ATC SCM19 Bookshelf Speakers

If one bookshelf loudspeaker would ever be picked to represent the values and advantages of the category, that model should be the ATC SCM19 v2.

Classic two-way design, the SCM19 is rare in this group as it’s a closed box or infinitebaffle type. This means the cabinet has no bass port, which reduces sensitivity and/or bass extension. Yet fans of this design argue that it confers time domain benefits, especially a tighter and tauter bass. ATC is famous for making its own drive units, and here has fitted its 25mm SH25-76 tweeter, which is a tough soft dome design with a dual suspension system to suppress resonance. 

A powerful neodymium magnet is specified, and there’s a 5.5mm rigid alloy wave guide. This crosses over to a long-throw 150mm mid/bass unit with a heavy magnet system and tacky (as in sticky) doped fabric cone. The crossover features metalised polypropylene capacitors, large air-cored inductors and ceramic wire-round resistors. Sound quality The SCM19 is one of the best rock loudspeakers here, but has strength in depth so can make pretty much any type of program material fun.

 The speaker’s standout characteristic is its handling of rhythms – it has a live, ‘pro’ sound that makes you sit upright to take in all that’s going on in a recording. Consequently, Sweet Home Alabama comes across as an absolute treat, this big stand mounter stringing together all the rhythmic clues, focusing in on the rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums, before highlighting how well syncopated they all are with the lead vocals.

 

Bass is seriously impressive, not due to its quantity, but its quality; Days Chasing Days lets the superb mid/ bass driver and infinitebaffle loading shine, showing some really tight, taut, sinewy bass guitar that is impactful and tuneful but never flabby or overly full. Treble is tonally clean and timed great, although not quite as deliciously silky at the Neat, for example. Crushed reveals oodles of mid-band detail and avoids the tendency of some speakers to sound shrill, despite Liz Fraser’s icy vocals. All in all, a great performer.