Speaker question

How about at low volume? I’ve read that they really don’t start to sing until they start getting cranked up.

+1 @m669326 that the ATCs are less finicky about placement, and the Ushers I recommended definitely appreciate more breathing room to fully express what they can do, but so do ProAcs.  And yes, ATCs are not the best choice for low-level listening if that’s a big concern.  Always trade offs. 

My experience is not that they’re not bad at low volume, but that they get really good at higher volumes, creating a contrast that makes them seem a little worse than they really are. In general, any speaker with a flat approach, with no bass boost or additional screwing around, will seem to lose bass at low volume, simply because of the way our ears and brains work. The trade-off is that if the bass is right or preferable at low volume, when you crank it up it won’t be accurate anymore. The ATC’s are designed so that they are accurate at higher volume than many others. Anyway, those are my thoughts. I’m not any kind of expert. 

Ok, I have it narrowed down to Proac D30r’s and PMC TWENTY5.24i. I’m afraid the ATC and its low volume issue may rule them out. Maybe save for they’re actives one day.

Who is saying ATC's have issues last low volume?  That is utter crap and made up by someone who got a bad demo.  They don't have an issue.  

On the pro side of ATC, which uses the same drivers as consumer versions, a very specific BENEFIT (that is very easy to demo) is that they sound exactly the same at low level than high level (level meaning SPL level).  This is actually a rare skill and one that ATC prides itself on.  Mixers need this badly because no one can mix loud all the time without wearing yourself out.  You have to be able to turn it down and hear the same exact thing to work for 8-10 hours in front of speakers.  

I don't mind someone liking a different brand, that's fine, so it's not about a competing brand.  Using complete mistruths and stating them as a factual and well known issue is not right.  This "ATC's have a low level issue" is not true and a complete fallacy.  If you go to an ATC dealer they can prove it to you. 

Brad

Brad