I wondered about ATC's philosophy re active Vs. passive loudspeakers:
What if you like push-pull tube amp amps, let alone SET amps? (A2 SET, not your flee powered ones).
Personally I find most solid state amps to sound a bit dry and not as holographic and/or emotionally involving as some tube designs, especially compared to SET's and OTL's.
I tried ATC 12 SCM with analogue source and all tube gear (45W/Channel 300B/805 SET) and got glorious mid range and very good response top to bottom with slight softening/roundness in the bottom end (not objectionable though).
In a smallish room, the ~60Hz lower response is deceiving as the bass is surprisingly deep and full and has no added artifacts due to the sealed box design.
I found that imaging and focus improved with deep toe-in (tweeters facing your ears). I would not call these speakers dull.
They just don't add "spectacular-ness" to the sound and are more "matter of fact" than most speakers which may be designed with "loudness" effect (emphasis on upper midrange and midbass to create a sensation of liveliness and open sound).
To my ears with proper source and amplification they are crystal clear without being analytical (dry) or peaky and they have close to perfect tone.
The 3" dome midrange driver is very, very good (full bodied, has smooth response and is very fast and detailed all at the same time).
So YMMV with room matching, placement and proper amplification but the potential is absolutely there.
What if you like push-pull tube amp amps, let alone SET amps? (A2 SET, not your flee powered ones).
Personally I find most solid state amps to sound a bit dry and not as holographic and/or emotionally involving as some tube designs, especially compared to SET's and OTL's.
I tried ATC 12 SCM with analogue source and all tube gear (45W/Channel 300B/805 SET) and got glorious mid range and very good response top to bottom with slight softening/roundness in the bottom end (not objectionable though).
In a smallish room, the ~60Hz lower response is deceiving as the bass is surprisingly deep and full and has no added artifacts due to the sealed box design.
I found that imaging and focus improved with deep toe-in (tweeters facing your ears). I would not call these speakers dull.
They just don't add "spectacular-ness" to the sound and are more "matter of fact" than most speakers which may be designed with "loudness" effect (emphasis on upper midrange and midbass to create a sensation of liveliness and open sound).
To my ears with proper source and amplification they are crystal clear without being analytical (dry) or peaky and they have close to perfect tone.
The 3" dome midrange driver is very, very good (full bodied, has smooth response and is very fast and detailed all at the same time).
So YMMV with room matching, placement and proper amplification but the potential is absolutely there.