ATC SCM11 vs Monitor Audio Gold Reference 60


I was at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest last year and heard a pair of atc SCM40 speakers that I was very impressed with. They reminded me alot of some expensive pmc's I heard and loved in the bryston room the previouse year at a fraction of the cost. I currently am running Monitor Audio Gold Reference 60 towers which I love. I found out last month I am having a baby in sept and will be moving in with my girlfriend and her 3 year old son so I have decided to sell my amp pre amp and expensive mit xlr interconnects and will be going to an onkyo 805 reciever, with a rega apollo source.

My question is this... I am debating whether I should sell my M.A. towers and get monitor size speakers specifically the atc scm11. My theory is monitors will give me better imaging and soundstaging off a receiver then the towers will, as well as being better matched on power, I am also running a custom built 15" sub with 1000w going to it with full bass eq.

I have no way to demo the atc's before buying and I was hoping maybe any one had heard both these speakers, Do you think I would be happy with the atc's coming from the M.A. Golds? would it be a transition I would be happy living with for the next few years. Or would I be better off to keep running the Golds off my onkyo, possibly indefinately? I'm hoping that in a few years I may get a pre/pro and 5 ch amp but not sure if I will be going back to a dedicated two ch system anytime soon.

I mainly listen to classic rock, 80's rock and modern rock. my future listening habbits will be movies, xbox, and jamming out while doing house work and yard work prob not to much sitting in sweet spot and "melting" into the sound like I used to.

Thanks for your advice
ryedady

Showing 1 response by vsollozzo

I haven't heard the MA GR60, so I can't help there. I do own a pair of ATC SCM-11s, so maybe I can help some. The ATCs are great speakers, but I share Lindisfarne's reservation about the power the Onkyo can provide. It's a heavy receiver though, so I'm assuming it's got some power supply.

The ATCs are a little tricky to drive, but are generally amp friendly. As Lindisfarne mentioned, they like current AND watts. For example, my MF A5 amp, at 200 watts, can kick them around with ease, but my Naim Nait 5i, which is pretty good on current, but not on watts, barely moves the woofer. They sound thin and treble heavy with the Naim, punchy and clear with the A5.

I've powered these with a Harmon Kardon 525 some time back. That receiver had a big power supply and around 90 watts per channel in stereo and ran them rather well, but I wasn't "critical listening" either.

A big consideration is the little ones. Your girlfriend has a toddler. The SCM-11s will be on stands I reckon? They weigh about 20 pounds each with sharp corners. If the little one can topple them, it could be dangerous.

If you love the GR60s, and most of your listening will be while moving around, there is no need to worry about soundstage.

I'd keep the GR60s. It's safer with the kids, you already like them and your listening habits will be non-stationary anyway. Besides, most of what will be playing on them will be Barney's greatest hits :)