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ATC SCM 40 question

Hi,

I recently bought a pair of ATC SCM40 speakers. I have them placed in a room approx 12ft sq. They are on the back wall, seating on opposite side. I can't move the speakers into the room or move the chairs into the room as I barely got away with buying these and can't encrouch any further, the missus was not happy at the size of them!

Anyway, they sound pretty incredible a lot of the time, but I've noticed on some recordings, not necessarily bad ones, just they can come across a little shrill and sharp, like the highs are overheated somehow.

I'm driving them with a PS Audio S300 Poweramp, that is being controlled by an RME ADI 2 DAC. 

I've tried messing with the dsp settings on the RME but I just can't seem to ease the issue.

My question is, does this seem like an equipment issue? Or maybe a cable issue?

I don't want to end up spending serious cash upgrading the amp or dac if that is not the problem. But I know the SCM40's need a lot of juice and the S300 only has 140w per channel, and the recommended is 150w. Or is that just a top end volume concern? I'm already looking at the Hegel H20, I can't get the ATC poweramp as I don't have the space for it.

Also I was looking at the Anthem STR Preamp. Something that might calibrate the sound better for the room. Maybe a cable upgrade?


Anyway, these are just my rambling thoughts on an ongoing issue, any advice at all would be much appreciated. I really want to solve this as when these speakers sing, they really sing!

Thanks
M

moomalade74
vinylvalet
897 posts
 

I’ve owned ATC 40 passives. I never experienced shrill/sharp so I know it’s not your speakers, an excellent choice I might add.

The 40 passives won the 2019 AZ Speaker Fest by a wide margin against seven other quality contenders, several of which were far more expensive. That system was all ATC (CDA2 mkII > P1 > 40) with Cardas wire.

Speaker/listening position and acoustics could be part of the problem, If you haven’t done so already, purchase Jim Smith’s Get Better Sound book. He has a great system for dialing in speaker/listening position as well as dozens of other tips that may help you.

Get Better Sound

You have a world class speaker. Please don’t give up on it.

digsmithd
913 posts
 

I often wondered what a pair of scm 40’s would sound like in my 10 by 13’ room.I do have a pair of 19v2 on sound anchor stands that sound great in that size of a room.It just gets better with your setting up efforts.Small increments make a big difference in sound stage

I can only tell you from what i learned in my small room... toeing them in will avoid most first reflection...atc are really quite well behaved speakers in smaller environment.Contacting these guys cant hurt.Lone mountain as well.Learning about setup makes all the difference.I almost gave up as other poster said...it wasnt the speaker’s fault it didnt sound right.

https://www.lonemountainaudio.com/

 

itzhak1969
515 posts
 

It's new speakers they need burn-in be patient

And don't do any changes now give them time .

digsmithd
913 posts
 

Aside from burn in...you being constrained about any other setup is hard to really suggest something thats going to make the difference having a speaker like that and not giving it at least some best case setup scenario...Youll never know what there capable of...and for that reason im out.😉...Youll have to just try stuff.

moomalade74 OP
8 posts
 

 

I agree with the above sentiment, I almost feel obliged to upgrade the rest of the chain now to give the speakers a fair shout. They feel like the one piece of a equipment I own that is, to quote Tom from Succession: "The bottom of the top"

With that in mind I’m thinking of maybe upgrading the Dac/Preamp from the RME to the HoloAudio – Spring 3 DAC Level 2.

 

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