ATC SCM20ASL review - 5 stars!

[nopiano]

No surprise for me that these brilliant active speakers get 5 stars all round! They were one of the best sounds at the recent North West Show at Cranage, and were connected in the usual modest fashion that ATC adopt. No hosepipe cables or ostentatious stands, just a simple rack with their preamp, a Technics turntable and a pair of these lovely speakers.

Full WHF review…https://www.whathifi.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/atc-scm20asl

And another from an ‘old friend’ who used to write here too…https://www.sound-advice.online/product-reviews/atc-scm20asl

 

[Gray]

Yes, I was interested to read the WHF review earlier.
Still expensive of course, but a whacking £4,000 less than the Anniversary edition - and it seems that, with these, apart from the limited edition status, all you lose is the 'fancy paint finish and leather-covered front baffle'
We're led to believe the sound is the same.

I'd really like to have a good listen and compare these to the best amp and passives that £6.495 could buy.

Maybe others can say what might be their preferred choice of amp and passives if spending this much.

 

[Friesiansam]

I could spend a lot less on a pair of Focal Stellias. Speakers being a non-starter for me, I would just have to make do, though I would have a good bit spare to put towards a headphone amp and DAC upgrade. Isn't life hard...

 

[nopiano]

I could spend a lot less on a pair of Focal Stellias. Speakers being a non-starter for me, I would just have to make do, though I would have a good bit spare to put towards a headphone amp and DAC upgrade. Isn't life hard...

You could, but it’s a slightly off-piste comparison! I could spend less than the Stellias on an Amazon Echo, and spend the balance on beer! 😉🙃😎

 

[nopiano]

Maybe others can say what might be their preferred choice of amp and passives if spending this much.

Yes, that’s the key point isn’t it? Certainly, the active ATC SCM40 pair was significantly preferable to the passives I heard when a pal used the Audia Flight FLS10 (about £9k at the time) with his passives. He had actives on loan at the same time. Today the passives are £4,750 and the actives £8,500 a pair.

As you’d need a preamp either way, I guess the closest match would be an ATC Power amp, the P1 retailing at £2,700. But the actives would be well superior.

 

[Al ears]

No surprise for me that these brilliant active speakers get 5 stars all round! They were one of the best sounds at the recent North West Show at Cranage, and were connected in the usual modest fashion that ATC adopt. No hosepipe cables or ostentatious stands, just a simple rack with their preamp, a Technics turntable and a pair of these lovely speakers.

Full WHF review…https://www.whathifi.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/atc-scm20asl

And another from an ‘old friend’ who used to write here too…https://www.sound-advice.online/product-reviews/atc-scm20asl

Not heard them but if anyone can integrate amplification into their already excellent speakers then ATC can.

 

[RoA]

ATC actives rarely disappoint, even at shows in sub optimal environments.

 

[Friesiansam]

You could, but it’s a slightly off-piste comparison! I could spend less than the Stellias on an Amazon Echo, and spend the balance on beer! 😉🙃😎

Look, if I could have speakers, I would but, this is the way it is.