ATC SCM 40 vs. ATC SCM 50

i have the 20's, i heard the 35's and 40's, and they lack a bit of extra details due to the change in tweeters, but still sound freakishly amazing. I believe that 50 and up will be the REAL DEAL. The details and clarity of the 20's plus an even more pronounced midrange, and a huge bass driver for amazing bass impact and superb dynamics!

AHHHH..ATC is a speaker for LIFE!

I prefer the passive. I won't miss the pleasure of trying different amps. :)

I prefer the passive. I won't miss the pleasure of trying different amps. :)

No problem - but consider that you can still play with your source and preamps (tubes etc). ATC built in power amps run class A to two-thirds power - three amps per speaker - something you will find hard to achieve in a powerful but separate class A power amp.

Shadorne, I hadn't thought about the amps in ATCs that much. If they run Class A... does the speaker enclosure throw off a lot of heat?

Shadorne, I hadn't thought about the amps in ATCs that much. If they run Class A... does the speaker enclosure throw off a lot of heat?

A fair amount (as much when they are idle as when you run them hard) but remember that the amplifier does not have to power a lossy passive crossover or handle large impedance swings - since it is band limited to only the frequencies necessary for the particular driver. This allows for much greater efficiency and optimization.