ATC (Acoustic Transducer Company) has officially announced the launch of its latest innovation, the SCM20ASL 2-way active stand-mount loudspeaker. Drawing inspiration from the company’s 50th-anniversary ‘Limited Edition’ design, this new model is the perfect choice for audiophiles seeking exceptional musical reproduction in modestly sized rooms. The SCM20ASL will make its worldwide debut at AXPONA 2025, taking place at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago, IL, from April 11-13, 2024.
A New Benchmark in Audio Fidelity
The SCM20ASL continues ATC’s longstanding philosophy of integrating top-quality in-house drive units with matched on-board amplification to achieve optimal fidelity. This compact speaker unites the advantages of a smaller form factor with a wider frequency bandwidth, enhanced phase coherence, and superior response speed and dynamics—hallmarks of ATC’s active operation. The design is specifically tailored for small to medium-sized listening environments, making it an ideal solution for those craving high-quality sound in limited spaces. Additionally, the sealed cabinet design ensures remarkably controlled bass, even in smaller areas or when positioned close to walls.
Advanced Driver Technology
The SCM20ASL features a sophisticated 2-way active system housed within a 20-litre stand-mount cabinet. At its core are ATC’s proprietary 150mm (6”) ‘Super Linear’ Mid/Bass driver and a 25mm (1”) ‘S-Spec’ dual-suspension tweeter, both powered by on-board Class A/B MOSFET power amplifiers. The bass driver delivers an impressive 200W continuous power while the high-frequency driver provides 50W, with each amplifier carefully tailored to meet the specific demands of the drivers and the musical elements they reproduce.
The Mid/Bass driver utilizes a large 75mm (3”) voice coil and a short-coil (long-gap) motor assembly featuring ATC’s proprietary ‘SL’ motor technology, which effectively minimizes distortion in the upper bass and midrange frequencies. Meanwhile, the 25mm ‘S-Spec’ soft-dome tweeter boasts a dual-suspension design and a powerful 2.1 tesla motor, ensuring extended frequency response beyond 20kHz and exceptional reproduction of intricate details.
Innovative Crossover Design
The SCM20ASL employs active, analogue 2nd order Linkwitz-Riley crossovers operating at line-level for maximum efficiency. An all-pass filter is also included to optimize phase response through the crossover region, resulting in greatly improved tonal balance and imaging. This meticulous attention to crossover design allows for a seamless listening experience, with clarity and precision across the frequency spectrum.
User-Friendly Controls and Versatile Inputs
Input to the loudspeaker is facilitated via balanced XLR connections located on the rear panel, and the speaker is equipped with user controls for input sensitivity and low-frequency shelf cut and boost. The input sensitivity control allows users to fine-tune the gain to suit their source and pre-amplifier combination for more consistent performance. Meanwhile, the low-frequency shelf control enables subtle adjustments to the bass response, allowing users to tailor the sound to their specific room conditions.
Aesthetic Appeal and Custom Finishes
The SCM20ASL cabinet is designed with a focus on both aesthetics and acoustics. It features a combination of bracing for increased stiffness and damping to suppress resonance, ensuring both durability and sound quality. Customers can choose from a wide range of real wood veneers, painted satin finishes, and high-gloss lacquers to match their personal style. Standard finishes include Cherry, Black Ash, Walnut, and Oak veneers, along with Satin Black or Satin White paint. For those seeking a more premium look, options such as Rosewood, European Crown Cut Walnut, Burr Magnolia, Pippy Oak, and Burr Poplar veneers are also available. Each speaker is supplied with a removable grille wrapped in acoustically transparent black cloth.
