Salk Sound vs Legacy Audio


Impossible to answer, but always popular: tell me your experiences of these speakers. In particular, I'm looking at the Legacy Audio Classic HD and the Salk Sound Song3 Encore, with drivers from the SS9.5 speakers. Even if you don't have experience with these specific speakers, are these manufacturers known for a "signature" sound? 

I lean towards warm presentation vs. clinical accuracy. My main complaint in this hobby is listening fatigue so I'm really wanting a speaker that can move me even at low volumes. I also want a bigger soundstage and just a fuller more complete image. 

I'm in Atlanta so there is nowhere close by to hear either of these speakers. I'm just looking for lots of information to help guide my decision. Thanks, y'all! 

Robert  
rblondeau
I have owned and reviewed (for Dagogo.com) both Legacy and Salk speakers. I am currently finishing up a review of a Salk speaker, which will be revealed at the publication. Both companies give a great amount of value per dollar spent, among the best of N. American mfgrs, imo.

Legacy does not make a "6 or 7 way" speaker, and "everything sounded the same" applies to all speakers, as they cannot change their physical design. The character of the speaker is a different matter, and one may prefer it or not. Neither of these speaker brands make everything sound the same; they are both capable of presenting music with its wide palate of performances.

In general, the Salk drivers and crossover tuning is toward the warmer side, and the Legacy toward the cooler side, but they do not stray far from appropriate neutrality. Neither is harsh or etched if set up in a system properly. If there is stridency or wooly/flabby low end, it is due to 1. poor equipment, 2. placement issues, or 3. unoptimized setup/system matching. Salk's speaker line is not as dominating, as large and with extended LF, as Legacy, but both have good specifications for frequency response.

Pay close attention to amp selection; you can ruin the beauty of any speaker with a sloppy, cold or underpowered amp.

I do not hesitate to recommend either brand for building a fine system at a reasonable price point. Watch in the nearer future for an amp review used with both brands that can drive them sensationally well. 

I demoed the 9.5 at someone’s house and wasn’t impressed TBH. Played like a box.  But gorgeous construction.  
Thanks for great feedback so far! The amp (Quad 909) and preamp (Vac 20.1) I'll be using will be outmatched to some degree, but both perform beyond their price point IMHO. I hope my Rega and Cary sources are up for the task. My gut is leaning towards the Salk, but it will be a few months before I pull the trigger. Hopefully, I'll find a pair to listen to!!
Robert, I suggest you read the Salk Sound Song 3 Encore Review posted by Kwebb on 12/27/20.  You can find it on the Salk Audiocircle Forum on the Salk website.

I purchased a pair of Encores a couple years ago and absolutely love them.  Mine are ported in the front and are finished in curly walnut.  They are connected to a Parasound Hint 6 and a Node 2i/Chord Qutest DAC.  I don't believe you can find a better speaker for the money and I like the fact they're made in the USA.  Give Jim a call if you have any questions...I'm sure he will give you good advice.  Cheers!
I have never owned either of these speakers but I have heard both at shows a number of times. I have always been blown away with the quality of the Salks. I don’t know why but I have never heard the Legacy speakers sound good at a show. I know people like them so maybe just not my cup of tea but I couldn’t even stay in the room. Just my opinion of course.