I found your experience fascinating and I think it’s too easy to dismiss personal taste. We all listen differently, prefer different musical genres and have different listening rooms. My previous system was very similar to yours: 272/XPSDR/250DR into PMC Fact3s. (Interestingly, a fair few listeners rated the sound signature of the PMC 25 series higher than the Facts, precisely because they found the Facts too lean and analytical. Not me I hasten to add.) Eventually I began to wish for a bit more transparency and a fuller sound and my search, through several auditions, led me to the active 40s and in them I found just what I was looking for.
Together with my Auralic streamer/pre the ATCs definitely peer more deeply into the performance, but can sometimes be less forgiving of poor recordings. However, on most tracks my new setup takes me closer to the musicians and gives more musical satisfaction and I am happy to make the trade off. But others may hear things differently and that is fine.
I agree with the posts suggesting it could be worthwhile to have one more go with a 272 driving the ATCs, but if you still prefer your present system, be happy that you’ve scratched the itch and enjoy your music.
Having heard the F12 and Twenty-26 in the same session the latter to me is no match at all. (But the MB2 distinctly better.) I haven’t heard the SCM40, but its midrange unit is wonderful -and very similar to that of tge MB2.
Doesn’t quite make sense – either of your statements is inaccurate… Especially since you first write that they were stunning in your room, and then you basically say they didn’t work in your room…
You can appreciate how good a speaker is (I owned SCM40A for quite a while) even if it offers too much bass for the room. Some tracks were fine as they had very little bass in the 40-50hz region which is where I have a problem in my listening room.
My guess is, looking at the system pics, many people on this forum have speakers which will excite room modes.
Careful speaker and listening position placement can make a huge difference, as can the use of bass traps, though the latter may need to be large. DSP of course can help reduce peaks.
My concern re the 40s is actually the opposite, insufficient low bass, though that is on paper big having heard. That’s why I wondered if anyone has tried with a WB Torus.
I owned Bel Canto years ago, before I got into Naim. I wouldn’t pair that sound signature with SCM40A as it would probably sound lifeless and too clinic. I drive mine with Linn ADSM and yes, there might be some recordings which don’t sound pleasant through this combo but it’s extremely rare. SCM40’s are very revealing speakers, true to the source.
Indeed we do, and I try to be mindful of that when I read others experiences of music systems, there is no one size fits all, and my fatiguing is someone else’s balm. I also think we can perceive music quality differently depending on where our heads are on any given day. Somedays we are just more appreciative than others. What I did hear was a very very insightful reproduction of the music and an amazing clarity , and my reservations voiced above are probably to do with the pairing as explained by Patu.
If I am able to in the future hear them with the 272 or something similar then I will take the opportunity. If I do I will gladly report back on how it goes.
Just had my n-SUB returned after 6m, fixed after an electronic fault. Toying with the x - over settings, but the 40hz setting is working well so far with 70 level gain.
So far really loving the extra bass foundation under and supporting the 40A, the n-SUB is such an underrated & really musical sub for reasonable money when it was released and it has stood the test of time IMHO. Sealed design with a quality 10” long throw cone & Naim amp inside, it’s like a match made in heaven with the ATC active speakers with tuneful & fast bass to match the tuneful ATC.
Found it interesting to know that ATC supplied the 350mm bass driver for the DBL back in the day. The 125mm mid range and 19mm tweeter unsure on that, reads like it’s ATC says they were custom made. Maybe Richard can confirm?
I “think” it was Volt who supplied the n-SUB driver.
Not 100% sure though.
Perhaps I just lucked in, but these ATC active speakers and Naim sub just seem to work so well together and match seamlessly,
When I had passive speakers and the n-SUB there was an ever so slight mismatch and/ or music delay/disjointed sound between them all. I just turned the sub off in the end.
Did you already have the nSUB? I presumed so as ATC have their own sub in their entry range which one assumes would integrate particularly well with their entry level speakers.
It would be interesting to compare the two subs but not easy to arrange that with nSUBs quite thin on the ground now.
Incidentally for their own sub ATC recommend an initial crossover setting of 48hz when used with SCM 40s.
Yes I did Roger.
Apart from the great music it put out, I really do find the connection options unbeatable. I have the .1 LFE connected for my HT amp. and also the DIN to 2x RCA from my SC2 to the 2x RCA line level inputs.
That and remote control with up to six custom settings, is simply unbeatable flexibility for me and my system. That is why I spent a bit to have it repaired rather than simply buy another sub.
I haven’t found another sub. as flexible, and with the same or better music replay for reasonable money.
If the ATC subs had the input options the n-SUB has I would be tempted to try one.
Interested in some advice here about going further up in the ATC range.
Not unhappy at all with my 40A , very happy, as a matter of fact. Just very curious as to what an upgrade the ATC SCM50ASL would bring over the 40A.
I had a very long demo. at my country importer showroom of the 50ASL and was impressed beyond belief. No side by side with the 40A was possible, however the 50A seemed to image and soundstage much better and to have significantly more and tuneful bass. Perhaps the midrange - vocals especially - seemed more real.
However Different room , electronics , everything etc. compared to mine, so just wondering if it is worth it to change up to the 50ASL - if anyone here has done so or has had significant demonstrations between the two previously. I feel the 40A (in my room anyway) is lacking some deep bass and I pressed my n-SUB into service as a temporary measure until I decide which way to go.
I’ve only heard the SCM50s passive with a 300DR, but I really liked them, and they made a much bigger impression on me than the SCM40As. They were in different systems and rooms, so not compared on a level playing field at all, but if I was in your position, the 50s would certainly be on my radar.
Cheers Chris. TBH my existing source & preamp. is staying for a very long time. The 50ASL is an end game active speaker that I am looking for.
I did contemplate the 100ASL as well, but it would no doubt be too much speaker for my room and I listen in an almost near field set up as well, So as awesome as having 2x 12 inch woofers pounding me from 2.5meters away would be, it would be a tad tiering over time I think.
The 50ASL is the sweet spot speaker for my room I think (pending final in home demo.) Now to start saving…
IIRC @Mr.frog has had both, and there was a member on the old forum, Roger alias RStaines or something like that, but I don’t know his moniker now if he is on here, who went for the SCM100, and IIRC had included the 40 when auditioning.
Whilst I haven’t heard either, the obvious answer is the 50 will have better bass - more extended, and possibly a more effortless presentation. In the mid/treble ranges there likely will be slight differences in dispersion due to the wider cabinet and off-centre positioning of the drivers in the 50, but otherwise the drivers are identical, and the design philosophy the same.
Hi , I demoed Active 40s and 50s quite extensively and while the 50s are ‘better’ I felt as you said the room would make the most difference . Once I tried the 40s at home I knew the 50 would probably be too much and bought the 40 , I love them but of course we always wonder what’s next up the ladder … I took a lot of advice at the time including ATC and there was a general feel that the Active 40s were a sweet spot .
There is a thread on the ATC forum re going from 50 to 40 which may be worth a read . Personally I think I’d only change to go to Active 100s which are incredible IMO but it won’t be in this house unfortunately .