Down to 2 speakers & I can't decide, ProAc D48R vs Spendor D9


Hello,

I am a bit perplexed as to my final 2 speakers to choose from. Either the ProAc D48R or Spendor D9.
My electronics are all NAIM Audio, 252 pre / 300 DR power / n-DAC/555PS and my room is 26' x 13' x 8' open plan lounge dining room all brick walls and concrete floor with hardwood flooring. It is broken up by soft furnishings, rugs, tables, book shelfts etc. - so a little bit live sounding but not extreme.

My music choice is mostly rock, pop, blues, acoustic rock & hard rock/metal. I have listened to the D48R and was impressed, but not enough to buy it, getting a demo. of the Spendor D9 is almost impossible because of where I live.

There was a thread about these 2 speakers and a Devore but it has been deleted by the Mods. So any advice on either speaker would be most welcome.


Best,
Pete 
seadog77
There seems to be a consensus that active is the way to go with ATC. Was the difference between active ATC SCM40 and passive as big as the price difference? ($7K vs $14K list). What amp was driving the passive?
what about naim loudspeakers? also great speakers on audiogon sell for incredible prices. you can buy way better speakers for the money. just an opinion. 
So you've heard the ProAcs and the ATCs, and I assume/hope you listened to them with your own music.  What did you think?  I personally love both these speakers, but for very different reasons.  If I'm looking for dynamics and the feeling of a live performance, I'd go ATC no doubt.  If I'm looking more for "audiophile" characteristics like a deep, 3D soundstage, speakers disappearing, etc. then it's ProAc.  To me, these major speaker strengths and inherent characteristics override the mode of amplification in this particular situation.  Only you can make that final decision, but with your preferred music my strong bias would be for ATC.  And yes, their active speakers are clearly superior to passive, which you've obvious already found.  From what I've heard from you so far, if it's me I'd sell my current amp to help finance active ATCs.  Just my $0.02 and FWIW. 
I just traded in my atcsm40s for spendor d9.   The atc need to be played very loud to hit their stride. D9 I can listen to at a lower  volume and still sound nice.  Soundstage is great