ATC SCM's with Spectral Components

I'd tend to go for the SCM19. ATC's all sound similar - but there is more transparency, SPL and bass extension as you go up the line. The 19 has the same mid bass driver as the pro models but with a simpler modern cabinet construction and different tweeter (so it is great value and has been road-tested through years of home and studio use - think Toyota Land Cruiser). It is a bit early to tell if the 11 will be equal to the legacy of the driver in the 19.

I can't say how it will sound - no experience with Spectral. All I can say is that 90 watts is just enough to drive them and ideally most people want 200+ watts. They are not hard to drive but the sensitivity is low and the pro driver can take darn near everything you can throw at them without flinching - so they sound good when driven hard and loud.

i've demoed the SCM7 with the new enclosure in a store to see how the new tweeter and drivers sound. I have the original SCM20, and the difference was quite apparent. What shardorne said is exactly correct. I also want to add that the midrange on vocals do not sound as "whole" or "full" that their 6" driver provides. I'm no engineer, but I believe that the 20's and 19's spectacular midrange is largely due to that 3" dome built in. The 7's seem to work its best at nearfield listening, and the musical scale starts to slim down as you sit farther. I say go for the 19's as well.

The tweeter on the SCM7,11 19 are more or less a home version of their studio tweeters made by Vifa and Seas. The new tweeter are not as revealing making a sound a bit easier on the ears if your electronics is not up to par. Nonetheless, the tweeter is still amazing for any speaker below the 5K mark.

As for Spectral, I have only seen them but never got the desire to demo them. For my 20s, i give them about 300 watts per channel, and it seems like it can take it all. Make sure the amp is stable in its current deliver-ability. In my opinion, for passive ATC, class A amps work the best.

If your lucky, you may find a pair of ATC SCM35's for below 2K on Agon. They have a dedicated 3" dome and a 8" woofer, and are quite efficient to drive.

Thanks, Shadorne and Kinn. I actually was wondering whether my power amp (100 W RMS into 8 Ohms) would be adequate for the SCM11's or SCM19's. I also was wondering whether these speakers would provide accurate sound when played through my Spectral gear in the smaller rooms and at the moderate SPL's I would have them playing.

Things I've read seem to suggest they require more than modest power (i.e., 100 W RMS might not be enough power), and that they sound best when played loud (in not-so-small rooms).