You should hear the active speakers matched to their pre-amps. Much better representation of their true potential. They are not very forgiving of outside firm's gear, which tends to be emphasized for all the wrong reasons. Dull to warm. The active speakers have 250 watts of A/B power. I love their neutrality, and when compared to other speakers, they over-deliver on price to performance. I am upgrading to the Model 25s in 2012.
My experience with ATC SCM 12
I drive them with 100W class AB amp (Music Hall Maven).
What I am not happy with is their sound stage or "realism" effect. A-B test with KLH Signature monitors (similar volume, 2-driver design)reveals that KLH has more "realism" & presence in it's sound. You feel like musicians playing in your room. With ATC the sound is very even and bass is better (probably due to sealed cabinet design and superior driver), but treble is recessed and hidden behind. There are no spikes of treble when it is called for. It could be characteristic of ATC suitable for sound mastering (what do I know?) but it is not exciting. Overall ATC sound is too polite and mellow.
I am leaning towards trying something else may be from Triangle, may be someone could suggest something else.
BTW I had similar impression of Dynaudio monitors.
What I am not happy with is their sound stage or "realism" effect. A-B test with KLH Signature monitors (similar volume, 2-driver design)reveals that KLH has more "realism" & presence in it's sound. You feel like musicians playing in your room. With ATC the sound is very even and bass is better (probably due to sealed cabinet design and superior driver), but treble is recessed and hidden behind. There are no spikes of treble when it is called for. It could be characteristic of ATC suitable for sound mastering (what do I know?) but it is not exciting. Overall ATC sound is too polite and mellow.
I am leaning towards trying something else may be from Triangle, may be someone could suggest something else.
BTW I had similar impression of Dynaudio monitors.