Just get some KH420s, as they're so very much cheaper...
Much uglier for someone to have in a home setup though. I do like how the SCM40s look*. And part of their cost realistically is the cabinet.
In 1996 prices was approx :
Actually just checking the price looks pretty much identical to the SCM40 actives, at least in the UK. About £8500 a pair.
You did the hard work here, you listened to several pairs of speakers at the dealer and at home and decided on the scm40. If you had known the measurements then, you say that your purchase decision might have been different. Does that mean you would then buy speakers based on measurements rather than listening? Please clarify this a bit.
That is a good point,
Wife hates the mesh grilles. I do like the 'solid' tones of the 40A and knowing what I know and have experienced I'd never look at passive ones. Apologies folks, as my constant bleating about the inferiority of their three way passives is encouraging sharp kickback. I've been there, done direct comparisons and alsodone a few active upgrades when it was more affordable then (and never had the end-user saying they sounded worse active).
I doubt many use them. I don't. I agree with your wife that they don't look great, although they would offer better protection than just cloth for those that want/need it.
Oh, and in my lounge the aesthetics are a factor.
2 year warranty put me right off any Neumann products,if I’m spending silly money I want long term warranties.Wife hates the mesh grilles. I do like the 'solid' tones of the 40A and knowing what I know and have experienced I'd never look at passive ones. Apologies folks, as my constant bleating about the inferiority of their three way passives is encouraging sharp kickback. I've been there, done direct comparisons and alsodone a few active upgrades when it was more affordable then (and never had the end-user saying they sounded worse active).
As for the KH420s, what the heck do you want - a seriously good sound or a stylish box? Okay, @Purité Audio would have alternatives that may well look better domestically and sound as good at domestic levels for mid-field listening (3 - 4m listening distance). I've not heard them, but anyone in the UK with a genuine interest should try to hear some alternatives
There was the story of a dealer from NY. He was engaged in the sale of atc speakers as well as equipment of other top companies.
In my room the bass of the scm50 varies from point to point in space. There are places in the room where the bass is weaker, but there are also places where the balance is very good. Fortunately, this is the most common position in the room. I listen to music from those positions.
The actives are better simply because they can time-align the crossovers to eliminate any excess phase rotation. They have a couple of adjustable all-pass filters that are set at factory. it's not like the PSI cascading APF network that makes them linear phase above the woofer:cabinet interaction but it does make them closer to an ideal minimum phase XO.
Well, you'd pretty much just not need external amps.
What would cause excess phase rotation in the SCM40, that could have an audible effect, while not affecting crossover point summation? I expect the latter to work well in that speaker.
