Speaker questions ProAc, Harbeth, ATC

@ga_audio 

I am with @jperry on the ProAcs. You should definitely listen to the new ProAcs. Not sure about your budget, but in the same budget range, I think you might choose the ProAcs over ATCs. I auditioned both when I visited the AXPONA 2017 and chose the ProAcs. Do listen to both - since your listening preference is your own and only you can decide which one you like. Good luck!

ATC is for sure a different transducer practicing Black Flag orders;  take no prisoners.

Chameleon in nature, as any change in component, cabling or source shifts the paradigm.  That means room acoustics too.  Move a chair and bang, different.

I’m speaking about the actives now:  They are brutally dynamic, lightning fast (attack) and relentlessly revealing of timbre.  The whole PRaT they deliver in spades.  Not the most holographic transducer, however the soundstage is quite stable.  With all systems operating optimally the larger actives will rearrange you. 

Perhaps not for everyone.  I’ve owned/own ATC 19A, 40A, 50As.  Also have ATC 20 passives and they love tons of stable current.

Enjoy your hunt.

In my secondary system, Fritz carbon 7SE model. 14x14 room, Only rock and Roll 85 to 90db with SVS SB 3000 sub. Pass amp and good DAC. They play WAY above their price point. Others will back up what I say. Robert TN

Put Studio Electric on that list. https://www.studio-electric.com/index.html

Many recording studios use ATC speakers. You might contact some and see if they will let you listen. Or Pro Audio dealers. 

Budget?

Much thanks to everyone for comments.  I really would like to listen to new ProAc, ATC and Legacy speakers, before making a decision.  Based on my searching for dealers in Atlanta, I could not find any here or close by. Harbeth is probably off the table based on comments and my preference.   

If you want tight bass, ATCs have tight, detailed and controlled bass. You will not always get lots of bass, only if it is in the recording.

I've auditioned 4 ATC models. They're all great sounding speakers. But there's a big difference between the 2 and 3 way lines. The 2 ways sound beautiful but polite. The 3 ways sound beautiful and ROCK! Absolutely no distortion at high volume with great detail and transparency. The 40s are a great value but the 50s are worth the price. I've heard the 100s and they're amazing for the right room.

Good luck in your hunt!

I had the 2.5's. They have a hump in the bass which can make it sound less refined. Placement can help, so you may want to move them around a bit just to see. The amp has a big effect, as well. I don't know what you have, but it may not have enough power to control the speaker properly. 

You have a 2 way floor standing ported speaker. You're asking a lot from the single woofer in the 2.5. You can only get so much out of it. As for a recommendation, everyone will give you a different answer, including me. Giving what you're asking for, I would recommend Vandersteen. If you put a pair of Model 2's next to them, they will beat the 2.5's in every area. Especially bass. However, you still need to demo them first. Its a very different sounding speaker. The Model 2's are more neutral, transparent and detailed. You may prefer the more forgiving, midrange focused ProAc's. If you compared them side by side, most people would take the 2.5's at first. After extended listening, you'll start to hear the things that make the Model 2's better. And if the Model 3's are in your price range, they're even better. 

Love my ATC speakers, which replaced 20 year old Quads.

I have owned a lot of different Proac speakers including the 2.5 which you now own.

I upgraded to the D-40r which I still own. The newer Proac speakers are an improvement, especially in the treble. I owned Harbeth Compact 7 (I forget which version) and like @larsman I can assure you they don't rock.

I have not heard the ATC line except at shows so no opinion to share

the Atcs are more transparent then your older

proacs and have incredibly tight articulate bass 

the Harbeth sound is warmer and more midrange orientated 

have to agree the legacy signatures are hard to beat.

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

Atc and Legacy dealers

Those are three different sounding speakers.  What’s your budget?

I to am a ProAc fan. Mine are almost 40 years old. You can’t go wrong with ProAc or ATC. You might want to look at Legacy speakers also. A different approach, but great results. The Legacy’s might be the best at Rock among the 3 brands. 

I have had Harbeth Super HL-5's for a number of years. They would be great for jazz or softer type of classic rock, but for hard-rockin', you'd probably want something besides Harbeth, at least that model.