Legacy Audio?

**bjski** · June 26, 2022, 08:49 AM

Any Legacy Aries owners experienced the difference between the Wavelet and the Wavelet 2? I am on the wait list for the Wavelet 2.

On another note,I did experience a problem with my Aries build. The one cabinet had a seal problem with the bass drivers. My issue was more with the dealer. He was 3 hours away & never followed up with the fix. Legacy sent me a kit and I fixed the speaker. Legacy offered me a 50% discount on any purchases at the time for my effort.

I did have a beautiful pair of the Focus SE with no issues.

**dznutz** · June 26, 2022, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by bjski

Any Legacy Aries owners experienced the difference between the Wavelet and the Wavelet 2? I am on the wait list for the Wavelet 2.

On another note,I did experience a problem with my Aries build. The one cabinet had a seal problem with the bass drivers. My issue was more with the dealer. He was 3 hours away & never followed up with the fix. Legacy sent me a kit and I fixed the speaker. Legacy offered me a 50% discount on any purchases at the time for my effort.

I did have a beautiful pair of the Focus SE with no issues.

How was this an issue with the Dealer? Its simply a manufacturing/QC issue with Legacy. I would never buy anything else from them, they were a nightmare to get ahold of as well. Then immediately blaming everything and everyone else when the issues were obviously their fault.

**Mr Peabody** · June 26, 2022, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by bjski

Any Legacy Aries owners experienced the difference between the Wavelet and the Wavelet 2? I am on the wait list for the Wavelet 2.

On another note,I did experience a problem with my Aries build. The one cabinet had a seal problem with the bass drivers. My issue was more with the dealer. He was 3 hours away & never followed up with the fix. Legacy sent me a kit and I fixed the speaker. Legacy offered me a 50% discount on any purchases at the time for my effort.

I did have a beautiful pair of the Focus SE with no issues.

A friend made the upgrade but doesn't use the DAC so it's hard to tell much, it does seem to function better. The new feature, I forgot the name, it's supposed to make the music more live, one of the DSP features not on the older Wavelet, anyway he could never get that set to where it was any benefit. Neither of us liked the effect.

**bjski** · June 26, 2022, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by dznutz

How was this an issue with the Dealer? Its simply a manufacturing/QC issue with Legacy. I would never buy anything else from them, they were a nightmare to get ahold of as well. Then immediately blaming everything and everyone else when the issues were obviously their fault.

My problem is when you pay the dealer $20,000 plus & he doesn’t stand behind the product. The dealer delivered the Aries in a pickup truck & took the boxes with him. It could have been a Q/C issues but who knows with the speakers sitting in the back of a pickup half uncreated for 3 1/2 hour drive. Bill called me several times & sent the fix. As I mentioned they offered me 50% off any Legacy product for my time.

My Focus SE were only 2 years old when I upgraded to the Aries. The Focus were beautifully built. Now the Aries look great & sound fantastic. Probably my last speakers.

**nc42acc** · June 26, 2022, 05:30 PM

Had our GTG last weekend at our friends house with the Legacy SE. His speakers always sound great when paired with quality electronics. They really parrot what you feed them upstream. Legacy seems like a great company, a shady dealer can make any transaction a bad dream.

**bjski** · June 26, 2022, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

A friend made the upgrade but doesn't use the DAC so it's hard to tell much, it does seem to function better. The new feature, I forgot the name, it's supposed to make the music more live, one of the DSP features not on the older Wavelet, anyway he could never get that set to where it was any benefit. Neither of us liked the effect.

Very interesting…….I was thinking of moving my current DAC to my second system & just going with the Wavelet 2 DAC eliminating some cables. I compared my current DAC to the original Wavelet & the current DAC is slightly better. I was using a better USB cable going to my current DAC vs USB cable going to the Wavelet.

Does Wavelet 2 sound any better than the original?

**bjski** · June 26, 2022, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Had our GTG last weekend at our friends house with the Legacy SE. His speakers always sound great when paired with quality electronics. They really parrot what you feed them upstream. Legacy seems like a great company, a shady dealer can make any transaction a bad dream.

Agreed!!!

**Mr Peabody** · June 27, 2022, 09:29 AM

It does but it's been a while so I can't remember how much. And, my friend is always trying and changing something, LOL

You would have to compare your DAC's to see which sounds best. My friend has a Lampizatar, the model that used to be the top before the Horizon came out, needless to say it's much better than the Wavelet.

Originally Posted by bjski

Very interesting…….I was thinking of moving my current DAC to my second system & just going with the Wavelet 2 DAC eliminating some cables. I compared my current DAC to the original Wavelet & the current DAC is slightly better. I was using a better USB cable going to my current DAC vs USB cable going to the Wavelet.

Does Wavelet 2 sound any better than the original?

**FST251** · March 4, 2023, 09:56 AM

I am interested in the Focus XD in my very well treated 14 x 18 dedicated listening room. I have a fear that they can be too big? I really don't want to settle for the Signature XD's and have remorse. My amp is the VAC renaissance 70/70 Signature for bi amping. Any advice on this?

**SCAudiophile** · March 4, 2023, 10:04 AM

Is the room sealed (doors closed) when you listen?

As an aside, I have Valor, a much bigger speaker in 14 x 17 x 8 with an open doorway to front hall in the back corner of the room. Wavelet handles it with no issue.

I would say having owned Focus HD and SE, plus AERIS before this as well that with Focus XD and Wavelet, you will have no issue.

Even without Wavelet, if the room is well treated, as you mentioned, I believe you will be good.

The Sig XD is good...the Focus level is much better!

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**FST251** · March 4, 2023, 06:29 PM

Thank you @SCAudiophile. Yes the rear corners of the room are open I have a back wall about 3.5 feet behind listening position with 12" deep diffusers, so 3 feet open at each the corners into a very large open space. (Basement dedicated room) I would not use a Wavelet, ust bi amp with my VAC Tube amp on top. Thank you for your response, you would know!

**SCAudiophile** · March 4, 2023, 10:10 PM

You are very welcome...even with Wavelet, my current room has quadratic diffusers on back wall for besr results a little over 3.5 ft from the back of my head. I also have 5 canvas art panels (no stuffing) on front wall for mild diffusion (better than raw drywall) and aesthetics:
20220810_215333.jpg 20220714_075539.jpg

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**FST251** · March 5, 2023, 02:51 PM

@SCAudiophile. NICE! Beautiful system. I have 3' x 8' wall mounted 12 inch deep diffusers on the wall 3.5 feet behind the listening position, I have 4 -7 inch thick side wall mounted bass absorbers air gapped 2 inches. (2 on each side wall) I have 2 front wall corner bass traps. I also have 2 30 inch by 45 inch sidewall absorbers for reflections oe on each side. I am also getting 2 -2' x 4' 6 inch deep Acoustic Diffuser for front wall behind the speakers to enhance soundstage. I keep my speakers about 6.5 feet into the room. I have some cheesy plastic ceiling diffusers in front of speakers. Rugs and fluffy chairs. The room should handle the Focus XD's I hope! Thank you for the advice.

**SCAudiophile** · March 5, 2023, 07:08 PM

Thank you....I believe it will handle them without issue. They like breathing room, so try for 2-3ft from back and side walls as a minimum IMHO. It's better to have an 8ft speaker center to center width and more breathing room than try much wider. However, your own tweaking and listening will show you the way.

Toe in: with Focus 20/20, HD, SE and Aeris many of us hobbyists have found that aiming the tweeter model section on a line that converges anywhere from 12 to 24" (depends on room) behind your head which gives both great center imaging and depth and ultra wide sound stage, great panning (when recording has it, etc...)

YMMV of course,...I would suggest downloading REW, plugging room dimensions into RoomSIM, and indicating 20 Hz for the bass extent for left and right (also try 18) and input your seating position to come up with an initial SWAG as to position options.

Here is the side of my room with the rest of my gear and a "cable shot" or two. On my Eso stack, I dropped the Audioquest Firebird 48 HDMI about a year ago and moved (for Eso ES-LINK data in the stack) to TUBULUS CONCENTUS HDMI which was a substantial upgrade.20220812_162831.jpg 20220111_061818.jpg 20220111_061908.jpg 20211230_200232.jpg

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**steve59** · March 9, 2023, 11:33 AM

That's a beautiful system. Cost what I paid for my house, and then some, tho real estate was kinder in 96. Was there a specific synergy you hear with Esoteric and Legacy over other brands?

**SCAudiophile** · March 9, 2023, 01:12 PM

Thank you very much for the kind words.

One of the strengths of Legacy is that they sound damned good with a long list of amps and preamps, Solid State Class A or AB, ICEedge next generation digital, tube, and SET tube.

The combination of this generation of Esoteric seems perfect to me, and I've not found any limits.

The Legacy convey every bit of the excellence and range engineered into the Esoteric gear, and this combo is the most musical, wide musical (genre) range combination I have yet owned.

A couple of areas where the Esoteric's are both a musical and performance match for the Legacy (in this case VALOR) is that Bill
has always found a way to engineer absolutely full-range speakers with high efficiency that excel equally well in the nether regions
of sub-bass and bass while not compromising in midrange and treble range handling and beauty. The amps he uses internally are
also extremely fast and accurate for the bass, sub-bass. The Esoteric amps and pre-amp in particular pair with this combination very well
in that they are equally fast and accurate, rock solid grip (damping factor of 1000) and they have negligible amounts of THD
and excellent Signal to Noise performance. With Legacy's being highly efficient speakers (VALOR is 100.5 dB (2.83V@1m)),
and with their other attributes, they are unforgiving in that they will show any deficiencies amps and pre-amp combos.

This combinations comes off as having few if any weaknesses.

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**FST251** · April 11, 2023, 04:31 PM

Well good news today, my Legacy Audio Focus XD's are officially in the que, so now we wait.....and wait....and wait.

**SCAudiophile** · April 11, 2023, 04:40 PM

That is great news they are in the build queue...

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**FST251** · July 4, 2023, 08:08 AM

Well today marks 12 weeks and counting for my Focus XD's...this wait is killing me. I think I will still have 5-6 weeks to go yet. I don't know why they are so behind. I got my order in ahead of AXPONA so as to not get mired in the show orders. Ah well my pre amp is in Sarasota, hopefully will be done this week. 5 weeks with no music sucks! I did find a dealer that will take my old speakers in trade for a Wavelet 2 so I will do that later this year. Might as well go all in!

**a.wayne** · July 4, 2023, 03:13 PM

I dont get 18 weeks to fill an order , i guess no inventory ...!

**audiom3** · July 4, 2023, 03:55 PM

Wow. I thought my 10-week wait for my Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC was excessive! It'll be worth it though. I bought my Focus SEs at the height of the pandemic, and somehow Legacy had stock back then.

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**SCAudiophile** · July 4, 2023, 07:17 PM

From what I understand, there has been a wait on parts from the EU and a long wait on anything from Bohmer for Wavelet v2 additional inventory. I have been waiting for a software revision for OMNIO processing for Valor for a long time now and I've just heard last week that it may be coming from Bohmer in the next week or two along with components eagerly anticipated.

Legacy had amassed large inventory quantities on many things and replenished along the way however, their order queue has been fully booked and then some for a long time now.

They are not alone....had someone I know place an order for a pair of Wilson Alexx V in the last week. His delivery date is projected as February 2024.

For speakers and components, many manufacturers are quoting 3, 4, 5, and 6 month lead times...

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**Mr Peabody** · July 5, 2023, 11:31 AM

I have been told Revel is running a final amount of Salon 2 and when gone the Salon 2 is gone. Sounds like they are the opposite, inventory to unload. Looked like special pricing as well.

**SCAudiophile** · July 5, 2023, 12:48 PM

That's great news for anyone who would prefer the sound and other attributes of that speaker.

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**FST251** · August 10, 2023, 06:50 PM

At 17 weeks and I got the notice that my Legacy Audio Focus XD's have shipped. I am also working on getting the Wavelet II next month, I just need to place my order when I send in my trade for it.

**Mr Peabody** · August 11, 2023, 12:07 PM

I know the wait must have been tough may it be worth it and exceed your expectations.

Originally Posted by FST251

At 17 weeks and I got the notice that my Legacy Audio Focus XD's have shipped. I am also working on getting the Wavelet II next month, I just need to place my order when I send in my trade for it.

**SCAudiophile** · August 11, 2023, 03:43 PM

Congratulations on your upcoming delivery!!!

Wavelet II is definitely the right upgrade...

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**FST251** · August 24, 2023, 06:41 PM

I have the Focus XD's up and breaking in. I ordered the Wavelet II today, not sure when that will arrive yet.XD2.jpeg

**steve59** · August 24, 2023, 09:18 PM

Wow

**SCAudiophile** · August 24, 2023, 11:15 PM

Beautiful!

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**Tjomball** · December 7, 2023, 04:45 PM

Reading the replies here I'm very excited for my Signature SE's to arrive.
I ordered them with the Olive Ash Burl finish.
They will be replacing my EBEN/ADYTON X3's and a Cabasse sub in my system.
The leftovers will be ending up in my bedroom setup along with my Accuphase E-308.
I've been told they should arrive in my country mid December so hopefully I can spend Christmas listening to some great music on a great system.

**steve59** · December 9, 2023, 11:12 AM

If you can, drop us a pic or 2 of the system.

**SteVen** · February 9, 2024, 08:29 PM

I have owned several pairs of Legacy Audio Speakers. The list would be:
Studio
Silhouette mains
Silhouette center channel
Focus (several models)
The Vs
And looks like Valors might arrive at my new home.

Bill Duddleston is probably one of the easiest high end designers to work with. His speakers are used to master many classic albums that we all love today.
I guess they don’t enjoy enough snob appeal as many audiophiles seem to avoid them like a plague. They would rather spend 3-4 times the money for Wilson, Magico, Tidal and plenty more high priced goods. I’m not knocking any of the above brands or others because I think they almost any high end speaker system today can sound excellent.
I could never have afforded a system like I own if it weren’t for Legacy Audio.

**dznutz** · February 9, 2024, 08:48 PM

No, the ones that know better avoid them. My experience was a nightmare, the first pair of speakers I received after almost 9 months were absolute garbage. A fight ensued and replacements were eventually sent with the shipping cost left for me to bear, they were considerably better but certainly fit and finish was simply to the standard of their cost, nothing more. Anyone with a router could cut out a better fitting cabinet. If youve ever owned a refined pair of speakers their sonic flaws are immediately apparent.

I can see their appeal for their cost, but I know and have owned much better... at higher cost of course.

**dznutz** · February 9, 2024, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by bjski

My problem is when you pay the dealer $20,000 plus & he doesn’t stand behind the product. The dealer delivered the Aries in a pickup truck & took the boxes with him. It could have been a Q/C issues but who knows with the speakers sitting in the back of a pickup half uncreated for 3 1/2 hour drive. Bill called me several times & sent the fix. As I mentioned they offered me 50% off any Legacy product for my time.

My Focus SE were only 2 years old when I upgraded to the Aries. The Focus were beautifully built. Now the Aries look great & sound fantastic. Probably my last speakers.

That is hilarious, that price is simply Dealer cost. meaning that they wanted to make their full profit on another pair of speakers by selling to you direct... as an apology? They should have done 70 off.

**JCS123** · February 10, 2024, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

So true,...there is plethora of reasons I've stuck with Legacy and owned MANY of their models up the line for 2-ch as well as home theater models concurrently for over 17 years with the exception of bit less than a 2 year stint with a well past $100K+ top-10 world class speaker that incidentally was amazing and I enjoyed owning them, but they were not better than my current VALORs in my opinion and to my listening priorities and music taste. Over these years I've also heard 100s of different speaker models including the latest and greatest from very popular and prolific brands, many of which are in the $100K, $140K, $200K+ range and while they are excellent speakers they are not better IMHO than what is my living room right now. I'll skip models and brands so as to not stir up anger unintentionally. I've also heard a couple of the latest high class brand new models and while impressed, did not prefer them to what I already have.

Suffice it to say Legacy speakers compete, equal or better (depending upon model) their counterparts that often cost much more at each level.

What really drove this home was 4 days of listening in Munich at Hifdeluxe and High End 2019. I know, I know (to the naysayers...) "show environment" and all that. Several hundred speaker models in great setups, many reference level playback experiences, surprising great for a show. I did come away with a list of those that were equal or better as well as hearing what I consider my top 3 'other best' speakers ever (VALOR makes 4) however the speakers on that list other than VALOR started at something like $250K-$300K and went up from there.

IMHO, FWIW, YMMV and all that...

translation: If you don't agree with me and/or think I'm bonkers, nuts, deaf or otherwise FUBAR....."It Is Cool!!!"

LMAO! If I might ask, may I please use that as my standard response to almost any question from now on???

**SteVen** · February 10, 2024, 12:10 PM

Each to their own. IÂ’ve been privileged to audition and own other well considered speakers which includes Magnepan 3 and 3.6, Tympani and 3.6, Acoustat 4 and Two plus Two, B+W, Wilson, Magico, Spendor, Snell Type A, Dahlquist DQ 10, Dynaudio, Tekton, and many others at home, in friendÂ’s homes and while working for a high end dealer.

IÂ’ve never heard any speaker system that outperforms my Legacy Vs and JL Audio 6 pack of F 113 V2 subs..IÂ’m sure the Wavelret processor, Every audio fiend thatÂ’s heard it are pretty amazed.

I can assure you that all except for Magico and Wilson, had occasional fit and finish problems or blemishes in the finish. Usually these things happen in shipping.

I have visited Legacy Audio many times. IÂ’ve watched their CNC machines perform their magic and I watched as Mr. Duddleston listened to and checked each driver and then painstakingly voiced each speaker before getting them crated and shipped. IÂ’ve also visited when Bill was busy spraying coats of lacquer and hand rubbing the finish. I canÂ’t say the system is perfect for he does have occasional B stock where some problem occurred and a new speaker was built and the B stock sold to others.

While I canÂ’t account for what happened to your speakers or all the conversations you had about them with Legacy personnel, I would say your experience seems very unusual. IÂ’ve always found Bill to be more than fair and very helpful.

For instance last year I had a very strange problem with my system. I tried every trick I knew to solve the problem. I really concluded it was the Legacy Wavelet at fault. Mr. Duddleston and one of his employees came to my home and helped problem solve the issue. It turned out to be a bad solder joint in my DAC it was intermittent and difficult to diagnose. Was I in any way charged for this service? No.
Mr. Duddleston has delivered all my Legacy speakers himself and helped set them up.

I really hate to read about any high end manufacturer having problems as youÂ’ve outlined above. All the speaker and electronic manufacturers I know absolutely cringe when something goes wrong. But sometimes things happen.

**SCAudiophile** · February 10, 2024, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by JCS123

LMAO! If I might ask, may I please use that as my standard response to almost any question from now on???

Not sure why you thought it funny however, you may indeed!

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