I have owned Focus for 6 years now and have been very pleased with them. As a hobbyist audiophile, I've been looking for something different for the past several years, not because I don't like the Focus but because I wanted something, well, different. I have listened extensively to the Nautilus 801s, as well as spending a fair amount of time with Theil CS 7s, Meridian DSP 6000s, Von Schweikert VR 4.5s, ML Quests, Avalon Eidelon, Watt/Puppy 5.1, Magnepan MG 20s, and various Dynaudio, Hales and KEF models. I have since moved to an audiophile wasteland and have to make a special effort to audition speakers when on business or vacation. But every time I seriously audition any new speaker I always go home and fall in love with my Focus again, which is a testament to my satisfaction. To my ears, which is the only opinion that counts to me, the midrange tonal accuracy of the Focus is second to none. The mid-bass is also unrivaled. A piano sounds and feels like a piano on my system. Imaging is realistic and the soundstage not too expansive as on many speakers. There are better speakers for the higher end of the spectrum. After hearing, for a short time, a Wisdom Audio 4 piece system (the only model at that time) I decided to add a sub-woofer to recreate the 40 hz and below "slam" sensation (and theater applications) that I experienced with the Wisdom. But the overall package, at $5,200 (when I bought them) has yet to be bettered at anywhere near that price. I have considered upgrading to the Whispers but can't thing of a reason to spend the $$$, other than just because it might make me feel better because they cost more (true for more of us than we would like to admit). Then again, maybe the reason I love my Focus is because they don't cost $$$ relative to many others.
I listened to the Focus at the factory on several occasions before buying them, and actually bought a used pair of Signature IIs first (which I have since given to my dad). I wouldn't have bought them without this opportunity. I must admit that I am curious about the VMPS RM 40s and the FF1 but I won't buy a speaker unless I've heard it first. I didn't think twice about buying my pre-amp or digital front end sound unheard, but speakers and amps, no way.
Speakers are a funny thing. One's man utopia is another's inferno. If you like the way it sounds it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Unfortunately, unless you live in the really big cities, your auditioning options are usually limited. If you don't mind the hefty return shipping charges (which I do), at least with VMPS and Legacy you can return them. They are hedging their bets that you will convince yourself that you like them enough to keep them, which is true for 90% or so of most consumer in home trials.
So, if you get the chance to listen to the Focus, or any other speaker you have access to, you will know if that speaker brings out the emotion that ispires your passion for music. If it doesn't, move on to something else. If it does, buy it. The first time I played the Rach 2 on my system with the Focus, I had a tear in my eye from the beauty of the sound. I've never regretted the purchase and could give them away for free now and feel that I have made my investment many times over in pleasure. Until something more pleasing comes around, I'll keep enjoying the music through my Focus.
