ATC SCM40 Loudspeaker - A British Big Banger That Mike Never Can Say Goodbye To!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ค. 2022
- The guys talk about ATC's excellent SCM40 in this episode, and cannot disagree about the sheer quality and value that this floorstanding loudspeaker provides.
What's not to like about its bespoke drivers, superbly hewn, infinite baffle loaded cabinet and pro build quality? The result is a great value modern rock speaker which is right up Mike and David's hi-fi street, so to speak.
Each episode of Hi-Fi Riff features their unedited, unexpurgated views about all manner of weird and/or wonderful hi-fi designs. Mike has a huge wealth of knowledge from his hi-fi retail years, and David has written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few things along the way.
So relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing - and please leave your comments below.
Don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this one goes up to eleven!
The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.
To read David's review of this big banger, click on: zstereo.co.uk/2015/07/21/atc-... - เพลง
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I downsized to a condominium and purchased the ATC SCM40A's with an Auralic G2 Streamer. I can't believe the sound I get, really on all music styles for less thans $20,000 all in! I'm impressed by the ability to reproduce a well recorded symphony orchestra. The instruments are seperated in a way that each is "whole" yet the orchestra is blended and the soundstage is all there. There is a lack of coloration to my ears; the timbre of the instruments seems right. I play oboe in a symphony orchestra as a hobby, and know how it's supposed to sound. The voices, amazing. The highs are better than the passive versions, but I'm at an age where I can't comment on what's above 10-12,000 Hz. Thanks for your help in making this satisfying choice.
I am also classical musician and looking for SCM40A. How do they cope with big orchestral works? How about other genres?
Does the Auralic works as preamp, what are You using as pre?
Thanks for putting these on my radar. Quality content as always.
Nice chat guys, I enjoyed your commentary. Made me want a Becks.
I have a passive pair of ATC SCM40 and I've had them for a few years now. I still get shocked by some of what I hear, they're simply amazing. I can't imagine ever selling them. I've loved my 30yr hifi journey to this point but I can honestly say I think my long search for satisfaction is finally over.
My SCM40 passives are the end of a 50 year HiFi odyssey..
I shan’t be changing them before my “Box”..
Superb, comprehensive, intelligent, overview of speakers I've been aware of for some time now and are very near to purchasing.
When you read about ATC online, it is always the view that you must get the actives. I think the active versions give you clarity in spades, but having the ATC amps within paints the ATC sound (as mentioned in the video) across the music even more. With a passive set, you have the option of feeding them with an amp that could put a slightly different character on the music. It also allows them to sound more relaxed, i.e. less of the stop/start sound which is particularly good for electronica, probably the best speaker there is for this genre IMO along with dance . However, if you want to listen to other genre's I think the passive with an amp of your choosing is a good compromise.
I had a few ATCs, I really did want to like them and keep them as my forever speaker. The build quality is fantastic, especially the pro models, the company is great and they sound incredible when cranked up, un-burstable. The sound I just couldn't get on with in the long term though. It probably is me, 80% of the time I like to sit in front of the speakers and relax into the music, so the analytical traits in these speakers didn't suit that.
I now use ported ProAc speakers, they are not better but different. They don't play as well loud, but do have clarity and I think more intimacy at lower volumes which is where I listen now (70-75db).
You can colour the actives with the preamp if you are so inclined. In fact, this is the proper way to add colour if that's your cup of tea.
They also didn't really do "Loud" or have any sense of excitement. I too prefer Proac among others.
Another great vid 👍🏻👍🏻
Great stuff guy's 👍
Once upon a time the newest ATC SCM40 were priced at £3250.00; now the price has gone up to £4000.00 and still they are considered as a very good quality speaker for the money which is kudos to ATC design and engineering...
They were even more of a bargain when introduced, way back when.
These days they're still impossible to beat at the price, if you like the sound signature.
Can't wait to audition the next SCM40, sometime around 2040!
The passive version do need an amp with strong damping factor and able to deliver power.
The active version are the ones to get. They have all the power they need built into the cabinet.
especially driven by a good valve preamp like croft acoustics micro 25, a match made in heaven
ATC speakers seem so highly rated. Only very occasionally do I hear of someone that isn't a fan and even then they tend to concede it's more a preference thing than that they think they aren't any good per se. The general consensus does seem to be that the active versions of their speakers sound noticeably better than the passive versions, irrespective of the power amplifier you put in front of them. There doesn't seem to be that many players in the 'purist' active speaker game, though. Yes, there are lots of digital/ DSP type offerings from the likes of KEF, Buchardt, Dutch & Dutch, Kii et al but if you want your speakers using the more traditional analogue-only, class AB amplification, it seems like ATC is one of the only shows in town?
Great review. A minor correction: the SCM40s were first revised in 2006, which is the model I own (a square back and the three speaker drivers being raised up/out from the main cabinet are the chief visual differences).
Hello from Montreal, great video. If the speaker can’t play Rush well then we have to move on. I’m a huge fan of the band and of progressive rock. I live one hour from Le Studio north of the city. Speaker choice has a big impact on the type of music we like to play. Sometimes a second pair if you have the space and money will cover the missing aspect of the other. I’m enjoying your take on hifi. I’m fortunate that Montreal has shops with British gear to audition and try. All the best.
I'm on my way now :-) Mike
Picked up a pair from eBay for £1500 about 5 years ago. Got them on with a Krell krc3 pre/Bryston 4bsst power and a pair of old RELQ100s 12s. Not looking to upgrade my system anytime soon. ATC speakers don't "suck out" the upper mids like hifi speakers in an attempt to sound smooth and refined.
I have my ATC SCM40s tri amped with four Audiolab 8000Ms and two 8300Ms pre, the 8000Q and I love them!
I bet that sounds great. Mike
Can I tri amp using 2 of the 8000m s 2 8300s. While using a different brand 2 set of 100 power amp for tweeters, and a different pre-amp? Will this sound superior to scm 40 actives with a 8000q tre-amp?
@@fizywig
Not sure, make sure that the gain for third party power amps, matches the Audiolabs.
@@Hi-FiRiff
It certainly does.
The only “problem” if you can call it that is, the analytical property of the set up.
It often shows up sub standard recordings which I am finding with certain modern remixed, remastered CDs which sound inferior, dull, less dynamic than the previous permutation or at the other extreme, horribly compressed, the worst examples in my collection the 2019 Curved Air re releases.
Even some recent vinyl repressings are in one word crap, when compared with the 1970s 1980s originals.
the talk around this speaker makes me super curious about it
I almost bought a pair of the active ones, the thought of her in doors response kinda put me off. Most of my favourite speakers are sealed boxes, I like my bass to keep time and ports always seem a note or two behind.
Looking at some of the comments below regarding active subs, I have got a pair of the excellent and size non obtrusive KEF KC62 subs complimenting my SCM40s the cut off set at 40hz which blends in nicely with the ATC’s 38hz rating.
They just add that essential “feel it” sub bass particularly with some of my classical organ music recordings.
Listening to Mars from Holst’s Planets, the Charles Dutoit recording, the organ’s big pipes do what they’re supposed to.
And onto Rock, the recent remixed remastered Animals by Pink Floyd sounds like an entirely new album, sounds on it never heard before, some previously missing sub bass has makes
an appearance.
The active 40a is a bit of a bargain as it includes three power amps and an active crossover per cabinet. Worth looking at the scm50a as well👍
Yes indeedy, and those power amps are quality items, too.
Nice speakers I would reccomend a high current fast amp with pairing and theyll shine ! thanks for video
Agreed - they need a muscle amp to really give of their best, plus a listening room in a house with no neighbours!
@@MrVinylista 😆
a high current based amp is what they need
Maybe you could do a comparison video between the ATC SM40 and the PMC Twenty5/26i. Both have a similar driver lineup but the approach is completely different, one a closed box infinite baffle, the other a transmission line. Both are monitor quality and are from companies that supply to the pro monitor loudspeaker market, but these are their offers to us Hi-Fi consumers. Would love to hear your views. By the way, I am £700 odd quid lighter in taking one of David Price's reviews on 'Stereonet' seriously and buying the Origin Live Silver mark IV tonearm. I am more than happy I did, so thanks, David!
That would be right up my street!
Mike
Thank you both Mike and Dave for the review. After watching the new mission 770 and the this at scm40 review, I am gearing towards mission 770 because tonality is king for me especially if they are on the warm side which goes a long long way in hours and hours of listening.
Nice, thanks for the thoughts on the SCM40's. I was looking for a speaker for a spare bedroom that could also be good enough to downsize my main all-out-assault system to, should I decide to do so. Mine show up on Monday. 9.5 I'll take. Being a midrange junkie, I'm pretty excited to hear that 75mm dome driver.
Hi Both, really enjoying your reviews! I’m thinking of upgrading my speakers from PMC 23 to ATCSCM 40. My current setup is chord Dave + m-scalar, 2* REL T7i’s and last but not least exposure 3510. So I think the PMC 23 might be a weak link. I feel like I’m missing something in the mid to lows with the 2 way design of the PMC. I reckon with the ATC, the RELs would take over where the low frequency cut off is on the ATC. Also I reckon the exposure 3510 would be a great match with the ATCs. Your expert thoughts would be much appreciated!! Thanks again Richard
Yes, tried the ATC's with the Exposure for a couple of days, it is a great combination!
I spent months running a Chord Hugo TT2/Exposure 3010S2-D system with the ATCs. That Exposure was the predecessor to the 3510, and sonically very similar. I got great results. It was highly musically enjoyable but the ATCs were correctly telling me - as my Yamaha NS-1000Ms do - that the 3510 has an ever so slightly soggy bass and limited sound staging, compared to true high end amps.
So the ATCs improve further with an even better amp. I was using a Rotel Michi X-5 integrated for a while and the sound was a blast - literally and metaphorically. Large amounts of the plaster from my walls and ceiling began to relocate! Brilliant with hard driving rock at mid to high volumes.
@@michaelevans7015 many thanks for the confirmation. i guess the other option would be the ATC SCM40 actives using the Dave as a pre-amp, but the 3510 is a new purchase and i live very near Lancing where they are made and have a little bit of allegiance there.
@@MrVinylista many thanks for the reply. i’m going to try and get a demo with the ATC SCM40 I think. I normally listen at lowish volume and from your video, I think you mentioned the ATCs are perfectly good at low volumes. Really love the exposure sound as the hours seem to disappear compared to the class d cyrus lyric system i previously had. Anyway, looking forward to your future videos. Thanks again, Richard
@@riggysretro9485 The Exposure 3510/ATC SCM40 combo is in another league compared to anything with a Cyrus Lyric system. Prepare to have some fun, even at lower volumes.
Which amps did each of you use to drive these? I’m curious if my amp (100w/channel) would be sufficient based on all everything I’m hearing about how much power they require.
I run these on a quality 360W per side and they're amazing. I have the feeling 100W per side might not be enough for these, sorry.
@@tonesbones502 Thanks--that's consistent with what I kept hearing and decided to go with a Graham Audio speaker instead, which paired perfectly with my amp (SimAudio Moon 340).
I think Mike was using an Exposure 3510 integrated. When I reviewed them I used a Sony TA-N86B power amp.
It would be interesting to know how ATC’s sales split domestically and professionally. Also extending that across the size of speaker markets. I’ll include “home studios”. I’m sure domestic hifi dwarfs the professional side. This is one reason why professional speakers stay in production for so long, there isn’t the money or market to continue developing. I’ve worked in both markets and there’s plenty of misunderstandings both ways. Good or the right speaker is just that, whatever market it was aimed at
Do these play well at low levels? Only heard ATC once and those sounded kind of dead/dull until changing amp and turning it up.
They do sound well at low levels..!
@@ralfm3710 Agreed. They're not great at very low levels but even at background music levels they're decent. Better still at medium levels, and great with some power into them.
well you need a high current amp if you want to play low volume.
another way is to have the volume high on your preamp at 93% and use a autoformer from the speaker output to your speakers.
its the amp causing the problem not the speakers
@@hoobsgroove If I pair my amp with very sensitive speaker, that has a very even impedance plot and benign phase swings, would said amp play not better at lower volumes? Not trying to be snarky, just to understand. I only ever had low sensitivity speakers. I found that some amps with very high damping factor are not great at low volumes (eg, Exposure 2510 walks all over the Hegel H90 for low level listening with my B&W Nautilus 805) but maybe this is not the same high current? Again, trying to understand. I do know that after switching to the Rega Aethos all my stand mounts sound great at low volumes. Also had the Nad M3, which needed a bit more juice. Cheers
My active SCM40's sound good, perfectly adequate at lower levels however turn up that volume and everything becomes more life like with presence, zero distortion or hardening of the sound, so at loud volumes they are very impressive. I suppose it's like owning a big 3 litre car with a top speed of 160 mph, drive it around town at 30 mph and it's good but you don't appreciate how special the car is until you're driving it at 90 mph on the motorway and the engine is so quiet with no vibration in the car seat. All your friends drive 1 litre Ford Fiesta and they vibrate doing 70 mph on the motorway where as the SCM40A's so no sense of effort even at loud volumes.
About to buy the Active version and use ATCs CDA2 preamp which has optical input, CD player and DAC built in - £7300 for speaker with its power amp (optimised for the actual speaker)
£2300 for CDA2 and in practice that's all I need - less is more!
Anyone using the CDA2 with the Active SCM40s?
That is exactly what I bought 6 months ago. Maybe my expectations were too high because during the first hour I was slightly underwhelmed. The sound was analytical and lacking character or colour. However maybe the electronics have warmed up or maybe my ears needed to adjust to the presentation but now I'm very happy. Strengths are the 3 way design means there's a clear seperation of instruments making them sound like they're playing in the room, drums, bass, synth bass and brass instruments are all very impressive and lifelike. Complicated drum patterns have a very fast start/stop control. When turning up the volume there's zero distortion, the sound is so clear and there's a sense of ease. Weaknesses are there's a monitor like presentation, some might not like the detail and insight into how tracks were produced, sounds fantastic when played loud but only sounds good/ok when played at quiet volumes. Badly produced CD's sound flat, bad CD's sounded better on a cheaper system where as the SCM40A's make them sound worse.
Hello! Would a pair of exposure 3510 monoamp 100w in a 24m room be sufficient?
Which speakers would they be driving?
Mike
@@Hi-FiRiff Hi Sorry the ATC SCM40 =)
At that price they should be brilliant
£4000 is the going rate for flagship bookshelves these days which makes the ATCs extremely good value in comparison.
Have them...they are quite good.
But....
You should live in house...no apartmant/neighboures have ears too
And....
You should drive them with a lot of quality wats
In all....
They are realy good.....but so demanding......
Ah.....
I live in a detached house and can play mine loud..
@@stephengarratt5076 Lucky you.....🙂👍🍀
Unfortunatly/ what no one tells me/....around my apartmant, ah...a lot of neighboures...
So...only for a New Year evening....I can realy let them play.
That I knows all....I will never bough them....no wey.....not for invirotmant of..where I livivg...No!
Hey guys, a reminder…this is a Video, not a podcast!! David you said you had the loudspeakers for four months and you couldn’t capture any footage of the speakers in your home?? For a TWENTY MINUTE VIDEO, the three quick cutaways took less than a minute. So all the other time is two old farts talking on a couch in a shot with too much headroom!?? This is soooo early TH-cam in its production… you speak about “engineering” but don’t actually offer any specifics on the “engineering”.
In 20 minutes, we never actually saw the two speakers set up in full view. Unacceptable.
Yes, sorry about that... We don't take ourselves too seriously tbh.
Old farts is a tad harsh though don't you think... Surely one or the other 😁
Anyway... here's a lovely picture of me looking rather pleased with the Atc's to satiate your desire 😁
Mike
drive.google.com/file/d/13rl99Y5E2aWt1sqAcTxN5_bQK5llibnN/view
only the active ASL ATC are worth having. The passive versions are too compromised with all their too many compromised passive crossover components. The active ASL are in a different league altogether, with no loss of detail and signal integrity along with the 6db extra gain in volume that active gives. So Mike likes old linn speakers. Shame linn used cheap crap drive units from China back in the 90's, the bariks are also compromised because of their medeocre drive units. Even when you went active they too were compromised by cheap drive units that ivor insisted on using, as well as using all the extra cables to connect the power amplifiers. Guess what, in the 90's linn's vinyl recordings were done at castle studios in Scotland. And what monitors did castle studios use you may ask. Well I'll tell you. ATC SCM200ASL, which still today outperform any 80's, 90's linn hifi and even todays linn klimax 350a on pure sound quality. The linn way of sound quality was compromised too much, and way too expensive for the quality of sound quality you received for the money. Linn was hifi, ATC ASL was pure no compromise professional accurate sound quality that linn couldn't match ATC on sound quality performance or price. Ivor was in it for the money they could scam out of audiophiles who did not know any better back then. Today ATC SCM ASL are the best bargain in sound quality verses price no contest, with no crappy dsp to mess up the true sound from your source components and preamp, unlike all the crappy and poor class D dsp powered compromised loudspeakers on the market today.
I think maybe you should include actual images of yourselves with the products that you test… stock images kinda suggest you didn’t actually have them to photograph ;-)
... with big smiley faces :-) Shame I can't attach an image to this thread as they are still plugged in in my system and I'm still smiling! Mike
drive.google.com/file/d/13rl99Y5E2aWt1sqAcTxN5_bQK5llibnN/view?usp=sharing Photo here
@@Hi-FiRiff love it! You do look very happy with it!
@@Hi-FiRiff That's because you're downwind of half a bottle of Prosecco!
youknow,you know,youknow.etc sucks...