From: mfm0@midway.uchicago.edu (martin frederic melhus)
Subject: Review: Legacy speakers (top end)
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Keywords: Legacy, Focus (long)
Reply-To: mfm0@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 13:03:55 GMT

It was suggested a while ago in this newsgroup that we examine the
higher end Legacy loudspeakers.  As I had to give a listen to the 
Satellite and the Special Edition Satellite, I thought that I'd check
out the top of the line units as well.  Unfortunately, the conditions
for the review were non-ideal, but I still think that I was able to get
some legitimate information.  As always, if you're gonna plop down 
$2300-$4500 bucks on a speaker system, try to give it a listen yourself
first, and in -your- ideal conditions.

Legacy makes a line of about 14 different speakers, including
subwoofers.  We are going to examine three here, the Signature 2,
the Convergence, and the Focus.  The Sig2 and the Focus are both 7
driver 4-way systems, while the Conv. is a 5 driver 3-way.  All are 4
Ohm speakers.  The Sig2 is about a foot square at the base, and is 50
inches high.  The Conv. and the Focus are 16" wide and 13.5"deep; the
Conv is 52" high, while the Focus is 56".  These are BIG boxes, and not
for space squeezed apartment dwellers.  If your room is tight, the Sig2
might be the only option.  All weigh better than 125 lbs, and have 2
pair of bridgeable gold tiffany binding posts.  But they are also very
efficient; the Sig2 is rated at 93.5 dB sensitivity (at 1W/1m), which is very
high, while the Conv. and Focus are rated 98 db (!!!).  Finally, a
word about the finish - these are beautifully built speakers.  The
woodwork is top notch, and will add to almost any room.

Now for the important stuff.  The sound.  The Focus is the most accurate
speaker I have ever heard.  I admit that my exposure to high-high-end is
limited, but when I could hear the soft pat of the sax pads opening and
closing on Brubeck's "Take Five," I knew this was an accurate speaker.
It was the closest to an "is live" performance I have ever heard.  The
only reference that I felt ready to compare it to was the live concert
I was at last Saturday: Joe Henderson at the Jazz Showcase.  We got
there early and my wife and I were in the center of the front row,
looking down the bell of Joe's tenor sax.  I was so close I could have
lobbed a quarter into it easily.  That was the kind of feel I got from
the Focus speakers, devastatingly accurate and forward, but not too
forward.

The Conv. is altogether another kind of speaker.  It is very musical,
and very smooth.  It is not inaccurate, but you don't notice the fine
details like you do on the Focus.  But for toe-tapping, it's the best of
these three.  One way of putting it is that the Focus says "Listen to
me," while the Conv. says "Listen to the music."  I suspect that this
is partially due to the fact that the Freq. Response of the Conv.
(+/- 2 dB) tops out at 25K, while the other 2 speakers reach 30K.
Sure, I know that this is high even for dogs, but how much color is
carried in the overtones?  I don't want to start the techie/ears debate
again, so I'll stop here.  Anyway, the convergence is smooth like the
ocean is wet.  Let's call it a "back row seat" speaker.

The Sig2 falls between these two in an almost perfect compromise.  It
has more detail than the Conv, and is a little mellower than the Focus.
It manages to take a bit of each speaker, and fuse them well.  The irony
here is that the Sig2 is the oldest of the 3 designs, so it could not
have been designed to fall between the other two.  Nonetheless, it is
precise and smooth at once (not that the others aren't, but this is a
relative statement.)

Now for the caveats.  The listening rooms weren't close to ideal.  Each
had several different speakers in it, and the Focus was in a basement,
while the other two were in a living room.  The systems differed also; I
have listed them as closely as I remember.

Upstairs (Conv. and Sig2):
Esoteric Audio Design Transport (wide table) and DAC
Counterpoint SA-1000 Preamp.
100 W/c Amp (Cary?) was A/B.

Downstairs (Focus):
Magnavox CD player (didn't get number)
CODA 02 preamp.
CODA ???? amp (100 W/c) Class A.

Looking over this list, I'm sure that some of it is off.  I'm also sure
that some of the observed differences were due to the associated
electronics.  The Counterpoint certainly lends to the smoothness of the
Conv. and the Sig2, while the discrete CODA preamp helps out the
accuracy of the Focus.  Nonetheless, I still feel that there are
differences between these speakers, because the differences I heard were
so dramatic.

Finally, pricing.  the Focus runs $4450 direct from Reel to Real (they
cover the shipping on this and the Sig2.)  The Conv. is $3400, and the
Sig2 is $2796.  All prices are for the pair.  Call 800/283-4644 for
the Springfield, IL. shop.  I did my audition at Dr. B's in Park Ridge,
IL.  Phone them at 708/824-3300.

I have no connection with either Dr. B's or Reel to Real, except as a
satisfied customer.  I have a pair of Legacy Satellites, and am very
happy with them.

-- 
                          | You have all the time from when you remove the |
     Martin F. Melhus     | card(s) from your hand until you put it (them) |
 mfm0@midway.uchicago.edu | on the pile to say "Last Card".  If you don't, |
                          | take your two. - Hidden texts, Book of MauMau. |

Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end