ATC SCM 19 Speakers: One Year Impressions 

It's true!

Will, I don’t know what you have now, but I went from 11s to 19s to 40 V2 passives and the mid range is glorious :).

Thanx! Much appreciated. I hope to add some new reviews ASAP. 😉

Prices have gone up on virtually everything. Glad you enjoyed the review!

Should be a great sounding combo!

Hope the info was helpful. See also my 19 vs 11 vid.😉

I discuss that at length in the vid also.

Glad it helped!

Good feedback, thanx.

I'm glad you found the review helpful.

It's essential to pair them with quality subs like JL, Velodyne, etc.

@@willbrink you think something like rels t7x or Rthymik are OK?

@@backrack01 Never listened to them, sorry, but I hear good things about Rel in general.

You ain’t playing….

purchase cost bass extension very high then. Do we need 2 subs for stereo , also ATC has sub with high level. JL Audio has CR-1 do we need it for perfect blend

Agreed!

Glad you found the vid useful, make sure to watch the 11 vs 19 vid linked above also. They are rated essentially the same for efficiency and rated same for power recs, 75-300w. In that respect, no real differences. Both need plenty of quality power to sound their best even at moderate listening volumes, which per vid above, where I'm at most of the time these days listening wise. I'm all digital, mostly streaming these days, and cover that aspect starting with the review of the Marantz 6006 streamer. Power wise, using the Anthem STR integrated. Review of that unit is on this channel too. I tend to find speakers always sound best, even at moderate SPL, with plenty of power in reserve and that the 19s and 11s have a minimum power rating of 75w, is telling. I hope to review additional combinations in the future, but so far, 100% of the $ for the gear has come from me during my own journey to upgrade my system. If I get enough traffic and likes, perhaps companies will show interest in my reviewing more gear and such. I try to take a different approach to my reviews where possible.

I have a Yamaha A-S 1200, i think they deliver 150 watts or so per channel. I usually barely register on the watt meters, even if it's loud. They are about 86dB/m/W, so they aren't that needy. But they can take lots of Watts and get very, very loud! Had a Yamaha A-S 501 before, can't really tell a difference between them, except for build and looks.

@@willbrinkThank you for the feedback. I'm currently using a Marantz (reference series) PM15 S1 integrated with ProAc Studio 100's, with a power rating of 80 WPC into 8Ω & 120 WPC into 4Ω. I want to switch to ATC SCM 19's; I'm trying to gauge how well the Marantz will drive & match them tonally. The Marantz has an excellent phono stage & a pre-out. Longer-term, I'm considering using the Marantz as a pre into an ATC P1 power. The other option I'm considering is switching to a more powerful integrated with a warmish/Class A type character; something like the Roksan Blak which is apparently a very good tonal match for the 19's. With regards to the 40's v the 19's, I've heard both & I honestly prefer the two way 19's. There is something just right about a well designed, large two-way British stand-mount.

@@marvinarmstrong3372 I'd try the Marantz and see what you think. That may be on the lower end power wise for best dynamics / audio, but depends on some variables, so first, try it and see. I felt my 100w ch Tag-Mclarin didn't bring the life to the 19s they deserved, and went to the STR for that and others reasons, such as the ARC. Interesting that you preferred the 19s over the 40s! I want to hear the active 40s, which while far from inexpensive, a bargain compared to most.

I'm not a big name in audio reviews, but I'd be happy to review them some time. Nothing I have heard gets close to those ATC's in that $ range.

I never noticed that! It appears to be some artifact the camera from what I can tell. Interesting.

Yes, per my review, 19's do everything a bit better, but as I said, if 4k was my max budget, I'd go with 11's and subs over 19s alone. 19s + subs is best combo if one has the $ and room for it.

Wonderful review & insights will. Late bloomer here. Have a Rel T7x. Currently have Unifi B52s. Looking to hrab the 11s..... thoughts or advice? Thank you. Raj fr Malaysia.

I have not measured it, but they are a rare speaker in my experience that sounds as good at lower "listening" volumes as they do cranked up, leaving one without the need to turn up the SPL for them to sound good.

I'm using Skyland, He makes great stuff: skylanstands.com/

Never compared them so I can't say.

I will say never heard anything but good things about Proac but I have no experience with the brand. Having said that, I have difficulty believing you will get an honest 30HZ from a 2 way monitor without sacrificing mids, for which the ATC really has no equals in the $ and well above. Adding the subs to the ATC19s allows full control of the base to suit room and listening tastes, and seems best of all possible worlds, with usual caveats of balancing the sub to the mains right. The REL's are supposedly especially easy to set up to do it well.

@@willbrink I owned a pair of Proac response 3.8's and they really dug deep, but they were huge floorstanders weighing a hefty 88 pounds each. Sadly I had to sell them hence my quest to buy a suitable pair of standmounts. I could hear really deep bass even at very low volumes without a sub. Your review is an owner's honest review and you seem to like a similar sounding speaker to me with sweet non aggressive treble, lush rich mids and deep punchy tight bass. Thanks for the feedback Will.

@@steverees1936 Floor standers are another matter of course.

@@willbrink totally agree, which is why they had to be sold. Because of the cabinet size their bass would have been too overpowering. For me it's not about the size of a speaker or even how much they cost, but more to do with how well they interact with the room.

@@steverees1936 Few actually take into account the room they will put the speakers in unfortunately! The benefit of the monitor + sub set up is you can place the sub in various locations and tune the base to the room/personal preferences. There's +/- to both either arrangement of course, and it takes more work to get the most from the monitor + sub set up, but done right, a very satisfying audio experience.

Look on their page for details, but it's some sort if proprietary paper based coated material as I understand. As to "really musical, non boomy, small sealed subwoofer" Velodyne was doing that decades before other companies and see my comments on that in review of the Sigberg actives just up. No doubt other brands exist (I hear good things about Rel but no personal experience...) but Velodyne should be on the short list.

"On paper" should pair well, but never heard the combination to say good/bad on that one.

Watch the 11 vs 19 review linked at the end of the vid or found on this page to decide.

@@willbrink will do Thanks!

@@net_news I suspect that will answer your Q fully, but end of the day, auditioning both in your system is the only way to make best choices there.

Have both of them, tbh, if your amp can drive 19 well, go for it. The clarity and air you just can’t hear it from 11, and without the sub it’s bass just like scratching the cardboard.

@@razkaku7851 They are almost the same as far as low HZ rating, so neither is going to supply deep satisfying base, and i did compare them in another vid, and for obvious reasons, ended up with the 19s :)

That was me yes. I didn't do it as I don't believe it will have any audible differences on that speaker. Note he didn't do pre and post measurements on them, and I suspect the reason for that is there would be no measurable differences. Some times just fun to upgrade for the hell of it cuz you want to, and that's ok too. I'm personally not really that comfortable with doing that work myself either, and if I ruin/damage those speakers, not to mention say goodbye to the warranty, I'm gonna be very upset. So, that in mind, I didn't bother. If you wanna spend the $ and are good with doing that kinda thing, go for it and let me know how it turns out!

@@willbrink Actually he did post measurements. If you recall, Danny raised the tweeter level slightly, something that I thought could improve it when I spoke to him. And with the damping material you can compare the new frequency response and the better behavior of the cabinets waterfall plot. So it measures the way it should have after the mods (the X-over design is accurate, just better parts and a lower resistance resistor on the tweeter). It's the Tube Connectors that are the limiting factor for me. I have designed and built speakers and have laying around binding posts from Edison Price ( entire post milled from a single billet of copper, gorgeous ), Cardas, and WBT. All very nice binding posts that wont limit the types of cables I use without having to put male end tube connectors on every set speaker cables but still curious about the Tube Connectors. The ATC binding posts are really cheesy generic types for such an expensive speaker.

@@mortlach186 He posted measurements before making any changes and praised the speaker. Anyone who does not praise ATC is nuts, but that's another topic. He did not test after adding what he recommended to demonstrate any improvements in measurements, he simply said that's what he would add to make them sound better. I strongly suspect there would no measurable improvements in those speakers, perhaps why he didn't do it? He normally does show what the tweaks he does impact the measurements he takes. Yet, didn't with the ATCs.

Not compared them to the Heritage, so can't say. Never been a big fan of the Dynaudio sound personally, but some love the brand.

@@willbrink Lots say Dynaudio and Spendor would fit with Sudgen. Heard once in Germany Dynaudio near the Porta Nigra (roman empire monument Trevorium) and did not like the harsh sound. As my B&W DM 601 S2 now are on the limit to "harshness" I do not want any more aggressive treble in my system. Sudgen has details, a little warm sound but a big soundstage and I doi not want any loudspeakers destroy this :-) Very difficult, but important choice for me. Kind regards. tvha

@@thevintagehifiambassador8524 Answer to me is simple, you work with a place that allows you to take things home and listen in your system, and or, online that allows same for only return shipping costs.

@@willbrink Thanks. That's a problem. My 2 dealers do not lend anything over 20 k eur. And I am too lazy for ordering and sending back. Well I suppose youtube comapring and listening just to the brands on similar equipment will be my key. Blind buy is out of question this time. Sudgen was a blind buy but a near non risky choice. Thanks for your advice.

From the sound of it and music you like, the 40A would be fantastic no doubt. Personally I'd still have a sub with them or those low HZ. You need a highly accurate "fast" musical sealed sub to keep up with the ATC, or they will muddy the sound vs enhance it.

@@willbrink Thanks for reaching out. What sealed sub would you recommend?

I like Velodyne but I doubt you could go wrong with JL Audio. Don't skimp on the quality sub to match those 19s for sure. They need a fast accurate musical sub for sure.

@@willbrink What's about the ATC C1 Sub Mk2?

@@carstenrosemann6526 Seems well reviewed, no doubt would blend great with their own brand. ATC does everything well, but I tend to favor companies who do nothing but subs as their focus. In the end, you'd have listen to them to decide which you prefer. On a personal note, it's a downward firing sub, I prefer forward firing subs myself.

OK, perhaps REL is a Good choice.

Unless ATC sent me a pair for review, probably not.

As mentioned, love the industrial look of the grills, and find they are as claimed by ATC, sonically dead neutral, which I can't say for any other speaker I have owned in the past 40 years. No kids, no speaker issues. The 803Ds were almost 2x the price of my current set up, details, imaging, mids, etc, not even close to as good as the ATCs + sub combo to my ears/brain. Finally, the ability of the ATC to sound good at moderate volumes is essential to me at this point, and something few speakers I have heard to well with, especially B&W...

I compare the 11s and the 19s on this channel and vid is linked below this vid.

@@willbrink Thanks, I saw the vidéo afterwards. Thanks agais for your very helpful reviews

@@ericpernin7614 I'm glad you find them helpful. I should get back to doing more I guess.

Huh? REL? Their T9x is -6db at 27 hz. That is NOT subwoofer territory. And 1500.00? No way.

Can't say I have compared brands as I have had the same great sub for 20+ years now, velodyne HGS 15, still one of the best subs ever. Velodyne was making truly musical subs before just about anyone. They dropped off the radar for a time, making a come back. There's now a bunch of good brands making subs for music vs just "thump thump" for HT and such. See: www.velodyneacoustics.com

I would expect your amp to be fine, depending of course what SPL you prefer and the space you're trying to fill. I hear nothing but good things about those newly upgraded TX series Rel subs, but have not heard them myself. If you're able to take subs home and see how well they sound and integrate into your system and space, that's really the best route to know. I you have space and the $, get the 9, or perhaps two 7s!

@@willbrink cheers, thanks for that. I have a small to medium room , 3 x 7 x 2.3, and listen like you, mostly at moderate spl. So maybe this would be a good option for a system.... :)

@@rog86 Sounds like it would likley be a good option, and it keeps you in Brit gear. If possible, trying different brands in your system tends to give best results.

I didn't note any break in time myself.

No idea as I have not tried any Moon products myself. Moon is known to be quality gear, so I'd imagine very good!

Canadian, hard to go wrong with Paradigm then.

I think the binding posts ok but you really want to go with a non metal binding post to reduce EMI something like the furutech ft-865

That's a lot of work to get 1/2 a octave boost in the lower end if it actually works, when you can fill in all of it for full range audio with a high quality musical sub or two. While it sounds like an interesting project, I prefer sound and looks of using good stands filled with sand, etc and a quality sub.

@@willbrink yes but those atc's are a lossless design cabinets and shouldn't be used with solid or stands filled with anything mass-loaded, should be an open stand construction!!

@@hoobsgroove Yet ATC themselves recommend good quality stands. As i said, pulling a half an octive out of all that work is of no interest to me, especially when I get such excellent full range audio with a sub, making it a moot issue. Your mileage may differ.

@@willbrink yeah it might look daunting but somebody probably can do it?? it's not particularly difficult thing to do. I'm sure what you mean but "good quality" stands, open stands are good quality.

I made no such claims.

@@willbrink ok, just asking to be clear

The velodyne I have is such a great sub I will likely use it until it dies, and it's 20+ years old.

With atc scm 19?

@@rog86 Yes, that's only system with a sub I have.

I don't agree and the room is an essential, and often ignored, aspect of deciding on speakers. There's no system that does not benefit a lot to a little from the addition of a good sub (or 2!), properly set up. I had one with my floor standers, and have listened to systems in the 500K price range, that had subs along with the 350k per pair Wilson's. In some rooms, quality monitors and a sub makes more sense, and of course can sound outstanding.

I found the sound stage wider than I could ever want for my space and listing spots and such, but if you found the speakers that checked off all your boxes for the $, that's what matters.

@@willbrink the tone of the atc mids and highs is sooo good.

@@jo1512 Truly impressive yes, and with a quality sub (or 2!) set up correctly, better than systems costing far more.

Discussed at length in the vid...

Get lost, fool.

Well, segmented videos didn’t become a thing until recently. This upload is 2 years old. I will make an exception and criticize you for being too critical. If you don’t have the time to listen, there are plenty of TikTok videos available. If you’re in a real hurry, you can adjust the speed of the video. 2X sounds like chipmunks, but you can get through it fast.

(1) The other 99% of the planet considers ATC some of the best audio that exists, but (2) that review also comes from the prior model, which is totally different than the V2, which measures very well and sounds great. I recommend you take a closer look as to when that review was done and the model reviewed...

@@willbrink I realize its a different version but how do you explain the findings in that review? Wouldn't you expect every speaker they produce to be exceptional? If 99% of the planet thinks ATC is great, then ATC would be dominating the hifi speaker market. That's just not the case. There's Dynaudio, B&W, Focal, Harbeth, Genelec, KEF, Wharfedale, Magico, Wilson Audio, Sonus Faber, Kii audio, Dutch and Dutch and plenty more! Its nowhere near 99% more like 5%.