Cereal Killer
432
Thanks for that. I'm pretty sure either the SM100's or the curved ATC SCM19's will be my next and final speaker. My feeling is it will be the SM100's but nearer the time I would like to try both at home over an extended period of a few weeks. I am a big fan of the ProAc Studio range and I generally prefer it to the Response range. I have tried the Response D2, Response D18, Response 1.5, Studio 130, Studio 140, Studio 110, Studio 100 and Studio 1 MK2. My favorites were the Studio 130 and the Studio 100, both driven by a high powered MF A1008 solid state/valve hybrid integrated amplifier.
Most of my listening is to up-tempo music - complex electronica/dance music, dub reggae, soul, funk, psychedelic rock, modern jazz etc. The Studio range seems to better handle these genres ime. The Response range is better suited to simpler, more traditional forms of music imo. Acoustic and vocal music sounds superb via the Response range, particularly when driven by quality valve amplification. They are less successful at getting the best from fast, complex and dynamic music; sounding a little too laid back, slow and colored with rock and electronica for my tastes.
Do the SM100's appear to thrive and perform at their best with more power when compared to the 118's? Are the 118's impressive sounding from the off and the SM100's perhaps more attractive over the longer-term? Is the response of the SM100's flatter sounding than the 118's and is the tweeter/high frequency response more rolled off or is it about the same in your experience?
I'm with you on the differences regarding the Response and Studio range. I have 90% similar genres as yourself so can reflect from an informed position. I listen to the likes of Clark/Autechre/Aphex/Plaid/Plasitkman/DeepChord/Monolake etc etc. And then stuff like Ane Brun/Agnes Obel/Modern Folk.. then onto Classical Modern/Neo-Classical from the likes of Max Richter/Alvo Noto..... , with a bit of Marilyn Manson thrown in just to mix it up a bit!!
Regarding amps, the 118's worked perfectly with my previous naim 172/155XS pre/power so power isn't an issue with those. The SM100s came after so I've only tried them with my SuperUniti but they seam very easy to drive. The SM100s actually present the HFs better/clearer with more detail but somehow manage to sound relaxed and smoother. Neither 118s or 100 ever step over the mark here. What is different is the MF and LF, as mentioned previously. I'm not sure how this is the case (I suspect its the new crossover and paper cone), there's more detail, speed and transients at all levels but manages to sound completely at ease doing so. Not sure if they're as 'flat' as the ATCs but then they aren't boring..... I've owned SCM20SLs twice now, and listened to SCM19s a number of times, the 20's never stay with me long as I soon find them tiresome, at low volume levels theres virtually no LF. It's not pleasant always having to assault your hearing, some genres are better played at low volumes and this is where the SM100s win hands down for me. All I can say is get yourself a pair for home dem, proaudioeurope.com offered me a healthy discount.