So what about powered Speakers?

ATC SCM 50SE towers wrestled by piano movers up the stairs, then placed on Townshend podiums.  Initial observations; somewhat larger sound stage, bit more dynamic with upgraded amps and bolder bass foundation, more textured.   They replace ATC 50 ASLT towers, so not a model to be crushed.  200 hrs. break-in time in process, expectations of a more open presentation.  Cheers

HI Phusis: I should tell you that the EL50s are a lot more than than the SCM50A or SCM 50AT (tower version).  Drivers very closely matched, cabinet has zero edge diffraction for the biggest image I have ever heard from an ATC.  All new discrete amplifiers that are significantly higher in resolution that the standard Mk4 amp pack. Therefore, they sound a LOT better than the 50s, as hard as that was to believe.  I just had them at THE show in so cal, our room was absolutely packed from opening to close every day.  People would stay for a long time.  Imaging was positively 3 dimensional in a small bad sounding hotel room.  Way more detail than the standard active 50.

For others posters in the thread: Yes ATC does not have a marketing department; this means they focus 100% on engineering and manufacturing.  I am their marketing department in the US as the importer.

BTW, the comments about active meaning you have to send the entire speaker in for repairs is downright silly.  That’s like saying you have to ship your garage in to repair a water heater.   ATC amps are easily removed from the cabinet in back with a few screws and a disconnect audio connector and separate power connector to remove it from the speaker; it can then be shipped in by itself for repair if needed- just like any outboard amp.   And failures are very very rare.  The engineering goal was 24/7 for 20+ years.  This was done to make active speakers dead reliable in studios that can stay in service and playing music any time all the time.  In the studio business time is money and if a speaker is down, you can’t rent the room to a client= lost revenue.  SO most of our pro installs (like Blackbird) have been operating for many many years with zero service.   

Focus is on new ATC 50 SE towers now coming on 150 hrs. play replacing ATC 50 ASLT (active).  As ragingly good as the ATC 50 ASLTs are, and they are, these are markedly better and that is saying something.  It's like "this 300K Porsche is better than this 200K Porsche".  Well, alright.  Let's travel that crazy road.

Foundational bass response is simply deeper, bit more controlled with better texture.  It's a "Twilight Zone" thing as the bass of the 50 ASLT is quite substantial and well controlled.  Never entertained using subs.  Bass to rearrange you inside.

Sound stage broadened and grew a bit taller and deeper.  Improved quickness and dynamics, which I can only attribute to the fully discrete amps as we're still dealing with same drivers.  A more open presentation.  Perhaps the slightly rounded shape of the cabinet contributes to that plus the aforementioned discrete amps.

Micro dynamics are insane with space between performers and their notes.  Lee Morgan's trumpet sounds nothing like Clifford Brown's.

I've entered into the "never say never again" space.  This should be my endgame transducer.  Some of the 'weird' (good weird) stuff showing up on recordings takes you deeper into the performance.  'Weird' being foot tapping you never heard before, brush of a music stand, guitar amp buzz, indiscernible studio background noises and conversations.  I'm all good with it.  Stellar recordings become even better.  Bad recordings may not see light of day again as it seems like punishment.   What were some of those engineers doing at the controls?

I'm not marketing here.  This is my experience.  I couldn't care less what people think about my purchase.  Go about your business and enjoy your thing.  It's a forum for the sharing of experiences that may be informative.  If you hate active, we've already heard about it.  Don't be pedantic.  Now, go listen and enjoy your audio system.  Cheers

@celtic66 - thanks for this update. It sounds ver similar to my own experience with introducing progressively better cables into my old system.

Just curious -  what cables are you using from the pre-amp to the speakers and also what power cables are you using on the speakers?

My cables are very fast (OCC copper) with extremely quiet air (almost) insulation for vastly improved details and venue acoustics i.e. echoes and reverberations.

The cables from my TT to the preamp are OCC silver with air insulation resulting in  even finer details.

I found that with powered speakers, since you no longer have heavier gauge and long speaker cables that introduce so many issues into the signal path, the dynmic performance and articulation of the music improved dramatically. Then putting the budget for the speaker cables into the Interconnects and power cables improved the space between perofrmers and slao improved the micro venue acoustics being heard, which improves the aparant dimensions of the performers space.

I think the negative chatter about active/powered speakers will always be there, but since some very reputable brands now introducing them into their product lines, they are going to become a more accepted opton for audiophiles in the future.

I know I am a convert 

My current system sounds extremely good for a fraction of the cost of my previous, more traditonal system.

Regards - Steve 

@williewonka    Power cables are easy, Furutech 4.1 with best Furutech ends.  XLR cables pre to speakers were also custom built by Chris Romeo, but not sure exactly of their components.  They are far better than the standard Mogami I was running. Mogami makes a great cable, just not audiophile quality.  Custom is far more dynamic, detailed and quieter.  Sound stage also stabilized.  You know the drill.

Active vs passive transducers debate will always be there.  I'm okay with that.  As per my previous posts, I believe opinions should be from actual ownership and experience, not simply random unfounded thoughts and opinions.  Enjoy your system.