11-12-15: Wim1983
@Phusis: The price of SCM SCM19v2 is out of my budget, ATC SCM19 closer to my budget, but I'm not convinced what are the special about these 2 versions? sparkling high with more air without sounding harsh? I thought ATC speakers sound on high freq. is not quite their strength? Not? Even for bass I've bit concert if it will be too shy for sealed cabinet design, hmm...
Although I like the active version of SCM19 (ASL20) even better, it's the midrange and what ties so neatly together around it that had me particularly interested in this speaker; it's very insightful, dynamic, and rather authentic sounding. To me high frequencies leave higher marks when well-integrated, unforced, and not drawing attention to themselves compared to a more distinct, "impressive-sounding" nature. The previous ATC's (prior to incorporating their own iteration of tweeters) may not have been the last word in ultimate resolution in these very upper regions, but I felt they completed the whole satisfyingly. Concerning the bass of the ATC's I find the same essentially holds true as with the tweeters: it's well-integrated into the mids, and has an agile, clean, and muscular imprinting. To some ATC speakers may sport a slightly closed-in top end and bordering an anemic bottom section. If it has any bearing to it I find them to be more natural this way compared to a lot else with "perfume" wrapped around it, and it's something that leaves the mids to really shine through that more effectively. It's not only about the midrange, but many factors can detract from the qualities found herein, and prevent a coherent presentation.
Hopefully you'll end up being inspired by some of the posts here - only you can decide.