Recommendation to top the best speakers I've owned. ATC

[Tigerjones]

ATC SMC11 actually gave me a headache, so matching is critical. Detail was fabulous, but after living with Proac, it was impossible to live with that speaker. I wish I could have tried with different amps, the potential was there.

I, many years ago, owned some ATC SCM12s. I thought they were extremely dry and fatuiging to listen to. No doubting the quality of the speakers but not for me.

 

[Goat]

I wonder if ATC will release updated versions of the 11's and 19's fairly shortly, seeing as the current versions have been out around 7 years.

 

[yunie_]

My room is a touch smaller than yunie’s and a pair of ProAc D20R works very well. Although floor standing the footprint they take up is near exactly the same as most stand mounts on their stands. I appreciate the visual bulk is greater but the floor space used is the same. You can’t put them on a book shelf but who does that these days ?

I can’t say I’ve done an A-B comparison with ATC but have listened to a fair number of speakers over the last 40 years at dealers and shows and it’s rare for one to really work for my ears. When I heard them at my local dealer while demo’ing a load of small stand mounts there was no contest and I had to have them. The ProAc is smooth yet dynamic and has excellent bass even at low to mid volume. It goes down really low but doesn’t dominate. Speech – a difficult test for any speaker – is excellent. The treble is clear and never harsh – dependent on source. The D20R even has its own built in stand. Their only downsides are the price, nudging £3k, and the ribbon tweeter being moderately directional.

Hearing PMCs at shows driven by Bryston electronics always sound right on the edge of going hard and I’d be concerned whether I could live with them long term.

i use it on a desk so floorstanders definitely don't work for me.

having said that, I can perhaps try the Proac D2. There's one available used for USD2200.

Are proacs really that good or is it because I've mentioned it in my original post? Most recommendations seem to be proacs. I find the default cherry version of proacs to be too ugly to really consider them on my desk. The white ones are much better looking.

I wonder if ATC will release updated versions of the 11's and 19's fairly shortly, seeing as the current versions have been out around 7 years.

yeah. I actually emailed them about this and they say they cannot reveal any info. I even asked the dealer in my country and he said that there's no word about any new iteration.

Considering how modern the current ATC's entry line look, and them being a small company with limited R&D funds, I don't see them releasing any new versions anytime soon. And since they are not commercialised (read: money grabbers) like Dynaudio or Bowers, I don't think they will release any non-meaningful special editions. But man, I would like them to come up with some premium veneers for their current line ups, or at least release their classic line in a smaller form.

 

[TonyScarlett]

I've owned both the Amphion Argon 3S & the Argon 1, I marginally preferred the Argon 1 for it's sweeter midrange. They both share the same smooth top end, obviously the 3S digs a little deeper at the bottom end but I thought the bass on the 1 was a bit tighter & faster than the 3S.
TS

 

[AndyU]

But man, I would like them to come up with some premium veneers for their current line ups,

Just ask them. They have a local cabinetmaker and I’m sure they could veneer any speaker you chose with any veneer you want.

 

[Woodface]

Haven't ATC recently brought out a premium line with fancy finishes? Think they come under the 'SE' designation.

 

[Musicraft]

If you can find no fault with ATC

ATC monitors readily reveal faults

 

[AndyU]

Haven't ATC recently brought out a premium line with fancy finishes? Think they come under the 'SE' designation.

Yep, in fact every year or two they bring out limited edition SE models with fancy veneers, feet, cabinets and amps. But they can also finish speakers to your choice, or put things like the Anniversary amp pack into standard speakers, you only have to ask. (and get through on the phone).

 

[hifinutt]

Proacs are superb , incredibly enthusiastic owners . I really like the d2 a lot . Highly recommended

 

[Woodface]

Yep, in fact every year or two they bring out limited edition SE models with fancy veneers, feet, cabinets and amps. But they can also finish speakers to your choice, or put things like the Anniversary amp pack into standard speakers, you only have to ask. (and get through on the phone).

Good to know, I will have a pair of 50s one day.

 

[darrenyeats]

The SEs have Anni amps. But the cabinets are new inside and out - curved and very inert. I heard 100SE in an appropriate space on the end of a Bartok and I enjoyed it.

The Annis are the same cabinets as the normal towers but with nicer veneers, with of course the Anni amps.

That said I like the regular 50/100 etc. actives when set up appropriately.

 

[Ayya Khema]

I've noticed from various posts you've made, that you seem to be particularly sensitive to treble energy. It may be that what you perceive as bright, many of us would describe differently. I know you've also commented on the effect of various tweeters on your tinnitus, so perhaps this may go some way to explain your apparent sensitivity to high frequencies?

perhaps? Maybe im firmly in the soft dome camp.
I was quite happy with the amphion one18 however, the argon 1 was a real disappointment and definitely far from the one18 sound

Just an update. Tried argon helium 510 and didn't find the speakers bright or anything. It is powered by bel canto e.one. The bass is surprisingly, lacking. Maybe it's because it's placed in the middle of a large room. Even though lacking, it still sounded tight and fast.

Tried argon 3s as well. Seems a little less warm than helium.

The veneer of helium isn't as nice as I thought it would be. But nonetheless, I've zeroed in on amphion argon. I have a soft spot for speakers with pro audio connection and amphion has been the flavour of the year for several years now after the epic gearslutz thread. The space grey colour is pretty nice as well.

Gonna place an order tmr. Any amphion argon lovers or haters?

I had the Amphion one18 and also the Argon 1. If you can, try to get a used pair of one18: another level entirely compared to the argon. even though they seemingly look as if they use the same drivers, the one18 are in another league entirely compared to the argon 1. never heard the argon 3 however

probably its a vain question, but did you try Harbeth?

 

[TheFlash]

Heard loads of proac and owned 125 . 2 years ago i heard a mid range pair at the owners house with some lovely SS amps . beautiful engaging and wow . then those same speakers went to a bake off used with some valve amps in a massive room . well they sounded not so good to me at all . most odd . i guess these things are so room and amp dependant

i will add the owner [ forgive me if you are reading this !! ] changed to atc and rapidly got the active version .

The owner remains happy with his active ATC's, though occasionally gets nostalgic for his ProAc D30RS which were pretty special in a different way. That day was weird. At the time Nick was using some prety brutal tri-wired battery cable or something, basically poor quality copper and lots of it, and frankly it made my speakers sound like the mids had been ripped out and discarded. They did not sound anything like that in their natural setting.

 

[hifinutt]

yes agreed 100%