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.
