ATC active or Tannoy TD12?

So, how often and when do you play it this loud?

I never play as loud as the Sheffield Drums test track example I gave - that was
just setup testing. If you can achieve clean audio 10 db SPl higher than you
ever need then it might seem wasteful, however, it ensures that distortion
remains ultra low at normal levels all of the time. Headroom is protection for
those odd recordings that stress a system in peculiar ways without necessarily
being all that loud.

I concur with Shadorne around the dynamics and loudness factor of owning ATCs. I have the 50s and 150s. The 150s can fill a room with ear splitting sound; I enjoy the quieter 50s for home use. They don't color the music and are very neutral and flat. They like to be played loud. My 150s are in a restored warehouse/studio complex with 40 foot ceilings; my 50s occupy a bonus room with 11 foot ceilings. They are the most precise speakers I know. If you want more a tubey magic of a classic BBC speaker, I would recommend Tannoys, Spendor, or better yet, Harbeths.

Hi Shadorne, all good advice, and a system that is not capable of this, must play at a lower level.

Bob

Bob,

I would add that certain music is mixed and mastered to be played louder. I used to collect 45 RPM 12" Vinyl singles. There was a reason. They were often mixed with greater dynamic range than ordinary LP's.

Dance club music genres are a good example of stuff that sounds good loud and ATC's are very comfortable playing dance music at club levels.

I am particulalry enjoying Duran Duran "Strange Behaviour" CD right now. I have their funky "Notorious" CD (with Steve Ferrone on drums after AWB disbanded).

It is extremely interesting to compare and contrast the audio quality on the Notorious CD (designed to sound good on radio and in homes and in cars) with the four dance club singles released on the "Strange Behaviour" compilation. It is Night and Day! Dynamics are absolutely STUNNING on the Dance Club singles mixes...sure the Notorious CD is OK sounding but the Dance Club singles just blow this out of the water.

I used to play the Radio Clash 12" dance club single a lot in the 80's too (half my old vinyl collection is 12" club mixes)- I am now on the hunt for more of these old (original ) dance club mixes on CD - mixes/masters that were done with high end night club systems being the target audience. Perhaps, for the same reasonn I find most movie soundtracks are better than CD's - although DVD concerts are a mixed bag.

If you are looking for an exciting dynamic concert then Black eyed Peas Sydney to vegas is a riot of great dynamic sound with some nice drumming be keith Harris. This DVD is much more dynamic than the CD versions of their songs.

So what does this mean - it means that your choice in music will also determine how enjoyable it is to listen at louder more dynamic levels. Think how YES "Owner of a lonely Heart" is mixed versus Green Day American Idiot - a world difference in how good it sounds loud.

Shadorne

Ever hear the 12 inch remakes by Arthur Baker from the early 1980s. They really slam as well.