Advent Legacy (Circa 1986–92)

Name: Advent Legacy
Brand: Advent

Floor-standing two-way acoustic suspension speaker system designed by Henry Kloss, marketed as a “digital ready” successor to the Large Advent.

Overview

The Advent Legacy is a floor-standing two-way acoustic suspension speaker system manufactured by Advent Corporation, founded in 1967 by Henry Kloss in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Designed by Kloss, it was introduced circa 1986 as a “digital ready” successor to the original Large Advent speaker system from 1968. The Legacy is part of a distinct model line separate from the earlier Large and Small Advent speakers and represents a later evolution of the renowned Advent Loudspeaker series. It delivers a “New England” sound signature—strong bass, natural highs with a slight roll-off at the extreme top end—and is noted for smooth, easy listening with a trace of upper-bass heaviness. Owners report strong, crisp bass, non-fatiguing sound, and good accuracy, though some note boxiness on male voices and challenges in the woofer-to-tweeter crossover due to the large 10-inch woofer in a two-way configuration.

Specifications

Frequency Response	42 to 23,000 Hz ±3 dB
Sensitivity	88 dB SPL at 1 meter on-axis with 1-watt input
Nominal Impedance	8 ohms (selectable between 6 or 8 ohms via rear toggle switch)
Minimum Impedance	6 ohms
Power Handling (Continuous)	100 watts
Power Handling (Peak)	500 watts
Woofer	10-inch long-throw acoustic suspension, paper cone, foam surround, dual voice coil, 1-1/2-inch voice coil with copper-clad aluminum wire, 50 Hz ±5 Hz resonant frequency
Tweeter	1-inch ferrofluid-filled soft-dome
Crossover Frequency	2,500 Hz
Enclosure Type	Sealed
Cabinet Construction	3/4-inch particle board with black textured-vinyl coating on sides and back, solid pecan top plate and base trim
Dimensions	28-1/4 inches high, 16 inches wide, 9-3/4 inches deep
Weight	46-1/2 pounds
Grille	Removable black cloth grille
Input Connectors	Spring clips

Design

The Advent Legacy uses a two-way acoustic suspension design in a sealed enclosure with the woofer centered and the tweeter positioned above near the top of the front panel. It features no external level or balance adjustments; impedance is set via a toggle switch on the rear panel between 6 or 8 ohms. Bass response is tuned through placement relative to walls. The cabinet is constructed from 3/4-inch particle board with black textured-vinyl finish on the sides and back, accented by a solid pecan top plate and base trim. The 10-inch long-throw woofer uses a dual voice coil with copper-clad aluminum wire and a foam surround, while the 1-inch soft-dome tweeter is ferrofluid-damped.

Context

The Advent Legacy was positioned as a later evolution of the famous Advent Loudspeaker series and marketed as a “digital ready” successor to the Large Advent introduced in 1968. It belongs to a lineage of 2-way models from Advent including the Smaller Advent, "New" Advent, Advent/2, Advent/3, and 4000 and 5000 series. The company, founded in 1967, had ceased operations by 1981, though the Legacy was produced circa 1986–92 under later ownership. The speaker is noted for its attractively styled cabinet with rounded edges and wood trim, offering excellent value with a neutral, accurate, slightly warm “east coast” sound.

Market

Foam woofer surrounds commonly disintegrate with age, requiring refoaming; DIY kits cost about $35, while professional refoaming costs $100–$150 per pair. As of 2004, used pairs were priced between $20 and $75. Replacement drivers and repair kits remain available.