Loudspeaker audition booked

Ancient Mariner posted:

Yetizone posted:

So how did the demo go? 

Thanks Yetizone. Decided to go with the ATC in the end, just edged for me. So I've ordered them in cherry and will take approximately 4 weeks to arrive. I'll be doing a more detailed write up tomorrow.

Ian.

Good stuff - look forward to reading about the dem. Cherry will look lovely! Have to admit to being quite taken with the white & black grilles option in the current ATC range as its so different. Four weeks is quite a surprising lead time though.

Congrats to all, I do think for the money, even for a lot more money, it's difficult to find speakers that over the long term could provide more enjoyment than ATC. My SCM40 actives are just perfect for me, smooth detailed top end, mids where the timbres just sound real, tight controlled bass, good depth and soundstaging, accurate and true to the music, forgiving (not forward or irritating over extended listening, low noise and distortion), and easy to position. I'm unable to identify any weaknesses. Perhaps the secret is in their sealed design, and custom built drivers and amps. Everything is made to order hence the lead time. ATC are also used in professional recording studios around the world for monitoring and mastering.

Good things come to those who wait.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and good advise I was given prior to the audition.

Yesterday turned out to be a fine day overall. My journey took approximately 50 min in what could be described as very inclement weather conditions, sleet snow and heavy rain throughout. I also had a tricky walk on icy pavements, which thankfully I was able to negotiate fairly well and reach my destination without slipping. So upon my arrival soaking wet and cold I was handed a nice hot cup of coffee and relaxed on the sofa while thawing out somewhat. It was at this point the dealer left the room and just left me to it to sit back relax and take as long as I like to make my decision.

The dem room was already setup conveniently with the same Naim electronics I have in my system. DAC-V1 NAP200 NACA5 all placed on a Fraimlite. The Russell K red 50 were also setup and ready to start.

The Russell K red 50 performed really well, fast agile and a clean overall balance. I was very surprised that a loudspeaker of this size could produce such a huge sound (coming from my current floor standers anyway). Instruments and vocals were clear and to my ears there was no sign whatsoever of any harshness in the upper registers even when pushed. I was constantly thinking throughout my audition of the Russell K that these really are special speakers for the money. Although the bass was fast and tight there was also some slight warming to it which added a little extra weight and extension. The Russell K red 50 has a very good overall balance and in the right system and room will no doubt excel really well.

Next up were the ATC SCM11, which in all honesty blew me away. The clarity, speed and midrange was very impressive. To me they were much more open compared to the Russell K which in comparison surprisingly sounded a little shut in. The ATC SCM11 bass was truly excellent, super fast and tight and doesn't get in the way of the music. The neutral balance and exceptional midrange really brings instruments and vocals to the forefront. When playing Tom Sawyer by Rush, you could pick out Geddy Lee's bass lines more clearly on the ATC's. To me ATC is definitely trending towards (if not already there) a more flat earth presentation. But the openness insight and honesty of the music from the ATC is remarkable. As impressive as they were to my ears, a full demonstration is imperative as their signature may not suit everybody. Some may prefer a more powerful bass with added weight and extension. 

So with my decision made I have now placed an order for the ATC SCM11 in cherry. The delivery time is estimated to be around 4 weeks. Hopefully just in time for Christmas.

Ian.

Ancient Mariner posted:

.. So with my decision made I have now placed an order for the ATC SCM11 in cherry. The delivery time is estimated to be around 4 weeks. Hopefully just in time for Christmas.

Congratulations, I'm sure that you'll be very satisfied with your choice 

NewNaim16 posted:

Ancient Mariner posted:

.. So with my decision made I have now placed an order for the ATC SCM11 in cherry. The delivery time is estimated to be around 4 weeks. Hopefully just in time for Christmas.

Congratulations, I'm sure that you'll be very satisfied with your choice 

Thanks NewNaim16, I fully expect the next 4 weeks to drag a little. I'm really looking forward to having them installed in my system.

Ian.

Hi Ian

From one DAC-V1/NAP200 owner to another, glad to hear you have got yourself sorted.

If there was an ATC speaker stockist closer I'd be tempted to have a demo.

Happy listening.

Dave

Very nice loudspeakers. Enjoy !

pj

dave4jazz posted:

Hi Ian

From one DAC-V1/NAP200 owner to another, glad to hear you have got yourself sorted.

If there was an ATC speaker stockist closer I'd be tempted to have a demo.

Happy listening.

Dave

Thanks Dave, they were everything I expected them to be. I really do like their neutral presentation. But an audition is a must.

Ian.

Darned fine choice. The SCM11's are bl@@dy good. And this coming from a PMC user 

Ancient Mariner posted:

Next up were the ATC SCM11, which in all honesty blew me away. The clarity, speed and midrange was very impressive. The ATC SCM11 bass was truly excellent, super fast and tight and doesn't get in the way of the music. The neutral balance and exceptional midrange really brings instruments and vocals to the forefront. But the openness insight and honesty of the music from the ATC is remarkable. 

Some may prefer a more powerful bass with added weight and extension. 

Hi Ian,

I had a chance today to hear the 11s big brother, the 19s at a dealer fed by a 272 signal into a bare SN2. I'd say your assessment of the 11s above is spot-on for what I heard from the 19s. Very impressive speaker for neutrality, speed, and clarity. At the same time, not intended for deepest bass.

Being a floorstander guy, I do prefer added bass weight and extension, as you suggest. I ended up going home with a pair of Devore Super 8s which sounded superb at the dealers. Listening to the Devores in my room now, I'm still in want of a little more bass weight in the overall tonal balance. Amazing how much the room plays into the speaker interaction. I'm still holding out hope the SCM 40v2 will be the ticket for me, but the dealer now tells me January until they arrive in his demo room.

Enjoy your purchase. The ATCs sounded very true and in cherry are beautiful speakers.

joerand posted:

Ancient Mariner posted:

Next up were the ATC SCM11, which in all honesty blew me away. The clarity, speed and midrange was very impressive. The ATC SCM11 bass was truly excellent, super fast and tight and doesn't get in the way of the music. The neutral balance and exceptional midrange really brings instruments and vocals to the forefront. But the openness insight and honesty of the music from the ATC is remarkable. 

Some may prefer a more powerful bass with added weight and extension. 

Hi Ian,

I had a chance today to hear the 11s big brother, the 19s at a dealer fed by a 272 signal into a bare SN2. I'd say your assessment of the 11s above is spot-on for what I heard from the 19s. Very impressive speaker for neutrality, speed, and clarity. At the same time, not intended for deepest bass.

Being a floorstander guy, I do prefer added bass weight and extension, as you suggest. I ended up going home with a pair of Devore Super 8s which sounded superb at the dealers. Listening to the Devores in my room now, I'm still in want of a little more bass weight in the overall tonal balance. Amazing how much the room plays into the speaker interaction. I'm still holding out hope the SCM 40v2 will be the ticket for me, but the dealer now tells me January until they arrive in his demo room.

Enjoy your purchase. The ATCs sounded very true and in cherry are beautiful speakers.

Hi joerand,

I hope you enjoyed your demonstration of the SCM19. I'm sure the SCM40v2 will be just superb. I'm coming from floorstanders (Rega R5) and to be honest in my room the bass can occasionally be a little too much, hence my desire for a more neutral presentation. As you quite rightly say the room does play a significant roll regarding speaker interaction. I'm absolutely certain the SCM11 will be perfect once installed into my living room. Additionally I hope you continue to enjoy the Devore super 8s.

Ian.

Hi Ian,

Again, congrats on the purchase. Thanks for posting your thoughts too - made for interesting reading, especially switching from Rega (I'm a fan - still own Ela, Kytes & R-VOX) floor standers to bookshelf size speakers. 

I’m a fan of the Russell K speakers, enjoying them each time I’ve heard them, so I’m now very curious to hear ATC speakers! I did hear a pair of ATC SCM50SL at a show and was not that impressed, but then, that’s a show environment and all of the compromises involved.

The ATC 11 and 19 are definitely on my demo list now!

BTW, did you listen to alternatives to the RK and ATC beforehand ?

Yetizone posted:

Hi Ian,

Again, congrats on the purchase. Thanks for posting your thoughts too - made for interesting reading, especially switching from Rega (I'm a fan - still own Ela, Kytes & R-VOX) floor standers to bookshelf size speakers. 

I’m a fan of the Russell K speakers, enjoying them each time I’ve heard them, so I’m now very curious to hear ATC speakers! I did hear a pair of ATC SCM50SL at a show and was not that impressed, but then, that’s a show environment and all of the compromises involved.

The ATC 11 and 19 are definitely on my demo list now!

BTW, did you listen to alternatives to the RK and ATC beforehand ?

Hi Yetizone,

Thanks, yes I have had my Rega R5s for 12 years now and I have enjoyed them. But for me I've always felt that the midrange was slightly recessed somewhat, again this could be attributed to the room environment? I had been considering going for a loudspeaker with a different presentation for some time, one that has a little more leading edge attack and a faster bass. So the ATC were on my radar for some time.

The Russell K were very good indeed and I could fully understand why some people may prefer them to the ATC. The bass from the Russell K was definitely more prominent but still fast and tight. However the ATC just shaded it for me with their more neutral presentation and I'm sure better suited to my room.

I can fully understand why the ATC may devide opinion and as ever an audition is absolutely necessary. But for me they're exactly what I wanted and I'm fairly confident they will impress even more in my room.

I didn't listen to any other speakers to be honest. As soon as I heard the ATC I knew there and then I was always going to buy them.

Ian.

Interesting. I think speaker choice has to be the most personal and subjective of all components in the chain and quite hard to get right - plus room acoustics and boundary restrictions to add complications!

When you hear set of speakers that grab your attention and don’t get in the way of the music, or their flaws draw attention to themselves, then its a lovely thing and to be embraced - it must have been very satisfying to end the search.

Look forward to thoughts when they arrive - and perhaps a comparison with the Rega floor standers too.

Yetizone posted:

Interesting. I think speaker choice has to be the most personal and subjective of all components in the chain and quite hard to get right - plus room acoustics and boundary restrictions to add complications!

When you hear set of speakers that grab your attention and don’t get in the way of the music, or their flaws draw attention to themselves, then its a lovely thing and to be embraced - it must have been very satisfying to end the search.

Look forward to thoughts when they arrive - and perhaps a comparison with the Rega floor standers too.

Agreed, choosing speakers is definitely the most difficult choice to make.  I've sort of taken a bit of a gamble I guess as I've not carried out a home audition. But I know my room and I've got a good idea what will work. Very confident the SCM11 will deliver a stellar performance once properly run in. 

Yes absolutely I'll definitely be comparing them to the Rega. Just have to wait for 4 weeks first. Which will inevitably go rather slow I would assume.

Ian.

Just a quick update to say I received a phone call today to inform me my ATC SCM11 speakers have arrived and are ready to collect. Roll on tomorrow morning!

Ian.