Thank you for that great review and doing videos, the community asks for :) as you uploaded the Graham video I asked for a comparison with ATC and here it is.. thank you!!
A fantastic expert and long awaited review of this engimatic speaker. Well done Tarun! Now just waiting on Muscian Knight 1's, preferably driven by a Keces S300 power amp. :)
My favorite demo track right now is Signed Sealed Delivered performed by Steve Gadd/Eddie Gomez/Ronnie Cuber/WDR Big Band Koln on the Center Stage album on Tidal. It is such a tight performance with pretty good dynamic range and the various solo breaks give you a taste of how different instruments sound on your system and the drum solo is also a great test. Thanks for another awesome review Tarun.
Brilliant stuff. Yes, Gadd, Gomez and Cuber are a hell of a team as evidenced on the 2 Gadd Gang albums. Both superb recordings and big favourites of mine.
Hi Tarun, Another excellent piece, so full of interesting insights into an extremely good loudspeaker from ATC. I agree that the sound stage and dynamics of this speaker are quite exceptional, and that the positioning of these cabinets in the listening room is of great importance. As is often the case, the choice of partnering equipment is so crucial to extract the maximum of this speakers potential. In addition, one of your earlier videos underlined the effects of cables on sound quality, and I think that with this speaker the choice of interconnects is especially important. I have a pair of active 40’s and have never personally felt that the tweeter was lacking in performance compared to the mid and bass units. Maybe having a dedicated amplifier for each driver helps to provide a more unified result across the full frequency range that our hearing capacity affords us. Finally, a good demo piece to put the forties to work; Mahler Symphony No.8 , third movement with the wick turned up ! Thank you once again for such interesting material.
Thank you for sharing Roger. I bet the active crossover as well as a dedicated amplifier for each driver makes quite the difference with active 40s. I hope to find out myself sometime 😊👍
I had a pair of the MK1 SCM 40's a few years back. Had them around 2.5m apart, The soundstage was incredible. They were that good I upgraded to some SCM100's. Monster midrange driver.
My speakers on Tarun’s Tube! Can’t stop smiling 😊. I did positioned them as you described. 💯 agree on everything you specified, the tweeter is the thing that holds them back. With so much punch energy at the bottom, huge, meaty, glorious midrange that you can get lost in for years and amazing imaging depth and scale, great neutral to warm tone, what else can one ask… my ATC SCM 11 were more neutral, but the experience that the 40s offer is something special. Thank you Tarun!
Thanks for this Tarun. I've been looking forward to this. I lust after these beauties like you can't believe! Glad to hear that they're up to scratch. I too have a deep fondness for the dome midrange. I experienced their qualities in a pair of Pentagram P10s (5 sided 4 way Pyramid-shaped floorstanders) I owned when I lived in South Africa - a similar front array to the SCM 40s but with an 8" SEAS woofer, a ribbon tweeter and a passive 15" floor firing sub suspended from an internal brace by means of a heavy duty rubber band! - I kid you not. When those muthas were at full chat they were not measured in decibels but rather on The Richter scale - driven by a pair of bridged Alesis studio amps (500w a side) that dimmed rhe neighbourhood's lights when cranked up. Ridiculous (but great fun!). Demo Cds I can recommend - Patricia Barber - "Modern Cool" (Premonition/EMI) / two from the redoubtable team of Producer John Snyder and Engineer Jay Newland - James Cotton "Deep In The Blues" (Verve) and Jeanie Bryson "Some Cats Know" (Telarc) / Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny "Beyond The Missouri Sky" again Jay Newland engineering, (Universal).
Thank you, Tarun for another informative and entertaining review. Always interested in your product reviews even if it's not something for me. (These big ATCs just wouldn't work in my small room.) And as always, your comparisons plus set up and partnering equipment advice, provide an excellent window into what one can expect from a product. As for as reviewing tracks, Beethoven's 5th on Telarc is my favorite. A solid recording of one of the all time greatest pieces of music. Admittedly, my system is biased toward symphonic music. Sadly, so much great rock and jazz, music that means a lot to me, is just so poorly recorded.
Great to hear of someone choosing a classical recording as virtually no-one else does this. I even set some Organ music - eg Alain's Litanies, Messiaen l'Ascension as a start. Then the "bigger" Bruckner and Mahler synphonies and coming down with some Debussy Preludes or Satie Pieces Froid. .
Boston - More Than a Feeling. Superb imaging, wide/tall soundstaging and has that addictive 'louder = better' sound. That era had some gems but this is one of my go to test tracks. I play it through a Luxman 505 mk2 into KLH model 5's, very transparent with a hint of lushness.
Good honest review. ATCs do require top draw amps to sound their finest but for those who dont have that, their active speakers are worth a listen. Some music I've used for checking gear are Speak Softly - Yao Si Ting, Mama This Ones For You - Chantal Chamberland, Keith Dont Go - Nils Lofgren,, Made of Tears - Joe Satriani, Vivaldi 4 Seasons and Beethovan Sym no9 - Karajan.
Great review. I've heard a speaker with a gently and smoothly declining frequency response towards the treble end is what you should aim for. Got my pair on with a 4bsst amp. It can make surprisingly realistic noises, I would likely only use ATC again if I were to upgrade as they were for me "the missing, link" better late than never, eh.
You said you would do floorstanding reviews. And you are delivering!! Much more relevant to me, I have the Elac Unifi FS U5 Slim floorstanders, they are the single best hifi component I have ever purchased! Hope you will do speakers in the $1000 range later.
Hi Tarun I'm looking at both the ATC 50 actives and the Dynaudio Focus 50s. My listening room isn't ideal as it very large with lots of reflective surfaces. So the Dirac room optimisation is edging it for me at the moment. Hope you're keeping well. Just found your chanel and it has been a mine of information - so thanks for that. Hope you and M are keeping well. Will pop over next time I'm in the area. PS I have two pairs of Edifier 3000 Pros active bookshelf speakers and they have blown my mind for quality at the price point. Happy to bring you a pair for review. Cheers Lee
Childrens Chambers by Girls In Airports is one of my favourite demo tracks. More than anything, I love this song and know it well enough to get an idea about of the demo equipment 😊 - cheers from Melbourne
I love to see how various speakers respond, or how we respond when this track is played through said speaker: Jeff Beck's 'Space for the Papa': when I hit play on my Triangle Comète 40th I was totally surprised when audio nirvana hit me. Next: I'm thinking of getting some ATC 20's (passive) in time. Thank you for this review Tarun.
I purchased my SCM40s after an amazing audition back in 2018. Purchased after my old Ruark Crusader MKIIs started giving trouble with the mid range units and was unable to get them replaced. The sound reproduction still amazes and also amaze visiting friends! But they DO… show up sub standard recordings, particularly some over compressed so called Remastered CDs But put on a quality SACD or vinyl disc and they just shine.
Terrific review, as usual. I look forward to your reviews, Tarun, as they consistently inform and entertain. Given the competition at the 4-5K price point, you might think that ATC should consider re-examining their tweeter selection. As for demo tracks, here are two for your consideration: (1) Bill Charlap Trio, SOMEWHERE: Track 1, "Cool"-- drums, cymbals, piano and bass (beautifully recorded) test fidelity and soundstage; and (2) Mahler, Symphony No. 1, Nézet-Séguin, Bavarian Radio Symphony, 1st Movement--another soundstage, dynamics, and fidelity test as individual instruments enter and the orchestra builds.
Hi Tarun, a greatly balanced and honest review, which completely aligns with what I’ve heard. As for music perhaps I may suggest a cracking Blues duo Matt Baxter and Jake Sampson and the album ‘Haunted’. To separate the wheat from chaff try track 5,9,10. It’s a cracking recording 👍🏼 Great to see you are slowly pushing the boundaries upwards and am looking forward to your MF review. All the best Peter
My test track is I Have Dreamed by Kurt Elling. There is lots of dynamic range and each instrument needs to sound natural. The crescendo tests for any lack of capability and the soprano sax will sound sweet when we’ll handled and harsh if not. Great review!
Thanks for the review Tarun as these are on my short list for speaker upgrade. Would love to hear the PMC Twenty5 24i to compare and maybe the Spendor D7.2s similar price range. My current favourite test track is from Yello and the incredibly talented Dorothee Oberlinger called Takla Makan.
Late one: I have mine 40's for 1,5 years now use them 5 - 10 hours a week. I can say yes to Tarun's findings about the tweeter level. But I have noticed a very long burn-in-time of it. And I think it have to do with the double suspension of it. It takes a long time to settle in. The highs and mids opened a considerable amount the last month or so. I needed to post this.... Great review by the way keep up to good work best wishes.
I'm a Canadian Hegel dealer, Everest Audio, and used to be a dealer for ATC. I've lived with both the SCM19 and SCM40 for extended periods. I think you nailed the sonic attributes of the SCM40 very well. While the top end is decent, it isn't up to the level of the midrange. It does lack the air and extension I'd prefer. But, a great speaker regardless. One good friend purchased the active SCM40A from me, so I still get to hear these and thoroughly enjoy them every time. The H190 will "adequately" drive the SCM40, but if you have the SCM40, you definitely want to go for the H390 or higher. There's a very substantial difference in the performance between the two when it comes to the SCM40. For a demo track, definitely check the the song "Liberty" by Anette Askvik. I had demoed it in one Hegel based system when Anders from Hegel was visiting us and he was very familiar with sonic qualities of this superb song and had an interesting story about it and Anette.
@@thebiglamb1 the short story is that she changed who she used for recording her latest album and had no idea that it sounded considerably inferior to her audiophile loved "Liberty". Hegel demoed both to her on one of their systems and she didn't know the gap in sound quality between the two until she heard it herself.
I have a Hegel H360 with PMC twenty5.23. You think this could be a forward step? Im all happy with my system, just a question. Also what speakers do you recommend going with big Hegel amps? Greet.
@@schlomo7637 I wouldn’t swop the PMC Twenty5.23i for the ATC SCM40. Different strengths and weaknesses. The great thing with Hegel amps is that they work will a very wide range of speakers. You should be looking at something at the level as of the ATC SCM50 as the next upgrade 😊
Any review with Keith Moon will put a smile on my face. With that in mind, how about Dreaming From The Waist (Live At Swansea Football Ground, 1976). Keep up the good work. All the best, Paul
A great review as ever Tarun. I really enjoy this channel. Demo tracks: Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd Pretty Good Year - Tori Amos Miles Davis - Flamenco Sketches Mahler - Symphony #5 Massive Attack - Teardrop Jackson Browne - The Pretender Ann Sofie Van Otter & Elvis Costello - Baby Plays Around Bruce Springsteen - Human Touch
Thanks for another wonderful review Tarun. These are my end game speakers and are on the vision board! Along with ATC amp and CD/DAC. Demo tracks: Billie Eilish - You should see me in a crown, Two Feet - Love is a bitch, Muse - Madness, Dire straights - Once upon a time in the west & Yello - Point album. You know you’ve ruined me with this review. I’ve only just got the Buchardt S400 mk2 and Rel T7. ;)
Thank you Stuart. Much appreciated. I would love to check out the active version. Should move things up a notch or two. Thank you for the music suggestions too 😊👍
A good and very fair review. I also have these speakers, fed by the Hegel H390, and the wonderful Duelund DCA16GA hookup wire. They are undoubtably brilliant speakers. I must however differ a little with the review. Being unported, they can be placed relatively close to the back wall without the bass booming. In fact, there aren't that many unported speakers available nowadays, so those with limited space have a restricted choice. Unless I win the lottery I will have these speakers forever. And if I do, I'll just get one of ATC's bigger offerings.
As far as demo tracks are concerned, I have been obsessed with Hozier’s album, “Wasteland, Baby”, in particular the tracks, “Movement”, and “Shrike”. “Movement” emphasizes, especially at the start, bass fullness and punctuation, while simultaneously highlighting treble shimmer. “Shrike” Also digs into the bass, while highlighting vocal dynamics and finer detail. A good system will express the whisper in his voice nicely. I love this mode tracks.
I own the 40s since 1 1/2 years. Demoed them with this Hegel H190. They cannot be driven loud with the Hegel without losing nearly all control and a lot of transparency. Now partnered with my Naim NAP250 (non DR) feeded by a NAC282 they are in really good companion in all regards including playing loud and are now light years ahead of this Hegel.
My favorite demo tracks are November 99 by Manu Katche, from his Neighbourhood album on the ECM label and A Little Warm Death by Cassandra Wilson, from her New Moon Daughter album. Both master recordings are available on Tidal. Great drum kit work by Manu and the Cassandra Wilson track captures the warm glow of her vocals and the sweet groove of her exceptional bandmates. Enjoy!
I've just bought a pair of 40's , to me they're superb , a big step up the ladder for me, Its partnered with a John Wood KT88 tube based amp , 90 w chl and NDX streamer
Hi excellent video as always. My favourite test tracks: 1) Joni Mitchell - Don Juan's Reckless Daughter - Ouverture/Cotton Avenue 2) Jaco Pastorius - Invitation - Reza/Giant Steps/Reza Reprise 3) Bill Frisell - This Land - Resistor 4) Igor Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring - Part 1 5) Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle - Squeeze me macaroni
Three of my favorites are - Dominique Fils Aime: Birds for female vocal, Tord Gustavsen Trio: Karmosin for details and quite listening and Horgas Eszter, Al Di Meola Libertango for high and mid details and soundstage.
Fine review Tarun of a classy speakers, ATC really do demand good amps and like playing loud, not neighbour friendly (detached property be great). Reckon Exposure top 5010s would go nice with them. Favourite demo right now, Hans Zimmer-Time, Sting- its probably me, Wilco- misunderstood and John Coltrane- equinox.
Love a review when it involves your speakers. I absolutely love them and very much enjoy the amazing tweeter performance thank you very much. Driven by Michi P5/S5 combo (800w+). Songs getting a good go at the moment: Tin Pan Alley (AKA the roughest place in town) Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double trouble Don't Explain - Chantal Chamberland I want a little sugar in my bowl - Chantal Chamberland
Good review. This is good speakers i listen to them a few years back and i was very impressed. They play bigger than their size suggest. But there was no way for me to home demo them. I ended up with b&w 702 s2 speakers atc was little over my budget but they was on my list for sure. And just lately i bought Hegel h390 and thats amplifier took my speakers to the next level. One of my favorite vocals for showcase is chvrches
Hi, thanks for your review and this nice channel. Having lived 2 years with the passive 40's, I could experience some harshness in the upper medium sometimes too. My guess is that my amplifier (Nap 300dr) was not enough for them. I made the change to the active 40's, never experienced harshness again, a far better speaker then the passive version, a real bargain in fact.
I've had my SCM40's for about a year. They work superbly with my Hegel H360/ Aurender N10, Matrix X Sabre MQA DAC, Marantz Ruby SACD and Clearaudio Performance DC/ Satisfy Kardan Carbon/ Essence for vinyl through a Tom Evans Groove Anniversary. All in a 17x17 foot room. Over the years before downsizing house and kit I've had many more costly speakers ranging from Tannoy Kensingtons, various Sonus Fabers, Harbeth, Avalon, Maganaplanar and so on. The ATC's are at least as satisfying as many of those pricier options. Demo tracks I enjoy include: David Crosby: The Things We Do For Love (Lighthouse), Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine, Elvis Costello: God's Comic (Spike), Fleetwood Mac: Oh Daddy (Rumours, US double 45rpm), Janis Ian: Raising Silence, Steely Dan: Things I Miss The Most (Everything Must Go AP 45 rpm), Sarah Jane Morris/ Marc Ribot: Sugar In My Bowl (Migratory Birds), Alice Coltrane: Turia and Ramakrishna (Ptah, The El Daoud), Miles Davis: My Funny Valentine (Cookin' AP SACD), Cecile McLorin Salvant: anything from Dreams and Daggers, Ella Fitzgerald: Fine and Mellow (Pablo/AP LP), The George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (SC LP set), and many more Jazz tracks, Eric Bibb: In My Father's House (Spirit and the Blues, Opus 3 LP), David Rawlings: Guitar Man (Poor David's Alamanack), Richard Thompson: I Misunderstood (Rumor and Sigh, MoFi LP), Waldemar Bastos: N'Gana (Afropea 3 - Telling Stories to the Sea), Davy Sicard: Zwazo La Kol (Kabar), Lou Reed: Walk on the Wild Side (Transformer SC LP), Bela Fleck: Flight of the Cosmic Hippo. And many more. No time to get into classical but apologies for the length of this.
I once heard these play in my hifi shop powered by a Moon 340 amp and it was superb. My preferred testtracks are Where Breathing Starts by Tord Gustavsen Trio (that bass solo
Great review! My demo track Hope Waits - I'll Be Satisfied, also on the same album Get Behind The Mule is a great track. It is a shame she only released on album
Another great review Tarun,from the description of the midrange you gave can I suggest Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Couldnt Stand The Weather"album and in particular the track "Tin Pan Alley"/Roughest Place In Town......If you have never heard it through a great system you wont be disappointed.
HI I really appreciated the thorough review of the ATC 40s and I need to demo them for sure. You asked about tester tracks, and I have a few that I go with: Massive Attack's album Heligoland, track 7 Paradise Circus (listen for the vocal as it competes with the ever-increasing bass lines and then strings - great for depth and soundstage) ; Melanie Doane's album Shakespearean Fish, Track 6 Til I start to Believe (listen how well her vocal is double-tracked and separated in in the second half); Bozzio Levin Stevens - Black Light Syndrome - track 3 Duende (this pure recording of Flamenco guitar, drums and bass is a master class in sound engineering and tests your system for pure audio); Darkside - Psychic - track 8 - Metatron (listen for the small electronic bits and pieces that appear during the quiet pauses between insane bass lines); and finally Angele Dubeau and La Pieta - Portrait Alex Baranowski - Track 1 - Wiosna (the violins are amazing - played in the highest registers, they will really test the tweeters and general authority for the soundstage.
Thank you Tarun for the excelent review. Tracks: High Water Everywhere (Live) - Joe Bonamassa / Paloma Negra - Lila Downs / It Makes Me Scream (Live) - Meena Cryle / Kingdom of One - Maren Morris / Keith Don't Go (Live) - Nils Lofgren / Tulipani - Fausto Mesolella / Whithout You - Teeks / Arthur's Theme (Live) - Monty Alexander / Angel Eyes - markusphilippe / Mi Corazon - Brandt Brauer Frick / Seven Blues - Nenad Vasilic / Berimbass - Renaud Garcia-Fons / Laytana - Le Trio Joubran / Black Shoes - Felix Laband.
Thanks for the review. Very informative as always. Demo top picks, DIGITAL 1. Angel (Sarah McLachlan) female vocal/piano. 2. Fever (Malia/Boris Blank) female vocal/deep bass. 3. Firestarter (Prodigy) Its never too loud. 4. Dreamer (Prince) male vocal/guitar. VINYL 5. Time (Pink Floyd) It has everything. Sorry no jazz, not my thing. Eclectic mix to test your system.
Hi Tarun, another really informative transparent review. These don’t look like the speakers for me in my room, however I have heard the scm50 actives in a fairly small room and was impressed. So you never know. For a demo track how about Jeff Beck Scatterbrain off Blow by Blow? Loads going on in this track, it would really test dynamics and percussion.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Let us know Tarun what you think. If your Exposure amps and speakers can convey the incredible talent of Gurtu. He plays drums, sometimes, with his fingers, he plays with his voice, a song with lots of impact, dynamics, fun, rythme.
Great review Tarun. Agree on the tweeter being a bit of a letdown on these…really wish they would improve it (or like you said, bring on the tweeter from the higher line). I prefer the tweeter from the Grahams over these, bar none. Otherwise the mids and bass is quite sublime and so, so clean at high levels.
Great video, really well done, with regards to music, try Ronny Jordan the antidote album, dynamic, bouncy and dark, great for testing bass weight and stability with speakers and power amps
Hi Tarun. Some more for demo purposes, with specific regard to bass reproduction - 1) John Martyn "The Church With One Bell" (a superb piece of recording) / 2) Bill La Bounty "Into Something Blue" (particularly 'Ax To Grind' and 'You Can't Break My Heart') / 3) Lee Ritenour "Rhythm Sessions" (try 'LA By Bike').
My short list: Steely Dan's "Aja", Ai Kuwabara "Live at the Blue Note Tokyo", Duke Ellington "Blues in Orbit", Radiohead "Kid A", Jeff Golub "Soul Sessions", Sir Adrian Boult & the LPO "Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies." Sorry for the long list. Great video as always. Thank you.
I have heard these in a dealer's room. I still have ATC amplification in my 2nd system. Short point is that they are really good. You have to go high end (and that typically means high money) to do better. If I did not have my Magicos I could happily live with these.
Are the Magicos worth the cost. I just got rid if my QLN's and now weighing in a the Devor's super nines. Which I may get. Just saw this and though I'd ask. I have not heard the Magicos but the super nines are on another level.
@@jasonme3557 Hard to say Jason. I bought the Magico A3s when they were new but the price has gone up. I have not heard Devores but they have quite a reputation.
Fascinating speakers. I didn't know there are ATC floorstanders at this price point. Two of my favourite demo tracks: Icicle by Tori Amos (piano and female voice) and Hey Now by London Grammar (a difficult one on purpose to get the bass right)
The London Grammar song Hey Now, likes to incite resonances in a lot of my speakers. It makes internal wiring rattle against crossbraces, lol. Such a resonant bass.
I recently purchased SCM40 and feeding with Naim Supernait 3 amplifier. Bit lean on bass partially due to a sealed cabinet and large room dimensions so had a difficult time positioning them right. Would like to recommend GAIA2 isolation which makes a huge difference to the overall presentation. I had to upgrade the interconnect to superlumina and jumpers with tellurium silvers to get the most out of it. Also the NDX2 upgrade the streamer added more meat on the bone. Plenty of incremental upgrades but it demands quality partnering components! Nice review Tarun as always!
I have mine on the Gaia2 as well. Took the speakers to the next level. I'd go as far as to say you've never heard these if you haven't heard them on the Gaia2's
Ooh so many tracks to recommend so I'm gonna go with a couple of left field suggestions ; The Royal Airforce Squadronaires - In The Mood and Dead Can Dance Live American dreaming - A test of midrange and ambience.
Nice review. My suggestion for demo tracks: - Pat Metheny Group - American Garage - John Coltrane - Blue Train - Lalo Schifrin - Jazz meets the Symphony6 and all others Sym... - Blanco Y Negro - Bebo Valdes & Diego El Cigala - En Vivo - The Very Best of Enya
Another great review Tarun, never get the chance to own a pair of these as I could never have them that far from my back wall !! (The cost has nothing to do with it Hahahaha!!), I'll have to make do with what I have.😄 I'll think about suggestions for a demo track.
A recording i've just purchased and the sound is just superb...Duke Ellington Blues in Orbit, Analogue Productions LP. Track 1. Three J's Blues, or any from that LP...can stream it in standard CD quality still great.
I'm most interested in the active 40s. I own the 19's due in part to your review of them. I do ponder if the 19s + a good sub as I'm using, is the better option for the $ then the passive 40s. What you get is a greater full range sound, but perhaps with sacrificing some mid range. By most accounts, the 40s are great, the active 40s even better. Finally, some do consider the 19s the sweet spot in the line up, but they must have a good sub or two if one wants full range audio.
I have the actives and it was the midrange that first got my attention when listening to female vocalists. They really open up and excel when played loud and only complete bass heads would need a sub. Having built in amps saves you the headache of finding matching external amps and you save on interconnect cables. I’m really glad I went down the active route so give them an audition you won’t be disappointed.
The first thing that came across my mind after listen to this great presentation is, the Dynaudio Contour 30i! I think you should consider compare these 2 speakers, last one would for sure match most of your lacking findings here.
Another wonderful review of such a great speaker. Thank you ATC for providing these speakers for review. Tarun, did you ever try removing that thick carpet In front of your listening position to see if it would provide better high frequency definition that you reported lacking in this review? From experience think carpets and lots of furnishings tend to zap the high frequencies in my listening space. Favourite listening tracks: Men I Trust, Album: Men I Trust, Track: System. Men I Trust, Album: Headroom, Track: Again. Harmonium, Album: Harmonium, Track: Harmonium. Kevin Paren, Album: Miguasha, Track: Provocateur. Au Pairs, Album: The Anthology, Track: Headache for Michelle. Michel Petrucciani, Album: Michel Petrucciani, Track: Gattito. David Crosby, Album: If I can Only Remember my Name, Track: Laughing Brian
I'll recommend the following (and why) - no particular order: ~ The Very End by Blank & Jones on Chilltronic No. 6 (listen for random water drops [like raining on the mic - not your imagination!] amongst a sea of bass and other interesting percussion) ~ Make You Feel by Alina Baraz & Galimatias on Urban Flora (female vocal tone, piano, beep bass, listen for left-right & front-back instrument soundstage changes) ~ Alaska by Maggie Rogers on Heard It In A Past Life (fun song and check for bass modes of the room) ~ Yui by Ampyx on Yui (electronica, full of different sounds/samples) ~ Only Children by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on Reunions (male vocals, stereo separation, authentic guitar chord change string sounds) ~ Weather by Jackopierce on Bringing On The Weather (stereo separation [one guitar on left, one on right], listen for male vocal plosives - sounds like singing into your ear). ~ Better To Be Lonely (feat. Makk Mikkael) by Alex Lustig on Better To Be Lonely (simultaneous crazy bass and tweeter sibilance test, warning this song is addictive) ~ Jammin by Til Von Sein on Jammin (instrument separation, listen for the bells to move around the room and maracas move forward/backward) ~ Birds by Dominique Fils-Aimé on Nameless (female vocal tone+, bassy, simple, exquisite and repetitive to the extent you have time to soak in the subtleties) All available in HD or UltraHD on AmazonMusic or likely SD on TH-camMusic - enjoy! You might see a tendancy toward bass in my recommendations. Open-baffle bass-head here - my experience nothing else comes close to the precision and texture of OB-subs.
Hi Tarun. Hmm, the SCM40s are definitely worth getting. Just added this track from Boz Scaggs' Out of the Blues album, the song called On The Beach. Love it.
Favorite demo tracks in times past; Jazz - O-Zone Percussion Group - Jazz Variants. Electronic - Depeche Mode - Fly On The Windscreen. Male vocal Billy MacKenzie - Wild Is The Wind. Female vocal Agnes Obel - Run Cried The Calling. Group Dead Can Dance - Rakim (Live). Classical Chase The Dragon pressing of Vivaldi Four Seasons
Another nice review, Tweeters make you say hhhmmm... are they or aren't good enough and would a front end tweak help. Seems to be a well thought out speaker.
Having heard SCM 12 with my Leema Pulse, the Tucana should have the grunt to sound the biz. The smaller 7, 12 and 19 are infinite baffle, and that can influence how a speaker sounds at lower volume levels. One of the SCM 40 drivers are the equivalent to a skip load of my Dali Rubicon 2 speakers. I know of people who've driven the 40s with Plinius and Accuphase amps. No idea what those combos sound like but the owners must love it.
ATC dropped the US MRSPs by 20% recently. That 40 was the popular vote winner in 2019 when our group held its first SpeakerFest event. Maybe a bit forward for some ears. Love to hear you do a Wilson Benesche comparison.
I like to mention something about the need for power. Yes, ATC's are powerhungry speakers, also like Dynaudio's for example. I have great experience with amps below 50 Watts per side, IF the power supply is robust and healthy. They say, it's all about the first Watts?! And not all Watts are equal. Currently I have mine 40's fed by Pass Labs pre and power amps. The poweramp is the highly regarded XA.30.8 (class A, 30 Watts per side) with a massive and robust powersupply. (The amp weighs 44 Kg.....). Class A is a whole different things. If you play at normal levels and sometimes a bit louder you will be fine, you don't need 300 Watts. But the ATC's can handle it if you want to max them out at crazy listeninglevels.
I recently upgraded my system and for demo listening sessions to compare male vocals I used bothers in arms covered by club for five a Capella group from Finland
It might sound plain wrong , but The Bose Wave Radio demo disc from around 2004 is an excellently produced , genre diverse all round disc for testing systems . The disc has a version of the Treme Song which can really shine on a top system
@@abritishaudiophile7314 when I sold my bose wave radio in 2005 I made sure to keep that particular disc ! By the way , have you ever auditioned proac tablette signatures ? Would be interested to hear your opinion of them
Showroom Dollies by Claude Challe on his Nirvana Lounge album is a brilliant track for separation, soundstage width and depth...If a hi-fi can cope with it, it can cope with anything!
Hi Tarun, those ATC's would look great in my room but not sure if the room is large enough at 16' long X 11'3" wide. My hifi demo choices are vast in numbers but here's a wee taster for you. Little Fugue in G minor by Jacques Loussier Trio, Rise by Herb Alpert, On the sunny side of the street by Roberta Gambarini, Bass Drops by Nenad Vasilic, Temple of Circadia by John Petrucci, Hanuman by Rodrigo y Gabriela, Detroit by Marcus Miller, Bug music album by Don Byron, Riviera Paradise by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Raindrops by Emil Brandqvist Trio, Zero Gravity Above and Beyond remix by JMJ, Tangerine Dream, Swinging Five by Klaus Weiss, Eternal Rains will come by Opeth, Step Bro by Heyson, Dreams piano version by Lissie, Foreplay Long time by Boston, Icarus original version by Ralphie B, Classical Thump by Victor Wooten, Phoenix rising by Calum Graham, Du Monde by Kiko Loureiro, Gratitude by Brandon Lake, Colour to the moon by Allan Taylor, Trinity by Snarky Puppy, Speed King by Royksopp, Rage Valley by Knife Party, Gimme a bassline instrumental version by Torpedo boys, Montego bay Spleen by St Germain, Pneuma by TOOL, Inferno by Marty Friedman, Swing piece by Manu Katche, Trains by Porcupine tree and that's just a very small taste of my music choices. Hope you enjoy and thanks for the excellent review. 👌
Thank you for the review Tarun. ATC speakers are high on my short list. But, any plans to review the Mission 770 any time soon? And demo track: anything by Tracy Chapman, especially Talkin' Bout A Revolution.
I've had MK1 40s & MK2 40s running off ATC CA2 and a pair of P1 amps. Both sounded superb. I prefered the more layed back warmer sound of the MK2. I then got some MK2 40A and wow the dynamics both loud and micro were superb, more air around the treble and vocals with tighter more controlled bass. I now have SCM50 ASLT and again things have got better but the SCM40A is possibly the best value speaker out there all things considered.
A demo track I use a lot is David Elias Vision Of Her, from "Acoustic Trio - DSD Session" ... oh the upright double bass , will sort out a lot of speakers, the acoustic guitar being plucked is he not sitting in my lounge somewhere.
A few years ago, I persuaded my long suffering wife, or to be honest bamboozled her into tollerating? Me, seriously upgrading my hifi. I’m blessed with a liberal sprinkling of local ‘bricks & mortar’ hifi dealers. I auditioned the ATC SCM 40 speakers along with multiple others across 7 dealers. My findings pretty much concur with yours. They are power hungry.my Rega Elicit British integrated amp which I had at the time, struggled to keep a tight grip on the bass. The next amp up in the Rega range, the Aethos, overcame that difficulty. I also found them very fussy about positioning. But once that was achieved, they were punchy, snappy, smooth from the mid range down, but overall, a little dull, lacking top end presence! They would have been extremely difficult to accommodate in my family lounge. One particular dealer though did try too hard to persuade me to choose them above all others in that general price bracket. I didn’t, and have absolutely no purchase regret with my final choice. A couple of months ago, one of the local dealers closed down. They contacted me advising they had a pair of ex demo ATC SCM50 speakers which they could let me have at a heavily discounted price. I may have been tempted if Ihad a larger lounge, or dedicated listening room.
Great review of a great speaker! As I own them, powered by a Creek power amp, I would like to give you my favourite demo track, with which I have infected all HiFi dealers around me. It's swiss pianist NIK BÄRTSCH MOBILE's album "Ritual Groove Music" and the track to listen to is track 6 "Modul 2". Enjoy!
Just upgraded from the 19 to the 40. Quite a different sound, more grown up. The tweeter seems a bit peakier than in the 19 and the sound is less mid forward. I think I'll eventually activate them myself with a minidsp flex 8 and a multichannel power amp.
Female vocals - Emmy Lou Harris. “Sweet Dreams” from Elite Hotel (1975) or (2003 remaster). Vocals can be eerie and enchanting or a bit harsh depending on the speakers
Thank you for that great review and doing videos, the community asks for :) as you uploaded the Graham video I asked for a comparison with ATC and here it is.. thank you!!
Thank you Paul 😊👍
A fantastic expert and long awaited review of this engimatic speaker. Well done Tarun!
Now just waiting on Muscian Knight 1's, preferably driven by a Keces S300 power amp. :)
Thank you Connor. Much appreciated 😊👍
Great review as always! A demo track i often use is 'Yulunga' from Dead Can Dance album 'Into the Labyrinth'.
Thank you. I will check it out over this weekend 😊
Another review right on the money. Hopefully will bump into you at the Audio T hifi show at the end of Feb.
Thank you Adrian. I will be there. Please say hi 👍
My favorite demo track right now is Signed Sealed Delivered performed by Steve Gadd/Eddie Gomez/Ronnie Cuber/WDR Big Band Koln on the Center Stage album on Tidal. It is such a tight performance with pretty good dynamic range and the various solo breaks give you a taste of how different instruments sound on your system and the drum solo is also a great test. Thanks for another awesome review Tarun.
Thank you Bryan. I will check it out 👍
Brilliant stuff. Yes, Gadd, Gomez and Cuber are a hell of a team as evidenced on the 2 Gadd Gang albums. Both superb recordings and big favourites of mine.
Hi Tarun,
Another excellent piece, so full of interesting insights into an extremely good loudspeaker from ATC. I agree that the sound stage and dynamics of this speaker are quite exceptional, and that the positioning of these cabinets in the listening room is of great importance.
As is often the case, the choice of partnering equipment is so crucial to extract the maximum of this speakers potential. In addition, one of your earlier videos underlined the effects of cables on sound quality, and I think that with this speaker the choice of interconnects is especially important. I have a pair of active 40’s and have never personally felt that the tweeter was lacking in performance compared to the mid and bass units. Maybe having a dedicated amplifier for each driver helps to provide a more unified result across the full frequency range that our hearing capacity affords us.
Finally, a good demo piece to put the forties to work; Mahler Symphony No.8 , third movement with the wick turned up !
Thank you once again for such interesting material.
Thank you for sharing Roger. I bet the active crossover as well as a dedicated amplifier for each driver makes quite the difference with active 40s. I hope to find out myself sometime 😊👍
I had a pair of the MK1 SCM 40's a few years back. Had them around 2.5m apart, The soundstage was incredible. They were that good I upgraded to some SCM100's. Monster midrange driver.
Wow. Very envious 👍
I've owned a pair of SCM40s for just over 2 years now and I love them.
Cool 😎
My speakers on Tarun’s Tube! Can’t stop smiling 😊. I did positioned them as you described. 💯 agree on everything you specified, the tweeter is the thing that holds them back. With so much punch energy at the bottom, huge, meaty, glorious midrange that you can get lost in for years and amazing imaging depth and scale, great neutral to warm tone, what else can one ask… my ATC SCM 11 were more neutral, but the experience that the 40s offer is something special.
Thank you Tarun!
Thank you my friend. Glad to know my experiences match yours 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314do you measure the distance apart from tweeter to tweeter?
@@mayssebmasenya9132 yes, that is right 😊
Thanks for this Tarun. I've been looking forward to this. I lust after these beauties like you can't believe! Glad to hear that they're up to scratch. I too have a deep fondness for the dome midrange. I experienced their qualities in a pair of Pentagram P10s (5 sided 4 way Pyramid-shaped floorstanders) I owned when I lived in South Africa - a similar front array to the SCM 40s but with an 8" SEAS woofer, a ribbon tweeter and a passive 15" floor firing sub suspended from an internal brace by means of a heavy duty rubber band! - I kid you not. When those muthas were at full chat they were not measured in decibels but rather on The Richter scale - driven by a pair of bridged Alesis studio amps (500w a side) that dimmed rhe neighbourhood's lights when cranked up. Ridiculous (but great fun!). Demo Cds I can recommend - Patricia Barber - "Modern Cool" (Premonition/EMI) / two from the redoubtable team of Producer John Snyder and Engineer Jay Newland - James Cotton "Deep In The Blues" (Verve) and Jeanie Bryson "Some Cats Know" (Telarc) / Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny "Beyond The Missouri Sky" again Jay Newland engineering, (Universal).
Great to learn about your experiences. I appreciate the music suggestions too 👍
THANKS TARUN 🤗 for your usual good review and for
accommodating us disadvantaged people not using the metric system😢😅💚💚💚
Thank you. You are most welcome 👍
Thank you, Tarun for another informative and entertaining review. Always interested in your product reviews even if it's not something for me. (These big ATCs just wouldn't work in my small room.) And as always, your comparisons plus set up and partnering equipment advice, provide an excellent window into what one can expect from a product.
As for as reviewing tracks, Beethoven's 5th on Telarc is my favorite. A solid recording of one of the all time greatest pieces of music. Admittedly, my system is biased toward symphonic music. Sadly, so much great rock and jazz, music that means a lot to me, is just so poorly recorded.
I would just like to thank you again for all the support you give me. It real does mean a lot 😊👍
Great to hear of someone choosing a classical recording as virtually no-one else does this. I even set some Organ music - eg Alain's Litanies, Messiaen l'Ascension as a start. Then the "bigger" Bruckner and Mahler synphonies and coming down with some Debussy Preludes or Satie Pieces Froid. .
Any day that starts with a new video from Randy *and* a new video from Tarun is going to be a good day. Full stop.
Thank you buddy 😊👍
Boston - More Than a Feeling. Superb imaging, wide/tall soundstaging and has that addictive 'louder = better' sound. That era had some gems but this is one of my go to test tracks. I play it through a Luxman 505 mk2 into KLH model 5's, very transparent with a hint of lushness.
Cool, thanks! 😎
Good honest review. ATCs do require top draw amps to sound their finest but for those who dont have that, their active speakers are worth a listen. Some music I've used for checking gear are Speak Softly - Yao Si Ting, Mama This Ones For You - Chantal Chamberland, Keith Dont Go - Nils Lofgren,, Made of Tears - Joe Satriani, Vivaldi 4 Seasons and Beethovan Sym no9 - Karajan.
Thank you Chuan 👍
Great review. I've heard a speaker with a gently and smoothly declining frequency response towards the treble end is what you should aim for. Got my pair on with a 4bsst amp. It can make surprisingly realistic noises, I would likely only use ATC again if I were to upgrade as they were for me "the missing, link" better late than never, eh.
Thank you John 😊
You said you would do floorstanding reviews. And you are delivering!! Much more relevant to me, I have the Elac Unifi FS U5 Slim floorstanders, they are the single best hifi component I have ever purchased! Hope you will do speakers in the $1000 range later.
Thank you Martin. There is a sub £1,000 floorstander review coming soon 👍
Hi Tarun I'm looking at both the ATC 50 actives and the Dynaudio Focus 50s. My listening room isn't ideal as it very large with lots of reflective surfaces. So the Dirac room optimisation is edging it for me at the moment. Hope you're keeping well. Just found your chanel and it has been a mine of information - so thanks for that. Hope you and M are keeping well. Will pop over next time I'm in the area. PS I have two pairs of Edifier 3000 Pros active bookshelf speakers and they have blown my mind for quality at the price point. Happy to bring you a pair for review. Cheers Lee
Thank you Lee. I can see how Dirac May be a winner in a problematic room. I appreciate the offer for review 👍
Childrens Chambers by Girls In Airports is one of my favourite demo tracks. More than anything, I love this song and know it well enough to get an idea about of the demo equipment 😊 - cheers from Melbourne
Thank you 😊
I love to see how various speakers respond, or how we respond when this track is played through said speaker: Jeff Beck's 'Space for the Papa': when I hit play on my Triangle Comète 40th I was totally surprised when audio nirvana hit me. Next: I'm thinking of getting some ATC 20's (passive) in time. Thank you for this review Tarun.
Thank you Jules 😊
I purchased my SCM40s after an amazing audition back in 2018.
Purchased after my old Ruark Crusader MKIIs started giving trouble with the mid range units and was unable to get them replaced.
The sound reproduction still amazes and also amaze visiting friends!
But they DO… show up sub standard recordings, particularly some over compressed so called Remastered CDs
But put on a quality SACD or vinyl disc and they just shine.
Thank you for sharing 😊
Terrific review, as usual. I look forward to your reviews, Tarun, as they consistently inform and entertain. Given the competition at the 4-5K price point, you might think that ATC should consider re-examining their tweeter selection.
As for demo tracks, here are two for your consideration: (1) Bill Charlap Trio, SOMEWHERE: Track 1, "Cool"-- drums, cymbals, piano and bass (beautifully recorded) test fidelity and soundstage; and (2) Mahler, Symphony No. 1, Nézet-Séguin, Bavarian Radio Symphony, 1st Movement--another soundstage, dynamics, and fidelity test as individual instruments enter and the orchestra builds.
Thank you Mike. I will check them out 😊👍
Hi Tarun, a greatly balanced and honest review, which completely aligns with what I’ve heard. As for music perhaps I may suggest a cracking Blues duo Matt Baxter and Jake Sampson and the album ‘Haunted’. To separate the wheat from chaff try track 5,9,10. It’s a cracking recording 👍🏼 Great to see you are slowly pushing the boundaries upwards and am looking forward to your MF review. All the best Peter
Thank you Peter. I will check out that album 👍
My test track is I Have Dreamed by Kurt Elling. There is lots of dynamic range and each instrument needs to sound natural. The crescendo tests for any lack of capability and the soprano sax will sound sweet when we’ll handled and harsh if not. Great review!
Thank you Andrew. I will check it out 👍
Thanks for the review Tarun as these are on my short list for speaker upgrade. Would love to hear the PMC Twenty5 24i to compare and maybe the Spendor D7.2s similar price range. My current favourite test track is from Yello and the incredibly talented Dorothee Oberlinger called Takla Makan.
Thank you. I hope to get to them in time 👍
Late one: I have mine 40's for 1,5 years now use them 5 - 10 hours a week. I can say yes to Tarun's findings about the tweeter level. But I have noticed a very long burn-in-time of it. And I think it have to do with the double suspension of it. It takes a long time to settle in. The highs and mids opened a considerable amount the last month or so. I needed to post this.... Great review by the way keep up to good work best wishes.
I'm a Canadian Hegel dealer, Everest Audio, and used to be a dealer for ATC. I've lived with both the SCM19 and SCM40 for extended periods. I think you nailed the sonic attributes of the SCM40 very well. While the top end is decent, it isn't up to the level of the midrange. It does lack the air and extension I'd prefer. But, a great speaker regardless. One good friend purchased the active SCM40A from me, so I still get to hear these and thoroughly enjoy them every time. The H190 will "adequately" drive the SCM40, but if you have the SCM40, you definitely want to go for the H390 or higher. There's a very substantial difference in the performance between the two when it comes to the SCM40. For a demo track, definitely check the the song "Liberty" by Anette Askvik. I had demoed it in one Hegel based system when Anders from Hegel was visiting us and he was very familiar with sonic qualities of this superb song and had an interesting story about it and Anette.
Thank you Neil. Great to have you perspective as someone very familiar with these products 👍
I listen to both of Anette's albums regularly, I am intrigued about the story.
@@thebiglamb1 the short story is that she changed who she used for recording her latest album and had no idea that it sounded considerably inferior to her audiophile loved "Liberty". Hegel demoed both to her on one of their systems and she didn't know the gap in sound quality between the two until she heard it herself.
I have a Hegel H360 with PMC twenty5.23.
You think this could be a forward step?
Im all happy with my system, just a question.
Also what speakers do you recommend going with big Hegel amps?
Greet.
@@schlomo7637 I wouldn’t swop the PMC Twenty5.23i for the ATC SCM40. Different strengths and weaknesses. The great thing with Hegel amps is that they work will a very wide range of speakers. You should be looking at something at the level as of the ATC SCM50 as the next upgrade 😊
Any review with Keith Moon will put a smile on my face. With that in mind, how about Dreaming From The Waist (Live At Swansea Football Ground, 1976). Keep up the good work. All the best, Paul
Thank you Paul. I enjoyed finding that clip of Keith Moon too 👍
A great review as ever Tarun. I really enjoy this channel.
Demo tracks:
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Pretty Good Year - Tori Amos
Miles Davis - Flamenco Sketches
Mahler - Symphony #5
Massive Attack - Teardrop
Jackson Browne - The Pretender
Ann Sofie Van Otter & Elvis Costello - Baby Plays Around
Bruce Springsteen - Human Touch
Thank you Tim. Great suggestions 😊👍
Great review as usual, only the truth and that’s it
Thank you Ricky. Much appreciated 😊👍
Thanks for another wonderful review Tarun. These are my end game speakers and are on the vision board! Along with ATC amp and CD/DAC.
Demo tracks: Billie Eilish - You should see me in a crown, Two Feet - Love is a bitch, Muse - Madness, Dire straights - Once upon a time in the west & Yello - Point album.
You know you’ve ruined me with this review. I’ve only just got the Buchardt S400 mk2 and Rel T7. ;)
Thank you Stuart. Much appreciated. I would love to check out the active version. Should move things up a notch or two. Thank you for the music suggestions too 😊👍
A good and very fair review. I also have these speakers, fed by the Hegel H390, and the wonderful Duelund DCA16GA hookup wire. They are undoubtably brilliant speakers.
I must however differ a little with the review. Being unported, they can be placed relatively close to the back wall without the bass booming. In fact, there aren't that many unported speakers available nowadays, so those with limited space have a restricted choice.
Unless I win the lottery I will have these speakers forever. And if I do, I'll just get one of ATC's bigger offerings.
Thank you for sharing Mark 😊
As far as demo tracks are concerned, I have been obsessed with Hozier’s album, “Wasteland, Baby”, in particular the tracks, “Movement”, and “Shrike”. “Movement” emphasizes, especially at the start, bass fullness and punctuation, while simultaneously highlighting treble shimmer. “Shrike” Also digs into the bass, while highlighting vocal dynamics and finer detail. A good system will express the whisper in his voice nicely. I love this mode tracks.
Thank you 😊
I own the 40s since 1 1/2 years. Demoed them with this Hegel H190. They cannot be driven loud with the Hegel without losing nearly all control and a lot of transparency. Now partnered with my Naim NAP250 (non DR) feeded by a NAC282 they are in really good companion in all regards including playing loud and are now light years ahead of this Hegel.
Thank you for sharing 😊
Thank Billy for you brilliance 🙏👍🇬🇧
Yes. May he rest is peace 🙏
My favorite demo tracks are November 99 by Manu Katche, from his Neighbourhood album on the ECM label and A Little Warm Death by Cassandra Wilson, from her New Moon Daughter album. Both master recordings are available on Tidal. Great drum kit work by Manu and the Cassandra Wilson track captures the warm glow of her vocals and the sweet groove of her exceptional bandmates. Enjoy!
Thank you Dave. I am not familiar with Manu Katche, I will check it out 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 try neighborhood the first album. It’s stunning, you will hear it from the first 10 seconds of the album
I've just bought a pair of 40's , to me they're superb , a big step up the ladder for me, Its partnered with a John Wood KT88 tube based amp , 90 w chl and NDX streamer
That is great 😊
Hi excellent video as always. My favourite test tracks:
1) Joni Mitchell - Don Juan's Reckless Daughter - Ouverture/Cotton Avenue
2) Jaco Pastorius - Invitation - Reza/Giant Steps/Reza Reprise
3) Bill Frisell - This Land - Resistor
4) Igor Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring - Part 1
5) Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle - Squeeze me macaroni
Thank you Enrico 😊
Three of my favorites are - Dominique Fils Aime: Birds for female vocal, Tord Gustavsen Trio: Karmosin for details and quite listening and Horgas Eszter, Al Di Meola Libertango for high and mid details and soundstage.
Thank you Julien 😊
Fine review Tarun of a classy speakers, ATC really do demand good amps and like playing loud, not neighbour friendly (detached property be great). Reckon Exposure top 5010s would go nice with them. Favourite demo right now, Hans Zimmer-Time, Sting- its probably me, Wilco- misunderstood and John Coltrane- equinox.
Thanks BP. I would have loved to have. Had the Exposure 5010s to try with them. That could be a stunning combination 👍
Love a review when it involves your speakers. I absolutely love them and very much enjoy the amazing tweeter performance thank you very much. Driven by Michi P5/S5 combo (800w+).
Songs getting a good go at the moment:
Tin Pan Alley (AKA the roughest place in town) Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double trouble
Don't Explain - Chantal Chamberland
I want a little sugar in my bowl - Chantal Chamberland
Thank you TB 👍
Good review. This is good speakers i listen to them a few years back and i was very impressed. They play bigger than their size suggest. But there was no way for me to home demo them. I ended up with b&w 702 s2 speakers atc was little over my budget but they was on my list for sure. And just lately i bought Hegel h390 and thats amplifier took my speakers to the next level. One of my favorite vocals for showcase is chvrches
Thank you Andreas 👍
Hi, thanks for your review and this nice channel. Having lived 2 years with the passive 40's, I could experience some harshness in the upper medium sometimes too. My guess is that my amplifier (Nap 300dr) was not enough for them. I made the change to the active 40's, never experienced harshness again, a far better speaker then the passive version, a real bargain in fact.
Thank you Nicholas. I hope to try the 40 Actives at some point 😊
Hi Tarun , great video (as usual). My demo track suggestion is : Steve Strauss - Mr Bones.
Thank you Sam 👍
I've had my SCM40's for about a year. They work superbly with my Hegel H360/ Aurender N10, Matrix X Sabre MQA DAC, Marantz Ruby SACD and Clearaudio Performance DC/ Satisfy Kardan Carbon/ Essence for vinyl through a Tom Evans Groove Anniversary. All in a 17x17 foot room. Over the years before downsizing house and kit I've had many more costly speakers ranging from Tannoy Kensingtons, various Sonus Fabers, Harbeth, Avalon, Maganaplanar and so on. The ATC's are at least as satisfying as many of those pricier options. Demo tracks I enjoy include: David Crosby: The Things We Do For Love (Lighthouse), Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine, Elvis Costello: God's Comic (Spike), Fleetwood Mac: Oh Daddy (Rumours, US double 45rpm), Janis Ian: Raising Silence, Steely Dan: Things I Miss The Most (Everything Must Go AP 45 rpm), Sarah Jane Morris/ Marc Ribot: Sugar In My Bowl (Migratory Birds), Alice Coltrane: Turia and Ramakrishna (Ptah, The El Daoud), Miles Davis: My Funny Valentine (Cookin' AP SACD), Cecile McLorin Salvant: anything from Dreams and Daggers, Ella Fitzgerald: Fine and Mellow (Pablo/AP LP), The George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (SC LP set), and many more Jazz tracks, Eric Bibb: In My Father's House (Spirit and the Blues, Opus 3 LP), David Rawlings: Guitar Man (Poor David's Alamanack), Richard Thompson: I Misunderstood (Rumor and Sigh, MoFi LP), Waldemar Bastos: N'Gana (Afropea 3 - Telling Stories to the Sea), Davy Sicard: Zwazo La Kol (Kabar), Lou Reed: Walk on the Wild Side (Transformer SC LP), Bela Fleck: Flight of the Cosmic Hippo. And many more. No time to get into classical but apologies for the length of this.
Thank you David for sharing your experiences and demo list 👍
I once heard these play in my hifi shop powered by a Moon 340 amp and it was superb. My preferred testtracks are Where Breathing Starts by Tord Gustavsen Trio (that bass solo
Thank you 😊
Another one for Manu
Great review! My demo track Hope Waits - I'll Be Satisfied, also on the same album Get Behind The Mule is a great track. It is a shame she only released on album
Thank you Eric 👍
Another great review Tarun,from the description of the midrange you gave can I suggest Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Couldnt Stand The Weather"album and in particular the track "Tin Pan Alley"/Roughest Place In Town......If you have never heard it through a great system you wont be disappointed.
Thank you Mally. I am trying to remember if I heard that track. I will check it out 👍
HI
I really appreciated the thorough review of the ATC 40s and I need to demo them for sure. You asked about tester tracks, and I have a few that I go with: Massive Attack's album Heligoland, track 7 Paradise Circus (listen for the vocal as it competes with the ever-increasing bass lines and then strings - great for depth and soundstage) ; Melanie Doane's album Shakespearean Fish, Track 6 Til I start to Believe (listen how well her vocal is double-tracked and separated in in the second half); Bozzio Levin Stevens - Black Light Syndrome - track 3 Duende (this pure recording of Flamenco guitar, drums and bass is a master class in sound engineering and tests your system for pure audio); Darkside - Psychic - track 8 - Metatron (listen for the small electronic bits and pieces that appear during the quiet pauses between insane bass lines); and finally Angele Dubeau and La Pieta - Portrait Alex Baranowski - Track 1 - Wiosna (the violins are amazing - played in the highest registers, they will really test the tweeters and general authority for the soundstage.
Thank you Bob 😊
Thank you Tarun for the excelent review. Tracks: High Water Everywhere (Live) - Joe Bonamassa / Paloma Negra - Lila Downs / It Makes Me Scream (Live) - Meena Cryle / Kingdom of One - Maren Morris / Keith Don't Go (Live) - Nils Lofgren / Tulipani - Fausto Mesolella / Whithout You - Teeks / Arthur's Theme (Live) - Monty Alexander / Angel Eyes - markusphilippe / Mi Corazon - Brandt Brauer Frick / Seven Blues - Nenad Vasilic / Berimbass - Renaud Garcia-Fons / Laytana - Le Trio Joubran / Black Shoes - Felix Laband.
Thank you Paulo. Great music suggestions and some new ones for me too 👍
Thank you for sharing your honest opinion - without the slightest hint of raving about whatever - once again.
Thank you PA 👍
Thanks for the review. Very informative as always. Demo top picks, DIGITAL 1. Angel (Sarah McLachlan) female vocal/piano. 2. Fever (Malia/Boris Blank) female vocal/deep bass. 3. Firestarter (Prodigy) Its never too loud. 4. Dreamer (Prince) male vocal/guitar. VINYL 5. Time (Pink Floyd) It has everything. Sorry no jazz, not my thing. Eclectic mix to test your system.
Thank you Wayne 👍
Hi Tarun, another really informative transparent review. These don’t look like the speakers for me in my room, however I have heard the scm50 actives in a fairly small room and was impressed. So you never know. For a demo track how about Jeff Beck Scatterbrain off Blow by Blow? Loads going on in this track, it would really test dynamics and percussion.
Thank you Phil 👍
Demo track: Trilok Gurtu's Maya. Crank the volume, forget about your neighbors. Love this piece!
Cool 😎 I will check it out 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Let us know Tarun what you think. If your Exposure amps and speakers can convey the incredible talent of Gurtu. He plays drums, sometimes, with his fingers, he plays with his voice, a song with lots of impact, dynamics, fun, rythme.
Great review Tarun. Agree on the tweeter being a bit of a letdown on these…really wish they would improve it (or like you said, bring on the tweeter from the higher line). I prefer the tweeter from the Grahams over these, bar none. Otherwise the mids and bass is quite sublime and so, so clean at high levels.
Thank you Rick 👍
Great video, really well done, with regards to music, try Ronny Jordan the antidote album, dynamic, bouncy and dark, great for testing bass weight and stability with speakers and power amps
Thank you kindly 👍
Great review and I love these speakers if I could afford them. My go t track is Sting and Eric Clapton on " Its Probably Me"
Thank you. I love that track. Stings records are generally well produced 👍
Hi Tarun. Some more for demo purposes, with specific regard to bass reproduction - 1) John Martyn "The Church With One Bell" (a superb piece of recording) / 2) Bill La Bounty "Into Something Blue" (particularly 'Ax To Grind' and 'You Can't Break My Heart') / 3) Lee Ritenour "Rhythm Sessions" (try 'LA By Bike').
Thank you Rafe. I love John Martyn. I has been a while since I heard him 👍
Nice review….I’m looking for the scm 40
Thank you 👍
My short list: Steely Dan's "Aja", Ai Kuwabara "Live at the Blue Note Tokyo", Duke Ellington "Blues in Orbit", Radiohead "Kid A", Jeff Golub "Soul Sessions", Sir Adrian Boult & the LPO "Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies." Sorry for the long list. Great video as always. Thank you.
Thank you, great suggestions 👍
What I did was add the "Townshend super tweeter" that rounded the system off.🙂👏
Cool 😎
I have heard these in a dealer's room. I still have ATC amplification in my 2nd system. Short point is that they are really good. You have to go high end (and that typically means high money) to do better. If I did not have my Magicos I could happily live with these.
Thank you for sharing your experience Zog 👍
Are the Magicos worth the cost. I just got rid if my QLN's and now weighing in a the Devor's super nines. Which I may get.
Just saw this and though I'd ask. I have not heard the Magicos but the super nines are on another level.
@@jasonme3557 Hard to say Jason. I bought the Magico A3s when they were new but the price has gone up. I have not heard Devores but they have quite a reputation.
Fascinating speakers. I didn't know there are ATC floorstanders at this price point.
Two of my favourite demo tracks: Icicle by Tori Amos (piano and female voice) and Hey Now by London Grammar (a difficult one on purpose to get the bass right)
Thank you for sharing 😊
The London Grammar song Hey Now, likes to incite resonances in a lot of my speakers. It makes internal wiring rattle against crossbraces, lol. Such a resonant bass.
I recently purchased SCM40 and feeding with Naim Supernait 3 amplifier. Bit lean on bass partially due to a sealed cabinet and large room dimensions so had a difficult time positioning them right. Would like to recommend GAIA2 isolation which makes a huge difference to the overall presentation. I had to upgrade the interconnect to superlumina and jumpers with tellurium silvers to get the most out of it. Also the NDX2 upgrade the streamer added more meat on the bone. Plenty of incremental upgrades but it demands quality partnering components! Nice review Tarun as always!
Thank you for sharing your experiences Varun 😊
Add a Hicap DR to your Supernait 3 and you will hear an excellent upgrade specially in low frequencies.
@@miltonballester1826 yes, I’m already considering it. Dealer is sending a loan kit for home demo.
I have mine on the Gaia2 as well. Took the speakers to the next level. I'd go as far as to say you've never heard these if you haven't heard them on the Gaia2's
@@tonesbones502 agree 100%. Great addition to any speaker
Ooh so many tracks to recommend so I'm gonna go with a couple of left field suggestions ; The Royal Airforce Squadronaires - In The Mood and Dead Can Dance Live American dreaming - A test of midrange and ambience.
Thank you Ian 😊
Nice review.
My suggestion for demo tracks:
- Pat Metheny Group - American Garage
- John Coltrane - Blue Train
- Lalo Schifrin - Jazz meets the Symphony6 and all others Sym...
- Blanco Y Negro - Bebo Valdes & Diego El Cigala - En Vivo
- The Very Best of Enya
Caribbean Blue by Enya is an excellent demo track . I’ve heard a lot speakers that distort the bass line at 7 seconds at high volume
Thank you. Some new ones for me to check out there 👍
Another great review Tarun, never get the chance to own a pair of these as I could never have them that far from my back wall !! (The cost has nothing to do with it Hahahaha!!), I'll have to make do with what I have.😄 I'll think about suggestions for a demo track.
Thank you Peter 😊
A recording i've just purchased and the sound is just superb...Duke Ellington Blues in Orbit, Analogue Productions LP. Track 1. Three J's Blues, or any from that LP...can stream it in standard CD quality still great.
@@peterd1364 thx. I will check it out 😊
I'm most interested in the active 40s. I own the 19's due in part to your review of them. I do ponder if the 19s + a good sub as I'm using, is the better option for the $ then the passive 40s. What you get is a greater full range sound, but perhaps with sacrificing some mid range. By most accounts, the 40s are great, the active 40s even better. Finally, some do consider the 19s the sweet spot in the line up, but they must have a good sub or two if one wants full range audio.
I couldn’t agree more. It would like to check out the SCM40 Actives. For now I will be glad to get those flight cases out of the house 👍
I have the actives and it was the midrange that first got my attention when listening to female vocalists. They really open up and excel when played loud and only complete bass heads would need a sub. Having built in amps saves you the headache of finding matching external amps and you save on interconnect cables. I’m really glad I went down the active route so give them an audition you won’t be disappointed.
The first thing that came across my mind after listen to this great presentation is, the Dynaudio Contour 30i! I think you should consider compare these 2 speakers, last one would for sure match most of your lacking findings here.
Thank you Nick. Much appreciated. That is on my radar 😊👍
Another wonderful review of such a great speaker. Thank you ATC for providing these speakers for review.
Tarun, did you ever try removing that thick carpet In front of your listening position to see if it would provide better high frequency definition that you reported lacking in this review?
From experience think carpets and lots of furnishings tend to zap the high frequencies in my listening space.
Favourite listening tracks:
Men I Trust, Album: Men I Trust, Track: System.
Men I Trust, Album: Headroom, Track: Again.
Harmonium, Album: Harmonium, Track: Harmonium.
Kevin Paren, Album: Miguasha, Track: Provocateur.
Au Pairs, Album: The Anthology, Track: Headache for Michelle.
Michel Petrucciani, Album: Michel Petrucciani, Track: Gattito.
David Crosby, Album: If I can Only Remember my Name, Track: Laughing
Brian
Thank you Brian. I didn’t try removing the carpet. Thanks for the list. Some new ones for me to check out 👍
Partnering the suitable amp is the most challenging for atc speaker. Suggest to buy active atc can save a lot of time and money for selecting amp.
That is a good plan Eric for those who can deal with the more upfront cost 😊
love your reviews , love your channel , plz review musical fidelity m 5 si its amazing for the money , excellent value
Thank you much appreciated. An MF review is imminent 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 yes cant wait brother!!
I'll recommend the following (and why) - no particular order:
~ The Very End by Blank & Jones on Chilltronic No. 6 (listen for random water drops [like raining on the mic - not your imagination!] amongst a sea of bass and other interesting percussion)
~ Make You Feel by Alina Baraz & Galimatias on Urban Flora (female vocal tone, piano, beep bass, listen for left-right & front-back instrument soundstage changes)
~ Alaska by Maggie Rogers on Heard It In A Past Life (fun song and check for bass modes of the room)
~ Yui by Ampyx on Yui (electronica, full of different sounds/samples)
~ Only Children by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on Reunions (male vocals, stereo separation, authentic guitar chord change string sounds)
~ Weather by Jackopierce on Bringing On The Weather (stereo separation [one guitar on left, one on right], listen for male vocal plosives - sounds like singing into your ear).
~ Better To Be Lonely (feat. Makk Mikkael) by Alex Lustig on Better To Be Lonely (simultaneous crazy bass and tweeter sibilance test, warning this song is addictive)
~ Jammin by Til Von Sein on Jammin (instrument separation, listen for the bells to move around the room and maracas move forward/backward)
~ Birds by Dominique Fils-Aimé on Nameless (female vocal tone+, bassy, simple, exquisite and repetitive to the extent you have time to soak in the subtleties)
All available in HD or UltraHD on AmazonMusic or likely SD on TH-camMusic - enjoy!
You might see a tendancy toward bass in my recommendations. Open-baffle bass-head here - my experience nothing else comes close to the precision and texture of OB-subs.
Thank you. Thanks gives me some to work through 👍
Hi Tarun. Hmm, the SCM40s are definitely worth getting.
Just added this track from Boz Scaggs' Out of the Blues album, the song called On The Beach. Love it.
Cool 😎
One of my favorite demo tracks:
Walking on the moon, by Yuri Honing Trio.
Thank you Ed 👍
Great value imo. Top quality drivers and assume cabinet is more solid than most
Thank you Will. Everything about that speaker is solid, including the cabinet 😊
Favorite demo tracks in times past; Jazz - O-Zone Percussion Group - Jazz Variants. Electronic - Depeche Mode - Fly On The Windscreen. Male vocal Billy MacKenzie - Wild Is The Wind. Female vocal Agnes Obel - Run Cried The Calling. Group Dead Can Dance - Rakim (Live). Classical Chase The Dragon pressing of Vivaldi Four Seasons
Thank you 😊
As for bass music, one of my favorites is…TURNING THE BEAT AROUND by Gloria Estefan…I STILL LOVE PERCUSSION (remastered )🤗😁💚💚💚
Cool 😎 thank you 😊
I love the sound of ATC, PMC, KERR ACOUSTICS & Studio Electric ⚡️💎💎💎💎⚡️
Cool 😎
niceeeeeeeee. thanks!!!
Thank you Oleg 😊
Very nice :)
Thank you 😊
Another nice review, Tweeters make you say hhhmmm... are they or aren't good enough and would a front end tweak help. Seems to be a well thought out speaker.
Thank you GG. With the right amp, the ATC SCM40s can sound great 😊
"Not far off an act of violence." 🤣 As a drummer of 35 years, I can only concur!
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed that description 😉👍
Having heard SCM 12 with my Leema Pulse, the Tucana should have the grunt to sound the biz. The smaller 7, 12 and 19 are infinite baffle, and that can influence how a speaker sounds at lower volume levels.
One of the SCM 40 drivers are the equivalent to a skip load of my Dali Rubicon 2 speakers.
I know of people who've driven the 40s with Plinius and Accuphase amps. No idea what those combos sound like but the owners must love it.
Thank you Richard 😊
ATC dropped the US MRSPs by 20% recently. That 40 was the popular vote winner in 2019 when our group held its first SpeakerFest event. Maybe a bit forward for some ears. Love to hear you do a Wilson Benesche comparison.
Interesting. Thank you Jeff 😊
My best all round album for everything is: Auberge by Chris Rea. Going fishing 🎣. Great review 👍 need deep pockets.
Thank you Keith. I am fan of that album too 👍
I like to mention something about the need for power. Yes, ATC's are powerhungry speakers, also like Dynaudio's for example. I have great experience with amps below 50 Watts per side, IF the power supply is robust and healthy. They say, it's all about the first Watts?! And not all Watts are equal. Currently I have mine 40's fed by Pass Labs pre and power amps. The poweramp is the highly regarded XA.30.8 (class A, 30 Watts per side) with a massive and robust powersupply. (The amp weighs 44 Kg.....). Class A is a whole different things. If you play at normal levels and sometimes a bit louder you will be fine, you don't need 300 Watts. But the ATC's can handle it if you want to max them out at crazy listeninglevels.
I agree. Watts are only part of the picture. Thank you for sharing Ralph 😊
I recently upgraded my system and for demo listening sessions to compare male vocals I used bothers in arms covered by club for five a Capella group from Finland
Thank you John 😊
Great review, demo tracks the Blue nile hats lp and Walk across the rooftops, Peter Nooten and Michael Brook lp sleeps with fishes
Thank you Ernest 😊
It might sound plain wrong , but The Bose Wave Radio demo disc from around 2004 is an excellently produced , genre diverse all round disc for testing systems . The disc has a version of the Treme Song which can really shine on a top system
Thank you Mr. S. Well mastered music is well mastered music, regardless of where it comes from 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 when I sold my bose wave radio in 2005 I made sure to keep that particular disc ! By the way , have you ever auditioned proac tablette signatures ? Would be interested to hear your opinion of them
@@mrsinghsstereos6662 I have heard them but not at home. Sounded impressive 😊
Showroom Dollies by Claude Challe on his Nirvana Lounge album is a brilliant track for separation, soundstage width and depth...If a hi-fi can cope with it, it can cope with anything!
Thank you Coral 👍
Hi Tarun, those ATC's would look great in my room but not sure if the room is large enough at 16' long X 11'3" wide. My hifi demo choices are vast in numbers but here's a wee taster for you. Little Fugue in G minor by Jacques Loussier Trio, Rise by Herb Alpert, On the sunny side of the street by Roberta Gambarini, Bass Drops by Nenad Vasilic, Temple of Circadia by John Petrucci, Hanuman by Rodrigo y Gabriela, Detroit by Marcus Miller, Bug music album by Don Byron, Riviera Paradise by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Raindrops by Emil Brandqvist Trio, Zero Gravity Above and Beyond remix by JMJ, Tangerine Dream, Swinging Five by Klaus Weiss, Eternal Rains will come by Opeth, Step Bro by Heyson, Dreams piano version by Lissie, Foreplay Long time by Boston, Icarus original version by Ralphie B, Classical Thump by Victor Wooten, Phoenix rising by Calum Graham, Du Monde by Kiko Loureiro, Gratitude by Brandon Lake, Colour to the moon by Allan Taylor, Trinity by Snarky Puppy, Speed King by Royksopp, Rage Valley by Knife Party, Gimme a bassline instrumental version by Torpedo boys, Montego bay Spleen by St Germain, Pneuma by TOOL, Inferno by Marty Friedman, Swing piece by Manu Katche, Trains by Porcupine tree and that's just a very small taste of my music choices. Hope you enjoy and thanks for the excellent review. 👌
Thank you Steve. Wow! That is some list. Thank you for posting them 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 your very welcome. I love music from Jazz, Rock and Acoustic to trance, Chill, female vocalists and older style electronic.
Thank you for the review Tarun. ATC speakers are high on my short list. But, any plans to review the Mission 770 any time soon? And demo track: anything by Tracy Chapman, especially Talkin' Bout A Revolution.
Thank you Dean. IAG didn’t seem to interested in sending me stuff to review last time I contacted them. Probably worth another try at some point 😊
I've had MK1 40s & MK2 40s running off ATC CA2 and a pair of P1 amps. Both sounded superb. I prefered the more layed back warmer sound of the MK2. I then got some MK2 40A and wow the dynamics both loud and micro were superb, more air around the treble and vocals with tighter more controlled bass. I now have SCM50 ASLT and again things have got better but the SCM40A is possibly the best value speaker out there all things considered.
Thank you for sharing your experiences 😊
A demo track I use a lot is David Elias Vision Of Her, from "Acoustic Trio - DSD Session"
... oh the upright double bass , will sort out a lot of speakers, the acoustic guitar being plucked is he not sitting in my lounge somewhere.
Thank you Duncan 😊
A few years ago, I persuaded my long suffering wife, or to be honest bamboozled her into tollerating? Me, seriously upgrading my hifi. I’m blessed with a liberal sprinkling of local ‘bricks & mortar’ hifi dealers. I auditioned the ATC SCM 40 speakers along with multiple others across 7 dealers. My findings pretty much concur with yours. They are power hungry.my Rega Elicit British integrated amp which I had at the time, struggled to keep a tight grip on the bass. The next amp up in the Rega range, the Aethos, overcame that difficulty. I also found them very fussy about positioning. But once that was achieved, they were punchy, snappy, smooth from the mid range down, but overall, a little dull, lacking top end presence! They would have been extremely difficult to accommodate in my family lounge. One particular dealer though did try too hard to persuade me to choose them above all others in that general price bracket. I didn’t, and have absolutely no purchase regret with my final choice. A couple of months ago, one of the local dealers closed down. They contacted me advising they had a pair of ex demo ATC SCM50 speakers which they could let me have at a heavily discounted price. I may have been tempted if Ihad a larger lounge, or dedicated listening room.
Great to learn about your experiences Howard. I would have to move house to accommodate the ATC SCM 50 Actives but it may be worth it 😂👍
Great review of a great speaker! As I own them, powered by a Creek power amp, I would like to give you my favourite demo track, with which I have infected all HiFi dealers around me. It's swiss pianist NIK BÄRTSCH MOBILE's album "Ritual Groove Music" and the track to listen to is track 6 "Modul 2". Enjoy!
Thank you Robertus 😊
Just upgraded from the 19 to the 40. Quite a different sound, more grown up. The tweeter seems a bit peakier than in the 19 and the sound is less mid forward. I think I'll eventually activate them myself with a minidsp flex 8 and a multichannel power amp.
Thank you for sharing 😊
Demo: not audiophile but always fresh and different sounding on any system: “Elis & Tom”
Thank you Ed 😊
Female vocals - Emmy Lou Harris. “Sweet Dreams” from Elite Hotel (1975) or (2003 remaster). Vocals can be eerie and enchanting or a bit harsh depending on the speakers
Thank you 👍