Acoustic Zen, Reference 3A and ATC

In terms truth of tonality and overall music reproduction ATC is among the absolute best. It is a true reference if you want to hear the tone and timbre of an instrument or voices. The active version is in fact spectacular. I cannot see any reason why anyone buys a passive ATC because in its active avatar it sounds far superior to any passive ATC + amp combo.

Acoustic Zen is among the most colored speaker of the three, so take your pick.

I really like my zens ,to each his own.

What this person said ^^^^^^^

Acoustic Zen would be my pick. I also feel the 3a's are a little forward sounding. I am not a fan of any of the ATC speakers as they use the cabinet to act as part of the sound. I personally do not want my box to add its own colorations to the music.