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Rivaling or Beyond the ESL 57 for Magical Midrange

For several years now I have been listening to a now well broken in pair of ATC SCM 7's on my desktop.

I may try to write at further length on these speakers, but for now can say they are the only component I have owned since 1979 that I can't imagine selling for fear of seller's remorse.

They are small and not perfect, limited in their bass response, and although I treasure amazing imaging, I don't get much with them crammed on my desktop amidst other components, computers, keyboards, books and papers.

Yet turned in at about 45 degrees - a mere 24" from each ear in a nearfield, speaker / headphone like configuration, I continue to love, love love them for WAV files, television, iTunes, computer sounds etc.

I enjoy them so much, that I usually ignore my ARC SP11, Levinson amp and Magneplanar Tympani IVa's which need to be warmed up and turned up, preferably with my head in a vice for the perfect sweet spot.

With the ATCs, I marvel at their clear but to my ears fatigue free midrange, particularly at low volumes - even with pretty ordinary, middle of the road components: currently Crown D75A amps used as monoblocks, generic cabling and the admittedly good Antelope / Zodiac DAC as a DAC and a preamp / switching device of sorts.

This reminds me of my lifelong theory that after the neurotic pursuit of high resolution airy highs, powerful bass and high dynamics and volume - at the end of the day, it's really the midrange that separates and defines the sustainable classics.

I suspect this is why dusty and quirky old Quads and original LS3%as are still coveted by collectors for prices far above their original retail prices.

Of course as an audiophile, I still can't resist the thought of an upgrade.

So I would love to hear your thoughts on MAGICAL MIDRANGE particularly at low volumes.

Thinking about trying Harbeth P3SERs and open to suggestions.

In the meantime and until further notice the overall balance and midrange on my ATCs are about as good as anything I have ever heard and bravo Mr Woodman.

Cheers,

cwlondon
cwlondon

Showing 2 responses by bombaywalla

bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Cwlondon, I'm a big fan of Green Mountain Audio speakers. These speakers are really well-made, drivers have been carefully selected & you get the full effect at low volumes because the drivers are sensitive enough. The older Europa model should be available for under $1000 - it used to sell for $995 factory-direct when it was in production. The newer model Calypso is another fantastic offering. My brother owns these so I've heard them many times. The latest model like the Rio is yet another fantastic offering. Just heard them at the Green Mountain factory just before RMAF2013. All of these speakers have superb & real & life-like midrange. They'll work for near-field listening as well.
here's a pair of Chroma's (next model above the entry-level Rio) for sale on Craigslist in Colorado Springs (this seller just happens to be in the same city as the speaker manuf):
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/ele/4186334823.html
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Cwlondon, I believe that there is a GMA owner not far out of London who you might be able to visit to listen to his speakers. Would have to be arranged thru Roy Johnson of Green Mtn Audio. So, this is a possibility if you want to consider it.....
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