We hope that the rest of the industry follows ATC’s lead on this one. Dollar compared to the British Pound has created the opportunity to return to pre-pandemic conditions. Distributor, Leland Leard, we’ve been assured that nothing has changed in regard to the products but that a reduction in freight costs and a stronger U.S. Having spoken to the company and its U.S. The announcement that ATC would be lowering its prices created speculation that “less expensive” products translated to a reduction in quality. The British manufacturer has a rather sterling reputation in both pro audio and high-end audio circles for the engineering quality and performance of their passive and active loudspeakers. ATC (Acoustic Transducer Company UK) might be one of the first to do so and they reached out to us recently to explain what was happening in regard to products manufactured in the UK and why they had decided to lower their prices on the entire lineup in 2023. While inflationary pressure seems to be easing on some products, very few hi-fi brands have adjusted their pricing downward. Global supply chain issues that started during the pandemic were compounded by shipping issues that kept some products outside of domestic ports for 6 months. Initially that price tag of over six grand looks a little steep for a pair of relatively conventional looking floorstanders.īut factor the built-in amplification, exotically engineered in-house drive units and the resultant exceptional sound quality and the SCM40A emerge as something of a high-end bargain.Inflation has had a real impact on consumer A/V companies over the past 16 months and we don’t have to tell our readership that everything from electronics, headphones, and loudspeakers became a lot more expensive. At higher levels their punch is deeply impressive, as is their depth and power at low frequencies. If you want a pair of speakers that play really loudly without turning hard or edgy these would be an excellent choice. Such tonal characteristics only serve to make voices and instruments reproduction more convincing. They have a lovely cohesion throughout the frequency range, with a consistent sonic character from the lowest notes upwards. At low volumes there can be a loss of sparkle, but once the volume turns to medium levels and higher these SCM40As sound right at home. This kind of performance happens only when resolution, timing and dynamics are spot-on. They take all in their stride, making sense of the plethora of sounds and noises, arranging it all to make perfect musical sense. Most Hi-fi – even true high-end kit – has problems making sense of Radiohead’s 15 Step. Every subtlety is sharply defined with the speakers keeping organised and controlled even when the music becomes complex. If you want to analyse a recording we can think of few alternatives as good. Not only that, these towers link the notes superbly, producing a fluid sound that also stops and starts brilliantly. Jarrett’s piano playing simply sparkles with the SCM40s rendering the shape and harmonics of each note beautifully. Yet these ATCs are more than happy to turn their hand to subtlety when required.
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