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ATC SCM 50A active towers review

Now with 30 hours playing time I can at least state these exceed by a substantial margin my ATC SCM 40A actives, which are quite good in their realm of price/performance, but are truly left behind by the new kid on the block.

Thank you Tom at Big Ear Stereo and Lonesome Mountain (ATC distributor) for affecting the deal.

Expectations for me were of improvement of scale and dynamics given of course larger drivers driven by larger amps.  However, and it is a considerable however, the 50As travel well beyond by delivering a far deeper, more complete and penetrating soundstage.  Closer to that elusive 'live' experience.  And yes they are very much more dynamic, immediate and slammin' terrifying!  But not like a PA system.  It all remains quite civilized and non-fatiguing.

SPLs are there without the shriek or compression.  Nothing sounds overwhelming nor head severing.  This being their consumer line, may be tuned differently.  I've no experience with ATC Pro products.

Naim Core, Weiss 501 DAC, Decware ZLC power conditioning, Quadraspire Reference X equipment stand, commensurate cabling, ATC 50As with Gaia l footers.

celtic66
tobes's avatar
tobes
436 posts
 

SPLs are there without the shriek or compression.  Nothing sounds overwhelming nor head severing.  This being their consumer line, may be tuned differently.  I've no experience with ATC Pro products.

Apart from the cosmetic differences like omission of grilles and cutouts to change speaker orientation etc, the Pro line use the same cabinet volumes, drivers and amplifiers.

I have no idea why there is a perception (by some) of ATC speakers being ruthless or fatiguing. Maybe it dates back to previous tweeter implementations or lack of care in setup or ancillary matching? I came from 12 years of Harbeth ownership (3 models) and find the ATC sound to be wonderfully balanced and eminently suitable to long fatigue free listening sessions. They are truthful to source and wonderful music reproducers - congrats on your active 50's. 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,091 posts
 

I agree. In my experience they are one of the finest lines of speakers on the market. Truthful without being at all ruthless, and boldly dynamic. That dome midrange is just about magic.

celtic66 OP
1,681 posts
 

mofojo    Correct, Weiss 501 DAC directly into ATCs with Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8  interconnects XLR both ends.  DAC is the preamp.  Have NOT messed with DSP yet.  Waiting for full break-in of both pieces first.  Cheers

admranger
144 posts
 

Congrats on the active 50’s!  Brad, The owner of Lone Mountain Audio, keeps trying to get me into active 50’s.  The WAF isn’t as high as my SCM19v2’s (or active 40’s), so I likely won’t be as lucky as you are with the 50’s.  

First priority is to get a new streamer DAC and the Weiss is a contender.  I may have to settle for a LUMIN T2 if I want active 40s, but that’s a minor issue in the grand scheme of things. 

celtic66 OP
1,681 posts
 

admranger   At this very moment I am listening to my ‘old’ ATC 40As at my friend’s house in Port Angeles, WA.  I hauled them over and gifted them as I’ve the 50As now.  The ATC 40As replaced his ATC 19As which he admits are nice, but really no competition, especially in midrange and the bottom.  Simply more balance.  Again, have fun with the journey.  You are on the right track.  Ciao

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