[jcoat007]

Ce:

For six grand I sure wouldn't buy something I had not listened to.  But then six grand is a lot to me.  

Steve

[CE]

they have some local dealers.  Once you go Legacy, nothing else will do.  the FOCUS speaker is one fantastic piece of work.  It is live music in your house. I Bi-amp them with 2 VanAlstine Hafler DH500 rebuilds Omega and Omegastar amp, with an AVA pre amp.  Into the 4 Ohm FOCUS it is about 1200 watts RMS... These speakers come alive , anybody who hears this stuff, first gets a WOW!!! Then this big grin comes across their face, and then they aremezmorized by the REAL, LIVE music that is comng at them.  the Legacy BAss and sparkiling highs from it's ribbon tweeter is astounding.  10 year warranty on these works of art.  You will not be disappointed.  I've had them for about 3 years, and crank them to about 103dB levels at time...Rolling Stones on SACD is REAL!!!!!!!!!!

[John Casler]

Once you go Legacy, nothing else will do. the FOCUS speaker is one fantastic piece of work.

Hi CE,

I can certainly enjoy your enthusiasm for the Legacy Speakers.... In fact I was a Legacy Dealer for a few years. (as well as several other brands).

I had the Focus, the Classic, and lastly the Signature IIIs, all great speakers, but (IMHSO - In My Humble Subjective Opinion) the current VMPS RM40 is a significant level above those, in most sonic categories.

Now of course, we all know that this is significant only in the exact set up (gear) and setting (room) they are played in, but I just wanted to add that opinion.

Also temper my opinion with the fact that I still sell over 20 brands of speakers, but VMPS is by far my favorite.

This is not to negate your opinion, but just to offer mine.

I recently sold my Signature IIIs (arguably the most accurate speaker Bill makes) and had many hours to A/B the Sigs to the 40s and although I have to say the Legacys are one of the finest speakers made (I also like the Von Schweikerts) I easily and happily opted for the VMPS.

If you're ever in Los Angeles, feel free to look me up and drop by and take a listen.  I can tell you're at the appreciation level to "at least" appreicate the differences of the two sounds.

And you may still prefer the Legacys and that is what makes the audio world go round.

By the way, I have not heard the Helix.  I was wondering how it sounded.  Have you?

Best Regards,
 
John Casler
 
VMPS LA CA USA
SUMMIT Audio Video
800-320-6884
[email protected]

[John Bauder]

I have the Jaquar 2000s and love them.  I hear the new Jaguar/LFMs are even better.  You can buy them with a return privilege.  They are $6000 a pair including the subs.  

http://www.audioc.com/speakers/JagLE/intro.htm

[Lex]

How about Sonus faber Cremona?  Pretty close to budget, full range, should have lots of emotion.   Not to mention boatloads of character.

When you say "ability to convey emotion", makes me think Sonus faber.  Or you could try to latch onto a pair of used Extremas like I found recently, and hope to get on Monday.

What strikes me about Sonus faber, is their artistry in addition to the sound.  IMO, no other speakers compare for overall high end value.  Art for the ears, plain and simple.  Silky highs and a mid-range to die for.

Lex

[CE]

I have only seen the HELIX at the Factory open house, (I'm about 1.5 hours(N.J.) from the Pa factory/office in Macungie Pa), a few month's ago.  I did listen to every model except the HELIX was not hooked up.  They had one on display.  At $40,000, they knew the crowd  At the open house was in, was not buying such a product.  The open house was cool.  The HELIX looks like a stunning work of art...The WHISPERS sounded GREAT, they had the current version of Focus 20/20, hard to tell if any difference without side by side of an older version(mine)  Legacy makes some great stuff.  Even their smallest speaker does a great job of very clean natural sound.  But it's the big stuff that is awesome!  I wonder if 2 pr of FOCUS is a better deal and better sound than a pr of WHISPER?  And it would still be a few thousand less?  Ribbon tweeters are the way to go.....I listen LOUD!! I've manged to literaly smoke a set of ribbons on teh FOCUS, and the domes.  They where covered under warranty, they said, you listen LOUD, we don't get to many smoked tweeters!! the plastic membrane had literal burns in them cool!!! Legacy sent me 2 ribbons and two dome voice coils, simple to repair.  First pair was on them, they said 2nd pair is on me, fine, I already have purchased a spare set of ribbons and dome voice coils from them,(dome voice coils are available at Madisound, couldn't find the Foster ribbons though, got them from Legacy) so no down time if I smoke them again.The dome voice coils pop right back in, solder on the wires, the ribbons element go back into the frame assy., solder on the wires and back in business.  They have foam gaskets to seal them up in the frame assy, also to the cabinet.  Ribbon Ribbon Ribbons,  the only way for natural high end sparkle.  How bout' a pair of Pipe Dreams?  but at $70,000, homie don't think so.

[CE]

Ce:

For six grand I sure wouldn't buy something I had not listened to.  But then six grand is a lot to me.  
I got my wife sight unseen, for $6K.................., so far so good.  she sparkles, works great, lasts a long time 19 years.
Steve

[wilkins]

Hey B,

I've been sitting in on your current and past dilemas regarding finding what's right for you.  It's a tough mission that all true audiophiles seek out when searching for the holy grail.  It's definitely a fine line, but when you find it there's nothing else like it.

As you know, and others do not, I happen to own the Chameleons that you, and others on this forum, have been beating up on.  Well my friend,
you missed the boat.  I have learned, and am still learning,  all of the things that a Chameleon can do if you work at it.  It's not as simple as adjusting the tuning bolts on the speakers.  It's also about adjusting the nuts on the crossovers and raising or lowering the the crossover boards.
It's also about hundreds of other variables that you take into consideration and then take the time to research them.  It is truly unfortunate that you couldn't get the Chameleons to work for you the way you wanted them to.

Good luck in your quest for the perfect speaker and system.

[Ecaroh]

The Joseph Audio RM 25 is a magnificent speaker, and it would actually save you some money. A very rare combination of fullness of sound, deep bass, and a lovely, airy midrange. The bass, though, may be more than your room can accommodate (flat down to 32 Hz).

Otherwise, used JMLab mini-Utopia (large bookshelf) would pose no problems in your room and you could add a sub. Used Mezzo Utopia, without sub, might be within the range too. The Electra 905 (very similar to the mini-Utopia) would be in the price range new. The m-U and Electra 905 both have dual midrange/bass drivers in a d'Apollito configuration, so a more substantial sound than most bookshelves provide. (The Josephs also use the d'Apollito configuration.)

[Anthony C]

Many great suggestions here. As mentioned a few posts above, The new ACI speakers (Jags w/ subs) looked to be worth a listen. I have not read much about the new ACI line at all. When it was first intro'ed I thought it was going to be a big seller but i've read close to zero on them, What happened?

[Harry P]

Many great suggestions here. As mentioned a few posts above, The new ACI speakers (Jags w/ subs) looked to be worth a listen. I have not read much about the new ACI line at all. When it was first intro'ed I thought it was going to be a big seller but i've read close to zero on them, What happened?

Anthony:

Pop over to the AVS forum, lots written on especially ACI's new Sapphire. I own a pair of the new Sapphires myself and will simply say; they are a superbly musical speaker. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a very natural, transparent and dynamic speaker. On their own, the Sapphires have bass that is remarkably detailed, deep and clean. However, I have a pair of the Force subs on order, that will be interesting! I actually thought about the Jag-LFM setup, but I've decided to downsize and economize. Actually the stock market made me decide that.  I thought the Sapphires might be a nice interim diversion till I had more funds. They have turned out to be so much more than what I'd hoped.

[Mad DOg]

VMPS RM40 with new tweeter and TRT caps.  That was easy

i will second this recommendation...i auditioned the VMPS RM40s with the TRT caps at Bioforce's place and thought they were fabulous sounding speakers...

the ribbons did not sound bright IMHO and i have a major aversion to "bright" sounding speakers...what i did notice was the extreme smoothness of the RM40 ribbons though...

i simply can not say enough good stuff about what i heard on the RM40s...WOW, WOW, WOW...detailed, transparent, and SMOOTH...did i mention they were smooth?

and boy, can these puppies play LOUD! some of the best full range speakers i've heard and definitely the most affordable...

[JoshK]

You guys are making me anxious to do my upgrade.  I am planning to do the TRT upgrade soon, probably the FST tweet update at the same time.

Will take me some time and I will hate to be without tunes in the mean time.  Well I can listen to my HT but that isn't quite the same.