2. speakers
  3. 133191-76925

ATC SCM40As sound quality at low voume

I recently became very intrigued by the concept of powered speakers with active crossovers, particularly the ATC SCM40A. I read all the reviews I could find and more than one of them mentioned that while they sounded great at loud volume levels, they sounded poor at low volumes. I was surprised. I'm not used to hearing that. I'm not really sure what could explain this. In the grand scheme of things, I'd much rather have a speaker that played loud without strain, but I do often listen to music during "quiet hours" when I shouldn't disturb others in the house. Has anyone experienced the ATCs at lower volumes? Does anyone have an explanation?
blang11
dancekerl
16 posts
 
This is something i am very much interested in; that an amplifier that measures well into 1, 2 10 watts and above  measures(or sounds) as well at 1/10, 1/100,...etc.
And yet it's at these low outputs that many of our "audiophile" live and try to breathe.
dancekerl
16 posts
 
Many of the things we value as audiophiles, sorry
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
@dancekerl

Check out Benchmark AHB2

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/power-amplifiers-the-importance-of-the-first-watt

Other than the above, Class A is preferred or at least heavily biased Class A with sliding bias. And Class D is getting better every year.
seanheis1
636 posts
 
I would read this review before purchasing the Benchmark amp. http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/benchmark-ahb2-impressions-vs-vidar.5131/
More to discover