Legacy Audio Focus Crossover Modification Thread

VR3 · March 2015

This will be a fun one

Tweeter Network -
Clarity Cap MR
Mills MRC50 Resistors
Jantzen Perfectly Lay Inductor + P Core Where Applicable
Supra Rondo Internal Wiring

Midrange Network -
Clarity Cap MR/ESA
Mills MRC50 Resistors
Jantzen Perfectly Lay Inductor + P Core Where Applicable
Supra Rondo Internal Wiring

Bass Network -
Clarity Cap PX bypassed by Clarity Cap MR
Mundorf Electrolytic bypassed by Clarity Cap MR
Jantzen P Core
Mills MRC50
Supra Rondo Internal WIring

External enclosures, custom fabricated, owner is providing wood side panels to mimic his speakers
Supra QUADRAX wiring to go from enclosures to speakers/amps
NL8 and NL4 connections

Will be fun!

oldrocker · March 2015

I can't even imagine having the "brains" to do what you do.

WLDock · March 2015

Looks like fun...reminds me that I need to do some Xover work myself.

pitdogg2 · March 2015

Trey very cool but it looks as if your work cut out for you there.

VR3 · March 2015

tonyb · March 2015

Holy smokes bro.....given your past work I can't imagine how this puppy is gonna turn out. Who's speaks are these anyway ? I'd be interested to hear the results from the owner.

drumminman · March 2015

Hard to believe they put those "average" components in speakers of that quality level: sand cast resistors, electrolytic caps. Those upgrades should net a h-u-g-e improvement.

VR3 · March 2015

Yeah the stock crossovers leave alot to be desired. To add to the injury, almost all the caps use various a myriad of parts to make one value so you might have for different values to make a single larger value.

I'm looking forward to posting the results. The owner is out in California

Thanks guys

VR3 · March 2015

Also, notice how every single inductor goes the same direction O_O

tonyb · March 2015

Yep, the original Focus had some fairly crappy parts inside. Granted, things have progressed a bit better in the model years but for the most part, crossover parts hasn't been their strong suit. Much can be said for many speaker makers in that regard too.

External crossovers....juiced up by Trey.....count me curious....and jealous. Keep us up to date pal, with pics. Could have swore you did some earlier Legacy crossover upgrades, no ?

VR3 · March 2015

Yes, one of my first monsters was for a set of Empires

tratliff · March 2015

That looks like a great project. I am hoping the cross overs on my new Focus SEs has been cleaned up since the ones Trey posted were built. I haven't cracked them open for a look but now you make me wonder. One thing I do know about the new ones are that they are using Solen caps. Here is a quote of the website about the new upper end of the cross over:

"I chose to use Solen metallized polypropylene capacitors imported from France as bypasses in the high frequency network and braided silver cable by Ray Kimber to the upper ribbon. "

I would love to hear the results after the rebuild.

tonyb · March 2015

Trey, has the guy given you any feedback on what the new crossovers did for his sound on the Empires ? I assume he's happy ?

VR3 · March 2015

The crossovers have solen In the tweeter and midrange network. The key wording is bypasses. They also have the kimber cable

Here is a review for the Empire

"I found out about Trey’s work by seeing his ad for Tyler Acoustics Supertower speakers. The work done to them really intrigued me and I purchased them from him. I had previously owned Taylo 7u’s and heard the Decade D1, and D2 as well as Woodmere2 at shows. I always wondered what they would sound like with top notch crossover parts and was certainly not disappointed when I heard the Supertowers. I already owned a pair of Legacy Empire speakers when I purchased the Supertowers. After hearing the upgraded Tylers, I began to wonder what the Empires would sound like with their crossovers upgraded in the same manner. I really loved the open sound of the Tylers, but had to have the dynamics/ jump factor provided by the Legacys. I sent Trey the stock crossovers and the single line schematic provided by Legacy. I’ve owned many pairs of Legacy speakers and they all have had the same issue. The cheap crossover parts are audible.

Trey provided a basic quote and the process began. This was a huge undertaking due to the large number of parts in the crossover. I was kept up to date regularly thru the entire process with pictures and emails stating specific progress and any recommended changes to the basic plan, as well as requests for my input for enclosure construction, etc. I would estimate that we exchanged 20-25 emails during the process. When the crossovers arrived, I took a peak inside and was very pleased with the quality of the work that I saw inside. Parts were neatly laid out and properly secured. Shipping packaging was first rate and secure.
I got them hooked up in my system and was almost immediately aware that after these finished break in, they were going to be what I was looking for. Gone was the grittiness of the stock crossover system. They now have between 250 and 300 hours on them and it has certainly been worth the wait. Everything is improved across the board with the exception of the large scale dynamics, which remained intact. It is like a large veil has been removed. Increased detail, check. Improved purity of tone and harmonics, check. Better imaging and soundstaging, check. Improved micro dynamics, check. Improved sense of ease, check. More fun to listen to, absolutely! Everything just sounds more correct and I couldn’t be more pleased.
After going thru this process, I can without hesitation recommend VR3mods for any crossover modification you may be considering. If you like the basic sound of your speakers, but wonder what they are really capable of, by all means have VR3mods upgrade your crossovers. I have had two transactions with Trey and he has been nothing other than highly professional in both cases. Highest recommendation. Thanks" - Cris Legacy Empire Monastery Level

VR3 · April 2015

VR3 · April 2015

I met with the fabricator today. These enclosures will be little tanks for sure. I am excited to put the parts in there. They will most likely look like little robots.

VR3 · April 2015

Yeah, the drivers in these speakers are very nice and the cabinets are fairly intricate. I would love to hear them!

VR3 · April 2015

Designing the back plate to 3D print, black main panel with white text...

VR3 · April 2015

I think I like this one better

Inspector 24 · April 2015

*Subscribed

VR3 · April 2015

My first full size (second) prototype. I am still tweaking 3D printing. I pulled this one off before it is even cooled down, just testing the fit of my rendering. I didnt let it finish printing but the full print mimics the NL4 gaskets you can buy separately. It will cover the entire connector's edge.

VR3 · April 2015

Isolated substrate from the enclosure, will help reduce vibrations reaching the crossover components and maintain a solid center of gravity. I also like that you will be able to see the components from each side of the unit (that is until they put the wood sides on it)

tonyb · April 2015

Trey, your work needs to be seen, not hidden. Maybe if you can leave an area of that box visible, maybe even illuminated, it would add to the owners pleasure and gain you some free advertising by all who see it. Just sayin'.....the way you build crossovers, I'd want to show it off, not hide it.

VR3 · April 2015

Thank you Tony! That kind of design traits I leave up to the owner. If they want the work shown, I can work it in but otherwise I treat every build as if they will be hidden. I like a "Utopian" approach where everything is built as if it WILL be seen though, if that makes sense.

VR3 · April 2015

Initial fit test

erniejade · April 2015

Maybe I missed it but what series focus are they?

Amazing work!

VR3 · May 2015

To my knowledge these are the current production model.

Moose68Bash · May 2015

Trey,
That appears to be a very challenging and complex project.
And, as always, your work seems to be absolutely remarkable.
Well done!
Phil

zingo · May 2015

Super sexy! I'm a big believer in form following function.

VR3 · May 2015

Thanks guys!

These are a challenge but it is an easier build than an internal one (as far as the crossover goes) but is more intricate because of the enclosure, etc etc

VR3 · May 2015

Everyone likes black

(Have not cleaned the enclosures yet)

Legacy Audio Focus Crossover Modification Thread

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