Legacy speakers

I'm curious about this brand. I see you have them in your profile, Steve. Anyone else out there listening to these speakers? I'm especially interested in the Studio model, which looks like it might integrate well with their "Thumper" subwoofer and thus allow for a major speaker upgrade that would stay under 2K. Or would I be better off trying to find a pair of full-range speakers in that price range?

 

Thanks, Steve. Any tips for what I should be auditioning in the 2K/pr. range?

 

I've got the Legacy Classics. They're about 3K, a little more for certain premium wood veneers.

A few things: Great customer service - they even did a special color stain for me. One of the woods they offer is ribbon mahogany; it's somethin' else - almost has an irridescence to the grain. But the color they offered in that wood was too "orange" for me, so I asked them to go a just a couple of shades darker. They did it perfectly without going overboard. I had exchanged the rosewood (their most popular finish) for the mahogany - and they paid shipping both ways.

As far as the sound, they're very good. "Clear as a bell" ribbon tweeter (same as the one used in the Focus, I believe). The bass goes WAY down - a few have said the bass is not as "tight" as they might like, but I don't agree. As with any speaker, placement has a lot to do with it. One thing, though, these are not "warm" speakers, so I'd hesitate to pair them with something like Bryston components, which are terrific, but lean to the "hard" side. They mate very nicely with my Mac components.

Haven't listened to the less expensive models lately, so give 'em a listen if you can get to a demo room that has 'em (there aren't very many). But as you know, buying from them directly is risk-free in that you can you can return them if not satisfied.

 

In the $2K range, I'd try to listen to Totem's Hawk speakers if you can. They're smallish towers with a big sound. I always think a bigger speaker is playing when I hear them.

Obviously, try as hard as you can to hear the speakers you plan to buy before you buy them - with an amp as similar as possible to what you have.

 

Thanks, Casino. I'm also considering an entirely different strategy, which would be to get a good pair of studio monitors, perhaps augmented with a subwoofer. My listening room isn't very big, and I'm pretty close to the speakers (about 8 feet), so a nearfield monitor might be an option. I'm considering, for example, a pair of Tannoy Reveals with a Tannoy sub to match.

Any experience with these, Steve or Casino?

 

Thanks, cwon. The listen-before-you-buy advice is right on; that's one reason I'm a little reluctant to go with Legacy unless I can get to a showroom. There seems to be one in Fairfax, which is pretty close by.

I should also say that I listen to ALL kinds of music, so the speakers need to be as close to utterly neutral as possible. The speakers will also be used as mains for a home theater setup. (Yes, I know I'm looking for the Holy Grail here.) These combined needs are a big reason I'm looking into the monitor possibilities.

My gear is in my profile.

 

Gardo,

Gary is one Tannoy owner here and has stated, much like Steve, that the full range ones are the way to go as there is no way on this earth that a smaller monitor is going to give you the "Big sound" of Classical music on a smaller speaker, although I have heard (yes only heard) that the Totems are pretty awesome for what they are.

 

My own view is in line with Dave's - full-range. Whether you go with Legacy or Tannoy (I've heard some of their models and think those are good as well) or even something else, eight feet is not too close for a medium-sized full-range speaker.

You obviously won't need anything huge and there are plenty of good full-range speakers out there that could fill the bill.

 

I know that Tom Port loves the Legacy line and would be happy to talk to you about them so you might give Humorem a buzz. Since I live a hair north of your neck of the woods I went to Bethesda to hear Legacys but I did see on their website that they had a Fairfax location as well. If you want to hear the Totems (which I love BTW) try Soundworks in Kensington MD (ask for Scott but he leaves for vacation Sunday...pretty scary when you know the vacation schedules of the guys at your local audio store...Soundworks (301) 929-8600...tell him Norm sent you). If you have never been there it's worth the drive around the Beltway.

One work of caution though: We live in a very scary place right now. One of the sniper victims was directly across the street from Soundworks. Scott told me he could look out his showroom window and see the blood on the street. The most recent victim (if it's the same killer) was up near you.
Be careful

Peace,
Norm

 

With all due respect to Tom Port, after reading his philosophy of sound reproduction on some forum threads I think his judgment and mine might be pretty far apart on the issues of speakers.

The Soundworks excursion is inviting. I'd like to hear the Totems. I will be careful, however. For those who aren't in this neck of the woods (Northern Virginia area), there's been a sniper working the area for the last several days. Very scary stuff. He just shoots to kill, for no apparent reason, and the victims are outside doing things like mowing the lawn, pumping gas, putting purchases in the car trunk, etc. Just minding their own business. What a world.

Thanks, Norm, for the good wishes.

 

Soundworks

Gardo~I have known TP for some years. He is a good guy and very smart.
Not hurting for an opinion though and can be forceful with it. Still a "heart in the right place" kinda guy IMO.

I really recommend the trip to Soundworks and really think that Scott Bella is the guy there. He is smart and friendly and listens to cool music and is very into vinyl. He has helped me tremendously. In fact he's coming out to the house Saturday morning before work to help me tweek something.
If you would like I will happily call him for you. He only works Thurs-Sat.

And as for the madness that we are living with here I can't really say anymore than what you posted. The entire area has a very post-911 vibe now; everyone is jumpy. I know that when I forget what CD I have in my dash I have been listening to the news station way too much.

I wish all and safe and happy weekend.
Best,
Norm

 

Re: Soundworks

Thanks, Norm. I should have been clearer and more specific about TP. Judging from the threads I've read, he has organized his Audio Search to find a system that is highly euphonic, whether that's actually neutral or not. As I understand his words, for him "sounds good" means "sounds like I like it to sound." I want my system to be neutral, because for me "sounds good" means "sounds accurate." I want to train my ears so that accuracy is what "sounds good" to me.

Maybe what I should say is that I imagine TP and I would agree about many things, but ultimately have to go our separate ways because we're walking to different places. But enough folks on this forum like and respect him that I'm more than willing to think he's worth knowing!

Cheers.

 

hi gardo---what are you running in your system, what's your room like, and types of music do you prefer?? is there any style of presentation that you prefer???? do you crave deep tight bass?? do you prefer your music very immediate ie right in front of you and very involving'; or more laid-back like you are listening from a distance??????
tell us all a litle more and maybe we all can be of assistance. i don't have any exp w/ legacy spkers, but maybe i can recomend something else?????

bob52r i'm new to this forum. this is my first post. i started to play w/ music making equipment when i was in HS. now i'm 50. i'm no expert, but maybe i can share some of my exp????????

 

Re: Re: Soundworks

With all respect, I don't think your summary of Tom's motivations was correctly worded. It comes across kind of strangely. I do think that Tom wants a low distortion (i.e. accurate) system, but an important part in his quest is to have a system that transfers the emotion in the recording.

Anyway, this is all conjecture on both our parts; maybe Tom will feel our vibes and come back and chime in with his thoughts - and his opinion of the Legacy speakers.

Regards,
Geoff

 

Re: Re: Re: Soundworks

You may be right, Geoff. I intended no disrespect. I can see why you think my wording is strange; it does look like I'm saying Tom prefers distorted, inaccurate sound. I'm basing my characterization on a long thread here in which Tom defended his idea of "good sound." At one point Steve H. noted that Tom's system was totally colored, but very forgiving of bad recordings and pleasing to listen to. I understand why someone would want such a system, but it doesn't seem to me to be accurate or low in distortion, if distortion means changing the signal during reproduction.

My own preference is for the euphonics to be inserted by the artists and engineers and producers during the recording. My system, then, should give me that back, while imposing as few additional colorations as possible. That's the goal for me, anyway. Tom seems to be looking for the best, most musical, most euphonic set of colorations he can find for the music he prefers. That's a different goal, though he and I could, in theory, settle on the same pieces of equipment for different reasons.

Again, though, no disrespect intended.

 

Hi bob52r! Welcome to the forum. I've been here for about two months and it's been a tremendous education already.

I like all kinds of music. I've played and performed all kinds, from garage rock to orchestral (college, where I was lucky that a mediocre bassoon player like me was still able to join in!) to unaccompanied vocal (madrigals, Four Freshmen close harmony, the works) to vocal-with-orchestra (the choral movement to Beethoven's 9th, for instance. That was an out-of-body experience I'll NEVER have at home with speakers!). That's part of the problem, of course. I need speakers that will handle everything from chamber music to The Who. Midrange accuracy is the highest priority. Next comes open and transparent treble. Next (but still important) comes well-controlled and well-extended bass.

You can see what I've got right now by clicking on my "profile."

Cheers!

 

Have you heard Genelecs? The 1030 and 1031's are what I have listened to everyday for ten years now and I still love them. There's also a new monitor out there called Blue that were designed by the Genelec guys.

 

No, I haven't. Thanks for the tip. Are they full range, or will I need a sub? Are they powered or passive? Would you use them at home? (Do you use them at home?) What do you love about them?

Sorry to bombard you with questions, but I'm intrigued!

 

These have become one of standard monitors in studios. I dont even carry mine with me because most studios already have them. I also have them in my home theater setup. No need for a sub. They're each bi-amped and the 1031s are flat (to 1dB) down to 35 Hz, I think. They make an active sub for them too if you want one. There's also a line of home theater speakers on their website Genelec.com but I haven't heard them.