Great review buddy! One of my two favourite speaker brands. The other one being Proac. My cousin has the ATC 19 Actives. Fantastic speaker, he loves them! Would love get these in to review myself. Keep up the great work!
Tarun i subscribe to your channel and its quality info. I had proac studio 110s a few years ago and thought they were fantastic speakers until i got myself some neat acoustics sx2,s the difference is night and day, im guessing the room acoustics make the differencse?
Well....I took the plunge! Should have a pair of white satin ATC SCM-11's in about two weeks or so. I am HOPING this is my final pair of bookshelves speakers! These a long with my new Hegel H390 should be musical bliss!
Revealing review, I really liked the way you described the speaker in its build, would you consider reviewing the ATC SCM19 speakers which are generally known as the mature partner to the SCM11?
Hey man, That really hit home when you talk about rushing out of the kitchen to get in "The Sweet Spot". I always have to do that. Get to the magic right... I absolutely understand ... Cool speakers, I looked up some ATC floor standers. Pricey. The model I came across had a done mid-range that resemble the one in my Swans.. Great review.👍✌️
Moved my stereo system into a smaller room temporarily and replaced my Rockport Atria’s with the ATC SCM11 mk2’s.Sounded ok with a Quad 405 power amp while I put some run in time on them,but really came alive with my Pass X250.5 amp.Improved the sound of the speakers by disconnecting the bi wire terminals and assorted clips inside the speakers onto the single pair of terminals.
I tested: Buchardt audio 400 s- good but not for low volume sessions. Dynaudio contour 20- everything good but voice doesnt sound perfect. Pmc Twenty5 22- everything good but not good for long listening sessions. Cabasse murano- crazy good but voice not perfect. Paradigm persona b- crazy good but in a way not natural. Dynaudio focus 160- very good but a little bit too soft, too relaxed. Q Acoustics Concept 20- very good but misses a touch in Bass. Atc scm 19-crazy detail but in a way boring. Atc scm 11- my personal winner.
great.. It looks my personal winner too. I am more of neutral, classical and mid range forwarded taste. Can you suggest the best amplifier under 1000 euro range. ?
@@vijoyem1 CAMBRIDGE AZUR 740A. In 2009 was the price around 1000 Euro. But now you will find this ampliefer used for like 400 Euro. Crazy good amplifier
same for me, after having heard PMC twenty5.23 (super detail, bit harsh sometimes), Proac studio 118 (nice balance but placing problem near wall and not as lively as atc), Monitor Audio silver 50, gold 100 (very good bass and detail but placement problem near wall) , ATC SCM 11 is the winner ! (SCM 9 is quicker but midrange is not as "smooth" as the 11)
Try to get hold of the SCM-19. Big difference in performance, as it has their uprated SL bass driver and slightly larger cabinet volume (19 ltrs). More bass drive but needs some power. If you like this, you will love them.
I'm a hifi dealer 4 30 years heard soon much stuff some new stuff good but old sansui technics pioneer love the old Japanese battleships amazing engineering ie my favourite technics seat poweramp and king suv 9 wow 👌
I have owed many ATC over the yeas and will never change. Superb engineering and sound quality. You do need a amp with good low volume current delivery to get the best out of them. ATCs own amps are also superb.
@Jayiyagi do you think this speaker is still relevant in today’s market? How does it compare to KEF R3 Meta (assuming a subwoofer is going to be used)?
Fun fact! We all know that Jay has a ridiculously thick accent. Naturally, this may lead you to conclude that he's spent the better part of his childhood in Asia. If so, you'd be wrong. In reality, he's spent the majority of his time on this earth as a bonafide, maple-syrup drinking Canuck. Gotta give the boy credit. No matter where he goes, you'll never be able to take the kimchi from him. Thankfully for us, we have closed captioning. :D
Idk what's more sad.... the fact that my English is better than my native tongue or the fact that I don't eat kimchi but still get called that by you and my girlfriend.
Just wondering; what do you think compared with Dali Rubicon2 standmounters ? I’ve got Cambridge Audio Azur 851A amp & Azur851N streamer. Room appr 45 sq meter. Dali is a very good combination, but…. with voices and classical music I miss some ‘body’ / transparency. Bass is fine.
Me too and they are on iso acoustics pucks 3 pairs! I put two pucks in front and one and the back of each speaker it makes sense since its thinner at the back. I also leave the grills on something I never did with any other speaker.
A great speaker. but the matching amp and a speaker stands are really crucial to bring out its true nature. I've matched from Rega Brio-R, Exposure 3010s2, Sugden A21a to Sugden A21se Sig. so far. Brio-R : still can drive SCM11 but the power is just not enough. Exposure 3010s2 : great amp for the price. and powerful enough to drive SCM11. But the base is not there. Sugden A21se Sig : You won't believe that much punchiness of bass is coming from these small speakers. Play Gorillaz - Demon Days, Play Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker, Play Art Blakey - Moanin' and so on. It goes deep down while not losing the punch and dynamics. Volume at 10, your body will feel the sound. High? just beautiful. to my ears, it's good enough to show the nuisance of Joni Mitchel - Blue. Not rolled off. Some may find it harsh. Mid? natural sound. don't know much how to describe for the mid. But you gotta be careful with the matching stands as well. I'm still 'experimenting' with stands. It affects the sound a lot. the bottom line: It's a picky speaker. But with the right match, it sings. bonus: if you listen to indie rock, you'll be in heaven with SCM11. My next upgrade will be SCM19, unless someone can sell me any Harbeth.
Velvet Indieground Plak / Records Check “Sound Anchor” stands. I have my Focal Electra 1008 BE’s on them. Incredible stands. They are not inexpensive ($700/pair) but well worth the investment.
I've seen many ATC SCM** reviews. They appear in my sweet dreams, so YT reviews is the closest I can get to them ;-). One issue they have in common: due to the closed-cabinet design the lows lack a little. Even on the SCM40. So a question: what sub is to recommended to make the ATC setup from perfect to even more perfect?
They've been big in the uk for decades and one of the best speaker manufactures around but need driving hard. What lets them down is their lack of efficiency and thc fact their response becomes quite toppy with late night last volume listening. They dont work well with valve or low powered amps and to come into their own need to be listened to at realistic levels when they start to make sense. Well made and great value...highly recommended. You need to re-evaluate your amp recommendations. They need more like 150wpc to work well.
Depends on your watts to be fair. I'm sure you're aware, Paul, but for the uninitiated you'll need an amp that is able to deliver serious sustained current. The impedance curve of the SCM11's is actually quite benign, so not hard to drive in that sense.
I got these ATC-SCM-11 speakers, and I am wondering which amp would drive the better - Crown XLS-2502 - SoundArtist SA-200IA I'm asking because you reviewed all three of these products, so you might have an idea BTW, source is an SMSL M400 DAC/preamp.
I know this is an old post, but ATC themselves do not believe in "burn in". Neither do they believe pricey speaker cables make any difference, stating that good old multi strand copper mains cables will do.
a very interesting speakers, that was on my short list of small speakers not long ago when i was looking into getting new gear. sealed box is just perfect, cheaper to build and design and gives the best sound quality, and works best with sub woofer or eq. just a few brands left making sealed stand mount speakers now, harbeth, spendor, KLH, Gallo Acoustics and ATC. i did not like the look of the ATC SCM11, i preferred the SCM 7 or SCM19.
size and woofer proportions makes all the difference for my eyes. scm11 to scm19 is twice as good looking speaker. woofer cone material and dust cap size. on top of that its more expensive hand probably have better crossover. i would think that scm11 is the worst value of the three. just an equated guess.
I actually have as a gentlemen was kind enough to bring it to me one time and also I have friends who own them. Magnificent indeed. hope to do a review of them in the near future but my space is running out... which is a good thing because that means...more reviews are on the way !
Hi Jay really great review, thank you. do you think these would work in a room that is 18' x 20' with 10' ceiling? I do have a Rythmik L12 sub also and my integrated amp is a Primare i30. thanks and keep up the great reviews, very enjoyable.
I understand that all ATC speakers are voiced equal only the SPL across the frequencies increases as you spend more cash. I have no isuues with my SCM 40 passives, an especially good S/H buy if you can find them.
I wonder if the ATC would sound as rich as the Dynaudio Heritage Special when coupled with a subwoofer ? That would save a lot of audiophiles a lot of money !
I’m looking for speakers that tickles my feet like a feather but also pounds my chest as if I’m being beaten by a gorilla. Oh and being musical at the same time. Is this the bookshelf speaker to do the job?
@@bochiebochie I've also discovered that a really good pair of floorstanders not only offer bigger bass but also better quality of bass and integration - as long as its designed properly.
There’s no comparison really. ATCs play in a different league. Much more accurate sound that sounds “live”. Most Wharfedale speakers sound too mellow and inoffensive and the Dentons, while good for their price, sound like the ATCs would if they had a thick bedsheet covering them.
Used to own a pair of scm 40's. Superb speakers! Ruthlessly revealing: garbage in; garbage out. That said, you give them something that has been well recorded and you will be rewarded with the most magical midrange you can imagine..
Bottom line: The SCM11 are nice but work well with powerful, warm sounding upstream components. Or else they sound thin and lifeless. After all they are studio monitors. Hey NBT - I noticed in the background that you have a Heaven 11 amp. Would like to get your opinion on it.
Not entirely. I will add a written review soon but some components were within reason and still sounded fantastic including the heaven 11 amp you are talking about. Don't forget that these were specifically designed for the high consumer market and they have a separate pro division.
Agreed - I use audio research pre/power for a fuller bodied warmer sound. Less analytical/monitor sounding compared to my solid state class A/B and class D amps.
But I had the old tdl ranges and the studio 1 can be had 4 like 100 UK sounds crazy but I have heard full linn klimax system along of cash 💸 that you got 2 hear 👂
Technics suv 9 is amazing with my atc scm 12s brings bright dynamics as atc can be somber think pioneer amps or primary a32 poweramp or a30.1 integrated like suv 9 but not as good for 4 times price
Thats a hard question that I'm going to avoid answering for now because I may do a video on that... And the s400... For amplifications... I used many many different amplifiers.... Ranging in many different price points... Will list them in my written review
Had both.The Atc need lots of power,current to sound the best.Found the Harbeth to be a better all round sound,for voices,acoustic ,they shine,and for lower volume,the Atc were not as good.
By the way excellent content I've found being a poorer audiophile now get like guru on stuff ie denon avc a1 mk1 model like accuphase on cheap this av beats everything never sell
Oh for effs sake Jay. Answer is easy: Like a smooth top end, a warm midrange, and strong bass from a small speaker? Go with the Buchardts. Want something that's slightly elevated in the treble, clean and punchy in the mids, with limited but quick bass? Go with the ATC's. Video done.
Vintage Playback Hifi some people look for a particular kind of sound or something that beautifies the music. Given ATC is more about “accuracy”, Studio monitor, it may make some music sound not so good.
Thanks for the review Jay. I’ve really narrowed it down to these, the Harbeth P3ESR and LS50 Meta. Going to drive them with a proper integrated amp. The Hegel H390.
Had the Atc scm 11 v2.Then swapped for Harbeth p3esr ,that i still have.Moved house now,and starting to think my old room caused the Atc not to sound the bes.But now im kinda lusting after a new set of the 11.The look ,the feel of them is superb.
@@simoSLJ89 Harbeth = natural. Atc = clinical.You realy need to try speakers in your own space,with your own gear.Bought the Atc blind,from the reviews.Could never get them to sound right.Rega Elex r .Primare a34.2 power amp ,150 wpc .Still sounded shrill to my ears.The Harbeth ,are a joy to listen to,not dull on the end of my Croft integrated,with Telefunken tube ,also swap to a older Sony ta f670es amplifer.Double the power of my Croft.get more bottom end ,but loose the high end sparkle,unless tone controls are used.
It’s really a shame that ATC destroyed their US market opportunity by using single pissant distributor, resulting in a 100% markup over MSRP. Great speakers, nowhere near worth $3k.
Its not only about the listed power on the amp ... you have to be careful matching ATC speakers. Have two amps tested with SCM 19 ... same power - 150W@8Ohm ... Hegel and ATC. The Hegel cant get a good bass presentation out of SCM 19. ATC get the bass effortless. And Its not about that the amp is the same brand. Even both A/B class the amps are made differently. But indeed very fine speakers.
Vladimir Rusev glad you mentioned this. Just thought on having scm19 and match it with hegel h190. It’s a no go then. Reading a lot on scm19 as I really attached to it to only found out that it’s impossible to match it with an amp that is not almost twice the price. Looks like my dream just shattered.
They do not need hundreds of watts, they need to drive well. Using my 11s 50 watt kt 120 tube amp and it is just glorious in 35 square meters. Much better than my old proac d18.
I had the 11 for a while nearfield and find them balanced and controlled and they do well in bigger rooms too. They are not a low mass design and it showed when compared to boston a26 the 11 has less sustained guitars but are way more controlled and refined in the highs. I dont think its a speaker very attention grabbing. In the end its it strength.
@@Taffy84 I still have them I just wrote 'had' rather then 'have' sorry for the confusion. I also think I was a bit misleeding with 'less sustained'. Its because in my direct comparison the guitars didnt pop out of the mix as much on the 11, the attack was there but the echos for example melted more in the background and where harder to follow then the a26 (these do that mighty well) . That was the only aspect I could find where the speaker could have been a bit better. If I look at the whole picture they are my favorite speaker ever. I found them to sound better then the proac 148 and the spendor s6e that I also have home. The punchier bass is the spendor, the fullest sound and largest soundstage is the proac, the atc is the more refined and balanced probably the best with mids but when it comes to mids Im not that good at comparisons. Despite not beeing a tower id be happy to put them in the living room its more the towers that would not do in my desktop setup. Grills, cabinet, weigth, unique drivers, its a very impressive speaker all around. They are worth the price. Any undamaged used pair would be a perfect buy.
My only problem with the ATC SCM-11 speakers is the very low sensitivity and lack of low end bass. Having to drive them with amps of high current and may be some worth expensive. It's some how it's own enemy, if not driven properly and very revealing of equipment up front.
Hey Ian. Yes and no. The SCM11 is indeed not the most sensitive speaker in the world but its impedance swing is not as drastic as in most speakers, allowing it to be driven with amplifiers around 80 watts or even 50 depending on the room which is not the case with most speakers rated at 85db. But you are never going to get a full bloom in the bottom end with these speakers unless you add a sub as they do cut off around 56hz.
@@Jayiyagi haha one of the reason we trust your reviews :p on our side we drool at the idea.. sometime its cheaper to find the best gears since it push you to sell the rest... i think you should keep only 3 flagship system each at their own price range and do audio mma cage fights in their weight class .. you replace the looser by the winner and you continue the search...
@@weskoki τα είχα δει στο xe.gr νομίζω ότι έχει στο soun gallery η είχε. Πριν κάνα δίχρονο τα είχα ακούσει αλλά δεν είμαι σίγουρος αν ήταν στο soun gallery είχα γυρίσει όλα τα μαγαζιά τοτε
Atc require something like a chord amp 300 watt per channel dads 10 g 1 fire them nice sh 3 grand now best amp in world 🌎 sbm 15 something can't remember
Hi, you just learnt to speak English and now you can´t stop, is that the reason you speak all the time and don´t leave even 30 sec to listen to the damn speakers ?
Great review buddy! One of my two favourite speaker brands. The other one being Proac. My cousin has the ATC 19 Actives. Fantastic speaker, he loves them! Would love get these in to review myself. Keep up the great work!
Tarun i subscribe to your channel and its quality info. I had proac studio 110s a few years ago and thought they were fantastic speakers until i got myself some neat acoustics sx2,s the difference is night and day, im guessing the room acoustics make the differencse?
Well....I took the plunge! Should have a pair of white satin ATC SCM-11's in about two weeks or so. I am HOPING this is my final pair of bookshelves speakers! These a long with my new Hegel H390 should be musical bliss!
@@1stswim absolutely. Hope you are still enjoying them 😊👍
@@jeffadams9699 that should be a very good combination 😊👍
@@jeffadams9699 so how’s the combo?
I once got to held the SCM19 midbass driver in my hand. The sheer weight and construction of it is something to behold in awe!
Have bought ATC SCM19,these speakers blow my mind,accuracy, trasparency and never fatiguing on my ears...never heard before!
I have some SCM100's for my fronts, SCM11's for centre channel and SCM7's for surrounds on my cinema set up.. Sounds brilliant!
Revealing review, I really liked the way you described the speaker in its build, would you consider reviewing the ATC SCM19 speakers which are generally known as the mature partner to the SCM11?
Hey man, That really hit home when you talk about rushing out of the kitchen to get in "The Sweet Spot". I always have to do that. Get to the magic right... I absolutely understand ... Cool speakers, I looked up some ATC floor standers. Pricey. The model I came across had a done mid-range that resemble the one in my Swans.. Great review.👍✌️
Did you catch Ron tonight? New record day? Was good..
I bought a used SCM11 bcoz of this review. Never regretted it. Thanks for the enlightenment. Audio Nirvana.
Moved my stereo system into a smaller room temporarily and replaced my Rockport Atria’s with the ATC SCM11 mk2’s.Sounded ok with a Quad 405 power amp while I put some run in time on them,but really came alive with my Pass X250.5 amp.Improved the sound of the speakers by disconnecting the bi wire terminals and assorted clips inside the speakers onto the single pair of terminals.
I tested:
Buchardt audio 400 s- good but not for low volume sessions.
Dynaudio contour 20- everything good but voice doesnt sound perfect.
Pmc Twenty5 22- everything good but not good for long listening sessions.
Cabasse murano- crazy good but voice not perfect.
Paradigm persona b- crazy good but in a way not natural.
Dynaudio focus 160- very good but a little bit too soft, too relaxed.
Q Acoustics Concept 20- very good but misses a touch in Bass.
Atc scm 19-crazy detail but in a way boring.
Atc scm 11- my personal winner.
great.. It looks my personal winner too. I am more of neutral, classical and mid range forwarded taste. Can you suggest the best amplifier under 1000 euro range. ?
@@vijoyem1 CAMBRIDGE AZUR 740A. In 2009 was the price around 1000 Euro. But now you will find this ampliefer used for like 400 Euro. Crazy good amplifier
Dynaudio special 40 is above all of them
Hi, mid range quality is the most important for me. Can I ask why you prefer SCM11 to SCM19? I'm still deciding which one to get. Thanks
same for me, after having heard PMC twenty5.23 (super detail, bit harsh sometimes), Proac studio 118 (nice balance but placing problem near wall and not as lively as atc), Monitor Audio silver 50, gold 100 (very good bass and detail but placement problem near wall) , ATC SCM 11 is the winner ! (SCM 9 is quicker but midrange is not as "smooth" as the 11)
Damn looking like a mafia boss 😂 w/ gelled back hair and leather jacket 👌
😂😂😂😂😂
blus z don’t you mean Triad boss 🤣
Try to get hold of the SCM-19. Big difference in performance, as it has their uprated SL bass driver and slightly larger cabinet volume (19 ltrs). More bass drive but needs some power. If you like this, you will love them.
Try get your hands on an ATC speaker with their signature midrange dome. Simply amazing mid range
the build their drivers in house and this is why they are such good value.
woot awesome that you review these speakers
It was asked for many times so I pursued them ;)
@@Jayiyagi you rock most just wait for the speakers to fall on their lap.. i like the indiana jones types hehe
don't forget these are around five years old and still rocking
That's the best speaker you have in that room.. those are the real deal not the hyped crap.
I'm a hifi dealer 4 30 years heard soon much stuff some new stuff good but old sansui technics pioneer love the old Japanese battleships amazing engineering ie my favourite technics seat poweramp and king suv 9 wow 👌
thank you for your time !
Thank you !!!
Great review
please try some bigger ones like atc25/40/45/50.3 ways should be quite different .thanks
Okie dokie. Future list made after all the others ones flooding in...
@@Jayiyagi thank you. would you try PSI speaker?
I have owed many ATC over the yeas and will never change. Superb engineering and sound quality. You do need a amp with good low volume current delivery to get the best out of them. ATCs own amps are also superb.
Ivor Problem do you think the denon pma-1600ne could do it?
Can you recommend one for the SCM11?
Hi, may I ask you what is what speaker cable? I like the boys when they much thank you so much❤
Great review! Please review the passive ATC SCM 19's
@Jayiyagi do you think this speaker is still relevant in today’s market? How does it compare to KEF R3 Meta (assuming a subwoofer is going to be used)?
Nemo Propaganda reviewed these just 6 months ago, look it up.
what is the difference between ATC 11 v1 and version v2..they also look different ???
Fun fact! We all know that Jay has a ridiculously thick accent. Naturally, this may lead you to conclude that he's spent the better part of his childhood in Asia. If so, you'd be wrong. In reality, he's spent the majority of his time on this earth as a bonafide, maple-syrup drinking Canuck. Gotta give the boy credit. No matter where he goes, you'll never be able to take the kimchi from him. Thankfully for us, we have closed captioning. :D
Hahahaha shots fired
Idk what's more sad.... the fact that my English is better than my native tongue or the fact that I don't eat kimchi but still get called that by you and my girlfriend.
@@chrisvinicombe9947 next video: response to zero fidelity's comment 😂😂😂😂
@@Jayiyagi You don't eat kimchi? Say it ain't so! I'm English Canadian.....I love kimchi!
@@gbrm6077 you see... my girlfriend prob loves kimchi more than me.... me on the other hand prefer pickles...
Nice Video ;) is there any amp you can really recommend?
i bought the SCM 7's since the 11's are to large for my desk set up.
Hi,
Could you please tell me what speaker stands are you using and how are they? Thanks
For Home Cinema use ..and the speaker would have to be placed close to a rear wall which would be better ATC SCM 11 or KEF R3?
ATC sealed
i demoed both and bought the ATC
You should review the ATM SC40 and the ATC SCM40A's
Just wondering; what do you think compared with Dali Rubicon2 standmounters ? I’ve got Cambridge Audio Azur 851A amp & Azur851N streamer. Room appr 45 sq meter. Dali is a very good combination, but…. with voices and classical music I miss some ‘body’ / transparency. Bass is fine.
Listening to this on SCM-11 speakers. These are the speakers I use on my desktop PC.
Oh yes. I forgot to emphasize more on the sealed design but since you have it, I guess you already know ;)
Me too and they are on iso acoustics pucks 3 pairs! I put two pucks in front and one and the back of each speaker it makes sense since its thinner at the back. I also leave the grills on something I never did with any other speaker.
I’m debating whether to change from SCM11.1 to SCM7.3 for my desk.
Nice job. Thanks!🔊🔊
A great speaker. but the matching amp and a speaker stands are really crucial to bring out its true nature.
I've matched from Rega Brio-R, Exposure 3010s2, Sugden A21a to Sugden A21se Sig. so far.
Brio-R : still can drive SCM11 but the power is just not enough.
Exposure 3010s2 : great amp for the price. and powerful enough to drive SCM11. But the base is not there.
Sugden A21se Sig : You won't believe that much punchiness of bass is coming from these small speakers. Play Gorillaz - Demon Days, Play Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker, Play Art Blakey - Moanin' and so on. It goes deep down while not losing the punch and dynamics. Volume at 10, your body will feel the sound. High? just beautiful. to my ears, it's good enough to show the nuisance of Joni Mitchel - Blue. Not rolled off. Some may find it harsh. Mid? natural sound. don't know much how to describe for the mid.
But you gotta be careful with the matching stands as well. I'm still 'experimenting' with stands. It affects the sound a lot.
the bottom line: It's a picky speaker. But with the right match, it sings.
bonus: if you listen to indie rock, you'll be in heaven with SCM11.
My next upgrade will be SCM19, unless someone can sell me any Harbeth.
Velvet Indieground Plak / Records Check “Sound Anchor” stands. I have my Focal Electra 1008 BE’s on them. Incredible stands. They are not inexpensive ($700/pair) but well worth the investment.
Sugden A21se Sig is only 30W (class A) - how does that manage to generate so much bass from these ATCs?
I'm not an expert but This is Class A amp. it cannot be compared to Class AB amp terms.
❤👍💯🎯👌 from Croatia 🇭🇷 !
I've seen many ATC SCM** reviews. They appear in my sweet dreams, so YT reviews is the closest I can get to them ;-). One issue they have in common: due to the closed-cabinet design the lows lack a little. Even on the SCM40. So a question: what sub is to recommended to make the ATC setup from perfect to even more perfect?
I'd say a REL sub. Because they are musical and fast, so they can keep up whit the ATC
They've been big in the uk for decades and one of the best speaker manufactures around but need driving hard. What lets them down is their lack of efficiency and thc fact their response becomes quite toppy with late night last volume listening. They dont work well with valve or low powered amps and to come into their own need to be listened to at realistic levels when they start to make sense. Well made and great value...highly recommended.
You need to re-evaluate your amp recommendations. They need more like 150wpc to work well.
Depends on your watts to be fair. I'm sure you're aware, Paul, but for the uninitiated you'll need an amp that is able to deliver serious sustained current. The impedance curve of the SCM11's is actually quite benign, so not hard to drive in that sense.
I got these ATC-SCM-11 speakers, and I am wondering which amp would drive the better
- Crown XLS-2502
- SoundArtist SA-200IA
I'm asking because you reviewed all three of these products, so you might have an idea
BTW, source is an SMSL M400 DAC/preamp.
Hey Jay, do you think it’s a good match to have ATC SCM11 MKIII plus Denon PMA A110?
Pmc 6 actives or atc 11? Which sound signature and bass you liked more on?
hello after how many hours of listening do a pair of new Scm11 start to express themselves at their best?
1000
@@johntra8990 thanks
I know this is an old post, but ATC themselves do not believe in "burn in".
Neither do they believe pricey speaker cables make any difference, stating that good old multi strand copper mains cables will do.
a very interesting speakers, that was on my short list of small speakers not long ago when i was looking into getting new gear.
sealed box is just perfect, cheaper to build and design and gives the best sound quality, and works best with sub woofer or eq.
just a few brands left making sealed stand mount speakers now, harbeth, spendor, KLH, Gallo Acoustics and ATC.
i did not like the look of the ATC SCM11, i preferred the SCM 7 or SCM19.
Yup. Looks plain Jam on the outside but a Gem in the inside ;) love it
Those 3 models look the same so don't get your view.
i think the looks different enough that i prefer the other 2 in the lineup. especially SCM19 looks the best :)
@@sudd3660 What looks different? They are identical except for size. The SCM19 will give you more bass though.
size and woofer proportions makes all the difference for my eyes. scm11 to scm19 is twice as good looking speaker. woofer cone material and dust cap size.
on top of that its more expensive hand probably have better crossover. i would think that scm11 is the worst value of the three. just an equated guess.
Have you demoed any of the large ATC actives with the soft dome midrange? They are among the best speakers I’ve ever heard.
I actually have as a gentlemen was kind enough to bring it to me one time and also I have friends who own them. Magnificent indeed. hope to do a review of them in the near future but my space is running out... which is a good thing because that means...more reviews are on the way !
Hi Jay really great review, thank you. do you think these would work in a room that is 18' x 20' with 10' ceiling? I do have a Rythmik L12 sub also and my integrated amp is a Primare i30. thanks and keep up the great reviews, very enjoyable.
I understand that all ATC speakers are voiced equal only the SPL across the frequencies increases as you spend more cash. I have no isuues with my SCM 40 passives, an especially good S/H buy if you can find them.
I wonder if the ATC would sound as rich as the Dynaudio Heritage Special when coupled with a subwoofer ? That would save a lot of audiophiles a lot of money !
Thanks for the Video
I’m looking for speakers that tickles my feet like a feather but also pounds my chest as if I’m being beaten by a gorilla. Oh and being musical at the same time. Is this the bookshelf speaker to do the job?
Probably noy. Maybe combined with a sub. If you want a beat off by a gorilla go for some tower speakers with a high power amp.
@@bochiebochie I've also discovered that a really good pair of floorstanders not only offer bigger bass but also better quality of bass and integration - as long as its designed properly.
Those ATC's vs Wharfedale Denton? What do you think? :)
There’s no comparison really. ATCs play in a different league. Much more accurate sound that sounds “live”. Most Wharfedale speakers sound too mellow and inoffensive and the Dentons, while good for their price, sound like the ATCs would if they had a thick bedsheet covering them.
Hey, I am wondering about the bigger active / passive speakers from ATC like the 3 way SCM50 or SCM100. Any chance to audition them?
Hey Jay, can you review the Dynaudio Contour 20i bookshelf speaker?
They are amazing!
Sup man from tha South! Hahahahaha . Enjoy your videos . From an old man.
What if I was from the north... Hahaha thank you. From a young man.
Used to own a pair of scm 40's. Superb speakers! Ruthlessly revealing: garbage in; garbage out. That said, you give them something that has been well recorded and you will be rewarded with the most magical midrange you can imagine..
Actually these speakers were quite more forgiving unlike the scm 40's. But you are right... this speaker makes you play the good stuff
is a simaudio moon 600i enough power to drive them ?
Chord used in Abbey Rd I think 🤔
Bottom line: The SCM11 are nice but work well with powerful, warm sounding upstream components. Or else they sound thin and lifeless. After all they are studio monitors.
Hey NBT - I noticed in the background that you have a Heaven 11 amp. Would like to get your opinion on it.
Not entirely. I will add a written review soon but some components were within reason and still sounded fantastic including the heaven 11 amp you are talking about. Don't forget that these were specifically designed for the high consumer market and they have a separate pro division.
Agreed - I use audio research pre/power for a fuller bodied warmer sound. Less analytical/monitor sounding compared to my solid state class A/B and class D amps.
But I had the old tdl ranges and the studio 1 can be had 4 like 100 UK sounds crazy but I have heard full linn klimax system along of cash 💸 that you got 2 hear 👂
Technics suv 9 is amazing with my atc scm 12s brings bright dynamics as atc can be somber think pioneer amps or primary a32 poweramp or a30.1 integrated like suv 9 but not as good for 4 times price
Jay I've had them all the old atc scm 12 is better but I buy vintage now tdl studio 10 a cheap UK speaker is the most bright alive I've had shocked me
Do think it’s a better value than the kef ls50? Also what amp did you use? How would a digital amp work with this?
Thats a hard question that I'm going to avoid answering for now because I may do a video on that... And the s400... For amplifications... I used many many different amplifiers.... Ranging in many different price points... Will list them in my written review
The Next Best Thing Studio thanks
I have krell class a 50w amp , will this work well with my amp
How do these compare with the Harbeth p3esr, if you know....?
Had both.The Atc need lots of power,current to sound the best.Found the Harbeth to be a better all round sound,for voices,acoustic ,they shine,and for lower volume,the Atc were not as good.
Have you heard the scm12 pro?
Would they pair well with the Naim Unity Star?
Very late reply - but I'd be going for the Naim Nova to get the best out of them.
Love your videos bro, but this ‘fonze’ look you’ve been rockin’ the past few months ain’t working lol 😂
Im trying to grow my hair... I think im close to quitting
hello, are these the Mk2?
zero fidelity has publicly exposed me. That is correct.... I am not what I appear (sound) to be... 😂😂😂 I shall take revenge on him one of these days
Are you threatening me? I AM the senate!
@@ZeroFidelity 😂😂😂
The price is incorrect. They are more expensive than 1200 euros. About 1700!
By the way excellent content I've found being a poorer audiophile now get like guru on stuff ie denon avc a1 mk1 model like accuphase on cheap this av beats everything never sell
Which do you prefer ATC SCM11 or Buchardt S400?
You like to ask hard questions. Don't you? Haha. I might actually make a video on this so I shall keep my mouth shut for now
Did you try them with the Hegel h90?
@@sebsese unfortunately I did not get to try it with hegel at this time but maybe in the near future
Oh for effs sake Jay. Answer is easy: Like a smooth top end, a warm midrange, and strong bass from a small speaker? Go with the Buchardts. Want something that's slightly elevated in the treble, clean and punchy in the mids, with limited but quick bass? Go with the ATC's. Video done.
@@ZeroFidelity oh common. don't take the spotlight away haha 😄 but yes. Basically
Are you with Audio Excellence from Canada.
He is.
The only people that wouldn't like these are people who don't know what Sound Quality is.
Vintage Playback Hifi some people look for a particular kind of sound or something that beautifies the music. Given ATC is more about “accuracy”, Studio monitor, it may make some music sound not so good.
Thanks for the review Jay. I’ve really narrowed it down to these, the Harbeth P3ESR and LS50 Meta. Going to drive them with a proper integrated amp. The Hegel H390.
Had the Atc scm 11 v2.Then swapped for Harbeth p3esr ,that i still have.Moved house now,and starting to think my old room caused the Atc not to sound the bes.But now im kinda lusting after a new set of the 11.The look ,the feel of them is superb.
@@chicowasp How would you defiine the difference in tonality between the ATC 11 and the Harbeth p3esr ?
@@simoSLJ89 Harbeth = natural. Atc = clinical.You realy need to try speakers in your own space,with your own gear.Bought the Atc blind,from the reviews.Could never get them to sound right.Rega Elex r .Primare a34.2 power amp ,150 wpc .Still sounded shrill to my ears.The Harbeth ,are a joy to listen to,not dull on the end of my Croft integrated,with Telefunken tube ,also swap to a older Sony ta f670es amplifer.Double the power of my Croft.get more bottom end ,but loose the high end sparkle,unless tone controls are used.
It’s really a shame that ATC destroyed their US market opportunity by using single pissant distributor, resulting in a 100% markup over MSRP. Great speakers, nowhere near worth $3k.
They sell for 2K not 3K.
Its not only about the listed power on the amp ... you have to be careful matching ATC speakers. Have two amps tested with SCM 19 ... same power - 150W@8Ohm ... Hegel and ATC. The Hegel cant get a good bass presentation out of SCM 19. ATC get the bass effortless. And Its not about that the amp is the same brand. Even both A/B class the amps are made differently.
But indeed very fine speakers.
Vladimir Rusev glad you mentioned this. Just thought on having scm19 and match it with hegel h190. It’s a no go then.
Reading a lot on scm19 as I really attached to it to only found out that it’s impossible to match it with an amp that is not almost twice the price. Looks like my dream just shattered.
They do not need hundreds of watts, they need to drive well. Using my 11s 50 watt kt 120 tube amp and it is just glorious in 35 square meters. Much better than my old proac d18.
Quality not quantity
I had the 11 for a while nearfield and find them balanced and controlled and they do well in bigger rooms too. They are not a low mass design and it showed when compared to boston a26 the 11 has less sustained guitars but are way more controlled and refined in the highs. I dont think its a speaker very attention grabbing. In the end its it strength.
Why did you get rid of them if you liked them?
@@Taffy84 I still have them I just wrote 'had' rather then 'have' sorry for the confusion. I also think I was a bit misleeding with 'less sustained'. Its because in my direct comparison the guitars didnt pop out of the mix as much on the 11, the attack was there but the echos for example melted more in the background and where harder to follow then the a26 (these do that mighty well) . That was the only aspect I could find where the speaker could have been a bit better. If I look at the whole picture they are my favorite speaker ever. I found them to sound better then the proac 148 and the spendor s6e that I also have home. The punchier bass is the spendor, the fullest sound and largest soundstage is the proac, the atc is the more refined and balanced probably the best with mids but when it comes to mids Im not that good at comparisons. Despite not beeing a tower id be happy to put them in the living room its more the towers that would not do in my desktop setup. Grills, cabinet, weigth, unique drivers, its a very impressive speaker all around. They are worth the price. Any undamaged used pair would be a perfect buy.
Byway chord days and amps are absolutely hifi nirvana listen 1 you see what I mean
📝
My only problem with the ATC SCM-11 speakers is the very low sensitivity and lack of low end bass. Having to drive them with amps of high current and may be some worth expensive.
It's some how it's own enemy, if not driven properly and very revealing of equipment up front.
Hey Ian. Yes and no. The SCM11 is indeed not the most sensitive speaker in the world but its impedance swing is not as drastic as in most speakers, allowing it to be driven with amplifiers around 80 watts or even 50 depending on the room which is not the case with most speakers rated at 85db. But you are never going to get a full bloom in the bottom end with these speakers unless you add a sub as they do cut off around 56hz.
did you try benchmark amplifier ahb2 in mono config?
Uhhh... Nope...
@@Jayiyagi check it out distortion below top dacs.. hehe
@@lextr3110 I shall put it on my list ! At this rate... I need more new rooms. Did I tell you every room in my house is an audio system? 😁😂✌
@@Jayiyagi haha one of the reason we trust your reviews :p on our side we drool at the idea.. sometime its cheaper to find the best gears since it push you to sell the rest...
i think you should keep only 3 flagship system each at their own price range and do audio mma cage fights in their weight class .. you replace the looser by the winner and you continue the search...
Just thought share little my vast hifi addiction knowledge I was in construction 🚧 now hifi my income great hobbies expensive 😅 but good
Review Tekton lore M please !!!!!
That is on my list... But idk when Im gonna get to it haha. You should send an email to tekton and tell them to send them to me. Who knows 😂😂😂✌
r3 or this speakers consider soundstage
Soundstage is not the difference between R3 and SCM11 ... they sound very very different.
Idk how to even begin explaining this... Lets just say... Watch my r3 review and then watch this review...
Hey where can i hear scm11 in Greece?
@@weskoki τα είχα δει στο xe.gr νομίζω ότι έχει στο soun gallery η είχε. Πριν κάνα δίχρονο τα είχα ακούσει αλλά δεν είμαι σίγουρος αν ήταν στο soun gallery είχα γυρίσει όλα τα μαγαζιά τοτε
@@weskoki you are living in Greece right ?
Bro, I just unsubscribed so I could resubscribe.
😂😂😂✌
Sucks. I have a 75W Hegel and it looks like these speakers are just out of its ability to drive decently.
Do you own the Rost?
Atc require something like a chord amp 300 watt per channel dads 10 g 1 fire them nice sh 3 grand now best amp in world 🌎 sbm 15 something can't remember
haha 8000W
Hi, you just learnt to speak English and now you can´t stop, is that the reason you speak all the time and don´t leave even 30 sec to listen to the damn speakers ?