For $7K, you may be able to get into a set of the new Legacy Audio Signature HD, which uses "the same Dual Air Motion Tweeter System and 7" midrange as the Focus SE".
If you are going to Illinois, you might want to visit them in Springfield.
http://legacyaudio.com/products/view/signature-se/
I have a set of the old Signature IIs from the 1990's, and it is difficult for me to go into an audio store and listen to any current speakers in that price range from Dynaudio/Sonus Faber/Focal/PSB/Revel etc., and feel like I would be upgrading very much.
Last Friday, I was able to audition a set of Dynaudio 3.4 at an audio shop in Austin, and they had a better defined mid range, as they should because the Signatures have old poly woofers, but had nowhere near the bass extension of the Legacy Signature IIs. We then hooked up a set of the Sonus Faber Olympica 1, and they were ok, but I think I may prefer the Dynaudio "house sound".
http://legacyaudio.com/products/view/signature-se/
I have a set of the old Signature IIs from the 1990's, and it is difficult for me to go into an audio store and listen to any current speakers in that price range from Dynaudio/Sonus Faber/Focal/PSB/Revel etc., and feel like I would be upgrading very much.
Last Friday, I was able to audition a set of Dynaudio 3.4 at an audio shop in Austin, and they had a better defined mid range, as they should because the Signatures have old poly woofers, but had nowhere near the bass extension of the Legacy Signature IIs. We then hooked up a set of the Sonus Faber Olympica 1, and they were ok, but I think I may prefer the Dynaudio "house sound".