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Bookshelf/Stand-Mount 3-Way Monitors: Need Help

Today I spent another extended session at my local high-end shop listening to some ATC SCM11's, my third session at the shop. I also spent last weekend listening to them at my home through my own system. I really love their uncolored sound and how "fast" they play, and, of course, all the other qualities (e.g., imaging) that small speakers bring. I wish, though, that they were able to play an octave lower.

I've been searching for smallish high-quality monitors to replace my 35-year-old Bang & Olufsen 3702's, which are small (HxWxD = 20x10x10 inches), three-way (with an 8-inch woofer), acoustic suspension monitors. These are uncolored and "fast." In addition, they seem to play flat down to 45 Hz or so without relying on room reinforcement. I really love the sound of these speakers. I can't seem to find a modern equivalent. I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
rx7audio

Showing 3 responses by rx7audio

rx7audio OP
24 posts
 
Thanks, Stanwal and Ryder. The surrounds on the woofers failed a while ago. (These woofers are Peerless replacements that a B&O dealer/tech installed in '94.) I was about to have them re-surrounded when I started thinking about replacing all the drivers and maybe the crossover capacitors (the speakers have always had a very faintly audible background hiss) and having high-quality binding posts fitted (to accommodate modern speaker cables). Ultimately, I decided that since speaker cabinet construction and driver and crossover technology have advanced so significantly since 1975 (when I purchased my B&O's new), I should simply consider replacing my B&O's with modern, ostensibly "better" equivalents. I should mention that the limitations of the 3702's (these are 4 Ohm speakers rated at 50 Watts RMS continuous and 75 Watts peak, iirc, so I never dared to play them really loud!) also influenced my decision to replace them rather than repair/upgrade them. I'd welcome any suggestions for replacements.
rx7audio OP
24 posts
 
Thanks for your suggestions, Seditious3, Gotog, Rodge827, and Magfan. I'm actually trying to avoid ported speakers (though I very much liked reading about the Lenehans and its back-to-fundamentals approach to speaker design) and sub-woofers. I have a demo pair of ATC SCM-19's reserved for the weekend. These aren't 3-ways, but last night I absolutely loved their sound (un-sound?) and speed when mated with my system. They appear to have the little extra reach I was looking for in the lower register, that their little brothers, the SCM-11's, were missing. I'll be spending a lot of quality time with them these next two days!
rx7audio OP
24 posts
 
I came upon a discussion about a "small" ATC 3-way monitor speaker that was recently (October 2009?) introduced. The SCM-25A Pro is an active, ported speaker for professional applications. It seems to have the same drivers as the floor-standing SCM-40. I wonder if ATC will introduce a version of this new speaker (maybe passive, non-ported) for hi-fi consumers. If so, it might be just what I'm looking for. Anyone heard, seen, know anything about, these new speakers?

Read here, for example: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-product-alert/431881-new-atc-compact-3-way.html.
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