All about the bass

Lilu

ATCs work very well in their active line--which include built-in amplification. You should look at the new 16As at 4 grand, or their proven ATC20A, which is 8 grand. The 16A came out two months ago and are a great bargin, since you also get a world class 250 watt amp that seemlessly handles the cross-overs. I have heard the ATCs side by side with the Scorpios and you will hear better bass and drum sonics with ATC around electronica music. Vocals and mids are great with both, but you will likely find classical works better with the ATCs.

If you go with Audio Physics, be sure to demo them in your environment. I have seen many threads about how they need special placement to get the soundstage right. You should read the many threads on this site.

Revels are not mentioned much anymore but if you can give them a listen. I heard the F32 (I believe that was the model - sorry, don't remember what they were powered by) in a system and was very impressed with the tight, clean bass produced. Don't remember the room having tons of treatments either. Overall just outstanding speakers. They should be well within your budget with enough $ left for some good, clean power also.

Scorpios will be harder to correctly place and quite hard to drive at higher SPL's without a fair bit of IMD distortion - probably a fairly narrow sweetspot too.

7 drivers and four crossovers in one speaker is an impressive amount of hardware but quantity is not everything expecially if drivers overalap and interfere with eachother and most of your amplifier power is lost as heat in the crossovers.

John Atkinson review of measurements is worth reading.

I would suggest you put the Scorpios to the bottom of your list behind the Focals, Montanas and ATC's, unless you simply adore the cool look of them!

Vandersteen Quatro will leave a smile on your face for years......the bass is amazing!