Legacy Signature SE speakers. They're sealed with the same AMT tweeters as the focus se with one 7 inch midbass and dual 10 inch woofers. And they can be placed right up against the rear wall. Yeah!

If I had the money, these are the speakers I'd buy.

I have the Legacy Signature SE and "Love" them. Very much into vinyl Debussy, Pink Floyd, Bill Evans, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc. and detail and accuracy is always amazing. With (only) two 10" woofers, one 7" mid. and the AMT tweeter (20' x 21' vaulted ceiling room) everything I play has the detail and accuracy I love. I really enjoy listening to you guys speak to what you hear on various equipment. Keep it up.

I have been listening to the Legacy Focus 20/20 for almost 3 years. It is a joy to listen to them, but you need to have the room/space as they need to be at least 3 feet from the back wall and you need to sit at least 9 feet in front of them. Place them on a concrete slab with some rubber or cork layer underneath and you are in for treat, base becomes even better. Also, please check Tomas and Stereo channel regarding components synergy, Yamaha A-S2100 integrated amplifier is a good match with this speaker if you like analog/tubish sound, otherwise check Rotel for extra clarity and extra bass.

Focus SE is excellent speakers for the $10,000 price range. It does almost everything right, especially on horn instruments and cello, but not on vocal.

Having a pair of the earlier legacy focus, I agree with all that you said. I am fortunate in that the room that I use for listening is adequate at 5,5 meters X 7 meters. Situated away from the side and back wall they are a marvel to listen to at close range. However due to the temptation to their ability to play well at all volumes means that late night listening sessions are ruled out as the family members including the grandchildren tend to complain.

These speakers are on my short list to replace (possibly) a pair of Mirage M-3si that I've had since Feb. 1993, which are still going strong. I am concerned about the Focus SE's bass in my smallish room (14' W, 18.5' L, with an 11' ceiling). I heard the Legacy Focus SE at an audio show about 7 or 8 years ago, in a room about the size of mine, but the speakers were on the short wall; in my room the long wall, firing across the short dimension, is the only option; the plane of the speakers would be about 9' from my head, and the speakers would be 4.5' out from the wall, roughly. Will keep researching, thanks for this video.

Great conversation. Keep them coming!

Adrian said the Focus SE had a lot of bass possibly due to the fact that most of the speakers in their store didn't go deep. I just bought the Focus XD and the bass is superb. I heard deep bass that I didn't here in my 30 years of audiophile life. My other audiophile friends said the same. In addition to hearing the deep bass note, I also feel it. I owned mostly full range floorstanding speakers in the past. They went deep but I didn't feel it much. The term "full range" really means full range in Legacy Audio speakers. Some speakers rely on the back wall to reinforce the bass to go deep. I placed the XD 6 feet from the back wall and the bass is just incredible. The dual 12" woofers mean business.

I heard a demonstration of the Legacy Whisper in Houston about 20 years ago. with Bill Duddleston...blew me away. They have always been my (unattainable) grail.

I bought the legacy focus new around 1999. I still have and they sound great. It was 5k back then. I want to get a new pair but will probably try some tektons. 10k is too much for me now.

Your description of bass during minute 13, what amp and preamp was being used? I have a C2600 and MC452 and was wondering. Browsing for bass-centric towers

I have the original Focus. Still outstanding in my opinion. If you want a large multidriver system, and that sound characteristic, these have a ridiculous amount of performance and hardware for the money. Legacy and VMPs were the American answer to B&W and Kef. Dollar for dollar, they killed the British sound. From subtle details to life-like power and scale, they just offer way more for the money. That is why the snob-appeal types didnt respect them enough.

The only speaker that out performs a point source Legacy is a another Legacy!!!

As an owner of these speakers, I appreciated seeing your take on them. I agree with all the caveats. Despite their failings, I love the Focus S.E... They have all the Audiophile sensibilities without limiting your choice of music. The observation you can play any type of music through them is spot on. Another area, where I find them extremely flexible; depending on your choices of components and amplification, you can tailor their sound to suit your tastes. For what it is worth, here are a few things I found that may help others get the best out of them. One, the room has to be fairly dead. If not, the bass will become too much of a good thing. The other, is you really need to play around with placement. If it is not sounding quite right, keep trying. Use positions that are counter intuitive. (For me it was closer to wall with bass traps in the corner and ceiling.) I would say, it took about 3 months of experimentation to get them to a point where their bass energy became tame enough to bring out just how gorgeous their mid-range and treble can be. I would not say, the Focus is notoriously difficult to place. I just happen to have medium-large room that is just not quite big enough to get the very best out of them, so for me ideal placement became a little more complicated. The last consideration is. The quality of the electronics will dictate the quality and/or impact the flavor of their sound. Playing around a bit, I powered them first, with a 30-watt vintage tube integrated, (As expected the sound was sweet and warm, but bass rolled off at 30 Hertz), next a 200-watt SS integrated class AB powerhouse that had room correction. (Mid-range was less open, cleaner sound than the tube, especially in the mid-bass region, but the overall bass was still not as punchy as I would like), and finally a pair of 150 watt class A tube mono-block that are capable of putting out a lot more current and have a design goal of having a choke hold on what the woofer is doing. (Bass tightened up, became snappier, mid-range moved forward, and upper end became relaxed and natural) All this being said, the speaker sounded wonderful with each component, all made them sound different. In my room they sounded best in descending order with Zesto Eros monoblocs - Primaluna evo 400 with Kt150 (Use the stock EL-34 if you listen to coffee house acoustic stuff.) Vintage Anthem (Sonic Frontiers) Amp 1 tube amp (Another EL- 34 based design but crisper bass than the Primaluna with EL34's) In SS an vintage Classe CAM 400. (High noise floor with this old amp, but not noticeable from the listening chair or when music is played.) The other amps I auditioned with was BAT 255se (Monoblocs) and McIntosh 452. These amps delivered the most slam, but were not well suited for my room. Bass became too dominant and the midrange too recessed. If you have an larger room than mine. I do not think this will be a problem. For my tastes, the sonic character of the tube mono-blocks gave them the greatest appeal. I suspect those big woofers liked being paired with something that can start and stop them on a dime. With this combination, I received the cleanest, tightest, sound over the entire audio spectrum, not just the bass. What I liked most about this pairing was I had all the punch and dynamics these beasts are capable of. Yet remain delicate on simple, singer-song writer material. They are able to masterfully reproduced my amps tube glory, giving vocals an uncanny sense of realism. Plus be forgiving on anything that has boosted bass in the mix, without bloat. When playing well mastered recordings of the Singer/Song-Writer, Jazz, and Classical, genres; their accuracy is on par with any more notable Hi-End brand. The biggest bonus? They are just plain fun to listen to.

I’m a huge Legacy Audio Fan! Question. I live in Sri Lanka we have no Legacy AD’s here. I have heard the focus and I think they are absolutely wonderful (for what I’m looking for). The question is.. how much of a step up in all round experience is the Legacy whisper? I have no way of demoing these but happy to take the plunge based on some advice as I’m a Focus fan. Your advice is much appreciated and fantastic videos. Keep up the amazing work

Guys, can you tell us how big these rooms are? I've heard of Legacy, but somehow they get pushed into the background. Thanks for reminding us of a great option!

Legacy's Whisper was used to mastere Nat King Cole's albums, too.

22:52 imaging... think they need to be used with the Wavelet electronic crossover room correction processor for imaging and full effects with bass control too.

I think they need to update the look..

I have the Studio HD a great sound for under $2k, they could use a sub.

Do you need a subwoofer or two with them...

I've listened to the Focus XD in a show and the dynamics and bass really impressed me at first but after a while, I found it sounding clinical, lacks warmth and fatiguing after a while. Jay, care to do a comparison to the Tekton DI on your channel?

I used to work for Allen Organ Legacy was a another company they owned I got to see and help build legacy speakers! I'm not sure if Allen Organ still owns legacy if they do they keep the companies separate.

By the way they are the only speakers in my room to make the unforced references to warm up considerably, which is odd as they are class D amplifiers.

🤣 i have a similar onion wallet. Tho my wallet is more like a car, there's no point in even taking it out when you can't top it up.

Legacy is reputed to be SIBILANT, no?

Indeed! No respect!

I personaly think the fewer the drivers the better, because more drivers means more phase problems afecting coherence of the sound and this is vital to make a good image and soundstage

Vilip, love your commentary, insight and manner, but the fanboy wannabe wardrobe? 🤨

they're only 106 pounds each

Focal make studio monitors and their HIFI Range and studio Monitor Range are definitely in more recording studios than Legacy and B & W, put together... So what does that tell you?... As a sound engineer and music producer it's more than just monitor /speakers it's room acoustics and the studio gear they use to get a "standard", in recorded music.. And sound engineers will and often do get very similar results not matter what studio or monitors etc they are working with.... This is an overlooked fact that audiophiles seem to not get to grips with... Neither the less the legacy speaker range are great speakers to enjoy... And almost every speaker you reviewed on this channel would make great studio monitors, because the line is becoming thinner between studio monitors and Hifi speakers... I suggest you review powered studio monitors and you will be very surprised... I love your channel and your passion for music reproduction.... Big Big BIG BIG UP and bless you all... Bless

In those early years, this is classified as Bass Speakers. Good for HT only!

Nuforce references

Do a grand comparison: Legacy vs Magico S7, vs TAD Ref One, vs Nola Grand, vs Joseph Audio Pearl vs Piega Master Line Source, vs Marten Coltrane, vs Zeta Zero Orbital Ref, vs some 66 more absolute reference models ;)

Some will not like this comment, but Legacy audio is the Cerwin Vega of high-end audio. They impress by their displacement of air, not their accuracy. That said, they fly in the face of an industry, hyper focused on high frequencies and imaging. I remember when the only way to hear them was to wait for Legacy to visit your State. They would tour the country renting out ballrooms in hotels to sell their speakers.

Just the facts please not stories .

You really aren't doing Legacy any favors here. Or the viewer.

Listened to these speakers for about 15 minutes and enjoyed the clarity and low end but couldn't listen to them any longer because their projected soundstage is not coherent / cohesive, the imaging is non-existent. In fact it was terrible, they were like listening to different slightly out of sync speakers. Definitely not speakers I ever want to listen to again. Also this product is definitely American... large, heavy and cumbersome without finesse. Next.