Ericcklau Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 I am just thinking to buy a pair of ATC SCM 10 speaker 1997 model, I cannot find much information on it, anyone using it? is it good at all? I am going to drive it with a Krell KSA 80B power amplifier, is it enough to drive the speaker? Hope that someone can help me to decide. Thank you.
Festooned Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) How much are they? They are 3db down at 50Hz so they aren't exactly full-range. Most people will want a sub. Probably similar to the Dynaudio sound of the day. They'd be nice nearfield monitors. ATC made big improvements in their later tweeters so highs are probably going to be where to listen for weaknesses. Edited October 31, 2019 by treuben 1
Festooned Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 At 82db they're terribly inefficient so the 80B might actually be a close thing if you're asking for a lot of volume. I'd put a scope on it and watch at your normal listening levels. 1
Ericcklau Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 I see thanks for pointing it out How much are they? They are 3db down at 50Hz so they aren't exactly full-range. Most people will want a sub. Probably similar to the Dynaudio sound of the day. They'd be nice nearfield monitors. ATC made big improvements in their later tweeters so highs are probably going to be where to listen for weaknesses.
Ericcklau Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 They are around 1000USD How much are they? They are 3db down at 50Hz so they aren't exactly full-range. Most people will want a sub. Probably similar to the Dynaudio sound of the day. They'd be nice nearfield monitors. ATC made big improvements in their later tweeters so highs are probably going to be where to listen for weaknesses.
audio_file Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 1 hour ago, treuben said: They are 3db down at 50Hz so they aren't exactly full-range. My ATC SCM 19s are -6db at 54Hz, but ATC measures their speakers in the middle of a large warehouse. In my room I get the average level down to around 25Hz. Here is my response graph at the listening position: (I have room modes to sort out) 3
gat474 Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 I had a couple of pairs of 10’s but stupidly sold them. Ran them with 250 wpc Primare amp. Lovely speaker and a nicer listen than the scm20’s I had at the same time. $1000 US is probably twice what I’d pay though. 2
Festooned Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) That's a very valid point but 25Hz surprises me. I've seen a couple of people talk about their SCM19 measurements and they see roll off in small rooms of ~40Hz and higher up in large rooms. I use a large diaphragm condenser mic to measure and I get low frequency noise that makes my measurements look like this very low down. It's better if I let the thing "warm up" for a few minutes. audio_file makes a very valid point though - and sealed boxes response well to boundary reinforcement. Jim Tate in Adelaide had some nice specials on ATC on ebay worth checking out. I don't know if all of them are still up but I notice the SCM11s are. Edited October 31, 2019 by treuben 1
audio_file Posted November 1, 2019 Posted November 1, 2019 48 minutes ago, treuben said: I use a large diaphragm condenser mic to measure and I get low frequency noise that makes my measurements look like this very low down. It's better if I let the thing "warm up" for a few minutes. audio_file makes a very valid point though - and sealed boxes response well to boundary reinforcement. I also used a large diaphragm condenser mic. It was definitely warmed up, but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of noise. They weren't that far from the corners, so were definitely reinforced by the walls. 2
Amro200 Posted November 4, 2019 Posted November 4, 2019 I use the SCM11 and they sound fantastic, so realistic you feel the artist is sitting in the room, I am contemplating an upgrade selling them and my other PMCs, 1
FR DRew Posted July 6, 2024 Posted July 6, 2024 Massive grave dig, but i've just recently begun using a pair of ATC SCM10s with a Krell KSA80B. Stunning combo. Scary realism, bass that has no right to go this deep from a box and drive unit that small. Resolution and clarity that I've never experienced before, but without a hint of sterile clinical harshness. Loving it. 2
GC Hifi Posted July 8, 2024 Posted July 8, 2024 (edited) On 06/07/2024 at 9:02 PM, FR DRew said: Massive grave dig, but i've just recently begun using a pair of ATC SCM10s with a Krell KSA80B. Stunning combo. Scary realism, bass that has no right to go this deep from a box and drive unit that small. Resolution and clarity that I've never experienced before, but without a hint of sterile clinical harshness. Loving it. Glad to hear you are enjoying the 10's. In my opinion ATC passives are one of those speakers that the bigger and more powerful the amp you run them with the better they sound, especially the smaller ones. cheers, Terry Edited July 8, 2024 by GC Hifi 1
FR DRew Posted July 29, 2024 Posted July 29, 2024 More than anything, they are a testament to Billy Woodman's goal of having realistic dynamics without compression. With well recorded and non compressed content they continue to amaze. Was listening to Buena Vista Social Club last night and even from the adjacent room there were sounds that for all the world sounded like real musicians. Heading further up the ATC tree or amplifier upgrades are not realistically likely any time soon (although I do intend to replace the original tweeters), but this has been a real eye opener to finally hear a combination I first read about in about 1992 and see how astoundingly well it performs even in relation to modern setups. 2
maxspl Posted July 29, 2024 Posted July 29, 2024 56 minutes ago, FR DRew said: More than anything, they are a testament to Billy Woodman's goal of having realistic dynamics without compression. With well recorded and non compressed content they continue to amaze. Was listening to Buena Vista Social Club last night and even from the adjacent room there were sounds that for all the world sounded like real musicians. Heading further up the ATC tree or amplifier upgrades are not realistically likely any time soon (although I do intend to replace the original tweeters), but this has been a real eye opener to finally hear a combination I first read about in about 1992 and see how astoundingly well it performs even in relation to modern setups. ATC used good quality Vifa tweeters in these , if they are sounding a bit down in level the ferrofluid may have dried out. You can get the ferrofluid replaced by a good speaker tech instead of replacing the tweeters.
FR DRew Posted August 2, 2024 Posted August 2, 2024 On 29/07/2024 at 5:23 PM, maxspl said: ATC used good quality Vifa tweeters in these , if they are sounding a bit down in level the ferrofluid may have dried out. You can get the ferrofluid replaced by a good speaker tech instead of replacing the tweeters. ATC themselves have suggested that replacement is probably advisable. They are now over 30 years old. The Vifa units were indeed "good quality". There doesn't appear to be much info around on other options. I seem to recall seeing at least one instance where someone had swapped out the tweeter on am SCM20 for a Scanspeak D2905 with good results, and the Seas units that followed the Vifa's were reportedly a significant step forward...
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