Looking for input on Legacy Audio speakers purchase.
Having reviewed several for Dagogo.com, and owning a special edition of the Whisper, I would not hesitate to go for the Aeris. The added benefit of the Aeris with Wavelet would be a sensational amount of control to contour the sound to taste using Legacy's software remote for the speaker system. Nearly any preference could be accommodated. That would not be available with the McIntosh pre and the Focus SE. No one can predict the outcome of a comparison for another, but if I were setting up I would opt for the more capable speaker and the capacity to tune it up to taste. It would also set you up for HT purposes. Legacy has a good HT lineup, no slack. I can't say more at the moment, because I am engaged in a review of a Legacy product (disclaimer). I can say, however, I have enjoyed the sizable Legacy Silvercreen center speaker. It's larger than most L/R monitors! |
I own the Legacy Focus SE's. They are fantastic. Show me another full range speaker that plays down to 18hz! With that said, I have read comments that as good as the Focus is, the Aeris with wavelet is on an entirely different level. My sense is that if you have a dedicated room where you can take full advantage of the Aeris, go for it. If however, your listening space is also part of your normal living space, the Focus SE's will be amazing. In other words, there is no reason to spring for the Aeris unless you can take full advantage of their design. Bill builds incredible speakers so you really can't go wrong. |
@wgapel, I wasn’t aware they had powered and non powered versions. I do know the Wavlet was used as the preamp and the speakers had speaker wires attached to them. The sound was so effortless. I did notice the monoblocks meters would swing up to 600 watts at times. I have a MC302 amp it it is very powerful. If you think you need less power, perhaps the new MC462 @ 450 watts per channel would be enough for them. Although, I am a firm believer that you can never have too much power. |
I had an old pair of original Focus speakers and enjoyed them for over 25 years driving them with PS Audio 250 Delta monoblocks. My biggest issues with them were trying to tame the bass (the newer Focus have 2 driven woofers compared to three in the old) and contouring the mid-range as they could be a little harsh at times. Overall though, I thought they were great.Finally upgraded and got the Aeris in December. Tried driving them with a PL EVO 400 amp. You would think with the speakers rated about 92db at 1 w that the PL at 70 wpc would drive the upper end just fine. That was not the case. Although the mids sounded great the upper end sounded rolled off with muted detail. At louder listening levels it was quite apparent that the amp wasn't up to the task. I purchased a set of Pass Labs x260.8 monoblocks since their A class output was 50 watts and the difference was just amazing. These amps may be overkill but I wouldn't change a thing. I would agree with Douglas and others that having "too much power" is a non-issue as opposed to not enough. I would also add that the Wavelet is a capable preamp and DAC. The room correction is the real deal and tamed my difficult room immensely. One has the capability with the Wavelet to contour the sound to your liking. I found this feature to be a very useful tool especially with some older recordings and also that I like a little more bass presence than the un-adjusted room correction provides. I had considered going with the newer Focus but have no regrets buying the Aeris and am more than happy and satisfied with them. Only thing is though....... I wonder how the V's sound... hmmmm.... Happy listening and good luck on your journey! |
If you have the budget, go with the Aeris with Wavelet. Aeris is an open baffle design vs Focus closed box. A very different beast. I would go with the Aeris any day. I have the Signature SE now as the Aeris is just too big for my room (not the sound, but the size) and wife has issues with it. I have heard Legacy speakers in many different occasions, in shows, in private homes and in their Hollywood showroom. Tremendous value for your money. The Whispers are the most natural sounding speakers I have ever heard, regardless of price (some well into 6 figures). |
My room is 16x24 and I wouldn't say it is too "small". Then again, I have a preference for floor standing speakers as I prefer their presence as opposed to bookshelf speakers. An 8" woofer just doesn't do it for me. Comparing apples to oranges as it depends on what you like and want. The Aeris is totally different IMHO. |
You couldn't go wrong with either one I would suppose. The Focus is a fine speaker and I am sure the design and driver changes over the years since I had my old pair, have really improved them. You have copious amount of power to drive them like they should be. Maybe I'm a bit naive but I'm not getting this "too big for the room" thing....... If I had a 10x10 room I would say any large floor-stander might be too big in an overkill way. The reality is that the Focus and Aeris aren't much different in size or potential SPL. The difference to me lies in the design. I think the Aeris is a different animal with the 8" midrange and open baffle. All one could do is try to demo both of them and decide, considering all your personal factors, which is for you. I also would reiterate that the Wavelet is the real deal, tamed my room immensely since my options on room treatments were nonexistent due to WAF. Good luck on your jorney and happy listening! |
I recently purchased a c2700 and mc462. It wasn’t my original plan, but I am thrilled with the combo so far. It’s not the old McIntosh sound for sure, Its detailed and yet still smooth and not harsh. Really really good. I am a fan of both legacy speakers you mention also. There is a very good chance if I didn’t have my Salk SS 12s, I would have the focus SE. I think it would be a great combo with the 2700. The Aeris and wavelet will also be great. I will say the DAC2 in the 2700 is fantastic. I think you have to think about if you want processing and room correction via your 2 channel pre amp or not. The 2700 has more detail than many tube preamps I have heard, which is great yet does add some body and creates a big soundstage. I love it. The wavelet is with room correction is likely to be a bit more precise. Though the Aeris speakers do sound big. the c2700... well no debating it looks great! |
Problem is can't demo the Focus SE or Aeris in my room (local dealer said no). The reason I bring up the size of my room (15x21) is because I had Martin Logan Summits that worked great in my room. I then went with the CLX and in a minute I realized that they needed a larger room to breathe. Since the Aeris is a different design implementing an open baffle I would think they need a larger room than the Focus SE to breathe. Anyway, the reason I started this post is to get peoples thoughts on using my McIntosh MC611 amps with Focus Se and McIntosh C2700 preamp vs. Aeris with Wavelet preamp. The size of my room should also be a consideration for anyone's thoughts on the 2 setups I'm considering which I originally forgot to mention in my post. |
15 x 21 isn't tiny by any means. Plus, you have those 611's on tap. I think unless it's absurd, the whole "too big for the room" thing is overblown. Heck, if it's a room in the basement, or carpet and padding over a concrete foundation (like many including mine), sometimes a bigger speaker even helps. I don't like running subs with my 2 channel, and I want the speakers to move some air. I don't think either of the Legacy Speakers is too big for your room. Heck, if it's the Aeris and Wavelet, room correction will fix (potentially) some of the errors. Personally, and freely admitting it is in part due to my fondness for the C2700 that I just picked up - I think the Focus SE and C2700 would be a blast. Screw the room size thing. I have Salk SS12's with a MC462 in a 13 x 17 room. The SS12's are no delicate flower and can move some air and play down low. Love them. I run bass traps in the rear corners, absorbers at the 1st and 2nd reflection points and the room is a finished basement (so concrete with carpet and padding). Sounds fantastic. (I really do like the C2700 and the internal DAC. I was frankly a little concerned but now after a week it's just awesome). You can't go wrong with your choice. No substitute for displacement. You may not want it all the time, but it's fun as heck when you want it. |
I ultimately bought the Legacy Audio Aeris and could not be happier. I listened to mostly in the range of $5k-10k and then listened to the Aeris. I was immediately in "uh-oh" mode thinking how I was going to tell my wife.... I started to demo in a similar price range (Magico, Sonus Faber, and etc). Ultimately, I always went back to the Aeris. For me the combination of the wavelet/Aeris/tube creates a precision and warmth that envelops my room. I mainly use Qobuz and JRiver so I wouldn't be a big help with the turn table. |
A bit of a contrarian position. I owned Legacy Signatures ’back in the day’. Looked great, and sounded good, but never could get them to sound just right. Tried many changes in preamps, amps, cables, etc. Represented all of the frequency bands, but a discontinuous patchwork overall. A little like my impression of B&W. Maybe more related to different driver materials. That said, the current Aeris sounds great. |
https://destinationhifi.com/products/legacy-wavelet-dac-preamp-crossover?variant=3260920260 Pricing through a dealer. No affiliation. I have seen a couple on the used market for $2500 to $3000. |
