Yup, they are a great speaker - got me WAY down the road from a dead start, they make everything sound good. There is a high limit to the resolution capabilities, but it is there, which is the only reason I am looking again. But it is still very detailed and extremely musical. Literally every kind of music sounds natural, exciting and satisfying on them. The efficiency is a great benefit, allowing lower powered tube amps to work well, but in the Focus case, the impedance curve still prefers (demands) an amp with current on tap. I used a 60W integrated tube amp for a year in bliss. Then I got a Madonna dance CD for Christmas and realized what the Focus were capable of when powered up right. Not using that part of focus personality is a big waste, that's their forte. So, even though they really allow a tube amp to shine in the best ways, I think they are really intended for SS amps. A good sounding 200W tube amp is a major price mismatch to the Focus which is a rather low priced high end full ranger. So I think SS 200W+ is really the right way to go. But I still love mine with stout 100W tubes, Madonna and all.
When I emailed the impedance curve to Vinnie, he recommended the 70.2 to be most appropriate. A particular dip at 70Hz is 1.9 phms at almost 60 degrees of phase, so that will chew up a 30W amp. But if it clips gracefully, you may never know it. My favorite amp on the Focus is the 10W Altmann BYOB battery powered "integrated." It has plemty of bass and good SPL for normal listening. Clipping is noisy but not harmful, so I love that combo. Not sure how the tripath chips would cope. Worth a try on an audition. The focus makes most amps sound good, although the differences are easily noticed. They like a big room to eat up all that bass, and they also like to be at least 4 feet from the front wall. But they will up a large space effortlessly, easy to listen and enjoy even from 30 feet away. They play very nicely at super low volumes too, for late night sessions.
Mine may be for sale at some point in the next few months if I find a suitable replacement that is at least as good and well rounded. But mine are in near perfect condition, 1st owner, 4 spare tweeters (Japanese Foster planar ribbons - no longer made) and rosewood finish so I hope to get a little more. The popularity of Focus over the years makes them somewhat of a commodity, and the new HD model has already lowered the 2020 prices accordingly, so good time to buy and the prices are consistent over time. I see a few Focus', not as many 2020s, and a lot of HDs (which need 300+ hours of break in so lots of trading going on)... but I think the upgrade to 2020 is worth the extra bucks. It is amazing how many people own them or have owned them with fond memories. Service is very good also. Being in the Legacy family is very easy and enjoyable.
I have never heard any other Legacy models. I hope to this summer when I visit Rock Dreams dealer in NJ. They will have Whisper HD playing by then, I hope. The HD series use silver graphite drivers with all true ribbon tweeters so the resolution is supposed to be greatly increased with that same Legacy laid back ease of listening. That's a tall order, so we shall see!!
Rich
