ATC SCM's with Spectral Components


Any experienced opinions regarding mating ATC SCM-11's, or maybe SCM-19's, with a modest Spectral system (DMC-12, DMA-90, Spectral MI-350 UL CVTerminator [Series I] interconnects, and Spectral/MIT MH-750 UL Series II speaker cables)?

I've been listening to some not-quite-broken-in SCM-11's at my local high-end audio store, and will be auditioning them at home on my system as soon as my speaker cables (just purchased from an Audiogon member) arrive. I really like the sound of the SCM-11's in the store on their system.

I'm hoping someone who has experienced this setup (but with well-broken-in SCM-11's and well-broken-in SCM-19's) will offer an opinion.

Thanks in advance.
rx7audio

Showing 3 responses by rx7audio

Thanks, Shadorne and Kinn. I actually was wondering whether my power amp (100 W RMS into 8 Ohms) would be adequate for the SCM11's or SCM19's. I also was wondering whether these speakers would provide accurate sound when played through my Spectral gear in the smaller rooms and at the moderate SPL's I would have them playing.

Things I've read seem to suggest they require more than modest power (i.e., 100 W RMS might not be enough power), and that they sound best when played loud (in not-so-small rooms).
Thanks, Shadorne and Kinn for your input. I listened last weekend to my local dealer's demo ATC SCM11's at my house powered by my system. I was extremely impressed by these small speakers for many reasons. And it was as you suggested: Their sound fills out nicely, especially the bass, as they are played at higher SPL's, though they left me wishing they could play an octave lower. I will probably ask the dealer to acquire a demo pair of SCM19's so that I can audition them, too, to see if the low end I'm missing in the 11's, is there in the 19's. Meanwhile, I'm continuing to look for other solutions as well.

Thanks again. Much appreciated.
My local dealer had a pair of SCM19's shipped in last week. They were supposed to have been brand new, but they turned out to be demos, seemingly reasonably broken in. They spent Thursday afternoon through the entire weekend with me. Briefly, they are amazing when paired with my little Spectral gear! In fact they produced significantly better sound (I thought) than the already amazing SCM11's. In my lightly furnished 12x22x8-feet (WxLxH) rectangular listening space (plaster walls and ceiling, and wall-to-wall carpet over a hardwood floor), sitting on sand-filled 21-inch Solid Steel speaker stands placed 4 feet from the narrow back wall and 3 feet in from the long side walls, these speakers simply excelled. I couldn't have been more pleased. And I was quite unprepared for how they demanded to be played at higher and higher SPL's! Absolutely astonishing! One thing, though: When I placed my hands on the tops and sides of these speakers while they were playing at moderately loud volumes, I could feel significant cabinet vibrations, a real surprise. I'm now wondering if the stouter SCM20's, at 50 lbs, might not be a better choice than the 35 lb SCM19's for this reason alone. Any opinions?