Anyone have experience with the new ATC active bookshelf speakers?

@mashif Same experience for me. I auditioned the SCM20P (the P is for Passive) with a Benchmark AHB2 and then switched to a Rogue Audio Dragon hybrid. In both cases it was extremely balanced and clean. The SCM20 really shows the character of the amplifier being used, and of course the rest of the chain behind it.

I ended up not buying them because I wanted to compare with the active versions, but could not get a demo at the time. I have a hunch those are better than the passives even with good amplification. Will revisit that later when I can find a set to try out.

I listen to the ATC speakers every year I go to Axpona. I always like them ; preferring the active speakers to the passive. This year the new active bookshelves

caught me off guard as being a step above the norm. Just having the right tone; just sounding exceptional .They were better than the larger $30K plus ones next door. I was considering purchasing them being around $11k and not needing an amp. However ,I did look at the front end of the system. A $14k preamp and a $29K

Playback designs Dac. I'm pretty sure that greatly added to the sound I was hearing.

jackmonster makes a strong and interesting, albeit unintentional, point.  That particular model speaker may be considered so good that as your system improves incrementally, there is no need to upgrade those transducers.  Sounds as if someone from ATC was comfortable enough to throw that kind of ammunition at a 'moderately' priced active speaker. 

Regardless of rationalization, no amount of front-end can fix a substandard speaker, rather oft made worse as the front-end will brutally expose deficiencies of design and/or component choice of the maker.

I've owned/own 4 pairs of ATC speakers, passive and active.

Heard them at AXPONA, they were capable of very loud volume and had plenty of bass- actually too much.  Likely because of the close to wall positioning and small room.  Give them some room and go for them.  

I demoed the SCM 80 Passive at home before deciding on the SCM 100 Passive, the SCM 150 Passives were just too overwhelming in size.

ATC speakers are one of the few companies out there that can really handle 1000w+ amps with aplomb.

Very revealing, they'll show your system for what it is or isn't.

Just factor in the cost of some decent jumpers.

I wouldn't hesitate on pulling the trigger on a bookshelf version, maybe an active version would be better for a bookshelf version to save space.