Great comparison using the ATC amplifier for the passives to get at the elusive question of which is better. I was thrilled but not surprised that the actives won and your conclusion that the 19A’s are an incredible speaker. Now I will go buy a pair of the 19A’s with confidence. Best review ever!
Thank you my friend. That was my intention. To do a direct AB comparison and find out which one was better. It was great that ATC was able to send me a full passive and active system 😊👍👍
Can you have a review done on the Proacs d2r or have you already done it. Your review on the scm19a is great and done with good logic and understanding of the science of music. Bravo and keep it up
@@winsonlim2075 I have the Proac Response 1S (have been with me for 30 years). I recently had a listen to the K1 at a shop. The electronics was different and better than mine, the room was different and admittedly I was forced to use spotify (good quality tracks that I know well). The Proac K1 sounded a touch fat in the midbass. Perhaps I am simply used to the leaner Response 1S, or perhaps in the 30 years ownership my woofer characteristics have changed and I've become used to it. Recently I had a chance to ATC SCM20ASL studio monitors in a near/mid-field setting and I have to say it was incredible. I have switched my upgrade path from the Proac D2R/K1 to an ATC (unsure which model as yet).
Outstanding review and passive/active comparison, well done! As a very lucky and long time ATC user I completely agree with your findings and conclusions regarding the sound characteristics and the advantages of the active system. I started with a pair of ATC 20Active Pros way back in 1998 and have been listening to my amazing ATC EL 150As since 2010.
@@7daysoffallling That's very kind of you. 🙏 Making Ninja and Samurai games all those years ago must mean something. Right now, I'm in Japan searching for my Samurai roots. :))
Great Tarun as ever. Thanks for letting us have a peek inside the amp section and explaining some elementary technicalities for people who have no degree in electrical engineering. I was expecting a higher price tag because some British audio manufacturers are notorious for going with heavy hand when it comes to pricing. This speaker is a fierce competitor to his passive siblings because in one package you get it all with no need for stands as well. Makes a lot of sense.
Very nice review. I was lurking around and thinking about 19A from January this year. I might say that your review also made me finally to choose 19A. I hope i will get them around new year. I plan to connect 19A with Chord TT2/Mscaler/2GOYU/Wawe storm BNC's. Very tempting to hear them in my chain and room. Will post then video and tag You for a quick listen via CZcams ;)
Tarun, thanks for this in depth analysis and review...as usual coming from you. I am currently testing ATC SCM 19 on a two weeks loan and these speakers are quite impressive, although very sensitive to the quality of the source material. Well done !!
Love those woofers! The one thing I really enjoy about your channel is it is nice to see different products featured than what the American channels review. Keep up the good work👍
Hi Tarun, great review. I'm a fan of ATC speakers, have been using them since the early 1990s, never found anything else that can touch them really, keep up the excellent work, love your style.
Same here - can’t believe I have not found anything better in 25+ years - it is crazy how much better they are...the dome mid range is something really special and ATC design their bass response to be tight and critically damped - so you really get to appreciate the incredible mid range driver quality. Their new tweeter is basically a smaller version of the dome mid-range - double spider design - no pollywobbles...just incredibly clean sound with the ability to hear full timbral decay without coloration of the driver whatsoever
@Marten Dekker thank you Marten. Very kind of you and very much appreciated. My reference gear is: Auralic Aries Mini Streamer (with MCRU linear power supply) Chord Mojo DAC (with iFi iPower PS) Exposure XXI Preamp Exposure XVIII Monoblocks ProAc Response 1SC speakers on Target R4 stands If I got a DCS front end feeding ATC SCM50 ASLTs I would probably call it a day 😊👍👍
Another review of a product that’s waaaay outside my budget, so I can enjoy the review itself and not worry about whether I should be saving for an upgrade 😃 Enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks
Thank you Jeremy. I am trying to get some more accessible gear in but they are normally produced by big organisations. My requests seem to get lost in the red tape. I will keep trying though 😊👍
Another excellent review video. You mentioned that they were good at both low and high volumes. I think that this is one of the main advantages of an active crossover. As the amount of power that is fed to a driver is increased the voice coil heats up. This will change its impedance. Driver impedance is a crucial factor in a passive crossover. As the separate drivers impedances change the the frequency at which they roll off also changes. Worse still their phase also changes. The crossover will only be perfectly aligned at one power level (which tends to be at too high a level for most domestic situations in my opinion). This is why the image and dynamics seem to snap into focus at one listening level. As active crossovers come before the amplifier changes in driver impedance have very little effect so the speakers sound good over a much wider range of volumes.
Back in the early 2000's I owned a pair of SCM20T's. Arguably the finest speakers I have owned. I remember looking at the 30's 40's and 50's but what won me every time was the sheer elegance of the 20T's (quality of sound was also in there of course !!)
Hey, Tarun. Excellent video. Firstly, I just want to congratulate you on your huge channel growth. You were at maybe a couple thousand subs when I first tuned in, and of all channels, I’m glad to see your level of success. I’m glad you explained the difference between an active, powered, and a DSP active speaker. At this point, I personally want control over my amplification and prefer passive speakers, but I can totally understand the appeal of an active or powered speaker. Great review, Tarun. Your explanation of the performance of these ATC’s was top notch. Thank you, sir! ✌️🎶🙂🔊
ATC legend floor-standers!!! Could never afford them but nice to see a unbiased review!! :) I know "What Hi-Fi" have used them as reference for years!! All you need to know really!! :)
You could do it cheaper mate Iam hoping get some ATC's and I can tune speakers to sound the same with an active crossover not powered tho! for speakers like this size £1600 but I'm hoping to get them down to about 18 Hz at 92db, with a built-in subwoofers with 1000-watt amplifier driving the subwoofers drivers, of course that would push the price up a little bit more another 3 to 500 including the amplifier. But as they stand at the moment I think you can get them down to 35 Hz I probably go with two 8-inch or 9-inch drivers better to achieve this better on the driver's as well less extension less distortion. very difficult market difficult to know what people would what price range people willing to pay? i even thought about building some tannoy replicas of the famous red series Westminster royals but I'd have to charge £20,000 and I just can't see I could sell it for that even if I use tannoy drivers and match them to the original specs. It's all the name that's the thing. Go DIY mate plenty of kits out there seas make some nice kits not too expensive.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hello 👋 Mr. Tarun. Mr. Tarun.. Why you buy ProAC bookshelf speakers? 🤔 You opened ProAC speakers and upgraded crossovers, cables.. But, why? 🤔 ProAC sale own speakers for very big money 💵 💵 💵 💵. If ProAC made speakers for big money, but use very cheaply components.. Well then ProAC no speakers company.. ProAC made money out of thin air. No need upgrade ProAC, better return them back.. I know about ProAC, ATC, PMC.. ProAC use very cheap drivers made by Seas and old models made by Scan-Speak.. Use very cheap drivers.. Cheap parts for crossovers, cables.. ATC made very primitive drivers, but made own drivers slyly.. Use two ✌️ big metal flange, but magnet use very thin... Results - ATC have very low sensitivity, and made very low effective speakers.. But made this specially.. Because ATC made for own speakers optional amplifiers.. Look carefully... This is ATC 19 crossover and cables.. All made catastrophic cheaply... Extremely thin and cheap cables and cheap yellow capacitors... But ATC no sale own speakers for 300-400$,sale for 3000$! Look carefully - all made catastrophic cheaply : www.lowbeats.de/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ATC_SCM19-Frequenzweiche.jpg
What Hi-Fi is absolutely not a benchmark as reviewers, yes sometimes they hit correctly but most time not! Stereophile is where things starts really serious ;)
@@amigoz3201 What Hi-Fi big Liars! They are bought with giblets! Acoustic Energy great English company,AE speakers make talented engineers, no marketers.. Look inside AE Reference 1 bookshelf speakers... You will understand this.. Search in Google, easily find pictures . AE Reference 1 much better than all English bookshelf speakers.. Amazing speakers!👍AE Reference have superior strong basket and powerful magnet system - amazing made! Monitor Audio use plastic basket and little magnet systems.. ATC, PMC ProAC use very primitive drivers, use extremely cheap speakers cables, crossovers part.. Neat acustics use extremely cheap Peerless drivers for 10-12$ and cheap Fountek tweeters, but sale own speakers for 2500-5000 Euro. B&W use very cheaply components, cheap cables made by Van-Den-hull. England have lots cables brands.. Atlas, Qed, Chord.... But B&W use Van-den-hull speakers cables, because Van-den-hull cables have most low price in all Europe.. In Germany 🇩🇪 AE company have big respect! 👍 Because AE speakers made honest people's.. Germans love honest people. Other English companies think only about money...Naim, B&W, ATC, PMC, ProAC, Wharfedale,Monitor Audio..... - big machine, which made money out of thin air...
MANY MANY THANKS for this review AND your time and effort producing this video...... also lovely/good luck for you to have the chance to spend time with these speakers.
Thanks for the clear explanation between the ATC 19 passive and active versions. I will definitely listen to the active version of the 19, because I already know the passive 19 Thanks!
I've tried by hours some D'agostino, Accuphase class A, Gryphon amps with Mark levinson 326s, Accuphase 2450, D'agostino Momentum and Gryphon Zena preamps and definitely ATC SCM100/150 PASSIVE MODE is "the way to go" "the Road to Success" for me!!! For clean, soundstage, gorgeous lows, signature sounding, and so on and on, advantages in each department...
Thanks Tarun - informative and helpful review as always - ATC are certainly where I hope my upgraditis will finally be satiated. Currently considering both the scm 11 and scm 19 - great choice to have really...
I have the scm11 with a naim nait xs2 and it is a fabulous combination. The scm 11 impedance never drops below 8 ohm and despite being fairly insensitive at 84bd is easy to drive and goes very loud ( never got beyond 11 o'clock on the volume!). Interestingly had a glowing review in Hifi Critic and they noticed that they are at their best at temperatures above 19 C which is worth bearing in mind for reviewers.
Hi Tarun Very well done, a great deal of insight and no BS. My friend is running a pair of SMC 11s with full ATC amplification ( same amp as you used I think ) and is waiting to get a loan pair of 19s so I'm going to show him your review, money not being the limiting factor, that's his wife. For myself his 11s are one of the few 2 ways I've heard where I'm not really aware of the tweeter doing it's own thing from a slightly different position in the speaker ( I've not heard them all I hasten to add ) I put it down to spending a good while with Dual Concentrics. Well done Thanks.
I have been using ATC for 25+ years from 20 domestic passives to studio pro 20’s to studio SCM100A, C6 subwoofer and C6CA Center channels to the domestic beauty of the EL 150ASL. Other speakers can come quite close but usually suffer in one or more regards. IMHO, ATC are still the best overall in performance - not necessarily the best in value or aesthetics but if you want the best in audible performance look no further. Tarun’s review is excellent. I will keep looking for a better speaker but ATC keep tweaking their designs - their new tweeter is the best I have ever heard - period. The integration is eerily realistic. First time I hear a speaker that does not make you aware of the tweeter - completely seamless. I now wonder if ferrofluid in many other designs changes the damping and removes some fine detailed timbre.
Another very good review Tarun. Even with my own long experience of being an audiophile, I still appreciate the more physics-like explanations on products, a subject I was never very good at in school. Got caught out with physics when adding a phonostage to my Burmester setup only to realise that the inside bits needed reversing so to speak to make the phonostage compatible.
Hi Paul. Unfortunately, physics is quite often taught badly in schools which puts a lot of people off. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 hello, for these speakers which streamer you would suggest? As I understand streamer should have xlr outputs and preamp for volume control? Thank you
@@amigoz3201 Denafrips Pontus II would currently be my DAC of choice. For a fully balanced preamp (not just one with XLR outputs) the Denafrips Hestia seems amazing value but I haven’t reviewed it yet 😊
Brilliant! There's nothing like ATC love... Hope you'll get to review the scm 40s. Listening to the merits of the active version does break my heart, but it's nice to have future goals :)
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I believe the 40 passives might be aslo worth your while. After owning Harbeths, Living voice, tannoy and a few more, I settled with those. There's nothing like that midrange. So big and colorless, you can practically move in :)
Another good review Tarun. Lots of positive reviews around for these speakers. Retail in Australia $9300. Not a small amount of money but you are getting the speaker and the amplification. May consider them in the future but for now my Vienna Acoustics Mozart's will do.
Hi there! Good to see ATC speakers. Since i bought the Helius Design Chameleons (years ago) i am with close boxes speakers. Low frequencies do not go down like ported, but i like the speed and natural tone. ATC are in my radar, passive SCM19. Kind regards from Portugal, keep sharing.
Arh man ... Now I have to trade in my SCM 19 passive and Naim stuff for the actives - or ... maybe not right away :-) As usual a formidable review. Thank you.
A couple of years ago I picked up the "Bargain of the Century", a pair of ATC SCM20ASL actives direct from a small studio. They are an early pair with blue-grey cast aluminium cabinets and were in need of a little TLC. The drivers were fine as was all the electronics but I refurbed the cabs and massively thick baffles and had them sprayed black. As good as my previous speakers, active Meridians were, the differences were astounding. More space around instruments, what is sometimes called a "black background". Reverb on vocals or snare fades away for miles. They have rekindled my love of music and are used virtually every day. ATC really are onto something with the "SL" drivers. Oh, the price of scratching my ATC "itch"? Less than £900 including refurb. Lucky me! Keep an eye on the classifieds guys, there are bargains out there!
Hi Tarun, love your reviews. You get to the meat of things that really matters and expect from an audio review. Can you please help with a comparison between an ATC and a PMC in general. And a comparison between the ATC SCM 40 vs PMC FB1 or IB2?
I am happy you experience the same thing with the low frequencies as I do with my speakers. These big ATC speakers and my little ProAc speakers are both sealed box designs, goes down to 55Hz and are fast. You/I can hear you need a sub, but still it is not needed because they go low enough. I think my ProAc tablette 10 signature speakers will go lower than advertised, even John Darko registered 40Hz. I guess it is the same thing with these ATC speakers.
Wow a new YT video and it's only Friday. Cool. And as always a clear concise review including comparisons. Quite surprised you rate the ATM as slightly better than the ProAcs. I've always felt the ProAcs were the cat's pjs.
For a long time now I have appreciated the benefits of well designed active speaker set ups. My current system uses Neumann 310A’s, also an enclosed cabinet design, with wide dispersion tweeters. They have proved themselves to be a very effective solution for insightful, close up listening. ATC’s offerings, such as the ones you review so well here, have a wider appeal due to their home hifi credentials. I have a feeling that they will be the next rung of the ladder for me. I’m not a sound engineer, I just appreciate accuracy within the immersive envelope, if you know what I mean!
I remember hearing the SCM100 back in the early 90s and we didn’t realise how loud we had them until we tried to talk to each other... the lack of distortion made it deceptive
It’s amazing what can be achieved these days, the AE1 actives sound very interesting, as well, I personally don’t have any issues with class d amplification when implemented well. I really do think you would be surpassed just what you can get from a pair of studio monitors such as the JBL LSR305, no their cabinets are not built in the same league, but at normal listening levels you would never know, they use class d amp as and are made in China, but I think you might be surprised to hear how good a sound you can get for under £300 for the pair, add a decent pre amp and there’s not a lot missing. Please give them a try, or at least something at a similar price point in the mainstream active monitor market and let us know your thoughts!
Sir Tarun, not only are you my favourite CZcams reviewer but we also seem to be on the same hifi path (although I'm at the beginning of it). I auditioned and ordered the passive scm40s a few months ago and even though this review made me question severely my going passive decision, I am sure I'll be very happy with them for years or even decades to come. What's weird is I've only been looking at ATC, Hegel and Exposure for amplification and trying to decide on it for months now. Really looking forward to joining your patreon and discussing this further as soon as the 40s arrive and run them in a while. Until then, cheers!:)
Thank you for your kind words Alexandros. I am sure those passive 40s will perform handsomely. Great speakers if driven well. Love to see you on Patreon. I hope to post my first Patreon only video this week which will feature the ATCs I just reviewed. Take care 😊👍👍
Great job as usual Tarun! Always striking the right balance of tech explanations and musical impressions. I feel I better understand what ATC stands for. Heard their SCM 40 a year ago at a dealer in France. Was impressed with natural tone and dynamic personality. But I was wondering if I would ever find them a little bit fatiguing in the long run... So hard to say without doing a long trial... Keep up the great work! Cheers!
Thank you Raphael. They are very revealing of gear further up the food chain. If you get it right though, I am not sure what is better at the same price 😊👍
Great review again tarun. I definitely think active is where the market will push towards in the future. I wonder after your interaction with PMC on this channel whether you might review a PMC active speaker? I watched you while the wife was away for the weekend on my 55” tv for the first time, a lot better than on my mini iPad it really felt as though I was sitting on your sofa while we had a nice chat & I have to say I like the look of those ATC actives. Thanks for another great review 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314, I think one thing a lot of people will appreciate, and something that is painfully missing in the majority of reviews, is the way you make your opinion of their performance absolutely clear.
Great review, as always, Tarun. I was kinda dimly aware of the difference between powered and active speakers since I encountered very high end active speakers that didn't include power amps (I guess that's a viable concept at a price point where tri-amping your speakers isn't any more crazy than the rest of your system is already). Great job on shedding some light on how to distinguish the different variations on the topic 👍
The actives hit the sweet spot for ATC. I use a P1 with my SCM19's to try and get near to the active sound, but they don't really compete. Saying that, my passive 19's are still excellent speakers producing great sound. I found experimenting with pre amps to be worthwhile, finally settling on a (old) Pass Labs X2.5. But if you can afford it, actives are the way to go. Great review again.
Thank you for this review, Tarun. When I bought the ATC 19, I was also thinking of buying the active version, which is obviously even better. But the purchase costs (which need explanation :) and, considering the quality of my system, the probable follow-up costs kept me away.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 The speakers retail in Germany for 6000€ + suitable preamp + recommended balanced cabling ... This makes up a completely new ausdio system.
Another great review Tarun, not too high end reviews for the average consumer. Would you consider reviewing Harbeth speakers, as interested in comparison to Proac which I also have (D15s).
You should add to your list of benefits of the active crossover design the increase in dynamics, which for me provides a significant improvement in the listening experience. I've been building active systems for about 15 years, and I was glad to hear you say that speaker manufacturers admit the design is superior to the more common passive approach. The problem with most active speakers is the lower quality amplifier and low quality electronic crossover used to control costs and to minimize the necessary increase in the speaker's size. Obviously this speaker has gone the extra mile. Too bad they did not take advantage of the 4th order crossover filter option that is much more easily obtained in an active design. My active speaker designs use all external components to eliminate the size restrictions, enabling me to choose all high quality units.
Thank you for watching and sharing SB. I discussed active vs passive in my interview with Peter and Oliver at PMC. They made similar points as yourself. It did strike me as a little curious why they didn’t use a higher order filter on the active. It is relatively easy and cost effective to implement. Maybe it is an issue with getting the tweeter to play a little lower or the woofer to play a little higher. I need to follow up on it next time I speak to Ben Lilly at ATC 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I'm using an active unit built and sold by Phil Marchand from NY, a private builder and seller who designs his own equipment. The unit uses individual filter channels instead of a L-R network, and so each high pass and low pass filter can to individually selected. I chose the 8th order (48 dB/octave) filters between the tweeter and mid driver to virtually eliminate the shared frequencies btw these drivers. If a small peak or null results, either of the filter's frequency can be modified up or down to compensate.
Nice one Tarun, great review as always. I always felt the scm 20a and the current 19 actives are somewhat forgotten products from ATC with the popularity of the active 40’s. That said I would be curious how a pair of active 40’s would sit in your room in terms of performance especially midrange performance🤣.
Thank you Herbert. I am surprised they are still going in the U.K. in every day life. I still prefer miles per hour to kilometres per hour. Old habits die hard 😉👍
I’ve had 19A’s for a few years. I don’t think of them as “neutral,” which I detest, but slightly toward the warm side. That’s of course further adjustable in either direction with other components and cables. A simple upgrade is swapping fuses, the SR Orange being a very good choice.
Active is the tech of the future, and combined with DSP, nothing comes close. I have the ATC 19s (due in large part to your review of them...) but some day, it's the active 3 way ATC's I will get. I fully expected the actives to be even better. ATC approach is more an old school approach crossover wise, but they have decades of experience doing it, and I'd be fine with that too.
Surprising that ATC gives the -6dB low frequency response at 54Hz for both the active and passive SCM19. The active AE1 from Acoustic Energy for example is rated at 42Hz while the passive version (AE500) is rated at 45Hz. Could it be that the -6dB point on the active SCM19 is actually lower than 54Hz but ATC keeps that rating to avoid making the better selling passive SCM19 look worse by comparison? You can ask Ben but another idea would be to get some measurement hardware/software to check these things out! And thanks again for the informative videos and your participation in the comment section.
Thank you CC. The AE1s and AE500 have different drivers as the AE1 is mainly based on the AE300. With the ATCs we are looking at the same drivers, amplifier, crossover slopes and internal cabinet volume. Hence, the same response. Measurements are great if you know what you are doing but very time consuming to do correctly and comprehensively. It just isn’t feasible for me at the moment 😊👍
ATC is pretty clear on the fact that all of their active speakers sound better than their passives. They only make the passives because they know some people like to play around with amplification, but make it clear than no amp will make it better than the active.
Good review, I auditioned a passive ATC model against a competitive Fyne 501 fed by sim audio moon 240 and CD player, the only difference was purely a subjective feel thing, both super transparent but I just got a feel for the Fyne speakers, though I am thinking of jumping a level to the 501sp or even the 502sp for the bass
I'm using SCM 40A speakers and just wanted to mention that a power conditioner is a must. In my city location, the highs are very much weakend without it. Everything is better with, but without it the speakers seemed unbalanced due to the soft top end.
Another great review! What other components do you need to get the active version going - preamp, streamer DAC? Is it possible to get the total component costs near the passive one (+ an integrated solution like the Hegel H190) and still sound better?
@@abritishaudiophile7314 i am getting confused. Those speakers can convert digital signal to analogue and do everything an amplifier can do? And you can also connect them to your amplifier with speaker wire? Maybe a stupid question but i am lost here with active and so.
@@thepuma2012 it can be tricky to get your head around. A DSP active speaker has more built-in. The signal path is as follows: Digital input -> DSP engine -> DACs -> amplifier modules -> speaker drivers
Hello Tarun, Another wonderful review. Any timeline as to when we will see an ATC electronic review? I’m very curious on how their CD player or integrated amps sound compared to other brands. Thank you, Brian.
Thank you Brian. I have a few other reviews to get out first. The CDA2 Mk2 and P1 where her so I could do a full ATC passive vs active comparison. If I can hang on to the long enough I would like to review them 😊👍
As mentioned elsewhere in the comment section, the Pro version of the SCM19A (the SCM20) has an upgraded tweeter, the SH25-76S. It also has more power available for the tweeter (50W vs 32W) and woofer (200W vs 150W). On that same SCM20ASL, there is a switch at the back for low frequency adjustment from -2dB to +3dB centered at 80 Hz (don’t know how this would affect the response at 40 Hz). Not saying that the PRO version is the better speaker here but I note that in the US and Canada, the SCM20ASL is cheaper than the SCM19A (presumably because it is a standmount rather than a tower and because of the plain finish). I would be very surprised if the voicing between these two was much different.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 that’s the plan. Waiting for my kids to be a little older so that I don’t need to hire a bodyguard for the speakers. AE1 Actives are making the wait tolerable in the meantime.
Great review. This is what American physics teaches you. Except for street sound competition. I usually win, not loudness but hard balance. I don't have a Mansion. My Chicago friend does. Massive respect. His rent is only 8k/mo. In real life it is worth 11k+ mo easy.
Well I thank you, your reviews aren’t just good they boarder on Outfreaking amazing. You clearly understand the subject matter, which is of course these speakers. I have heard the ATC 40s, non amplification and even though the room was treated, Music Direct’s own warehouse, I thought that they were capable of much more. I could have gotten an open box for 4999.00 from the 6999.00, but I was hung up on the Vandersteen thing at the time. My Amplifier an Audio Research DS450, right channel blew and took my Vandersteen Quatro with it. Three months before that I had two replace one of my subwoofer plate amps, but it was recommended that I replace both at the same time. Well I was at a place where I had no amp or speakers because at the time of the blown driver, I thought the subwoofer amp was going out again and bam, my spare pair of Bowers and Wilkins CM5, one speaker blown as well after hook up. The dealer has both the amp and speaker in for service and he loaned me a pair of Simaudio 400m monoblocks and a pair of Kef Ls50s and a Rel 328 sub. To say that the difference between my Audio Research and the Simaudio amps is small is an understatement. After careful setup and even with a pair of cheap Kef q350s, which I bought as backup speaker, I always have a pair of backups, I’m getting everything that you just stated in your review. The instrument separation of both speakers is incredible (Ls50s and q350s) and the control is well appreciated. You are so right about the correct amplification and my front end is a Audio Research Ls27, Cd3,Ph8, Aurender N100h and a VPI Classic and a Nakamichi Rx-505 and Sony 3head deck. So what am I going to do when the amp, which Audio Research said won’t be back until late June and I sent it in three weeks ago, well there will be a trade going on and a search for new speakers and Kef R11 and ATC 40s are in the running with two Rel subs. I made the mistake of going back on my word of having amps inside of speakers and this won’t happen again. I want separates this way because if the subs die, you have your speakers, if the speakers die, you have the subs. Simaudio is a fantastic company as I have their 230hd headphone amp. I love their 10 year warranty and their quality. These amps are a trickle down tech from the evolution series and quite impressive indeed and so is ATC, I believe they have a six year warranty and the speakers you tested are 9000 grand here in the states at Music Direct.
40 = £7k in UK ($9.5k) and here in USA $14k plus tax 50 = £15k ($29.5k) and here in USA $22k plus tax I don’t mind paying a little extra for logistics and import. But clearly ATC has come pricing issues. (Pricing for the active version)
@@abritishaudiophile7314 the extra margin is totally understandable but for the 40 the margin is significantly higher than for the 50. I am of course relative speaking. $14k for the 40 would make the 50 $28k and it $22k. But yes. Of course there is an additional fee and I am totally fine with it.
I would love to do that but ProAc don’t send products out to CZcams reviewer at the moment. Hopefully, that will change as this platform gets more established 😊
Great Review , have you thought of doing some used HiFi Equipment reviews as there has never been a better time to put some fabulous vintage HiFi together for a relative steal , thanks
Thank you Dave.😊👍 I will have to check that out with Ben @ ATC if and when I review the SCM40s. It is naturally a different driver as it does not incorporate the midrange unit but I would have expected it to contain the Super Linear motor structure. Maybe it was developed prior to that technology being available 🤔
Wow ATC seem to really get something right. It would have been interesting to see a fullrange version so that you wouldnt need to add and setup separate subs. I was previously convinced that bookshelf speakers and separate subs was a killer combo. But I think you need to know what youre doing to tune the subs to get in phase with the bookshelves. And I think I overestimate myself in this regard. Maybe fullrange floorstanders would make for a simpler setup for most people? Then again, DSP subs can be tweaked for the actual room they are in. Gah...
I'm not sure why they haven't pushed it lower I mean it can be pushed but why are they felt that this wasn't practical, the driver themselves should be able to go down to 40 Hz I haven't looked at the specs that's usually what it is for driver of that type, with the cabinet size box they're not utilising? Can easy be driven a lot lower? I wonder if it's because they don't want to step on there more expensive models, but as you saw in the active crossover it's all adjustable so you could bring up some more lower frequency. what power the amplifier section is he didn't say could be part of the problem as well but looks meaty enough transformer so I don't think so that's the issue. marketing probably you can't have a fire thousand speaker sounding like a 15000 speaker
Great review! Did you change the camera, I get the feeling the video quality has improved. It's a shame I can't find any place to test ATC anywhere where I live, I read a lot of positive comments about them.
I am not sure if it is a comparison, but I wrote a studio yesterday to rent a room for one hour. They have the SCM50A. One the ATC website there is a list of their customers and that is how I found them. I have a gloom feeling I might need the 50. Thank god for Uber, I will have to sell the car to be able to afford them.
Hi Tarun, as usual great review! Without waiting till the end, I pressed like button at 04:00 and write this comment at 06:32. I wish there is another like button that I can press again upon completion :)
Another great review Tarun, I really appreciate the work you do on here. I have owned a few pairs of ATC speakers 35s and 20SLs, both passive. Also heard the active 50s and 100s. Infact my once local bar in Cheltenham had a set of 50s which is where I first became a fan. I did find the sound of all of these a little HiFi, especially with thr ATC amps, I had their integrated. I have heard the speakers sound a little softer but more natural in my view with some old Michell Alecto mono blocks for example. Intrigued by these 19a's though as pre Brexit I can almost afford them (I am in Ireland). Just wondering though, how far did you position them from side walls? Thanks again, Jon
Thank you Jon. That must have been some bar with ATC SCM50 Actives. I had the 19S over 1m away from walls, measuring from the centre line down the front baffle 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 The Retreat is the bar and it has a sister bar in Stroud, where ATCs are made of course, no coincidence I am sure. Highly recommended if you are ever in town. Also interested in the Atoll amp you reviewed, it seemed good value and am considering it for ProAc SM100s. ATCs scream quality though. Decisions, decisions
Fabulous speakers seemingly, and a contrarian opinion on actives, but perhaps it is ATC as a company that is the difference in terms of implementation.
As I respect your opinion very highly, you saying atc scm19a one of the best speakers you ever heard means alot. By the way I've never heard of atc before this video so I've gone back and watched all your atc videos. My question is from the specs they look like they lack bass so would you recommend a scm19a and a c1 sub or a scm40a for 2 channel listening. I'm a hip hop and reggae and pretty much everything listener.
@@leonnoel1243 most speaker manufacturers put little resources and R&D into producing subwoofers. Best to go with a manufacturer who specialises in subwoofers.
Hi Tarun, another late comment on this item: I always find your reviews interesting but particularly here because I own the ATC scm20aslt, the slightly bigger brother to the 19a. The tweeter is upgraded and there is a bit more power on tap but the speakers are essentially the same. You note in your video on subwoofers that you often use your REL without mentioning that you have done so in your reviews. I would like to know if this is the case here? Of course setup would be totally different to normal passives as high level inputs on the sub would have to be used; did you try this and if so what was the result? I am toying with the idea of using a sub on certain sorts of program. Thanks for the great content.
Thank you Allan. I did try my Rel with the SCM19s connected to line level input on the preamp. From what I recall, it improved dynamics, the sense of soundstage and bass extension 😊👍
Excellent excellent review!! Love it!! Contender at a similar price point? Their own ATC Scm20Asl Pro. Similar price, but the 20asl Pro houses ATC’s flagship tweeter and a beefier active section, with the trade off of an arguably ugly black cabinet.
At the end when you put up your rating I think it would be nice to flash up the price on the right - I know you tell us at the start but if listening intently to the review I find myself then trying to remember the price!
Hi, as ever an excellent review, did once make an active version of my horns using the 150s pro unit...dam expensive but very good how do you think that the Volt mid compares?...also do you feel that not being able to give a little listen to the speakers on here is a disadvantage even though with the compression etc it make most sound not too good...Take care.
Thank you Mick. Much appreciated. I am not sure what you mean by “Volt mid.” I find sound clips entertaining but you can judge a system in a room by playing through a different system in a different room. Beside, I can’t get it past copyright anymore. Shame I enjoyed the sound clips 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Just a few:D I suspect my grandfathers Special 25's will be the most expensive speakers I ever own (inherit). Sure, they'll sound great, but I'd rather have a grandfather:( Who knows, maybe one day I'll get my act together and be able to afford a £10k system! Probably not:D
@@yyams those active AE1s at £1,000 are still the most impressive speaker/amplifier I have reviewed. I could live with those if that was all I could afford 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 There's hope for us poor folk yet:D Though it must be said - cheap (relatively speaking) gear is getting better and better every day.
Great comparison using the ATC amplifier for the passives to get at the elusive question of which is better. I was thrilled but not surprised that the actives won and your conclusion that the 19A’s are an incredible speaker. Now I will go buy a pair of the 19A’s with confidence. Best review ever!
Thank you my friend. That was my intention. To do a direct AB comparison and find out which one was better. It was great that ATC was able to send me a full passive and active system 😊👍👍
Can you have a review done on the Proacs d2r or have you already done it. Your review on the scm19a is great and done with good logic and understanding of the science of music. Bravo and keep it up
@@winsonlim2075 I have the Proac Response 1S (have been with me for 30 years). I recently had a listen to the K1 at a shop.
The electronics was different and better than mine, the room was different and admittedly I was forced to use spotify (good quality tracks that I know well). The Proac K1 sounded a touch fat in the midbass. Perhaps I am simply used to the leaner Response 1S, or perhaps in the 30 years ownership my woofer characteristics have changed and I've become used to it.
Recently I had a chance to ATC SCM20ASL studio monitors in a near/mid-field setting and I have to say it was incredible. I have switched my upgrade path from the Proac D2R/K1 to an ATC (unsure which model as yet).
Outstanding review and passive/active comparison, well done!
As a very lucky and long time ATC user I completely agree with your findings and conclusions regarding the sound characteristics and the advantages of the active system.
I started with a pair of ATC 20Active Pros way back in 1998 and have been listening to my amazing ATC EL 150As since 2010.
Thank you for watching and sharing. Sorry I only just picked this up 👍😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314
Keep up the good work. 👍
Legendary game designer in my fav hifi channel. ❤
@@7daysoffallling That's very kind of you. 🙏
Making Ninja and Samurai games all those years ago must mean something. Right now, I'm in Japan searching for my Samurai roots. :))
Great Tarun as ever. Thanks for letting us have a peek inside the amp section and explaining some elementary technicalities for people who have no degree in electrical engineering. I was expecting a higher price tag because some British audio manufacturers are notorious for going with heavy hand when it comes to pricing. This speaker is a fierce competitor to his passive siblings because in one package you get it all with no need for stands as well. Makes a lot of sense.
Good point. Thank you for watching and commenting Benjamin 😊👍
Very nice review. I was lurking around and thinking about 19A from January this year. I might say that your review also made me finally to choose 19A. I hope i will get them around new year. I plan to connect 19A with Chord TT2/Mscaler/2GOYU/Wawe storm BNC's. Very tempting to hear them in my chain and room. Will post then video and tag You for a quick listen via CZcams ;)
Thank you my friend. I look forward to finding out how you get on 😊👍
Tarun, thanks for this in depth analysis and review...as usual coming from you. I am currently testing ATC SCM 19 on a two weeks loan and these speakers are quite impressive, although very sensitive to the quality of the source material. Well done !!
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Sylvain 😊👍
Love those woofers! The one thing I really enjoy about your channel is it is nice to see different products featured than what the American channels review. Keep up the good work👍
Thank you Derek 😊👍
Couldn’t agree more!
@@fts81 thanks Felipe 😊👍
Hi Tarun, great review. I'm a fan of ATC speakers, have been using them since the early 1990s, never found anything else that can touch them really, keep up the excellent work, love your style.
Thank you Rich. Much appreciated 😊👍
Same here - can’t believe I have not found anything better in 25+ years - it is crazy how much better they are...the dome mid range is something really special and ATC design their bass response to be tight and critically damped - so you really get to appreciate the incredible mid range driver quality. Their new tweeter is basically a smaller version of the dome mid-range - double spider design - no pollywobbles...just incredibly clean sound with the ability to hear full timbral decay without coloration of the driver whatsoever
@@jeremyhughes6485 thank you 😊👍
I’m really enjoying your channel..very clear and well thought out reviews..
Thank you Barrie 😊👍
@Marten Dekker thank you Marten. Very kind of you and very much appreciated.
My reference gear is:
Auralic Aries Mini Streamer (with MCRU linear power supply)
Chord Mojo DAC (with iFi iPower PS)
Exposure XXI Preamp
Exposure XVIII Monoblocks
ProAc Response 1SC speakers on Target R4 stands
If I got a DCS front end feeding ATC SCM50 ASLTs I would probably call it a day 😊👍👍
Another review of a product that’s waaaay outside my budget, so I can enjoy the review itself and not worry about whether I should be saving for an upgrade 😃 Enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks
Thank you Jeremy. I am trying to get some more accessible gear in but they are normally produced by big organisations. My requests seem to get lost in the red tape. I will keep trying though 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I'm really hoping to get your take on the Schiit Aegir power amp, since that's the money pool I play in.
Another excellent review video.
You mentioned that they were good at both low and high volumes. I think that this is one of the main advantages of an active crossover. As the amount of power that is fed to a driver is increased the voice coil heats up. This will change its impedance. Driver impedance is a crucial factor in a passive crossover. As the separate drivers impedances change the the frequency at which they roll off also changes. Worse still their phase also changes. The crossover will only be perfectly aligned at one power level (which tends to be at too high a level for most domestic situations in my opinion). This is why the image and dynamics seem to snap into focus at one listening level.
As active crossovers come before the amplifier changes in driver impedance have very little effect so the speakers sound good over a much wider range of volumes.
Thank you Nathan. Makes perfect sense 😊👍
Love your reviews, great job! Both insightful and fun to watch, many thanks for your efforts! J
Thank you J. Much appreciated 😊👍
0
Back in the early 2000's I owned a pair of SCM20T's. Arguably the finest speakers I have owned. I remember looking at the 30's 40's and 50's but what won me every time was the sheer elegance of the 20T's (quality of sound was also in there of course !!)
Thank you for sharing 😊
Hey, Tarun. Excellent video. Firstly, I just want to congratulate you on your huge channel growth. You were at maybe a couple thousand subs when I first tuned in, and of all channels, I’m glad to see your level of success. I’m glad you explained the difference between an active, powered, and a DSP active speaker. At this point, I personally want control over my amplification and prefer passive speakers, but I can totally understand the appeal of an active or powered speaker. Great review, Tarun. Your explanation of the performance of these ATC’s was top notch. Thank you, sir! ✌️🎶🙂🔊
ATC legend floor-standers!!! Could never afford them but nice to see a unbiased review!! :) I know "What Hi-Fi" have used them as reference for years!! All you need to know really!! :)
Thank you Chris 😊👍
You could do it cheaper mate Iam hoping get some ATC's and I can tune speakers to sound the same with an active crossover not powered tho! for speakers like this size £1600 but I'm hoping to get them down to about 18 Hz at 92db, with a built-in subwoofers with 1000-watt amplifier driving the subwoofers drivers, of course that would push the price up a little bit more another 3 to 500 including the amplifier. But as they stand at the moment I think you can get them down to 35 Hz I probably go with two 8-inch or 9-inch drivers better to achieve this better on the driver's as well less extension less distortion.
very difficult market difficult to know what people would what price range people willing to pay? i even thought about building some tannoy replicas of the famous red series Westminster royals but I'd have to charge £20,000 and I just can't see I could sell it for that even if I use tannoy drivers and match them to the original specs. It's all the name that's the thing. Go DIY mate plenty of kits out there seas make some nice kits not too expensive.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hello 👋 Mr. Tarun. Mr. Tarun.. Why you buy ProAC bookshelf speakers? 🤔 You opened ProAC speakers and upgraded crossovers, cables.. But, why? 🤔 ProAC sale own speakers for very big money 💵 💵 💵 💵. If ProAC made speakers for big money, but use very cheaply components.. Well then ProAC no speakers company.. ProAC made money out of thin air. No need upgrade ProAC, better return them back.. I know about ProAC, ATC, PMC.. ProAC use very cheap drivers made by Seas and old models made by Scan-Speak.. Use very cheap drivers.. Cheap parts for crossovers, cables.. ATC made very primitive drivers, but made own drivers slyly.. Use two ✌️ big metal flange, but magnet use very thin... Results - ATC have very low sensitivity, and made very low effective speakers.. But made this specially.. Because ATC made for own speakers optional amplifiers.. Look carefully... This is ATC 19 crossover and cables.. All made catastrophic cheaply... Extremely thin and cheap cables and cheap yellow capacitors... But ATC no sale own speakers for 300-400$,sale for 3000$! Look carefully - all made catastrophic cheaply : www.lowbeats.de/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ATC_SCM19-Frequenzweiche.jpg
What Hi-Fi is absolutely not a benchmark as reviewers, yes sometimes they hit correctly but most time not! Stereophile is where things starts really serious ;)
@@amigoz3201 What Hi-Fi big Liars! They are bought with giblets! Acoustic Energy great English company,AE speakers make talented engineers, no marketers.. Look inside AE Reference 1 bookshelf speakers... You will understand this.. Search in Google, easily find pictures . AE Reference 1 much better than all English bookshelf speakers.. Amazing speakers!👍AE Reference have superior strong basket and powerful magnet system - amazing made! Monitor Audio use plastic basket and little magnet systems.. ATC, PMC ProAC use very primitive drivers, use extremely cheap speakers cables, crossovers part.. Neat acustics use extremely cheap Peerless drivers for 10-12$ and cheap Fountek tweeters, but sale own speakers for 2500-5000 Euro. B&W use very cheaply components, cheap cables made by Van-Den-hull. England have lots cables brands.. Atlas, Qed, Chord.... But B&W use Van-den-hull speakers cables, because Van-den-hull cables have most low price in all Europe.. In Germany 🇩🇪 AE company have big respect! 👍 Because AE speakers made honest people's.. Germans love honest people. Other English companies think only about money...Naim, B&W, ATC, PMC, ProAC, Wharfedale,Monitor Audio..... - big machine, which made money out of thin air...
MANY MANY THANKS for this review AND your time and effort producing this video...... also lovely/good luck for you to have the chance to spend time with these speakers.
Thank you Daniel 😊👍
Thanks for the clear explanation between the ATC 19 passive and active versions. I will definitely listen to the active version of the 19, because I already know the passive 19
Thanks!
Thank you Theo 😊👍
I've tried by hours some D'agostino, Accuphase class A, Gryphon amps with Mark levinson 326s, Accuphase 2450, D'agostino Momentum and Gryphon Zena preamps and definitely ATC SCM100/150 PASSIVE MODE is "the way to go" "the Road to Success" for me!!! For clean, soundstage, gorgeous lows, signature sounding, and so on and on, advantages in each department...
Th am you for sharing Gus 😊
Thank you very much for mentioning both metric and imperial measures, that means a lot:)
You are most welcome. Thank you for watching 😊👍
Always an informative watch, thanks for this!
Most welcome. Thank you for watching Kevin 😊👍
Thanks Tarun - informative and helpful review as always - ATC are certainly where I hope my upgraditis will finally be satiated. Currently considering both the scm 11 and scm 19 - great choice to have really...
I have the scm11 with a naim nait xs2 and it is a fabulous combination. The scm 11 impedance never drops below 8 ohm and despite being fairly insensitive at 84bd is easy to drive and goes very loud ( never got beyond 11 o'clock on the volume!). Interestingly had a glowing review in Hifi Critic and they noticed that they are at their best at temperatures above 19 C which is worth bearing in mind for reviewers.
Thank you TMT. Much appreciated. The 19s are better but more demanding of amplification 😊👍
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Tony 😊👍
Hi Tarun, yet again, another very interesting video. Hope your new adventure is proceeding ok.
Thank you Richard. Very pleased with response so far 😊👍
Another great review tarun, I'm a big fan of active speakers, I'm using quad active speakers myself, looking forward to another review soon.
Thank you Paul 😊👍
Hi Tarun
Very well done, a great deal of insight and no BS. My friend is running a pair of SMC 11s
with full ATC amplification ( same amp as you used I think ) and is waiting to get a loan pair
of 19s so I'm going to show him your review, money not being the limiting factor, that's his
wife. For myself his 11s are one of the few 2 ways I've heard where I'm not really aware
of the tweeter doing it's own thing from a slightly different position in the speaker ( I've
not heard them all I hasten to add ) I put it down to spending a good while with Dual Concentrics.
Well done Thanks.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Ray. Please let me know what you think of the 19s when you get a chance to listen to them 😊👍
I have been using ATC for 25+ years from 20 domestic passives to studio pro 20’s to studio SCM100A, C6 subwoofer and C6CA Center channels to the domestic beauty of the EL 150ASL. Other speakers can come quite close but usually suffer in one or more regards. IMHO, ATC are still the best overall in performance - not necessarily the best in value or aesthetics but if you want the best in audible performance look no further. Tarun’s review is excellent. I will keep looking for a better speaker but ATC keep tweaking their designs - their new tweeter is the best I have ever heard - period. The integration is eerily realistic. First time I hear a speaker that does not make you aware of the tweeter - completely seamless. I now wonder if ferrofluid in many other designs changes the damping and removes some fine detailed timbre.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Jeremy 😊👍
Another very good review Tarun. Even with my own long experience of being an audiophile, I still appreciate the more physics-like explanations on products, a subject I was never very good at in school. Got caught out with physics when adding a phonostage to my Burmester setup only to realise that the inside bits needed reversing so to speak to make the phonostage compatible.
Hi Paul. Unfortunately, physics is quite often taught badly in schools which puts a lot of people off. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 hello, for these speakers which streamer you would suggest? As I understand streamer should have xlr outputs and preamp for volume control? Thank you
@@amigoz3201 Denafrips Pontus II would currently be my DAC of choice. For a fully balanced preamp (not just one with XLR outputs) the Denafrips Hestia seems amazing value but I haven’t reviewed it yet 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 thanks for reply, do you think scm19a would work well close to wall 20-30 cm from the wall?
@@amigoz3201 they sound a lot better further out but as a sealed box will do better than most speakers 😊
+1. .. Big ATC Acoustic fan and owner; SCM-100-Active's ... in Colorado, USA .. Excellent tutorial of the ATC SCM 19 Actives.
Thank you Michael 😊👍
Hi.
Another very detailed and enjoyable video. Thank you.
Will you be reviewing the ATC CD player?
Cheers
Thank you Michael. If I can hang on to it for a while, I will review it 😊👍
Another great review Tarun!! You compared the speakers nicely.
Thank you Sandeep 😊👍
Great review, as always! You should include the patreon link in your description.
Thank you David. I will do that 😊👍
Great episode, Tarun! Thanks for the terrific review.
Thank you Rohit 😊👍
Brilliant! There's nothing like ATC love... Hope you'll get to review the scm 40s. Listening to the merits of the active version does break my heart, but it's nice to have future goals :)
Thank you buddy. I am hoping to try the 40 actives next 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I believe the 40 passives might be aslo worth your while. After owning Harbeths, Living voice, tannoy and a few more, I settled with those. There's nothing like that midrange. So big and colorless, you can practically move in :)
@@ranelime good idea 😊👍
Another good review Tarun.
Lots of positive reviews around for these speakers. Retail in Australia $9300. Not a small amount of money but you are getting the speaker and the amplification. May consider them in the future but for now my Vienna Acoustics Mozart's will do.
Thank you buddy. I am sure your Mozart’s sound great 😊👍
Just want you to know that your channel is the go too one for me.
Well paced and informative keep up the good work.
@@filofilo8127 thank you my friend. Very much appreciated 😊👍
Once you go active you never go back!
I built up an active Naim system 18 years ago... just magic
I remember those active Naim and Linn systems from the 90s. I bet they still sound good to this day 😊
Great explanation of active/passive/DSP.
Thank you 👍
Looking forward to the ATC SCM40 review ;)
Thank you. Me too 😊👍
Hi there!
Good to see ATC speakers. Since i bought the Helius Design Chameleons (years ago) i am with close boxes speakers. Low frequencies do not go down like ported, but i like the speed and natural tone. ATC are in my radar, passive SCM19.
Kind regards from Portugal, keep sharing.
Thank you Miguel 😊👍
Fantastic review. Professional, detailed and comprehensive. Thank you..
Thank you Wunff. Very much appreciated 😊👍👍
Great review Tarun, ATC rocks(very accurately). If I had a money tree in my garden, top ATC would be all the way. Thanks Tarun.
Thank you BP. An ATC SCM50ASLT would do me very nicely 😊👍
Arh man ... Now I have to trade in my SCM 19 passive and Naim stuff for the actives - or ... maybe not right away :-) As usual a formidable review. Thank you.
Thank KC. Much appreciated. Naim with SCM 19 passives make a very nice system 😊👍
A couple of years ago I picked up the "Bargain of the Century", a pair of ATC SCM20ASL actives direct from a small studio. They are an early pair with blue-grey cast aluminium cabinets and were in need of a little TLC. The drivers were fine as was all the electronics but I refurbed the cabs and massively thick baffles and had them sprayed black. As good as my previous speakers, active Meridians were, the differences were astounding. More space around instruments, what is sometimes called a "black background". Reverb on vocals or snare fades away for miles. They have rekindled my love of music and are used virtually every day. ATC really are onto something with the "SL" drivers.
Oh, the price of scratching my ATC "itch"? Less than £900 including refurb. Lucky me!
Keep an eye on the classifieds guys, there are bargains out there!
Thank you for watching and sharing SDL 😊
This is why iv now had the Atc 11s now for six years the midrange is so good with Atc .
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Justin 😊👍
Hi Tarun, love your reviews. You get to the meat of things that really matters and expect from an audio review.
Can you please help with a comparison between an ATC and a PMC in general. And a comparison between the ATC SCM 40 vs PMC FB1 or IB2?
Thank you. Much appreciated. I haven’t heard those PMC models but generally PMC speakers are a bit more forward in presentation to ATC 😊
My friend just bought the ATC SCM40's. Holy Grail Speakers without a doubt.
Thank you for watching Joey 😊👍
I am happy you experience the same thing with the low frequencies as I do with my speakers. These big ATC speakers and my little ProAc speakers are both sealed box designs, goes down to 55Hz and are fast.
You/I can hear you need a sub, but still it is not needed because they go low enough.
I think my ProAc tablette 10 signature speakers will go lower than advertised, even John Darko registered 40Hz. I guess it is the same thing with these ATC speakers.
Thank you 😊
Wow a new YT video and it's only Friday. Cool. And as always a clear concise review including comparisons.
Quite surprised you rate the ATM as slightly better than the ProAcs. I've always felt the ProAcs were the cat's pjs.
Thanks buddy. Both great brands. I think the active is the main difference here. Also, my ProAcs are 22 years old now 😊👍
For a long time now I have appreciated the benefits of well designed active speaker set ups. My current system uses Neumann 310A’s, also an enclosed cabinet design, with wide dispersion tweeters. They have proved themselves to be a very effective solution for insightful, close up listening. ATC’s offerings, such as the ones you review so well here, have a wider appeal due to their home hifi credentials. I have a feeling that they will be the next rung of the ladder for me. I’m not a sound engineer, I just appreciate accuracy within the immersive envelope, if you know what I mean!
Understood Peter. I think your reasoning is sound 😊
Some of the best speakers I've heard are active ones, including my current Meridian ones
Brilliant comparison. I've long thought active was a better option, other things being equal.
Thank you buddy 😊👍
Concise and informative review with a thoughtful outlook for the music lover, well done....!
I remember hearing the SCM100 back in the early 90s and we didn’t realise how loud we had them until we tried to talk to each other... the lack of distortion made it deceptive
I have listened to them a few times as well and what you say I very true. Thank you for watching Paul 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 It’s a pleasure, I like the way you present information and your experience tallies with my own so I trust your opinions.
@@paultuerena thank you Paul. Much appreciated 😊👍
Thanks for another great and specially bit early video
Thank you Atri 😊👍
It’s amazing what can be achieved these days, the AE1 actives sound very interesting, as well, I personally don’t have any issues with class d amplification when implemented well. I really do think you would be surpassed just what you can get from a pair of studio monitors such as the JBL LSR305, no their cabinets are not built in the same league, but at normal listening levels you would never know, they use class d amp as and are made in China, but I think you might be surprised to hear how good a sound you can get for under £300 for the pair, add a decent pre amp and there’s not a lot missing. Please give them a try, or at least something at a similar price point in the mainstream active monitor market and let us know your thoughts!
Thank you for the heads up Paul 👍
Sir Tarun, not only are you my favourite CZcams reviewer but we also seem to be on the same hifi path (although I'm at the beginning of it). I auditioned and ordered the passive scm40s a few months ago and even though this review made me question severely my going passive decision, I am sure I'll be very happy with them for years or even decades to come. What's weird is I've only been looking at ATC, Hegel and Exposure for amplification and trying to decide on it for months now. Really looking forward to joining your patreon and discussing this further as soon as the 40s arrive and run them in a while. Until then, cheers!:)
Thank you for your kind words Alexandros. I am sure those passive 40s will perform handsomely. Great speakers if driven well. Love to see you on Patreon. I hope to post my first Patreon only video this week which will feature the ATCs I just reviewed. Take care 😊👍👍
Great job as usual Tarun! Always striking the right balance of tech explanations and musical impressions. I feel I better understand what ATC stands for. Heard their SCM 40 a year ago at a dealer in France. Was impressed with natural tone and dynamic personality. But I was wondering if I would ever find them a little bit fatiguing in the long run... So hard to say without doing a long trial... Keep up the great work! Cheers!
Thank you Raphael. They are very revealing of gear further up the food chain. If you get it right though, I am not sure what is better at the same price 😊👍
Not fatiguing at all. They are used day in day out by professionals - many hours daily - atcloudspeakers.co.uk/client-list/
The picture is good, the sound is good and the content is great!
Thank you Brian. Much appreciated 😊👍
Great review again Tarun , keep pestering ProAc for the D2R and K1 ,
Keep up the great work
Thank you CD. I will try again 😊👍
Good review as always. I remember ATC from pro days. Were always top of the line. I have no doubt your review is accurate.
Thank you JD 😊👍
Great review again tarun. I definitely think active is where the market will push towards in the future.
I wonder after your interaction with PMC on this channel whether you might review a PMC active speaker?
I watched you while the wife was away for the weekend on my 55” tv for the first time, a lot better than on my mini iPad it really felt as though I was sitting on your sofa while we had a nice chat & I have to say I like the look of those ATC actives.
Thanks for another great review 👍
Thank you my friend, much appreciated. I would like to review some active PMCs. I think they only do them for the Pro market 😊👍
Your best report yet - very good :).
Thank you buddy 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314, I think one thing a lot of people will appreciate, and something that is painfully missing in the majority of reviews, is the way you make your opinion of their performance absolutely clear.
@@AudioFlat very kind of you to say 😊👍
Great review, as always, Tarun. I was kinda dimly aware of the difference between powered and active speakers since I encountered very high end active speakers that didn't include power amps (I guess that's a viable concept at a price point where tri-amping your speakers isn't any more crazy than the rest of your system is already). Great job on shedding some light on how to distinguish the different variations on the topic 👍
Thank you Sebastian. Much appreciated. I remember when Naim and Linn actives systems were all the rage. Happy memories 😊👍
The actives hit the sweet spot for ATC. I use a P1 with my SCM19's to try and get near to the active sound, but they don't really compete. Saying that, my passive 19's are still excellent speakers producing great sound. I found experimenting with pre amps to be worthwhile, finally settling on a (old) Pass Labs X2.5. But if you can afford it, actives are the way to go. Great review again.
Thank you Tom. Great to have your perspective 😊👍
Superb review, thankyou.
Thank you Danny 😊👍
Thank you for this review, Tarun. When I bought the ATC 19, I was also thinking of buying the active version, which is obviously even better. But the purchase costs (which need explanation :) and, considering the quality of my system, the probable follow-up costs kept me away.
Thank you Sebastian. They are getting up there in price, especially in overseas markets. Great speakers though 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 The speakers retail in Germany for 6000€ + suitable preamp + recommended balanced cabling ... This makes up a completely new ausdio system.
@@sebastiangraetz3424 they are better value in the U.K.
Great review! Next stop the 3 way active SCM 50ASL.. Get's expensive from then on. Big jump in sound with the ATC midrange driver.👍
Great review Tarun. Mmmm Class A/B, no wonder they sound good 😂
Thank you Mark 😊👍
Another great review Tarun, not too high end reviews for the average consumer.
Would you consider reviewing Harbeth speakers, as interested in comparison to Proac which I also have (D15s).
Than you Mark. Would love to. I have to call Alan Shaw (MD) when I have got through my current crop of product reviews 😊👍
You should add to your list of benefits of the active crossover design the increase in dynamics, which for me provides a significant improvement in the listening experience. I've been building active systems for about 15 years, and I was glad to hear you say that speaker manufacturers admit the design is superior to the more common passive approach. The problem with most active speakers is the lower quality amplifier and low quality electronic crossover used to control costs and to minimize the necessary increase in the speaker's size. Obviously this speaker has gone the extra mile. Too bad they did not take advantage of the 4th order crossover filter option that is much more easily obtained in an active design. My active speaker designs use all external components to eliminate the size restrictions, enabling me to choose all high quality units.
Thank you for watching and sharing SB. I discussed active vs passive in my interview with Peter and Oliver at PMC. They made similar points as yourself. It did strike me as a little curious why they didn’t use a higher order filter on the active. It is relatively easy and cost effective to implement. Maybe it is an issue with getting the tweeter to play a little lower or the woofer to play a little higher. I need to follow up on it next time I speak to Ben Lilly at ATC 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I'm using an active unit built and sold by Phil Marchand from NY, a private builder and seller who designs his own equipment. The unit uses individual filter channels instead of a L-R network, and so each high pass and low pass filter can to individually selected. I chose the 8th order (48 dB/octave) filters between the tweeter and mid driver to virtually eliminate the shared frequencies btw these drivers. If a small peak or null results, either of the filter's frequency can be modified up or down to compensate.
@@SpeakerBuilder very interesting. Thank you for sharing 😊
Nice review.
Thank you Nico 😊👍
Nice one Tarun, great review as always. I always felt the scm 20a and the current 19 actives are somewhat forgotten products from ATC with the popularity of the active 40’s. That said I would be curious how a pair of active 40’s would sit in your room in terms of performance especially midrange performance🤣.
Thank you KJ. I would like to take a look at those next 😊👍
Once again a perfect review... despite imperial measurements 😂
Thank you Herbert. I am surprised they are still going in the U.K. in every day life. I still prefer miles per hour to kilometres per hour. Old habits die hard 😉👍
I’ve had 19A’s for a few years. I don’t think of them as “neutral,” which I detest, but slightly toward the warm side. That’s of course further adjustable in either direction with other components and cables. A simple upgrade is swapping fuses, the SR Orange being a very good choice.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Roger 😊
Active is the tech of the future, and combined with DSP, nothing comes close. I have the ATC 19s (due in large part to your review of them...) but some day, it's the active 3 way ATC's I will get. I fully expected the actives to be even better. ATC approach is more an old school approach crossover wise, but they have decades of experience doing it, and I'd be fine with that too.
Thank you for watching and sharing Will. I am looking forward to seeing what the SCM 40As bring 😊👍
Surprising that ATC gives the -6dB low frequency response at 54Hz for both the active and passive SCM19. The active AE1 from Acoustic Energy for example is rated at 42Hz while the passive version (AE500) is rated at 45Hz. Could it be that the -6dB point on the active SCM19 is actually lower than 54Hz but ATC keeps that rating to avoid making the better selling passive SCM19 look worse by comparison? You can ask Ben but another idea would be to get some measurement hardware/software to check these things out! And thanks again for the informative videos and your participation in the comment section.
Thank you CC. The AE1s and AE500 have different drivers as the AE1 is mainly based on the AE300. With the ATCs we are looking at the same drivers, amplifier, crossover slopes and internal cabinet volume. Hence, the same response. Measurements are great if you know what you are doing but very time consuming to do correctly and comprehensively. It just isn’t feasible for me at the moment 😊👍
ATC is pretty clear on the fact that all of their active speakers sound better than their passives. They only make the passives because they know some people like to play around with amplification, but make it clear than no amp will make it better than the active.
Good review, I auditioned a passive ATC model against a competitive Fyne 501 fed by sim audio moon 240 and CD player, the only difference was purely a subjective feel thing, both super transparent but I just got a feel for the Fyne speakers, though I am thinking of jumping a level to the 501sp or even the 502sp for the bass
Thank you Ron. I am listening to the Fyne F700s at the moment 😊👍
I'm using SCM 40A speakers and just wanted to mention that a power conditioner is a must. In my city location, the highs are very much weakend without it. Everything is better with, but without it the speakers seemed unbalanced due to the soft top end.
Thank you for sharing your experiences 😊
I;ve always found ATC's to be fantastically accurate but a tad harsh, leading to listening fatigue. Interesting review.
Thank you watching CA 😊
The 19A’s are not harsh unless either the source components/cables are or what’s being played is.
Another great review! What other components do you need to get the active version going - preamp, streamer DAC? Is it possible to get the total component costs near the passive one (+ an integrated solution like the Hegel H190) and still sound better?
Thank you Tymon. If you are a digital only consumer. I would get a streamer and a DAC with balanced outputs and a volume control 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 i am getting confused. Those speakers can convert digital signal to analogue and do everything an amplifier can do? And you can also connect them to your amplifier with speaker wire? Maybe a stupid question but i am lost here with active and so.
@@thepuma2012 it can be tricky to get your head around. A DSP active speaker has more built-in. The signal path is as follows:
Digital input -> DSP engine -> DACs -> amplifier modules -> speaker drivers
Hello Tarun, Another wonderful review. Any timeline as to when we will see an ATC electronic review? I’m very curious on how their CD player or integrated amps sound compared to other brands. Thank you, Brian.
Thank you Brian. I have a few other reviews to get out first. The CDA2 Mk2 and P1 where her so I could do a full ATC passive vs active comparison. If I can hang on to the long enough I would like to review them 😊👍
As mentioned elsewhere in the comment section, the Pro version of the SCM19A (the SCM20) has an upgraded tweeter, the SH25-76S. It also has more power available for the tweeter (50W vs 32W) and woofer (200W vs 150W). On that same SCM20ASL, there is a switch at the back for low frequency adjustment from -2dB to +3dB centered at 80 Hz (don’t know how this would affect the response at 40 Hz). Not saying that the PRO version is the better speaker here but I note that in the US and Canada, the SCM20ASL is cheaper than the SCM19A (presumably because it is a standmount rather than a tower and because of the plain finish). I would be very surprised if the voicing between these two was much different.
ATC master race. I got wet dreams about SCM50ASLTs.
A visit to your local ATC dealer may be the remedy 😂
@@abritishaudiophile7314 that’s the plan. Waiting for my kids to be a little older so that I don’t need to hire a bodyguard for the speakers. AE1 Actives are making the wait tolerable in the meantime.
@@kidsfriends8269 that is a fantastic speaker for the money 😊
Great review. This is what American physics teaches you. Except for street sound competition. I usually win, not loudness but hard balance.
I don't have a Mansion. My Chicago friend does. Massive respect. His rent is only 8k/mo. In real life it is worth 11k+ mo easy.
Thank you for watching and sharing AF 😊
Well I thank you, your reviews aren’t just good they boarder on Outfreaking amazing. You clearly understand the subject matter, which is of course these speakers. I have heard the ATC 40s, non amplification and even though the room was treated, Music Direct’s own warehouse, I thought that they were capable of much more. I could have gotten an open box for 4999.00 from the 6999.00, but I was hung up on the Vandersteen thing at the time.
My Amplifier an Audio Research DS450, right channel blew and took my Vandersteen Quatro with it. Three months before that I had two replace one of my subwoofer plate amps, but it was recommended that I replace both at the same time. Well I was at a place where I had no amp or speakers because at the time of the blown driver, I thought the subwoofer amp was going out again and bam, my spare pair of Bowers and Wilkins CM5, one speaker blown as well after hook up.
The dealer has both the amp and speaker in for service and he loaned me a pair of Simaudio 400m monoblocks and a pair of Kef Ls50s and a Rel 328 sub. To say that the difference between my Audio Research and the Simaudio amps is small is an understatement. After careful setup and even with a pair of cheap Kef q350s, which I bought as backup speaker, I always have a pair of backups, I’m getting everything that you just stated in your review.
The instrument separation of both speakers is incredible (Ls50s and q350s) and the control is well appreciated. You are so right about the correct amplification and my front end is a Audio Research Ls27, Cd3,Ph8, Aurender N100h and a VPI Classic and a Nakamichi Rx-505 and Sony 3head deck. So what am I going to do when the amp, which Audio Research said won’t be back until late June and I sent it in three weeks ago, well there will be a trade going on and a search for new speakers and Kef R11 and ATC 40s are in the running with two Rel subs. I made the mistake of going back on my word of having amps inside of speakers and this won’t happen again.
I want separates this way because if the subs die, you have your speakers, if the speakers die, you have the subs. Simaudio is a fantastic company as I have their 230hd headphone amp. I love their 10 year warranty and their quality. These amps are a trickle down tech from the evolution series and quite impressive indeed and so is ATC, I believe they have a six year warranty and the speakers you tested are 9000 grand here in the states at Music Direct.
Thank you Sid for watching and your kind words of support. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences 😊👍👍
40 = £7k in UK ($9.5k) and here in USA $14k plus tax
50 = £15k ($29.5k) and here in USA $22k plus tax
I don’t mind paying a little extra for logistics and import.
But clearly ATC has come pricing issues.
(Pricing for the active version)
@@crossocean5663 I suspect you are paying the distributors extra margin. We have the same issue over here with some US brands.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 the extra margin is totally understandable but for the 40 the margin is significantly higher than for the 50.
I am of course relative speaking. $14k for the 40 would make the 50 $28k and it $22k.
But yes. Of course there is an additional fee and I am totally fine with it.
@@crossocean5663 totally get it. I think they are still worth looking at in the US, especially if you can negotiate a deal 😊
Great review Tarun. Do you think the Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition would make a good partner for the ATC active speakers?
Thank you. I would get a dedicated preamp 😊
Thank you Tarun, it would be nice to hear a comparison with an Exposure 3010S2D and Proac Response D2 combination...
I would love to do that but ProAc don’t send products out to CZcams reviewer at the moment. Hopefully, that will change as this platform gets more established 😊
Great Review , have you thought of doing some used HiFi Equipment reviews as there has never been a better time to put some fabulous vintage HiFi together for a relative steal , thanks
Thank you Neville. I would love to but it is getting hold of it and having the time to find, purchase and sell it on again 😊👍
Great review. I really want to know why the SCM40 doesn’t have the SL driver that the SCM19 does at a much lower price.
Thank you Dave.😊👍
I will have to check that out with Ben @ ATC if and when I review the SCM40s. It is naturally a different driver as it does not incorporate the midrange unit but I would have expected it to contain the Super Linear motor structure. Maybe it was developed prior to that technology being available 🤔
Wow ATC seem to really get something right. It would have been interesting to see a fullrange version so that you wouldnt need to add and setup separate subs. I was previously convinced that bookshelf speakers and separate subs was a killer combo. But I think you need to know what youre doing to tune the subs to get in phase with the bookshelves. And I think I overestimate myself in this regard. Maybe fullrange floorstanders would make for a simpler setup for most people? Then again, DSP subs can be tweaked for the actual room they are in. Gah...
Thank you for watching and sharing buddy. I may try to get the 40 Actives in next. They are almost full range as far as most music is concerned 😊👍
I'm not sure why they haven't pushed it lower I mean it can be pushed but why are they felt that this wasn't practical, the driver themselves should be able to go down to 40 Hz I haven't looked at the specs that's usually what it is for driver of that type, with the cabinet size box they're not utilising? Can easy be driven a lot lower? I wonder if it's because they don't want to step on there more expensive models, but as you saw in the active crossover it's all adjustable so you could bring up some more lower frequency. what power the amplifier section is he didn't say could be part of the problem as well but looks meaty enough transformer so I don't think so that's the issue. marketing probably you can't have a fire thousand speaker sounding like a 15000 speaker
Please, do a review with SCM 19 vs SCM 40 active. Thank you!
Great review! Did you change the camera, I get the feeling the video quality has improved.
It's a shame I can't find any place to test ATC anywhere where I live, I read a lot of positive comments about them.
I am not sure if it is a comparison, but I wrote a studio yesterday to rent a room for one hour. They have the SCM50A.
One the ATC website there is a list of their customers and that is how I found them.
I have a gloom feeling I might need the 50. Thank god for Uber, I will have to sell the car to be able to afford them.
Hi Tarun, as usual great review! Without waiting till the end, I pressed like button at 04:00 and write this comment at 06:32. I wish there is another like button that I can press again upon completion :)
Thank you Farid. That is very kind of you to say and very much appreciated 😊👍👍
Another great review Tarun, I really appreciate the work you do on here. I have owned a few pairs of ATC speakers 35s and 20SLs, both passive. Also heard the active 50s and 100s. Infact my once local bar in Cheltenham had a set of 50s which is where I first became a fan. I did find the sound of all of these a little HiFi, especially with thr ATC amps, I had their integrated. I have heard the speakers sound a little softer but more natural in my view with some old Michell Alecto mono blocks for example. Intrigued by these 19a's though as pre Brexit I can almost afford them (I am in Ireland). Just wondering though, how far did you position them from side walls? Thanks again, Jon
Thank you Jon. That must have been some bar with ATC SCM50 Actives. I had the 19S over 1m away from walls, measuring from the centre line down the front baffle 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 The Retreat is the bar and it has a sister bar in Stroud, where ATCs are made of course, no coincidence I am sure. Highly recommended if you are ever in town. Also interested in the Atoll amp you reviewed, it seemed good value and am considering it for ProAc SM100s. ATCs scream quality though. Decisions, decisions
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Oh and thanks for the info, much appreciated
@@jonathanbliss1945 thank you. Maybe a stop on my way down the motorway. First world problems to have 😊
Fabulous speakers seemingly, and a contrarian opinion on actives, but perhaps it is ATC as a company that is the difference in terms of implementation.
Thank you for watching Michael. I think a lot of the old studio monitors sounded a little cold 😊👍
Please review scm20 passive
As I respect your opinion very highly, you saying atc scm19a one of the best speakers you ever heard means alot. By the way I've never heard of atc before this video so I've gone back and watched all your atc videos. My question is from the specs they look like they lack bass so would you recommend a scm19a and a c1 sub or a scm40a for 2 channel listening. I'm a hip hop and reggae and pretty much everything listener.
Thank you Leon. Very kind. The bass rolls off earlier with sealed box speakers. I would add a REL sub, T9x or S510 👍😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 interesting you recommend a rel sub not a atc sub.
@@leonnoel1243 most speaker manufacturers put little resources and R&D into producing subwoofers. Best to go with a manufacturer who specialises in subwoofers.
Your best video to date👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you Hermant. Much appreciated 😊👍👍
Hi Tarun, another late comment on this item: I always find your reviews interesting but particularly here because I own the ATC scm20aslt, the slightly bigger brother to the 19a. The tweeter is upgraded and there is a bit more power on tap but the speakers are essentially the same.
You note in your video on subwoofers that you often use your REL without mentioning that you have done so in your reviews. I would like to know if this is the case here? Of course setup would be totally different to normal passives as high level inputs on the sub would have to be used; did you try this and if so what was the result? I am toying with the idea of using a sub on certain sorts of program.
Thanks for the great content.
Thank you Allan. I did try my Rel with the SCM19s connected to line level input on the preamp. From what I recall, it improved dynamics, the sense of soundstage and bass extension 😊👍
Excellent excellent review!! Love it!! Contender at a similar price point? Their own ATC Scm20Asl Pro. Similar price, but the 20asl Pro houses ATC’s flagship tweeter and a beefier active section, with the trade off of an arguably ugly black cabinet.
Thank you William. Good point about the SCM 20A Pro 😊👍
At the end when you put up your rating I think it would be nice to flash up the price on the right - I know you tell us at the start but if listening intently to the review I find myself then trying to remember the price!
Hi, as ever an excellent review, did once make an active version of my horns using the 150s pro unit...dam expensive but very good how do you think that the Volt mid compares?...also do you feel that not being able to give a little listen to the speakers on here is a disadvantage even though with the compression etc it make most sound not too good...Take care.
Thank you Mick. Much appreciated. I am not sure what you mean by “Volt mid.” I find sound clips entertaining but you can judge a system in a room by playing through a different system in a different room. Beside, I can’t get it past copyright anymore. Shame I enjoyed the sound clips 😊👍
I can always dream.
They are a few quid 😉👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Just a few:D
I suspect my grandfathers Special 25's will be the most expensive speakers I ever own (inherit). Sure, they'll sound great, but I'd rather have a grandfather:(
Who knows, maybe one day I'll get my act together and be able to afford a £10k system!
Probably not:D
@@yyams those active AE1s at £1,000 are still the most impressive speaker/amplifier I have reviewed. I could live with those if that was all I could afford 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 There's hope for us poor folk yet:D
Though it must be said - cheap (relatively speaking) gear is getting better and better every day.
Great review! What inter-connect cables did you use between preamp and ATCs?
Thank you. I used a Mogami XLR cable 😊👍