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Alta Alec vs Legacy Signature SE vs Elac Vela 408.2

I'm thinking of purchasing new floor standing speakers and have narrowed the field to the three mentioned in the title. My focus is mainly on the first two. Reviews are consistently great. The Alecs appeal because of references to their somewhat unique - if that's the right word - sound. Natural, musical. Definitely want musical. Their size is also perhaps a better fit. But there are comments about their needing a low of power or current. I'd be willing to change my amplifier options to accommodate this if necessary (I have a Prima Luna tube power amp and an NAD C298 amp that I can try). I just want to "best" sound, which of course is somewhat subjective. The Legacy's seem to be unequivocally full range, and being an old guy, I like the 10" woofers. I like the two AMTs also. As a four-way speaker, do they lack coherence? They are big, but the sealed design can allow me to place them closer to the wall which mitigates this issue. Still not sure I want to have my ears below the tweeters though. I was told by the manufacturer that vertical dispersion is good. Where the Elacs fit in is I have a pair of Elac 407s (bookshelf) with the jet 5 tweeter (the new ones have the next evolution, the jet 6). They aren't available yet but are coming shortly. I love the HFs with the Elacs, and it's one reason I'm moving from my Revel Performa 226 BEs that have really good sound (supplemented with a REL sub) but sound a touch dry to me in the HF range. Why not just wait for the Elacs? Well, you know how it is, I'm wondering if I can do better and reviews suggest I probably can. I'm interested in any comments or experience with the Alecs and Signatures. I can have trials with both but I'll probably like them both so I may just end up with the first one ordered. So any input from the masses could help me decide.

gickcf
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,805 posts
 

 

 

you can drive both the alecs and the legacys with the prima luna

 

here is a summary between the legacy’s bs the alecs

legacy bigger sounding it is a larger loudspeaker, plays louder warmer low bass

 

Alecs tighter deep bass with less warmth wont play as loud incredible clarity with a tad more brightness overall.

 

elac 407 smallest sounding out of the three, great treble clarity not as dynamic as the others.

 

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

legacy, Alta, Elac dealers

gickcf OP
8 posts
 

Thanks winoguy! Very helpful. Big is a relative term of course. My Revels are about 40 inches tall vs the Signature SEs that are 8 inches taller. Two things for me. One is handling them - I'll need help to get them in the house and, unlikely but not impossible, if I had to get them back in the box, then more handling issues. They are 150 lb in the box. Maybe more important is the tweeters on the Revels are at ear height in my usual sitting position whereas I'll probably be looking up at the tweeters on the Signatures. But I can place them further back so that mitigates the issue somewhat. The tweeters on the Alecs would also be at about ear height. I agree that the Legacy finishing options are great though. 

Thanks also to Dave and Troy. It's definitely down to the Signatures or the Alecs. Decisions decisions...

nitewulf
422 posts
 

I’ve had the Signature SEs for about 7 years. They’re really good. Best bang for the buck. I’ve thought about upgrading plenty of times but hate to lose the 10 inch woofers. Fantastic high end as well.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,629 posts
 

I am partial to the Alecs.

They are more musical to me and why sneeze at well implemented 8.75"s?/

kmcong
51 posts
 

I purchased a pair of Signature SE two years ago.  Prior to that I had a pair of Legacy Audio Classic HD.  Always regretted not going with the Signatures right from the start,  but the factory gave me a really generous trade in deal. Sound characteristics between the two are very similar,  but the Signatures just have "more " of everything.  The dual AMT provide really clear and detailed mid range and highs. Bass is well controlled but plenty of it; never bloated.  However,  my real hot buttons are soundstage and imaging.  And the Signatures really come through here. The soundstage is wide and deep,  with really great 3d imaging.  I listen to a lot of classical,  and individual instrument placement in the orchestra really stands out, as does tremendous detail. I  also listen to a lot of blues,  and here the voices really sound lifelike and present.  I attend quite a few live performances,  so I am well aware of what live music sounds like.  And while you are never going to achieve the exact sound of a live performance,  these Signatures come pretty close. I am driving them with mostly PS Audio electronics,  including a Direcstream DAC Mk1  moded by APS Transformers (Jeff Richards). Hope this helps. 

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