Legacy Audio Signature SE Speaker Review

[gene]

Legacy Audio is a small high-end audio company specializing in high-performance loudspeakers, subwoofers and system electronics. Founded in 1983 by engineer Bill Dudleston, Legacy began by producing passive full-range floorstanding speakers and has expanded its offerings over the years to include bookshelf speakers, powered subwoofers, center channel and surround theater speakers, fully-powered floorstanding speakers employing very sophisticated DSP frequency response shaping and room equalization, and separate pre-amp and power amp electronic components. The company previously sold its products on a direct-to-consumer basis, but has added a few select retail dealers and from time to time and does a traveling “road show” to demo its products to audiophiles in different parts of the country. Legacy also maintains a full demo showroom at its corporate headquarters in Springfield, Illinois.

Today we’re looking at the Signature SE, a relatively compact passive floorstanding model. Legacy’s lineup of “Stereo Left-Right/Mains” speakers is comprised of 11 models, the first six of which are passive. The Signature SE is the second most expensive passive speaker, exceeded only by the Focus SE which we reviewed back in 2013.

Will the Legacy Signature SE's allow me to achieve my Audiophile quest of being my last speakers?

Read the Legacy Signature SE Floorstand Speaker Review

 

[ryanosaur]

....

I love Minimalist reviews!

 

[Gmoney]

Has anyone tested those out? Gene? or anyone on his Staff? or it didn't happen. No manual?. Steve, Stated: "My Wife hates this:" Nice review Steve.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Where are the measurements?
Weird set-up. That sofa looks to be about a foot in front of the left speaker.
Lots of words. Didn't quite read like an Absolute Sound review, but I'm not sure I understand the value of these purely subjective reviews.

 

[Gmoney]

Where are the measurements?
Weird set-up. That sofa looks to be about a foot in front of the left speaker.
Lots of words. Didn't quite read like an Absolute Sound review, but I'm not sure I understand the value of these purely subjective reviews.

@Irvrobinson, I was going to say that about the sofa , But I didn't want to come off as being Picky. I get in Enough trouble on AH.

 

[mazersteven]

Nice read, Thanks for the review.

 

[Irvrobinson]

@Irvrobinson, I was going to say that about the sofa , But I didn't want to come off as being Picky. I get in Enough trouble on AH.

You just changed your avatar. Is the new one or the old one a self-portrait?

 

[TLS Guy]

OK, so one guy likes these speakers. We have to do better than that at AH, and frankly often do. This one falls short.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for the review.

I'm sure you will get the usual "Where's the measurement!" response from many members.

IIRC, from the few measurements I've seen (I think Stereophile, S&V), Legacy speakers FR's are usually +/- 3-4dB, so they are probably not as "FLAT" as some companies like Revel, KEF, RBH, Salk/Phil, Ascend, NHT, Focal, Dynaudio, PSB, etc.

I have heard the Legacy Signature SE. They sound great with plenty of bass. But I think if you have a room that is 16' x 18' or larger, the Focus SE hits the "sweet spot" in terms of price vs performance (hells yeah dual 12" woofers ).

One thing I would do for even better BASS CONTROL is to actively bi-amp those 10" Woofers with Subwoofer Amps. I don't mean remove the internal crossovers. I mean just use a subwoofer amp or external XO (like from the Pre-pro or AVR) to power the woofers. Thus, the subwoofer amp VOLUME knob will control the volume of the bass.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the review.

I'm sure you will get the usual "Where's the measurement!" response from many members.

IIRC, from the few measurements I've seen (I think Stereophile, S&V), Legacy speakers FR's are usually +/- 3-4dB, so they are probably not as "FLAT" as some companies like Revel, KEF, RBH, Salk/Phil, Ascend, NHT, Focal, Dynaudio, PSB, etc.

I have heard the Legacy Signature SE. They sound great with plenty of bass. But I think if you have a room that is 16' x 18' or larger, the Focus SE hits the "sweet spot" in terms of price vs performance (hells yeah dual 12" woofers ).

One thing I would do for even better BASS CONTROL is to actively bi-amp those 10" Woofers with Subwoofer Amps. I don't mean remove the internal crossovers. I mean just use a subwoofer amp or external XO (like from the Pre-pro or AVR) to power the woofers. Thus, the subwoofer amp VOLUME knob will control the volume of the bass.

With a crossover at 180 Hz, that crossover at least should have been active. Inductors that big in series with bass drivers in never a good plan, no exceptions.

 

[Gmoney]

You just changed your avatar. Is the new one or the old one a self-portrait?

You talking to me? lol Have you looked at your avatar lately? Glad ya back but since you went missing, some of the AH members had posted up a All points bulletin of you.

Your welcome.

 

[Mikado463]

Where are the measurements?
Weird set-up. That sofa looks to be about a foot in front of the left speaker.
Lots of words. Didn't quite read like an Absolute Sound review, but I'm not sure I understand the value of these purely subjective reviews.

I thought the same thing about the sofa, coffee table, open door on center cabinet. Just by looks alone it gets a failing grade IMO .........

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Ouch ... you guys are little rough on an old man explaining why these are the last speakers he will buy. Sometimes it's not about the measurement but the the preference of someone whose spent his life as an audiophile? If it's really important lets start a collection to send @shadyJ over there with a forklift to measure them. lol

 

[ryanosaur]

Ouch ... you guys are little rough on an old man explaining why these are the last speakers he will buy. Sometimes it's not about the measurement but the the preference of someone whose spent his life as an audiophile? If it's really important lets start a collection to send @shadyJ over there with a forklift to measure them. lol

Or send the Speakers to my proposed AH West testing facility!

Audioholics West
C/O Ryan XXXXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXX

Come on out Shady... Don't let the Fires scare you!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

With a crossover at 180 Hz, that crossover at least should have been active. Inductors that big in series with bass drivers in never a good plan, no exceptions.

Everyone thinks they know best.

I KNOW I will never want to cram any amps inside a body of a speaker or subwoofer, just like how you will never want to cram some amps inside the body of a pre-pro. NO EXCEPTIONS. No double-standards and no excuses.

Oh, BTW Legacy Audio do make fully active Focus and other speakers that cost A LOT MORE. But I still don't want to cram a bunch of amps inside some speakers.

 

[Gmoney]

Everyone thinks they know best.

I KNOW I will never want to cram any amps inside a body of a speaker and subwoofer, just like how you will never want to cram some amps inside the body of a pre-pro. NO EXCEPTIONS. No double-standards and no excuses.

Ooh...Oooh!! nooo, Andrew just dropped the Gauntlet!!

 

[Gmoney]

Ummm... Gene? we may need you.

 

[Gmoney]

Or send the Speakers to my proposed AH West testing facility!

Audioholics West
C/O Ryan XXXXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXX

Come on out Shady... Don't let the Fires scare you!

lolo, We have Two, no 3 Challengers! In this Conner we havecTwo time WWE Champion @shadyJ and in this Corner, we have @ryanosaur, up and coming WWE smack down Specialist!

 

[Gmoney]

With a crossover at 180 Hz, that crossover at least should have been active. Inductors that big in series with bass drivers in never a good plan, no exceptions.

The Magnet was bigger than the driver mid-woofer. I've never seen one like that. Not that big!

 

[ryanosaur]

Corner, we have @ryanosaur, up and coming WWE smack down Specialist!

No... I just want to play with other peoples gear and learn how to do legit measurements!