Never heard ATC but was researching them awhile back and they look like the mosr overbuilt speakers I've seen. Take a look at the magnets on the midbass drivers; absolute monsters.
I'll be at AXPONA as well. ATC are high on my list of speakers I want to hear there. Especially the active versions which get a lot of praise. What ATCs I have heard were mighty impressive.
Too bad Spender won't be there, true. But you will hardly lack for great speakers to check out.
As a Spendor owner for 16 years, I would audition the SP100s or SP1/2Es before you spring for ATCs or the A9s. Neither will "kick" like the ATCs or A9s or have quite the bass extension, but after you hear just how sublime they are w/Class A, I doubt you'll care! I drive my 1/2Es with a measly 25W amp (First Watt M2), and they are just sick good.
I second the recommendation to try some Spendor Classic series speakers. I have had my Spendor SP100s since 2001, and for my tastes they are some of the most natural sounding speakers I have ever heard.
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