ATC SCM7 vs SCM11 ? Which one would you choose?

Always choose the largest size that the room can accommodate with the exception of large monsters with 12" or larger drivers.

I’m with you! I had a pair of Scm7’s 2 months ago.  Sold them for some tylers that can play at the levelsI like.

The ATC’s were one of my favorites though.  They scaled dynamics and made music have a certain boogie or swing to it that I hadn’t experienced in my listening room before.  I had a few “aha” moments where I heard a very familiar song (metallica/rush/pink floyd) and thought to myself “okay, thats how that song is supposed to sound”.  Thats a strange revelation to have.

Hopefully I’m able to move up the ATC line someday.  Those dome midranges are supposed to be magical

Please excuse the double post. Hi. I would like to thank everybody for their helpful answers and specially to all of those who recommended me ATC speakers. After reading your opinions and others from similar forums, since no SCM11 speakers where available at the moment (3 weeks ago) I found a pair of SCM7 speakers (V.3) used but in perfect condition. WOW, I've heard many speakers before, including my KEF R7 and LS50 speakers, and even though it sounds cliche, I can really say like other forum members had said, that these ATC are in a completely different league of their own and are BY FAR and NOT EVEN CLOSE than others, the BEST speakers I've heard in my life.
With my first hearings and comparing them with my LS50s, I thought the sound produced by the LS50 was linear, I mean, all the instruments sound at the same volume level but in their different positions and with the SCM7, some instruments sound specially louder than the voices but in a very nice way, almost 3 dimensional where I could "touch" the instruments.
After more hearings I still think there is like a V shape or something like that where voices sound a little less loud than the other instruments but in other songs the volume is equally distributed, BUT, that's just an observation. The main feeling with the SCM7 is that they provide an uncanny neutral sound WITHOUT being fatiguing at the same time. Everything sounds "like the real thing", sometimes "too close to reality" but without any harshness and almost all kind of songs from all kind of recordings sound great.
ONE GREAT THING these SCM7 speakers also has is that they provide a superb soundstage and instruments separation way beyond their physical space.
Anyway, this "review" is the least technical one you might find because, in plain words, the sound they deliver is MAGICAL, there's no better word that come to mind. They make me feel a special joy because EVERY SONG I've heard, even those I've been hearing since I was a teen in 1988-1989 and have been hearing through all the years through a lot of car speakers, home speakers, headphones, etc, SOUND ABSOLUTELY NEW when heard with the SCM7. It's the excitement you could get if, suddenly, all your favorite movies could be seen, in a future, in full 8 or 16K with 3D, I mean, a complete revelation that makes you PLAY and TOUCH the music if you know what I mean.
These SCM7 speakers have been an unparalleled sonic revelation.
My search for the perfect speaker is over, I think. From now on, I'll be concentrating and other ATC models as an upgrade.
Best regards,

I would also add that the ATCs need solid state gear.

I'm currently using the ATC ACM 11 in a 11.5 X 12 room to great effect. I would recommend the 11s over the 7 for your room.

Wow, it's great to have a direct interaction with the official distributors of ATC in USA. Thank you very much for your response! Actually I just bought a pair of SCM7 from a seller in USA AUDIO MART. That seems to be the only way to experience first hand the ATC sound as of now without buying the much expensive SCM19 or going to the PRO alternatives. No one seems to be selling the SCM7 or the SCM11 brand new as they are back ordered or non available. I paid "only" $1,000.oo for the SCM7 as they are slightly used and my strategy is hopefully to use the SCM7 as the "entry drug" of ATC speakers and then maybe bought a pair of SCM19 or higher in the line with a SCM40.2A. It just depends of how much I'd like the SCM7s. I've read a professional comparison/review between several speakers including the SCM7 and the LS50 an even as the LS50 were highly awarded the SCM7 won the contest.

I love my KEF LS50 speakers but I'm really eager to try the much recommended ATC sound. I think I will be ok with power requirements because my amp is a NAD Master M22 V.2 that provides 300 wpc at 8ohm. 

Best regards from Costa Rica! Believe it or not, some other audio enthusiasts here know about the ATC but we know it's an impossible dream (mostly a non viable business) to have a direct distributor here.

ATC SCM11's sound warmer than almost any other speaker in the consumer line.  They are very balanced and don't feel bass shy or overly analytical.  They are the easiest of the Entry line to drive as well and are ATC's best selling home audio speaker.  

The SCM 7's are a modern evolution of the original British hi fi super small extremely hi fidelity speakers along the lines of the BBC monitor.  Billy Woodman, ATC transducer designer and founder, worked for Goodmans Loudspeaker back in the day when the BBC project was first begun (using parts supplied by KEF such as drivers and crossover).  Goodman's was one of the original two licensees with a  one year agreement.  Goodmans did not resign with the BBC and went on to build the Mini-Max, a very high fidelity 5 inch 2 way.  The SCM7 driver is along those lines with a huge motor and very low distortion.   So it's a remarkable speaker, but the SCM11 with its additional bass appeals to a wider audience.

Brad
Lone Mountain AUdio
ATC USA      

What @helomech suggests. Or, if you stick to the home audio line, the 11s.

If you don't care about wood veneer, you might save some $$$ by considering their pro monitor speakers. They are practically the same aside from their slightly larger cabinets and matte-black finish.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SCM12Pro--atc-scm12-pro-6-inch-passive-studio-monitors

 

So, you've stumbled onto terrific speakers with caveats.  The ATC speakers are great, but only if you have reference source and amplification.  Lots and lots of stable current delivery.  These love quality power and lots of it.  Otherwise, forget it.

The ATC SCM 11 is easier to drive with more dynamics as the cabinet size of the 7's drivers and cabinet can only deliver so much before compressing.

The ATC actives are in a league of their own and should be considered.  I know, the start price of the active monitors takes you into the $5,400/pr. range.  However, remove need for adequate amplification and speaker wires and it becomes far more accessible.

In the end, your attraction to less than stellar recordings may dismiss them all together as they are painfully revealing and may drive you crazy.

My room is  12'12" x 19'3". Thank you,

What is the size of your room?