Need Salk/Legacy speaker help/opinions

Thanks dep14, that's the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I appreciate all additional comments.

I've heard most of the Salk line-up pretty extensively, I've also demo'd the Focus SE several times.

I think the Focus SE is the best speaker in the Legacy line-up.  A straight ahead high displacement, well voiced and built speaker.  It can thump, it's not overly bright just for the sake of detail, and you can find bargains on them all day long.  I've come close several times to buying them.  Good speaker.

As for Salk.  I would pretty much ignore anything AT has to say.  Pretty clear in following his posts he has an issue with Salk, he will throw in some passive off handed compliment.. but he doesn't know what he is talking about with Salk.  

That said, Salk is pretty clear he is shooting for a flat frequency response.  A few speakers have different flavors, the Exotica's in particular have a different presentation (but the Exotica 3 with the built in dual subs can thump).

Having heard the Focus SE several times, the current speakers to compare in the Salk Line-up would be the SS 9.5 and the Song 3 encore.  Both are really good speakers with a slightly different presentation than the Focus SE.  Both have a bit better bass response than the SS8, so with the Focus SE, that's a consideration as it's a thumper (which I dig)

The SS10 and SS12 could/can play as deep if not deeper than the Focus SE, slightly tighter also.  I think both are a better speaker than the Focus SE.  But they are out of production (though there is a pair of SS12's for sale in the Salk forum on Audiocircle).  They have a more open midrange (with set-up options) play even deeper and tighter than the Focus SE (though the Focus SE can really move a shit-ton of air).  They have a unique shape, though are nice as the tweeters are right at ear level when seated (or close).  They do indeed want power though.

I think the SS 9.5 or even Song 3 Encore would be a matter of what you like best.  My biggest issue with the Focus SE is the soundstage is not as big/open as the Salk's IMO.  It's a bit narrow.  That said, I THINK in a big room they could move even more air than the Salk's if you need to thump a big room.  I think the SS 9.5 is a bit better than the Song 3 encore, but man the Song 3 encore is a bargain.  I typically do not like Be tweeters, but Jim really integrated it well and it's smooth. The new Revel's also managed to use Be drivers and not have them be overly bright based on my demo's.  Vs some others like the Paradigms that while detailed are just blazingly bright to me.

Legacy builds a really nice speaker and the finishes are nice.  The Salks are next level, and custom furniture grade if that is important to you.

Tough to find a used SS 9.5 now if that is a consideration, Focus SE's seem to pop up all the time and new they can be found with discounts.  

I think in a blind "face-off" You would find people splitting the SS 9.5 and the Focus SE pretty closely edge likely going to the SS 9.5.  Given the MSRP.. seems about right also.

Given proper power, I think the SS 10/12 would boat race the Focus SE.  But they are hard to find and unique in their own right.  I'm biased though as I think the SS12 is one of the best speakers I've heard under 35k.

Have Fun.

With the advent of the new Salk SS 9.5, I think that would be the Salk model to consider and compare to the Focus SE.  At RMAF, the 9.5s sounded fantastic on the classical piece they were playing.  I have also heard the Focus SE sound fantastic.  You just have to listen to them both and decide.

I hate that this forum doesn't format properly when using Firefox!

I certainly appreciate the comments thus far.  In response to the comments from snapsc, I'll take them point by point.....
1.Improve with more updated design and quality.2. Weight is not a consideration.3. That sound stage is appealing to me. I like detail as well but not for the sake of musicality.4. Got it.5. I'm actually looking forward to this design.6. Height is not an issue, I have the Focus now.7. I think I can get by with less than 110db @ one meter. But I appreciate the sentiment.
I still come back to the point that many have said they like the Salk vs. Legacy but I have a hard time believing that. If I could hear them I would know. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be an option.

Having only heard each type at shows I am perhaps not the best to give my opinion. But, based on my experience the Salks win by a wide margin. 

These are two great speakers from two great designers with beautifully finished cabinets....I'm thinking you might consider the following questions on your journey....


1.  What are your current Legacy models lacking...or what is it you are trying to improve upon?


2.  The Focus SE weighs 188lbs per speaker ready to be shipped...that means if you ever want to resell...it will probably be tough....is this an issue for you?


3.  People often suggest that the RAAL tweeter is laid back...but when you investigate further it has no zing, presents a massive soundstage, tremendous detail and is tonally beautiful...is it going to be bothersome that it just doesn't "grab you" right out of the box...that instead, you will have a lightbulb moment a couple weeks or months down the road as to how good it is?


4.  The Legacy AMTs may have less dispersion than the RAAL...this isn't a good or bad thing...just something to be aware of with respect to the room you are going to put them in and what you are hoping to achieve.


5.  The Legacy AMTs are a little less laid back than the RAAL...and in some rooms this is a good thing and in others...not so much.


6.  The Legacy is pretty tall...can you sit far enough back so that the tweeter/mid are at the proper ear level.


7.  Most would say that the RAAL is safely played below 110db at one meter...so if you want super loud at 5 meters back...then maybe the RAAL isn't the best choice.


As I said, these are two great loudspeakers. Your ears, your music and the nuances that matter to you are critical....as is your room and your ability to position either speaker for its optimal sound.


Full disclosure....I've heard the Legacy (but not in my room with my equipment)..it sounded great.  I own the Salk Veracity ST which has the RAAL and a similar Seas midwoofer...it sounds great also.


Finally, I'm not a big believer in the "best speaker I've ever heard" theory.  I am more of a believer that our brains somewhat ignore what is sounds good, point out "what is wrong" and keep bugging us to fix it.  For me, the Salks get almost everything right...but the key statement here is that I'm hearing them in my room, with my music and my equipment.

We are a Legacy dealer so take this as you wish.
The Legacy Focus is a much more unique loudspeaker which does things that most of the Salk’s don’t
The Focus is way more efficient 93db vs 84db-86db for many Salks
The Focus has way deeper bass then most Salk models 22hz vs 25-34hz for most Salk models.
The Legacy’s have far greater power handling and will play louder than most Salks.
Other salient features are all custom drivers in the Legacy’s.
For example most of the high end Legacy’s the Focus, Signature Se, the Aeris, all employ a German made Heil AMT tweeter and midrange, coupled with a silk and graphite lower midrange.
These are all custom designed drivers which no one else is using.

Most of Salk’s drivers are Raal ribbons coupled with ceramic midrange drivers which are not going to sound as coherent as what Legacy is doing.
Other Salk speakers use Seas drivers while other Salks use drivers from other companies.

Salk is a lovely speaker builder who builds nice speakers with out a unifying concept or philosophy, vs Legacy whose products all speak with one voice and one concept:
If you notice Legacy is famous for speakers which:

Play loud.
Are extremely durable. Have fantastic deep bass responseUse very advanced custom driversAre extremely efficient
Have many models covering many different price points
Known for having speakers which have a sweet top end, good detail and resolution, a clean warm midrange, and very deep tight bass.

Dave and TroyAudio Doctor NJ Legacy dealers

I like the Encore but the HT3 have the RAAL tweeter which is suppose to be excellent. I thought that would separate them from the Encore's.

No matter what speaker you look at, someone replaced something else with it. While those comments are most certainly honest for that person, they are by no means evidence that one is better than the other.  I am a fan of both brands. Out of the Salk speakers that I have heard, the HT3 was probably my least favorite. They take big power and I felt like the bass was disconnected from the mids and highs. If you are looking for something to replace the Focus in their line, I would consider a used pair of Soundscape 8 if you can find them, or the newer Song 3 Beat or Encore. The newer Legacy line is different than the older and you should really see if you can find a place to listen to them. The Focus SE is a nice speaker, but I would want to be very sure if I were to spend that much on a pair of speakers. Good luck.