ATC SCM19 Speaker Review

Highly regarded in pro-audio and audiophile circles. How good are the ATC SCM19s? I compare them to the Buchardt S400s and my Proac Response 1SCs.

For more information here is a link to the manufacturers website..

[NickP]

That was an excellent review, but it was also much more than a review but also a very in depth discussion about every little detail of the ATC SCM19’s. Man, you’re quickly becoming one of the go to reviewers. I’m so glad to hear you’ve been talking to companies about getting review samples, which I was gonna ask you about anyway. Keep up the amazing work, Tarun! Thank you. 🎶✌️🔊🙂🎵

[markphilpot]

That’s what I call a review Tarun! Enough from others that leave you guessing. You focus on the meat of technical information without boring your viewers into slumber. That is hard to do given the rather dry subject matter. Speakers are the final product of any system and as such must convey that system’s capabilities, hopefully in a positive way. Speakers can reveal system weaknesses like no other component. The better the end of your system, the easier it is for you to gauge your weak link or links so you can remove them and find better ones to give you a real treat, an eargasm! Lovely review! Keep it up!😊👍🏻

[themastroiannis]

Tarun, just came back to your review of the ATC SCM 19 as I just go a used pair of ATC SCM 11. Have always wanted to "feel" that ATC sound and finally got it... I am liking them quite a bit... but as you have pointed out with their bigger siblings, there are some "holes" in the overall presentation. My biggest concern is indeed the lack of bass. Yes, the bass they produce is tight and fast, but is really lacking in foundation for a pair this expensive. Presentation is super clean, tone is beautiful, decay of notes is extremely accurate, "black" spaces between notes is stellar... but I feel my Audiolab 6000A is barely waking them up! 50W into 8ohms, is my feeling, is just not enough! Amazingly, I still have my old pair of Elac Uni-fi (the original model) and is just amazing how close they can get in their overall presentation (at least with the Audiolab). Sure, the Elacs, don''t have that last 5% of clarity, depth, transient attack.... but still they are very neutral and enjoyable and they certainly have a more solid bass foundation which is a pleasure to listen to! Elacs cost (especially now in the US) a fraction of the ATCs and they get so close in their overall presentation. The only way for me to keep these ATCs is to invest on one or 2 subwoofers and perhaps a more powerful integrated. sensitivity of the ATCs is the same as the Elacs at 85db, but like you, I need to turn my volume up with the ATCs. Still debating if it's worth keeping them or not... Thanks as always for your wonderful reviews!

[andreiaudio]

Great job! This is one of the most comprehensive and insightfull review out there. No bs, no marketing terms, just your clear and concise opinion. You are my favorite reviewer so far! Best wishes and I really hope your channel gains more success!

[Cxu]

A second to none audiophile review in the YouTube space, well done!

[swd]

Thanks, excellent review!
I've been using the SCM19 V2 with a NAD M32 integrated for a couple of years (streaming only) and I fully agree with your evaluation of the speaker. It's awesome. Your main critique, the lack of bass, is to some extend justified. Quality over quantity. Super fast and really good but not so deep. I added a couple of ATC C1 subwoofers and got solid extension down to 25 Hz. I even got a miniDSP to tweak the room resonances in the bass region. All together, I believe my GBP 8K system is hard to beat.

[NawMan]

I have to agree with the Leben/ATC combo below. A very unlikely match, but the sound is more than likely incredible. I have to admit, I just recently sold my ATC 19v2 (after 3 years). Mainly, because of listening to the other folks non-experience, belly button opinions. So I replaced them with - I'll just say, a different speaker. After Day 3 of ownership I quickly realized the SCM19's, are quite awesome. Even with 22 watts and ~50 watts. I have noticed that I'm missing how the ATC 's present music back to me!! Songs that I'm very familiar with are missing that extra something that I know was there before! Of course the speakers I have now sound just a little better at low volume and have a little better low end, but was it worth it????🤦🏽‍♂️ I got really lucky building my system that was until I sold the ATC'S. I'm going back to them for sure and just listen to my music. The next set of speakers doesn't necessarily mean "better". Just my two cents. Thanks for sharing your review👍

[Paul-drtq]

Tarun, another lovely review. I demoed the 40As and was blown away partnered with
a Naim 272. ATC really are superb speakers.

[TheCrisimos]

Simply put that was the most accurate and honest review of the 19s I've come across.. Good job Tarun, looking forward for more videos and reviews from your channel!

[jerzyzaba]

I enjoy every one of your reviews and this one is no exception.
I am currently testing 19s as an upgrade from 11s v1, with so far surprising results.

It would be good if you could do a comparative results of 11s, 19s, 20s with subwoofer and 40s.
My system is Pioneer N-50AE, Musical Fidelity E20/E30 refurbished in 2023, ATC SCM 11, JL Audio D100, Neotech NEMOS-5080 speaker cable.
Regards

[StewartMarkley]

Great review Tarun. I really like your presentation style and your blend of technical description and design and your assessment of the sound from each of these speakers without getting too wordy or using flowering language. I also think that it is good to compare speakers of differing designs within an approximate price point. I think that you have hit on the right formula for success with your channel and I look forward to many more of your videos. Do you intend to focus on loudspeakers or branch into other areas? I personally think you should stay with loudspeakers because they are by far the most variable aspect in audio and are the most interesting and challenging to understand because of the multiplicity of the disciplines involved, electrodynamics, enclosure designs, driver designs, crossover designs, the input interface (cables/power requirements), the output interface (speaker & listener position/dispersion/room acoustics), the human interface I think you have the intelligence, education and experience to handle all of these with aplomb. Best of luck with your channel.

[garyalexander]

These reviews are absolutely brilliant. Thanks much for doing this.

[zedalive]

British Audiophile: you need to learn how compression speakers work. The realistic frequency range will get much lower than anechoic measurements for compression speakers. How low? In a typical room for which SCM 19v2 is designed, maybe 32-35 Hz. In my small listening room (12m2) they go down to 20Hz, measured, full range. This is what makes compression speakers different to other designs.

[sriganeshpillay]

Tarun, your reviews are the most objective by far and your presentation is very clear. I purchased my SCM 19 two days before this review and I can say that your review is right on the money. I don’t have the luxury of placing the speakers 85cm from the wall and your comment on bass reinforcement is true but because the speakers are in my secondary system where I listen at low to moderate volumes, the bass energy doesn’t get to a level where it bothers me. Right now the speakers are pointing somewhere between my shoulder and ear for best imaging but the adjustment will continue after I receive my Audio-gd Balance A1 power amp. Looking forward to more reviews, guides, tweaks, etc. from you. Best

[kingwillbisthebest]

Great review as always!
ATC sound simply stunning however their design falls flat(putting it politely). For a company that has been making speakers for quite a lengthy period of time one would think they would engage a designer to bring the speaker design in line with their incredible sound. It's perplexing and frustrating. Maybe one

[m.]

Well done in relating to the review the amplifier s used as, it's common knowledge that, synergy plays a major role in what we hear from any set of speakers.
Your presentation with facts and figures is superb and leaves some other reviewers standing!
Thanks for this sober and accurate analysis of the ATC's

[stephenc]

A refreshing reviewer worth listening to. Never mentioned the word "palpable" nor discussed tube amplification or cables etc. He just talked about how these speakers would perform and what a potential buyer must take into consideration (areas like real world bass response and lower efficiency meaning more current and costlier amplifiers). The man is worthy of endorsement by British audio manufacturers and others.

[robcaputo]

Great review Tarun, I have a Musical Fidelity 5 is it to little amp for these speakers? What do you think?

[jonwoods]

Great Review. ATC speakers are brilliant, would like to hear your thoughts on the SCM40 Passives if you get a chance to review them. I own a pair and think they are very difficult to better under £5k

[MrCJHamill]

Thanks very much for this review!

How would these pair with a stereo pair of REL T9i Subwoofers do you think?

If in theory you believe they might pair well with REL T9i Subwoofers I wonder what Integrated Amp you would choose?

Edit:

Sorry I wrote this comment before watching the review in full. I see how you mentioned the REL T7i's.

May I still ask you for a good Integrated Amp suggestion? I see in one of your replies to another comment about NAIM with ATC. That sounds like a sweet combination: ATC, NAIM and REL.