STATUS - SOLD
Click here for more pictures
Description :
The ATC SCM 20 loudspeaker is a long standing tradition in the ATC lineup. Made from veneered MDF with a thick baffle, it's lined internally with 6mm thick bitumastic sound deadening pads, completed with a thin black grille which fits snugly around the raised baffle. Its frame is substantial, but the design is open-edged to prevent diffraction problems. Listening tests confirmed that the grille should be left in place. The ATC SCM 20 uses a simple 2 way design that incorporates a special dome on the midrange driver that helps deliver the unique midrange ATC is famous for. The 25mm viscous damped fabric dome tweeter is sourced from Vifa in Denmark. The tweeter features ferro-fluid cooling for high power handling and therefore greater reliability. Dubbed the SB75-150 Sc, the woofer incorporates a polyester-weave diaphragm coated with an ATC-developed damping material. This diaphragm comprises a woven polyester material thickly coated with a viscous damping substance of their own devising. There is a convex surround of soft rubber and a fairly stiff corrugated rear suspension which allows the use of a narrow gap at the pole-piece, with smaller than usual clearance for the coil. All these produce a much heavier and robust drive motor than usual and as a result the sensitivity is quite low at 83dB per Watt per meter.
In spite of the weight of the moving assembly, the stiff suspension keeps the free-air resonance high at 55Hz. Consequently it provides the major part of the restoring force of the complete loudspeaker and the additional air spring in the sealed cabinet only raises it to 65Hz. The use of such a large magnet assembly required something rather more than the usual chassis and a low pressure aluminium die-casting of great strength and rigidity has been produced to provide an adequate support and satisfactory anchoring to the cabinet baffle. The interior of the ATC SCM 20 is well filled with artificial wool. To take the weight of the massive bass/midrange unit, the baffle has been made of double thickness and over it slides a very well made wooden framework covered in a good quality black cloth with a neat logo at the bottom. The construction and walnut veneered finish exudes quality - the ATC SCM 20 is a fine example of the cabinet maker's art.
The ATC SCM 20 is a superlative product that demands the finest ancillaries to sound its best. It focuses on having low distortion, controlled bass, detailed treble and a resistance to compression due to vast dynamic and/or level swings, enough to appease the most critical sound engineer while at the same time avoiding any fatigue-inducing 'edges'. They seem to resolve timbral information without imposing any coloration. The treble impresses by the smoothness and lack of conspicuous 'action' as often uncovered in sibilant speech and excessive 'clatter' to the xylophone or other percussive sounds. Given appropriate amplification, the bass is surprisingly good without the subwoofer; lacking in volume or extension, but tonal color is good and convincing, and a surprising amount of impact. It deals the bass roll-off in a graceful manner by simply reducing its output in a consistent and non-jarring way. The exceptional cone travel, the ferro-fluid cooling, the watch-like build tolerances and the bomb-proof enclosure combine to provide the dynamic capabilities which allow the ATC SCM 20 to play loud without compression and without blurring any low level information. The soundstage borders on sensational. When played, it creates a soundstage where the speakers seem to disappear. It manages to sound like a large speaker, partly because of the 'open plains' stage width and partly because the speaker delivers dynamic and high levels without any strain.
Vocals are reproduced in a lifelike manner, and can be listened for hours on end without inviting earache. There is a great amount of detail and clarity heard in orchestral works. Piano in particular benefits from this tangible 'body' and a full-size grand sounds just that. Of particular interest is their ability to project the character of a given instrument into the room. This has been most notable with all wind instruments; on well-recorded material, the attack, decay and overtone characteristics are faithfully reproduced, with a real sense of instruments interacting and moving air. The ATC SCM 20 can dissect the music with great detail and an unfailing accuracy. It quickly identify anomalies in the source recording that can be difficult to detect with other speakers. Superior recording will give the feel of being at the recording studio and believing the artist is in the listening room. The ATC SCM 20 speakers have a wonderful value for price, especially it compare with speakers that has triple the price.
Specifications :
Drivers............................................HF 25mm neodymium, Mid/LF 150mm
Frequency Response.......................80Hz to 12kHz (+/-2dB)
.......................60Hz to 22kHz (+/-6dB)
Matched Response..........................+/- 0.5dB
Dispersion.......................................+/- 80 degrees coherent horizontal, +/- 10 degrees coherent vertical
Max SPL.........................................108dB
Crossover Frequency........................2.8kHz
Connectors......................................Male XLR
Filters.............................................All active
Amplifier Output...............................200 watts LF, 50 watts HF
Sensitivity........................................83dB/1w/1 meter
Impedance.......................................8 ohms
Suitable Power For Amplifiers............50 to 300 watts
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................24 x 32 x 44.5cm
Weight............................................20kg per side
Miscellaneous :
Matching.........................................ATC Speaker Stands
Made In...........................................UK, England
Condition.........................................7/10
Product Information :
http://audio-database.com/ATC/speaker/scm20-e.html
Reviews :
http://hometheaterreview.com/atc-scm20-bookshelf-loudspeaker-reviewed/
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/atc/scm-20/prd_118949_1594crx.aspx
http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/July%201990/140/852718/ATC+SCM20+LOUDSPEAKER+SPECIFICATION |
