As well as 40As I have heard active 50s, 100s and 150s (but not in my modestly-sized room) and the sound they produce is recognisably from the same stable. However, as you go up the range, as well as the obvious change in cabinet size, you tend to get higher spec drivers (‘super’ versions) and amps based on higher spec stand-alone models such as P2 rather than P1. Also, of course, they’re not sealed box designs which could affect bass response. As to mid-range, I changed electronics when I got my 40As which may be why mid-range clarity, that sense of the singer “really being there in front of you”, is what I enjoy most about my system.
It sounds as if an audition in your listening environment is the next step, but be prepared for Pete T’s finding there might not be so much in it with the same source/pre. Some change of electronics might be necessary to get the sound you are after especially in the mids.
Do keep us informed of how this goes and, for the time being, keep on enjoying the 40s.
Currently have 272/250dr/xps dr into Ruark Crusader speakers in a 5m x7m room (with vaulted ceiling).
Have been reading about the SMC40a’s here and elsewhere with interest, and am tempted. Don’t like overly bright treble (most b&w’s I’ve tried fall into this category) and whilst I wanted to like the Focal’s I just found them a bit ‘meh’ (dealer demo room and not sure which model, about £2-3k).
I’m hoping to demo then home demo some 40a’s but am getting a mixed picture on the bass response. Some say too much, more say a little too little. Is there a reality here? I like decent bass to give a grounding and deep passion to the music, but not at the expense of booming and downing out the mid-range. Music listening is varied, but mostly pop, rock, club anthems and light classical.
That was exactly my front end before my recent change of system, but into PMC speakers (Fact 3s). I would not want more bass, but my room is a lot smaller than yours (just under 4 x 6 x 2.6m) so I think you’re right to home audition. Also, my taste is towards acoustically recorded music: folk, jazz and classical at all scales but not much pop/rock and I tend not to separate out bass or treble response when listening (unless it’s a room problem or excessive sibilance). Instead, it’s musical communication and the sense of the musicians playing in front of me that gives me the most satisfaction. That IMHO is where ATCs are so good: they just get out of the way and let the music flow.
I was told by ATC that the S versions of the tweeter and Midrange are pretty much the same but with higher Power handling . The Bass units from the 50s upwards are definitely higher spec , Super Linear I think they are called .
They all sound great though and my Active 40s give by far the most tuneful , detailed Bass I’ve experienced at home.
Xcentric, agree, the 40A does throw up a few different opinions regarding bass. I will say it is tuneful, detailed and not at all boomy or slow. At least that is what I hear in my room.
Perhaps I have had far too much of bass reflex passive speakers over the years and I confuse boomy / sloppy, excessive bass for fuller and deeper bass ? From all accounts ATC do not publish misleading specs. 48hz at - 6db seems about right for the 40A. and most reviewers who measure in their reviews also agree with the ATC speakers specs.
So, in my room and taste in rock, metal and pop music, and perhaps it’s just what I am wired to hear now, but I do prefer a bit more bass depth & possible slightly more slam. It it’s not that far off though TBH, perhaps only after another 10 hz or so deeper punch.
I have wondered before about SCM40A, with a sub to fill in the missing octave or so - particularly the Wilson Benesch Torus. That could provide a system that would not be physically oversized in a smaller room, and also easier to manage (physically) than bigger main speakers. But one would have to hear that, and in one’s own room, compared to, say, the 100 or 150 to know which is better.
That’s my understanding too. But I have seen comments by those claiming familiarity with both drivers that they hear a small difference, mainly in terms of smoothness. However, I’m not in a position to vouch for this.
Like you I love my 40As. In many decades of hifi ownership, they give more musical satisfaction than any speakers I have had before. I’m listening to the final movement of Rachmaninov’s second symphony and it’s both foot-tapping and shivers-down-the-spine time.
This would be interesting because I’d be able to play loud at night and not disturb my kids.
Also it would bypass my power amp and speakers so would be an interesting point of comparison for those.
I have limited time to research the whole issue and came across the Audeze LCD2 Classic.
Do you - or does anyone else - know this headphone?
Hi Jim - You need to consider whether you want closed back or open back, with open you hear noise around you and disturb those next to you. I’d open up another thread if you want some good suggestions from the headphone community on here rather than divert this one.
I have had a pair of 19A for a while. What strike me right away are, detail, imaging and cohesive. The integration between the tweeter and midrange driver is immaculate. If one have experience full ranger, I really like Voxativ, the ATC 19A sounded like one unit.
Not harsh or fatigue in anyway, but less than average recording…
Bass does not go low like many already mentioned but ample for me, tight and fast they are for a small room(3m by 4m).
Harbeth got mentioned quite a bit, they aren’t slow in anyway, just not so tight bass. Very seductive midrange but ATC is equally as good in this area.
We all know there isn’t a perfect speakers, nevertheless, the 19A been doing a fantastic job for me.
I though I would add some more thoughts to the 40A that I got in May.
So during these last 5 months I have added or done this:
Got my n-SUB back from getting the amp. fixed. So added this to my system, set up is 45hz crossover, 68 gain, and connected by a special Naim lead from SC2 DIN connection.
Got my SC2 recapped.
Got my 252 in for a complete service, replaced critical sound path and power supply caps etc. in the unit.
Added a Cisco switch with Wireworld Starlight Ethernet cables for my router HDX and NDS.
Gone with no grills on the speakers & moved them another 3” out from the solid wall behind.
The result ? I have gone from just being very happy to now be in total awe of these active speakers.
It’s something I never really did to this level of excitement when I had my ProAcD48R or Naim S400 or Spendor D9 or Harbeth SHL5 with a 300DR and SL cables.
Oh and the dreaded ATC caveat of low level listening ? Totally fab. no issue at all now. It was average before these changes, now they are as good at low level as any speaker I have ever owned.
They have responded to every single change listed above and now they honestly leave me gobsmacked after every listening session. It is now a “must play one more favourite song before dinner/bed “ moment etc. etc. I am now totally enthralled, engaged and flat out doing the air guitar, air drums at almost every key moment during a fav. song.
Anyway, just some random thought after 5 very happy months of ownership.
