ATC SCM40


With ringing in the New Year, I am thinking on trying the ATC SCM40 speakers. This is a huge speaker budget plunge for me but before I make a final decision, I want to see what you think on this model?  Currently I have the Vandersteen 2ci 

which they sound great powered by an Adcom GFA-5500 amp and a Rotel RC-995 preamp.

Ag insider logo xs@2xhighend64

@lonemountain I agree, the ATC dome mid is overall the most impressive midrange driver I’ve ever heard.  Question for you — I’ve read the mid they use in the 40 is different from the one used in the 50 on up.  Can you explain the design and performance differences?  My understanding is a major difference is in power handling capability but wondering if there are some sonic differences too.  Just curious.

@soix

There are two versions of the mid driver, the "normal" one in the 40 and the pro 25 and pro 45. Then there is the "S" version (for super dome), which is in everything else (50 on up). I remember when I was first getting to know these parts and found out the recone kits for repairing both were exactly the same. The only difference between the two was a larger magnet (larger motor) for greater power - which relates to higher power handling and greater dynamic range. So from a technical point of view there is only one ATC mid dome, with a version that employs a larger magnet. Everything else about it - the coil, the gap, the frequency response etc- is identical. The two versions sound exactly the same, the "S" version in the 50 on up is just capable of more output, more SPL, which matters in some situations but not all.  

Brad