Legacy Focus SE or PS Audio FR20

@aheydorn looking over the specs for both PS and Legacy speaker models you chose in your post [and pairing with your amplifier], and simply looking at efficiency, you might want to compare the two a bit more here to get pairing ideas.

One is 95db, the other 87db, and both are 4ohms - a starting point to consider when pairing with your existing amplifier being able to control multiple speaker drivers. One other thought to share if you are serious about either speaker/models -

Legacy Focus SE or XD? - Let’s say if you are choosing the Legacy brand, and you want to stick with your amp now - maybe look at the other "XD" model instead, not the SE. The XD version offers an internal subwoofer amplifier to drive the large woofers for you. Your older Plinius 8200 amp would only need to drive the mids/top end driver duty vs all of it. Might be outside of your stated budget, but worth noting in any case.

PS Audio - I have a feeling if you call PS and ask Paul, they are going to want you to buy one of their amps to most effectively drive the FR20s.

After looking over the specs, I’d recommend not considering either speaker brand/model until you try them with your amp first, and then hearing them with a proper amplifier designed to power and control either of these speakers, imo.

Best of luck on the search.

I'm also interested in speakers from Legacy and PS Audio, though probably slightly smaller models than those being considered by the OP. I haven't been able to demo any of these speakers in my home so I've been stuck with reading reviews and viewer comments for now. I noticed that Tony Cordesman, the highly regarded audio reviewer who passed away much too soon, had reviewed the Aspen FR30s (though not the FR20s) in 2022 and the Legacy Focus SE in 2011. 

In Cordesman's review of the FR30 in TAS, he stated "the FR30's midrange and high frequency sound quality was the best I've heard from any speaker to date." 

He went on to say "The FR30 can give you bass that is at least as good as any single integrated reference speaker I've ever heard." That sound is dependent, of course, on having the right room and careful speaker set-up.

Although Cordesman's review is focused on the larger and more expensive FR30, the FR20 has the same planar magnetic high-frequency and midrange drivers that Cordesman raved about in his review. In terms of bass, the FR20 is not the equal of the FR30, but both speakers apply the same design principles and produce bass that blends extremely well with the planar magnetic drivers in those models (according to owners and reviewers).

The Legacy Focus SE also garners lots of praise from owners and reviewers, but it uses a version of the famous Heil AMT for the upper frequencies instead of the planar magnetics used by PS Audio. I'm sure the current version of the AMT is better than the original one, but I have to confess that my experience with AMT many decades ago was not very positive. I originally purchased AMT-based speakers based on the clarity and detail of the AMT, but my experience with listening fatigue and frustration with the poor integration of the AMT with the cone-based drivers also used in those speakers led to replacing the AMTs after only a few months. I'm hopeful that the current AMT drivers are much improved, so I haven't dropped Legacy speakers from my possible audition list.

I must admit that both the Legacy and the PS Audio Aspen speaker lines have positive and negatives for me in terms of size, weight, and aesthetic design. I like the fact that the Legacy models are available in a range of woods and finishes, but they have more of a vintage vibe than I'd prefer. Although the Aspen lines have more of a sleek modern design, it's not necessarily my favorite modern look in a speaker. 

I'd love to be able to have home auditions as an option without having to purchase the speakers first - but that isn't likely to happen. I guess a factory listening session would be of some help, but it's a 4-hour drive to get to Legacy in Illinois and a 12-hour drive to visit PS Audio in Colorado.

I should probably just stop complaining and go listen to some music on my 32-year-old Thiel speakers. 

@aheydorn Good luck with your speaker quest! 

Yamaha NS 5000 beats them both. 600 watts max. Three of a kind material in the drivers for superior tone quality. 

If you are looking for something a little less expensive than the Focus SE,  think about the Signature SE.  Legacy claims that they are designed for listeners who want the sound of the Focus,  but in a smaller form. I've had my Signature SE for almost 2 years,  and I really love them.  Prior to the Signatures,  I  had a pair of Classic HD; they were really good, but I wanted "more " of the Legacy sound. The factory gave me a very generous trade in deal.  I would have gone for the Focus,  but the WAF kicked in; I just couldn't sell the additional size.  BTW,  I'm driving them with PS Audio DAC, Amps and Preamp,  so I really like PS Audio products.  I've never heard their speakers so I can't comment on them; but I can recommend without reservation the Legacy. 

I have the Legacy Audio Focus XD's. I also have the Wavelet II so I am "all in" and I am deeply satisfied with them. I don't find them fatiguing at all. I am sensitive to that so I pay attention to speakers that present being overly detailed. I have made many refinements to my system and I can hear the changes easily. The FR 20 are $19,000 the Focus SE are $12,000. You get a lot of speaker for your $12K.