vln
Shuns mooks. And MQA.
A couple of weeks ago I spent an enjoyable day at the Swiss ATC importer, listening to an SCM100SL AT and an SCM50SL AT with the discrete amp packs (just like the anniversary edition has).
In short, I liked what I heard - I preferred the 100s to the 50s, even though the 50s had the better amp packs. The 100s sounded more complete and effortless than the 50s, and, hardly surprising, had more bass. There just is a certain 'je ne sais quoi' about big speakers.
However comparison was a bit difficult as the 100s were also louder, so I also had to adjust the volume as best as I could when switching and it is well known how small volume differences can make the slightly (or not so slightly) louder component appear "better".
So, currently I am gravitating towards the 100s, and I am in the process of arranging a home demo, to have a direct comparison to the Dynaudios. I can use the pre outs of my Lyngdorf integrated to drive the ATCs.
However, several things keep me wondering:
1.) My room is 4.9m x 4.6m (22.5 m2), so not huge; the dealer's/importer's room was longer and narrower than mine, and overall maybe *a bit* bigger, the speakers were set up with a 50cm - 100cm distance to the rear (narrow) wall, firing down the long wall
2.) I am forced to place them very close to the rear wall (around 10 - 15cm)
3.) I won't be living in my current (rented) apartment for the rest of my life, the next room where the speakers will end up may be bigger, or may be smaller (however I don't expect it to be massively smaller than 20m2)
4.) I can compensate for some (most?) of the problems coming from less-than-perfect positioning with Lyngdorf's RoomPerfect system (already works a treat for the Dyns, which are in the same position)
5.) The 100s go louder, but that's not a priority for me, as an apartment dweller - but I got the impression that at lower volumes the 100s also sounded more complete than the 50s, due to them having more bass (?)
6.) The 100s are big f*****s, but at least in my current room, I can accommodate them OK-ish, given the way it is currently furnished - in my next room this may or may not be the case; the 50s would give me a bit more flexibility as they are not quite as imposing
7.) I want my next speakers to have as much or more bass than my Dyns - not sure if the 50s can deliver that? (the Dyns are +-3dB at 35Hz anechoic)
In either case (50s or 100s), I will go for the stand-mounted versions, thus without the (rather expensive) discrete amp packs, as these can only be fitted to the tower versions due to space requirements. The stand-mounted versions also look way cooler IMO.
So, comments?
Cheers,
Samuel.
In short, I liked what I heard - I preferred the 100s to the 50s, even though the 50s had the better amp packs. The 100s sounded more complete and effortless than the 50s, and, hardly surprising, had more bass. There just is a certain 'je ne sais quoi' about big speakers.
However comparison was a bit difficult as the 100s were also louder, so I also had to adjust the volume as best as I could when switching and it is well known how small volume differences can make the slightly (or not so slightly) louder component appear "better".
So, currently I am gravitating towards the 100s, and I am in the process of arranging a home demo, to have a direct comparison to the Dynaudios. I can use the pre outs of my Lyngdorf integrated to drive the ATCs.
However, several things keep me wondering:
1.) My room is 4.9m x 4.6m (22.5 m2), so not huge; the dealer's/importer's room was longer and narrower than mine, and overall maybe *a bit* bigger, the speakers were set up with a 50cm - 100cm distance to the rear (narrow) wall, firing down the long wall
2.) I am forced to place them very close to the rear wall (around 10 - 15cm)
3.) I won't be living in my current (rented) apartment for the rest of my life, the next room where the speakers will end up may be bigger, or may be smaller (however I don't expect it to be massively smaller than 20m2)
4.) I can compensate for some (most?) of the problems coming from less-than-perfect positioning with Lyngdorf's RoomPerfect system (already works a treat for the Dyns, which are in the same position)
5.) The 100s go louder, but that's not a priority for me, as an apartment dweller - but I got the impression that at lower volumes the 100s also sounded more complete than the 50s, due to them having more bass (?)
6.) The 100s are big f*****s, but at least in my current room, I can accommodate them OK-ish, given the way it is currently furnished - in my next room this may or may not be the case; the 50s would give me a bit more flexibility as they are not quite as imposing
7.) I want my next speakers to have as much or more bass than my Dyns - not sure if the 50s can deliver that? (the Dyns are +-3dB at 35Hz anechoic)
In either case (50s or 100s), I will go for the stand-mounted versions, thus without the (rather expensive) discrete amp packs, as these can only be fitted to the tower versions due to space requirements. The stand-mounted versions also look way cooler IMO.
So, comments?
Cheers,
Samuel.