John
British manufacturer ATC have given their entry-level standmount loudspeakers a thorough once over. The SCM7 MKIII and SCM11 MKII have seen significant revisions, both inside and out. Gone is the stepped baffle of old, replaced by a more traditional front face with sides that curve toward the rear. These new SCM7 and SCM11 are also the first passive models to see ATC’s new SH25-76 25mm soft dome tweeter, updated bass/mid drivers and crossovers.
Press release blurb on the SH25-76 tweeter: “…employs a unique dual suspension system suppressing rocking modes even at high power output levels. The ATC configuration of a short edge-wound voice coil in a long, narrow magnetic gap ensures exceptionally low distortion throughout its operating band and removes the need for Ferro-fluids, which can dry out over time, compromising performance.”
Press release blur on the new crossovers: “…feature metallized polypropylene capacitors, large air cored inductors and ceramic wire-round resistors offer superior power handling and clarity. Each new model exhibits an impedance curve free from low values, presenting an easy load for amplifiers of 75 to 300 watts.”
I’ve spent significant time with the older SCM7 and SCM11 models and loved them. However, both models hungered for a solid power feed to really come alive. The efficiency rating of these new variants (84db and 85db) suggests the need for grunty amplification remains.
Here’s the SCM7 MKIII:
SCM7 vIII specifications…
- New soft dome HF unit with precision alloy ATC wave guide.
- 125mm ATC mid/bass unit with integral soft dome.
- In-house, hand-wound precision flat wire coil.
- 3Kg optimised motor assembly.
- Massive optimised motor assembly.
- Flat impedance curve allowing easy load for amplifiers.
- HF 25mm Neodymium, Mid/LF 125mm
- Matched Response: ±0.5dB
- Frequency Response: 60Hz-22kHz (±6dB)
- Dispersion: ±80° Coherent Horizontal,
- ±10° Coherent Vertical
- Sensitivity: 84dB @ 1W @ 1metre
- Max SPL: 103dB
- Recommended Power: 50 to 300 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
- Crossover Frequency: 2.5kHz
- Connectors: Binding Posts/4mm Plugs, bi-wire
- Cabinet (HxWxD): 300x160x230mm
- Weight: 7kg
And here’s the SCM11 MKII:
SCM11 II specifications…
- New soft dome HF unit with precision alloy ATC wave guide.
- New “CLD” driver technology with 45mm integral soft dome.
- In-house, hand-wound precision flat wire coil.
- Precision undercut bass pole.
- Massive optimised motor assembly.
- Flat impedance curve allowing easy load for amplifiers.
- HF 25mm Neodymium, Mid/LF 150mm
- Matched Response: ±0.5dB
- Frequency Response: 56Hz-22kHz (±6dB)
- Dispersion: ±80° Coherent Horizontal,
- ±10° Coherent Vertical
- Sensitivity: 85dB @ 1W @ 1metre
- Max SPL: 108dB
- Recommended Power: 50 to 300 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
- Crossover Frequency: 2.8kHz
- Connectors: Binding Posts/4mm Plugs, bi-wire
- Cabinet (HxWxD): 381x232x236mm
- Weight: 10.9kg
Hand-built in the UK, each pair of SCM7 or SCM11 attracts a 6-year warranty. Both models are available now in black ash or real cherry finishes. The SCM7 MKIII sells for US$1499 and the SCM11 MKII is US$2199.
According to the ATC mothership’s website Jim Tate in Adelaide is the new Australian distributor but there’s no mention at his end (yet) of ATC dealings. Local pricing TBA.
Further Information: ATC Loudspeakers
