ATC SCM20ASL CLASSIC > AV Forums recenzija - Best in class

The ATC SCM20ASL is a demonstration of how experience counts in the construction of active speakers. It's not cheap but the level of performance on offer here is truly outstanding and it comes encased in one of the best built devices available anywhere near the price.

Introduction - What Is the ATC SCM20ASL?

The ATC SCM20ASL is a two way, active standmount speaker and the latest addition to the ATC range. I have avoided using the word ‘new’ in that sentence for a few reasons that will require a little bit of unpicking. So, before we get into the heady world of bass adjustment and pippy oak, we should do that.

Specification and Design

The SCM20 uses the same complement of drivers in both the passive and active version. The tweeter is a 25mm soft dome unit that ATC calls their ‘S-Spec.’ This is designed and built in house and it represented one of the more recent updates to the SCM20 design as it replaced a tweeter that was bought it. The key design element of the in house tweeter is the use of dual suspension. This was developed to ensure that the movement of the dome is entirely pistonic (i.e. back and forth) in nature and doesn’t include any unwanted oscillation. By exerting the greater control over the dome, ATC also avoids needing to use ferrofluid to cool the dome which boosts power handling to boot.
This is where the active version comes in. Around the back you’ll find a 250 watt ‘powerpack’ which contains both amplification and a powered crossover. These amplifiers are not an even split; the tweeter gets 50 watts with the remaining 200 on tap for the mid bass. These amplifiers are designed and built by ATC (they make electronics as well) and you won’t find any mention of Class D here; the SCM20ASL is Class AB and has a socking great heatsink on the back to prove it.

Performance

Concentrate on what you’re hearing and it becomes clear that the ATC is able to both extract detail and rationalise it in a way that makes even some decidedly talented rivals (Focal has a thoroughly proficient Pro team all of their own remember) feel a trifle toylike. It’s the ‘rationalise’ part of this that is the most impressive. The SCM20ASL doesn’t simply fling detail at you, it contextualises it in a way that gives greater sense and realism to the wider recording.

Conclusion - ATC SCM20ASL Active Speaker Review

Six months ago, I reviewed the PMC twenty5 23i Active and I came away seriously impressed; it represented a serious upgrade in performance and convenience to the passive version. At the same time, I noted that the asking price left it potentially vulnerable to competition. Well, this is the competition. Simple physics means that the ATC cannot hit as hard as the PMC and it’s markedly less forgiving but… when the ATC is doing what it does, I don’t really care. This takes all the things that iterations of the SCM20 have been doing for 35 years and makes them more accessible, more capable and more appealing. No, it’s not cheap but you can see where the money has gone and the combination of longevity and resale value means it has to be judged carefully in actual value terms. This is a formidable active speaker and the current Best in Class.

ATC SCM20ASL
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