Background
I had the pleasure of dealing with the vast majority of famous British brands: Harbeth, Spendor, Tannoy, Stirling, KEF, B&W, Celestion, Mission, Audio Note, or recently a slightly newer Living Voice.
Islanders can make loud loudspeakers for the rooms at our disposal in Poland. Their sound is always characterized by a good or outstanding diameter.
B&W, Celestion, KEF feel better in rock, Harbeth, Spendor, Tannoy, Audio Note, LV in acoustics, and where you have to play phenomenal vocals and reflect emotions.
To make it more fun, each of these brands and each of the models does it a bit differently – in its own way.
A few words about ATC …
I have heard about ATC that they are too neutral, from someone even that they are dispassionate, that they are sometimes dark, that it is difficult to move them, open them. And in fact, you have to like such playing, but it’s best to pack them expensive, a powerful amplifier and only then can you listen to them.
To be honest about the loudspeakers of this brand, I have been thinking for 2 years, but I did not plan to buy them – they came to me by accident in the settlement for phenomenalVon Schweickerty VR-4.
I did not plan because they are considered extremely power-hungry loudspeakers, which like ‘welding machines’ and not ordinary amplifiers. If this is not the first post you read here, you probably already know that I prefer 8-20W tube amplifiers.
I had the ATC listeningHaiku Sol I, Audiom Silvernight 300B,Cary CAD300B(both about 18W in A class), a transistor legend of a vintage quad quad 405-2 with a factory pre no and a jolida jd1000a (100w from a lamp in the AB class. Kompan by reading user reviews and opinions.
ATC SCM40 – sound
I got ATC from the owner of Haiku Sensei 211 (22W in A class). So for him they did not play in a conventional combination with strong electronics.
The first impression is that these columns are quite dark at the top. The diameter is open, the bass from the closed housing makes a very good impression.
The ATC sound has a bit of openness and presence in itLa Tannoy or Living Voice, the diameter is the juiciest, dense and weighted up virtually among all the loudspeakers I have listened to.
The ATC sound is more serious than the LV, as if more dignified – full. I believe that this is largely due to both the character of the midrange dome itself and the large bass speaker standards today. It perfectly supports the sound, but does not cover and does not slow down the diameter.
The SCM40 in combination with the SE triode is a very juicy, dense, rich in micro-details and engaging hint of colors, shades and colors.It is supposed to be a bit dark, but lively, you would like more control, a wider stage, but you listen to it very well.
The combination of whether it is with 211 or with the Audion 300B is definitely not a set for loud, strong playing. However, to the level of moderately loud, listening to music is really fantastic.
From people who listened to various ATC models with transistors or the active version, I have never heard delight, and even gave up these loudspeakers quite quickly. People who play them with a lamp – (of course with the appropriate repertoire) share my opinion. Even in a set with a 3.5W 2A3 lamp.
ATC SCM40 – Comparisons / Comparison
SCM40 with a 405-2 quad bike fell out crazy, I have the impression that I am not able to give them a recommendation to play strong rock –Because I have no idea what and how expensive it would be to combine them to do a wow effect there, or something else that will not be done by another – a column with much cheaper electronics to drive.
A very good set was traditionally made with the Audion 300B, although surprisingly they fell out well and Cary, which I would not put together in the dark. It’s hard to talk about synergy and 150% from both blocks – because you can use both of them more gracefully, but it was really OK.
My copy finally went to Michał, the owner of a fairly basic McIntosh Integra and I must admit that this transistor played with ATC really brilliantly and completely. The diameter was not ‘what it is with a lamp, but the whole thing was well balanced and on a very good level.
The price of this McIntosh is obviously crazy and you can achieve a similar class of cheaper. On the other hand, poppies are so iconic and characteristic blocks that I am not surprised that someone may want one 🙂
Nevertheless, we had common conclusions with Michał – this sound is much more interesting and engaging than Harbeth.
For rock, I would probably choose more universal, slightly older B&W models when it comes to the British. in jazz or acousticsLiving Voice , slateand classictannoyThey will be a very strong competition, but SCMs will offer a different presentation – fuller and more embedded. It can really like it!
It is denser than the above-mentioned brands, juicier, but still resolution and live. The bass gives nice textures and pressure. Mount LV has more class, and Tannoy’s truthfulness. Spendor, in turn, gives the game from a longer perspective, less exciting, more sublime. Harbeth is a bit average.
ATC SCM 40 – my opinion
I got the first version of these speakers. The newer ones have a slightly different top, but the schnyt of virtually all ATCs remains similar due to the concept of the midrange speaker, in which there is nearly 90% of the music.
The ATC midrange speaker is a project from the 1980s, I did not penetrate if it was somehow modified from now on, but generally you can feel the spirit of a slightly older sound in it – very balanced, highly nuanced in terms of color. If we like this game, it’s really the top of what you can find.
The ATC midrange dome with a lamp is one of the most musical, interesting, colorful pickups that can be found on the market.
I will not hide that I am very eager to get a higher model of this brand’s loudspeakers.
ATC will work great in a room not adapted with live acoustics. Where, for example, focal / JM Lab will be bright and aggressive SCMs feel perfect.
For playing the ‘diameter’ lamp, they are extremely interesting and when buying them consciously for this application, they will defend themselves strongly even as new loudspeakers against the background of used columns.
It is generally a brand with which many audiophiles find a bit of peace and stay with this sound longer, trying many more vivid and competitive presentations.
