Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: ATC SCM 11v2 Speakers by lochrider

Model:	SCM 11v2
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2199.00
Description:	Acoustic Suspension Two-Way Monitor
Manufacturer URL:	ATC
Model Picture:	View

Review by lochrider on December 06, 2014 at 08:22:42
IP Address: 24.179.241.79 Add Your Review
for the SCM 11v2

During the last several years I have searched for a moderately priced "bookshelf"-sized speaker for a smaller room (~1500 sf) used as my home office. I had accumulated several updated or upgraded components that stood idle without a speaker system. Because I live about an hour and a half from a major metropolitan area, my research was limited to online reviews, discussion forums, attendance at audio shows and manufacturer websites (plus several phone calls to various designer/manufacturers and other experienced audiophiles). My existing components included a 250 watt/channel SS amplifier, a tube pre-/headphone amplifier and as sources an SACD player and an FM tuner. Also, I had three heights of sand-fillable speaker stands, as well as boxes of various PCs, ICs, and speaker cables.

I have had some experience with "bookshelf"-style speakers in my early years as a hobbiest (Advent Loudspeaker, AR 3A, Warfendale entry level, PSB Alpha B). For near-field listening I had always preferred acoustic suspension designs due to their seemingly more coherent reproduction of music and the sense that low frequencies were better articulated and "solid." In addition, I was sensitive to "cuffing" so often heard in moderately priced ported designs when pressed at higher sound pressure levels. So, although I began my search considering all candidates in the $1500 to $2500 range, I eventually settled on a search of acoustic suspension designs.

In my office, I typically listen at levels from ~70 dB at the listening position ("C"-weighted, slow) which is about 7.5 feet from the speakers. Occassionally, I crank up the level to ~85 dB. My FM turner permits listening to two quality stations with very good signals: Minnesota Public Radio's classical music station and "The Current," an alternate music station with very good progamming. The SACD player is typically used with acoustic jazz or "alt-rock."

Toward the end of my search I had narrowed the contenders to Benchmark Media's proto-type SMS1 (heard at APOXNA before production), Aerial Acoustics 5B, and the speaker under review. Some arbitrary decision-making then took place. When I met the designer of the SMS1, I was very impressed; when I met the owner of Benchmark, I was totally turned-off - an arrogant, misanthropic personality. That speaker was crossed off my list. The Aerial B5 was in the process of being discontinued and it seemed only used demos without discounting were available. Too bad. When I was ready to pull the trigger, the SCM v2 wss still within my price range (before price increases seemingly arising after several favorable reviews).

Performance. Out of the box: good. After more than 200 hours: very fine! I really enjoy these speakers (see product strengths below). They make long term listening enjoyable, non-fatiguing. I now spend too much time in my office!

My wife and 3-year old daughter often invade my office to crank up the system and dance.

I do not miss the absence of low frequency output (below 50 Hz) due to the very good reproduction of the remaining frequency range. Reproduction of 55 Hz to 200 Hz is balanced and provides wallop (room reinforcement is likely at play here).

These speakers are so good for the money that I am tempted to move the entire system to our moderately-sized living room to replace a lower performing "background" music system. No, these speakers in this system do not out-perform my dedicated listening room system. And there is no reason to suspect they could. The price differential is obscene IMO. The purposes and set-up are very different.

These are great smaller speakers that perform very well with appropriate amplification, sources, set-up and room size. I highly recommend that anyone in the market for speakers in their price range strongly consider them for superb performace.

N.B.: The default link provided by the Asylum is dead; the current link to the manufacturer's website is: http://www.atcloudspeakers.co.uk/

Cheers,

Ian

Product Weakness:	Price (now that increases put it slightly over $2500 msrp), inefficient (suggested amplification of 50 to 300 wts), limited very low frequency reproduciton (below 50 Hz), for some folk - drivers visible through removable screen.
Product Strengths:	Accurate, detailed without etching or edginess or spotlighting, excellent dynamics, excellent imaging, excellent texture, airy HF, controlled/detailed impactful LF above 50 Hz, smooth transition between drivers, quality solid construction, appealing cosmetics (if you don't mind seeing the drivers throgh the removable screen), bi-wireable.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Paracound HCA 2200ii, re-capped
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Cayin HA-1A
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony XA-777ES; Magnum Dynalab 105
Speakers: ATC SCM 11 v2
Cables/Interconnects: Van den Hul Orchid ICs, Harmonic Tech 9 double bi-wire speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Acoustic jaxx, alt-rock, classical,
Room Size (LxWxH): 14' x 11' 8 x 8'6
Room Comments/Treatments: Wall to wall, oriental carpet, heavy furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months, plus
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Brick Wall Series Mode
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Paracound HCA 2200ii, re-capped
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Cayin HA-1A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony XA-777ES; Magnum Dynalab 105
Speakers:	ATC SCM 11 v2
Cables/Interconnects:	Van den Hul Orchid ICs, Harmonic Tech 9 double bi-wire speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Acoustic jaxx, alt-rock, classical,
Room Size (LxWxH):	14' x 11' 8 x 8'6
Room Comments/Treatments:	Wall to wall, oriental carpet, heavy furniture
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months, plus
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Brick Wall Series Mode
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner