ATC, the big boys

The larger ATCs are about increased volume capabilities. While this is definitely a factor in pro studios where the average listening levels routinely, if wrongly, exceeds 100dB, it is less of a factor for in home us. The SCM100s are more than capable of reaching any sane in home listening SPL.

ATC 300s in your house?!? geez, i hope your neighbors are at least a mile away! seriously, who needs 'em *that* big?!? a pair of 100's can play louder than a rock show. the 200 and 300's would literally shatter windows if the room weren't the size of a movie theater. not only that, but they're mostly meant to be mounted into some kind of fixture, not freestanding in a living room. besides that they are pretty ugly and $40,000. the smaller ATC's (heh, i'm referring to the 50's as 'small') have the same legendary midrange driver, where most of the music is, anyway, so they sound every bit as magical as the big boys. i use atc 50's at home, with the big ATC preamp, and i cannot turn the dial to 11:00 position without the neighbor's cat freaking out or my cats hiding under the bed. ATC's are the finest speakers i've ever heard and any model of their actives are worth every penny, but i can't see the huge ones being practical.

Personally I can't imagine ever needing more than the SCM50s in most any home environment, but I could see some bass freaks wanting the 100s. Anything more than that is like putting bigger tires on a Humvee--sure, you could, but why?