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ATC SCM150 (or JBL Synthesis) (or JBL vintage) (or new Klipsch Jubilee)

Hi. My name is Juan. I'm from Spain. Sorry for my horrible english... 

It´s a pleasure to be on the Audiogon community.  

Many months searching webs, forums, shows, videos, "expert" opinions, "commercial" opinions, sellers with "interests", sellers "without any interest"... Hi-Fi world is a long trip, a difficult trip with "shine" products and (at least) a five digit price... A jungle for rich men. A paradise for the new economies. Another "economic bubble"....

If you are a person like me, with little knowledge, it´s easy to be scared...

I'm looking to set up a hi-fi system. I'm using Qobuz streaming service (no CD´s and no vinyls).  

I like so much ATC. Is one of the few brands that have all my trust. They are a legendary brand but most important, they are a brand that goes "against" the market. They are a brand focussed on the professional market and for them the most important is the sound.

I´m really interested on the SCM150 speakers (tower version). I have exchanged some messages with the technichal department of the brand, but I would like also to hear the expert opinion of the audiogon community.

Some questions. Thanks in advance for all your recommendations:

1) How would you describe ATC sound?? For me, they have the best mid of the market. Some people call this sound as "neutral fidelity". Neutral sounds (instead of warm) it doesn´t to have to be negative. On the contrary, is a virtue to my eyes. But in your opinion, it could be exccesively analytical?? Could cause fatigue??

2) What´s your opinion about ATC bass in general and the SCM150 bass in particular??

3) Active vs passive. Most of the people (it doesn´t surprise me) seem to prefer the active version or active sound. As you know, the SCM150 can go with the P6 amplifier (it doesn´t goes in this case on the loudspeaker box). What´s your opinion about this amplificaction in particular?? What´s your opinion in general about the active version?? It is your personal preference?? (there was a nice thread about this item: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/atc-active-vs-passive).  (audiotroy and lonemountain seem to know so much about this brand).

4) If I go with the active version I will need a preamplifier. You will go with Solid State instead or valves (the "particular" sound of valves could be counterrproductive with this speakers that reveal any imperfection and they are also speakers that need power)??

5) I see great combinations with Spectral pre. Some people also recommend Bricasti, Simaudio seems also to suits... I would like a pre that gives some "warm" and musical sound to compensate the neutrality of the ATC. What would be your recommendation?? Please specify brand and model. I want a nice piece at the level of the SCM150.

6) What´s your general opinion about ATC speakers?? It would be one of your first choices??

7) In the comparison with other "professional" brand as JBL Synthesis (K2 model for example) what would be your choice??

8) In the comparison with some JBL vintage models from JBL what would be your choice?? I´m talking specifically about Henrick Sound customs 4344 and 4351 (vertical version of the 4350). Any thought??

(webs Kenrick: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3A0nuJpz3NnPi2luPj41fA and https://www.facebook.com/Kenrick-Sound-244510272314291/ and http://jbl43.com/?mode=f3);

(model 4351: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJFU2QoVI4);

(model 4344: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EfhG0hcTy0).

9) In the comparison with the new Klipsch Jubilee (I talked with Roy Delgado and they are supposed to be on the market at the end of the year) what would be your recommendation?? Yes, I know that are not yet on the market so no one has been able to hear them but as a horn technology and according to some other models (for example Kilspchorns) what we can expect?? Is Klipsch really at the level of ATC or the JBL´S.

Thanks so much to everyone. Your comments would be very helpful to me.




milhomes
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Hi Juan,
Do you think that “size matters” and new designs are not worthy in terms of sound quality and capabilities??
Yes, size matters definitely when you want to have a big sound -- rather than simulate big sound. Case in point: I now have small speakers and they can only produce a thumbnail of a Mahlerian orch -- a good thumbnail, but small nonetheless. The ATC 150 or the Horns offer a more realistic reproduction of the scale of the orchestra.
Many new designs are excellent. The problem is they are outrageously expensive. As you note:
according to the price of the ATC SCM150, how much you must pay on the high-end to have a “similar” experience?? I think that a lot more.
I agree. The added advantage of ATC is the active model, which is seriously cheaper than buying passive + commensurate amplification!


Vintage, '70s sound is also less focused on high frequency extension (i.e. speed) as contemporary designs -- there was no home theatre back then!
general opinion about Klipsch?? Is on the same league as ATC, JBL or others in your opinion?? They are “end game” speakers in your opinion??
IMO, the Horns definitely belong in a hi-end category. The sound is very different than a conventional dynamic speaker, even thought they also have conventional drivers, etc.
Listening to a live recording thru the Horns can be a moving experience (Janis Joplin, or D Purple live in Japan, for example).


You might also consider a pair of Tannoys -- I was very impressed by the Kingdom Royal. Presumably they are very expensive.
Mind you, all of the models you mention are very large and require a large listening room!




djones51
4,947 posts
 
You seem to like ATC and that’s a good speaker. They make great drivers and have solid performance but make no mistake they are not a ruthlessly revealing speaker. They have the British sound signature. For me they would need to be EQed the upper end is all over the place if you want revealing look for speakers with a flat response from 500hz -20khz. You still might need to implement a house curve to your taste. The Dutch and Dutch are flat from 100hz - 20klz that’s a neutral speaker. You’re right physics is physics and a lot of power with DSP can get down in the 20hz region with low distortion not violating physics using dual 8 inch drivers. I'm not recommending these speakers they are for comparison I like speakers even more revealing than these.

https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/dutch_dutch_8c/
mglik
911 posts
 
Hi Juan,
As a beginner, your best choice is ATC.
And if you want the best ATC, buy the Anniversary model. Their internal amps are all upgraded to Class A which is best SS.
And all ATC powered are Tri-amped with dedicated amps for the tweeter, midrange and woofers. To do this with a passive speaker you would need three amps!
Yes, ATCs are very accurate but you can listen to them for hour after hour as the pros do. And enjoy them for years.
And if you want excellent guidance on everything to do with making your system great, call Ralph.
He is well known and highly respected on this Forum. I recently got his MP-1 preamp. I am shocked and delighted by its performance.
And matching it with ATC Anniversary will give you a world class system!

ohlala
1,236 posts
 
I appreciate ATC, but with my Synthesis ownership experience I would not currently be interested in an even more studio monitor type sound. ATC is more coherent than the JBLs, and imo represents dynamics at least as well. What I do not enjoy is the concentrated energy between and just forward of the speakers. It is a little much for me in retrospect.  I would characterize ATC as a bit opaque of neutral, which is hard to define. The drivers are thickly coated. The 4367s in contrast are more articulate but more laid back with a more common audiophile type, big soundstage. 
milhomes OP
7 posts
 
Ohlala,

I read your post and is exactly my fear with the studio monitor sound, that it can causes fatigue and wouldn’t be pleasant to hear on the long term. 
What are your actual speakers ohlala?? Warm and intimate sound??

And which speakers would you recommend me?? 
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