B&W 685 S2 vs ATC SCM11 (non curved) ?

[MUSICRAFT]

Cno,

I take it that this is a review of the new (curved) SCM11? It refers to the Caspian (and similar) not being particularly good stablemates. I'll reserve my own judgement until after I've had chance to pair them. Need to hear a few others first but at the moment, the ATCs are the ones to beat.

Also worth adding that demoing speakers is something that both me and my better half are quite enjoying.

Hi Pedro2

We've got clients using Kandy and Caspian amplification with ATC's previous Entry Series of monitors.

Anyway as the poster has liked the performance of SCM11 MK1's then i wonder what he/she is likely to make of the curved SCM11's particularly as they incorporate ATC's SH25-76 HF unit

Btw, hopefully you should enjoy your demos even more as you've now got your CD back

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[matt49]

I wish competing dealers would not bring their 'baggage' to the forums. It's not helping anyone.

Agreed.

And to anyone new to the game, It doesn't present a very positive picture of hi-fi dealers, so I'd have thought it would be counterproductive in the long run.

 

[ErwinC]

For the record, I'll state my position again, for those who aren't too clear about it - with the B&Ws, the UnitiLite is being presented with an easier, more compatible load, despite the lower impedance (which the Naim doesn't really have a problem with) hence why some people will prefer that particular pairing, whether the ATC is a better speaker or not.

Fully agreed and i could not have said it better.

 

[ErwinC]

Anyway as the poster has liked the performance of SCM11 MK1's then i wonder what he/she is likely to make of the curved SCM11's particularly as they incorporate ATC's SH25-76 HF unit

I would love to test (and possibly buy) the new ATC curved SCM11 speakers but here in Belgium that is not possible as there is no ATC distributor.

The ATC SCM11 i tested is from somebody who is selling his ATC speakers.

 

[Frank Harvey]

For the record, I'll state my position again, for those who aren't too clear about it - with the B&Ws, the UnitiLite is being presented with an easier, more compatible load, despite the lower impedance (which the Naim doesn't really have a problem with) hence why some people will prefer that particular pairing, whether the ATC is a better speaker or not.

Fully agreed and i could not have said it better.

Thank you Erwin - my posts have only the end user in mind.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Anyway as the poster has liked the performance of SCM11 MK1's then i wonder what he/she is likely to make of the curved SCM11's particularly as they incorporate ATC's SH25-76 HF unit

I would love to test (and possibly buy) the new ATC curved SCM11 speakers but here in Belgium that is not possible as there is no ATC distributor.

The ATC SCM11 i tested is from somebody who is selling his ATC speakers.

Hi ErwinC

Curved SCM11 monitors are a serious step up from SCM11 MK1 monitors and this isn't no mean feat. Please contact L'Exception Musicale. Although they are based in France they also cover Belgium.

Having said this I feel that in the first instance you should get fully comfortable with SCM11 MK1 monitors.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[manicm]

In this case you are both (like it or not) ambassadors for the independent, high-street, specialist hi-fi dealership.

If this is true, then I don't have any problems the way the 'squabbles' have manifested themselves here. If they are ambassadors, and if they both stock B&W then I see it as honest debate. After all a pair of 685s can be acquired in Timbaktu if you really want them, unlike ATCs. They're relatively common, people here don't have to buy common electronics from either gentleman.

At least the digs were informative and entertaining. On a purely logical note though I'd tend to agree with David on the UnitiLite and 685 S2s being the better pairing. The review Cno provided seemed to say the SCM 11s are more suited to classical music anyway.

 

[CnoEvil]

The review Cno provided seemed to say the SCM 11s are more suited to classical music anyway.

Which in part is likely to be down to the greater care taken over the mastering, and that is then highlighted by the speakers.

 

[ErwinC]

On a purely logical note though I'd tend to agree with David on the UnitiLite and 685 S2s being the better pairing.

Me too.

I know i have asked it before and i know that it is probably not the best solution, but would adding a nap200 improve compatibility with the ATC SCM11?

 

[lpv]

The review Cno provided seemed to say the SCM 11s are more suited to classical music anyway.

Which in part is likely to be down to the greater care taken over the mastering, and that is then highlighted by the speakers.

... and from my experience SCM's are made for ELECTRONIC and JAZZ like no other speaker I've tried.

 

[Frank Harvey]

On a purely logical note though I'd tend to agree with David on the UnitiLite and 685 S2s being the better pairing.

Me too.

I know i have asked it before and i know that it is probably not the best solution, but would adding a nap200 improve compatibility with the ATC SCM11?

Yes.

 

[lpv]

On a purely logical note though I'd tend to agree with David on the UnitiLite and 685 S2s being the better pairing.

Me too.

I know i have asked it before and i know that it is probably not the best solution, but would adding a nap200 improve compatibility with the ATC SCM11?

for the price of UnitiLite and Nap 200 you could get new ATC SIA2-150 amp that was designed for SCM series.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

The review Cno provided seemed to say the SCM 11s are more suited to classical music anyway.

Hi manicm

As i said before ATC design and manufacture monitors which don't favour any genre of movie or music soundtracks

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[ErwinC]

As i said before ATC design and manufacture monitors which don't favour any genre of movie or music soundtracks

That is what i experienced too.

 

[ErwinC]

for the price of UnitiLite and Nap 200 you could get new ATC SIA2-150 amp that was designed for SCM series.

But i also need a cd player and a streamer.

 

[lpv]

for the price of UnitiLite and Nap 200 you could get new ATC SIA2-150 amp that was designed for SCM series.

But i also need a cd player and a streamer.

Fair enough.. keep what you've got and add ATC P1 dual mono power amp for less than the price of NAP200 with more than twice the power, class AB, 6 years warranty.. how about that?

 

[ErwinC]

Fair enough.. keep what you've got and add ATC P1 dual mono power amp for less than the price of NAP200 with more than twice the power, class AB, 6 years warranty.. how about that?

Sounds good, but i like all my components to be of the same brand. That looks nice.

 

[ErwinC]

Curved SCM11 monitors are a serious step up from SCM11 MK1 monitors and this isn't no mean feat. Please contact L'Exception Musicale. Although they are based in France they also cover Belgium.

Do you know if it is possible to use another protective grille with the new curved ATC monitors? I really hate the look of the new grille and i don't want to use speakers without a protective grille.

BTW, what would you prefer: ATC SCM11 MK1 vs ATC SCM7 curved?

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you get creative, you could cover the existing grille with the material of your choice...

 

[ErwinC]

Is £400 a good price for a pair of used SCM11 in good condition?

 

[ErwinC]

If you get creative, you could cover the existing grille with the material of your choice...

I am not that creative.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Is £400 a good price for a pair of used SCM11 in good condition?

Hi ErwinC

Yes, and even at £600

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[ErwinC]

Is £400 a good price for a pair of used SCM11 in good condition?

Hi ErwinC

Yes, and even at £600

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi ErwinC

Your welcome.

Btw, out of interest what finish are the SCM11 monitors in please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[lpv]

Fair enough.. keep what you've got and add ATC P1 dual mono power amp for less than the price of NAP200 with more than twice the power, class AB, 6 years warranty.. how about that?

Sounds good, but i like all my components to be of the same brand. That looks nice.

Ok, got it.. if you prepare to buy NAP200 and if you like all your components to be of the same brand I would sell UnitiLite and get ATC SIACD.. 100wpc, AB design, amp, pre amp, cdp, dac, 6 years warranty and perfect match for 11's..

SIACD & SCM 11's are in my view best all in one system in the market regardless of price... not exactly cheap, but same brand, no issues with amp/ speakers matching and superb sound. I would go this way Erwin.

btw. £400 for used 11's is a bargain !!