Those 150’s look stunning, make my square boxed 300’s look pretty utilitarian in comparison. However, 50% of the time they’re used for av, and with the screen down and their black grills on they visually disappear for tv and film. Your comments on the new tweeters are very reassuring, I just wish ATC would get a move on and finalise their larger in-house tweeter for the 200/300 models, they keep telling me soon.....soon....soon....years ago!!! Guess it’s not a priority! You mentioned the larger PMC’s. I’ve been looking into their larger studio active models. I really don’t think I would ever jump ship, but I am having a home dem of their bd2/XBD active system with matching Bryston amps soon. Twin 12” drivers vs 15” although TL rather than ported, should be interesting, my room is 33’l x 22’w x 9’t and really sucks up the bass, I originally auditioned the ATC150 before settling on the 300’s and they just could energise my room.
I have the first and only pair of EL150ASL with the new ATC tweeter with matching aluminium faceplate to the midrange and woofer. You can check out my system on Audiogon here
I have had Vifa, Excel Millenium and now ATC’s own tweeter in various ATC over the years. The ATC tweeter is the best by far. It just integrates so well and doesn’t sound like a tweeter at all. In fact there is no sound to it at all - completely transparent. Every other three way speaker I have heard has audible driver integration issues where certain sounds or tracks, dynamics or loudness level make you aware you are listening to three drivers. ATC eliminated this for the bass and mid range integration but there was still a very small discernible tweeter sound with the older designs. This difference is completely gone now. You won’t want to go back even though the Excel Millenium is the best OEM tweeter on the market!!!
I’ve always found the EmmLabs gear to sound very musical and organic sounding, even their earlier offerings from 15 years ago had a certain naturalness that I preferred over rivals such as Esoteric, Meridian and even dcs, the latter costing 2-3 times that of the EmmLabs. ATCs can err to a rather cool sound, but I’ve evolved my system over the years so that what with the newer EmmLabs gears, and the Ayre KXR20 preamp which really has a beautifully natural presentation, has given me my own personal musical heaven. As I said, I’m waiting for the new tweeters, but am slightly worried they may upset the balance of the system. Did you upgrade your tweeters, or were they already installed on purchase, if you upgraded, what are your thoughts on their character vs the older ones? ATC have reassured me that in the unlikely event I don’t like them they will swap them back, they seem to think they are a major step forwards, so we’ll just have to see. The P4 power amps will obviously have to be adjusted to the new ones, but I’m going to combine this with a full service on the amps, which have been giving sterling service over the past 14 years. I can’t begin to express how impressed with the personal service ATC give to their clients I am
Thanks for your response. I have been using ATC since 1994! So that is 24 years. I have had their 20, 100A, C6, C6CA and recently the EL150A. I have always wanted to pair ATC with EMMLAB equipment. Ironic since Ed Meitner works ten minutes from my house! For some reason it just never happened, as I found Benchmark DACs to be such a pleasing match to my ears. As always, I am interested in others experiences and what you have tried and what you found to work best?
And no........I used to pull teeth but am retired now!!! Ben at ATC is hopefully going to instal the new tweeters in my system to beta test them once they’re available
The new tweeter still isnt available for the scm 200 and scm 300, only up to the scm 150. I’m first on the list, believe me. Yes, that’s the same system you’ve seen before......how many of you guys still have the same speakers after 14 years? And believe it or not, they’re still current spec!!
Welcome to Audiogon. I am sure I have seen your setup before somewhere. It is unbelievably awesome and to die for. Did Ben or Bob or both help set this up for you? And this may be a stretch but do you own a full size Predator (the alien in the movie) that helps ensure nobody would steel any of your fine gear? And have you pulled any teeth lately ;-)
