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.
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Showing 1 response by mikecohen

System matching including interconnects and cabling as well as provision for room effects are important to get the sound that you like. I have ATC SCM11's, Audio Research LS3 and Bryston 4BST and my most used source is a McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe. With Kimber KCTG interconnects the sound is very treble oriented and the bass is light but with Kimber Hero's (copper), there is better top to bottom coherence and the bass is much better and the treble smoother. I have had other systems, however, that favor silver interconnects. Member Philojdet's comments about tweaking are valuable.