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ATC Speakers...Do you use them with Grill On/Off

Hi,
I recently bought a pair of ATC SCM40 speakers. I am using it in a room of about 180sqft. Listening distance is about 8 ft.
I use a Symphonic Line Power Amp with them. The Power amp is very revealing and extended on both ends. Paired with ATC, I am getting very high resolution tones but I also feel that when I listen with the Grills off, here are some issues I see:

1. I get some direct sounds from the Tweeter and Midrange (its a three way speaker) which doesnt allow the speaker to dissappear completely

2. Even though I hear more detail with the grills off, I also find sometimes the sound is not relaxed, its a bit sharp

With Grills On...problem (1) is almost solved.
Problem (2) is solved to a good extent if not fully but it happens at the cost of a little loss in resolution. The leading edges are slightly less prominent. But surprisingly I find it more musically right when its playing with the Grills On. I am wondering what ATC recommends and what other ATC owners have experienced in this regard.

Is it that, since I use a very revealing amp along with a very revealing speaker I am facing this situation ?
What kind of cables are generally preferred with ATC ?
pani
kinn
33 posts
 
I use them with no toe in and grills on. It seems though as with the grill on, the sound is a bit natural and more controlled, though i do think at times i am missing some details. *this might be all in my head btw* haha

as for toe in, it makes the sound stage a bit small and narrow, and the high frequency seems to beam at you more. Therefore, I have absolutely no toe in at all.

I have them in a 14x18 room. 2.5-3 feet from the side wall,6feet from the back wall, and about 7-8 feet apart. I sit about 8 feet away from them.
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
Okay, out of no where I tried something and it worked big time for me. Kinn, you should try this too....I just tilted the speaker backward by few degrees using a single spike on the front black platform to lift it a bit and WOW...it took the stage back, warmed up the mids and highs...made everything so much more listenable...this one tweak is easily worth $500 for the improvement it brings at least with ATC 40.

Try it out.
kinn
33 posts
 
I have my ATC SCM20 on 24" stands and always wanted them higher as the soundstage height is parallel to where the midrange hits (i read that on a review for the original 20s, and i can conclude that when the ATC are on a temporary 30" stands, the soundstages actually does rise)

Hmmm.. i think i might give this a try! THANKS!!!
kinn
33 posts
 
Pani..it worked for the soundstage height. Now voices seem to come from the top of my 61" TV on some materials. I did not notice a decrease or increase of sound tonality. Just better soundstage, and more holographic!

I actually raised the front apprx 4/5". Thanks for the advice!
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
Great!!
But raising it 4-5" on the front will tilt the speaker significantly...did you try tilting in steps to see how much tilt works best ?
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