Logical next step from Legacy Signature SEs? Around $15K...

I'm going to take a risk here.  The Tektons have gotten off on the wrong foot on this forum so a lot of people hate them and normally  I don't dare post anything about them...But it is Christmas and I hope people are feeling charitable. 

Since you obviously aren't afraid of big speakers the Tekton Ulfbehrt is a candidate in your price range.  the 4 way design is very accurate and with the array of drivers for upper mids just makes vocals spectacular.  Spring for the $2k for crossover upgrade or better yet I know a guy who has done several upgrades and will instll for you (if he isn't too busy building custom tube amps).  I did mine myself and the new components were so large I moved the crossover outside the speaker.  I spent $3k.  But crossovers are a big deal and the dirty little secret of speakers under $50k is they they use mediocre components in their crossovers and now that I've done it I recognize some of the qualities you hear in extremely high end speakers are the better crossovers.  Because guys like me started upgrading crossovers, Tekton now offers it.  

Finally, the Tekton is extremely flat and accurate from top to bottom so it will faithfully put into the room whatever your quality electronics send it.  Many expensive speakers tend to be a bit harsh on the high frequencies because their target market is affluent individuals, most of whom are older and have lost hearing in the uppper ranges.  

Best of luck and Merry Christmas,

Jerry

Vandersteen Quattro CT with the tweeter out of the famous Model 7, Powered built in sub, 11 bands of analog EQ below 120 hz so you can place for best image, then correct most room issues, magic midrange enabled by high passing your main amp. Cabinet within a cabinet construction so the box isn’t contributing to output….Pistonic drivers, each speaker crossover tuned for the bespoke drivers in the anechoic chamber here in California… established company around since 1977,   I just tuned a glorious sounding pair up… -2db at 20 hz in a big room… Manley tube monoblocks,,,, ah.

Of course at $15 k, you have many choices - enjoy the search and journey.

Of course i own other speakers….. but i’m a Vandy fan

we are a legacy dealer the signature se is very ha4rd to beat even at 15k 

we would recommend a pair of kef reference 5 20k or the kef reference 3 with a kef kc 92 subwoofer the ref 3 are remarkably transparent and are very holographic

a sleeepe ris the alta audio Adams at Axponna they were as good as a 40k pair of wilson daws they are also remarkably transparent and have amazing bass

Dave and Troy

audio Intellect nj

Legacy, Kef and alta audio dealers

I’d give a good look at these Joseph Audio Pearls. A friend of mine has them and compared them to both KEFs and Legacy speakers and he found the Pearls to be superior. There is something very special about the crossover Joseph Audio uses that produces magic. No idea about Alta but heard very good things. Also, I’m not a dealer of anything so no conflict of interest here.  I think the Vandy Quatro is another excellent recommendation, but it’s time/phase coherent and you need to be in the sweet spot for it to sound good.  Best of luck in your search.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650017479-joseph-audio-pearl-3-speakers/

@carlsbad2 , I am surprised to hear! I thought Tektons were very popular here? Anyway, if you read carefully, I am looking for something with perhaps a smaller footprint or the same....they could be taller, I actually like slim and tall speakers like the Blade. Tekton's bigger speakers just do not look good to me, and for me aesthetics are also important.

@tomic601 , yep these may be an option. I never thought Vandersteens were lookers by any means, but these look elegant enough. I know they sound good in general. I will check these out.

@audiotroy , I bought the Legacies from you! So yeah the Kef Ref 5s may be an option, or an used pair of Blade 2's perhaps. I need to audition these.

@soix , I'll keep the brand in mind, the Pearls new are out of budget but I am ok with used within the range as well. Problem would be to audition them.

@nitewulf Please understand I don't want to start an argument but IMHO, the thin speakers are a compromise on sound quality for aesthetics.  You just can't get the large diameter drivers in them.  

That said, make your own decisions and enjoy.

Jerry

I replaced my Legacy Focus XD speakers with Fyne Audio F703 speakers and am happy with that decision.

BTW, Jim Smith of Get Better Sound replaced his Joseph Audio floor standers, which I heard when I visited him in 2019, with Fyne F703 speakers. I believe he still uses the F703s for his RoomPlay Reference sessions.

Get Better Sound

@carlsbad2 , agreed somewhat, because keep in mind there are side mounted woofer designs. Bass waves aren’t directional. But yes I don’t necessarily want to give up large drivers.

A pair of 5A or 5A carbon get you a titanium honeycomb push / pull 12” … and a relatively small minimum baffle design…. and the built in sub amp to drive it. It’s bespoke Vandy design manufactured by Scanspeak…. typically flat in room to 18 or so…..

The Jim Smith book is excellent BTW, i buy them used and hand them out like candy during my travels….

Ok, for a little more you need to look into the Wolf Von Langa Son speakers. Two way with field coil driven woofers. Goes down to 20-25 hertz and has that voice of one thing in spades. Special speaker. Contact Colin @gestalt as he is the importer and dealer. Great sized room for this speaker. I have a set that replaced my highly upgraded Fyne 704s. I needed a smaller speaker than my Fynes for my new room. Great speaker for our sized rooms. Highly efficient, modest size, killer base, spooky realism and imaging, and an AMT tweeter is so sweet sounding. All the best sound qualities of the best two way monitor with NO compromise in base response.

Aside from the recommendations, I’m also building a short list.

YG Ascent 

Focal Scala Utopia Evo (used)/Sopra 2 new, as Sopra 3 would be too big

Paradigm Persona 7F

Magico S3 MK2 used