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me geithain rl-901k2 vs ATC SCM150ASL vs Genelec 8351b + W371A vs Ultimate Preamp
As the only brand I know of offering cardioid response down to 30 Hz, It is certainly interesting, and it seems to have an almost mystical reputation in its homeland.
Where I work we had a room built to meet BS1116-1 standards. It had a 22-ish channel Genelec immersive audio setup, and the 'Grade 1' stereo pair chosen were ME Geithain, I forget the exact model. I can't afford them myself though 
but would love to hear the Genelec options you gave, or the Geithains which come in a range of models and there are also matching cardioid subwoofers.
I spent a fun afternoon with a pile CDs and the Geithains after the room was finished. Would be really interesting to see a set of measurements of these given the innovative design.
I expect that the D&D 8C would be at least shortlisted if that selection was being done again today, as others have mentioned.
but would love to hear the Genelec options you gave, or the Geithains which come in a range of models and there are also matching cardioid subwoofers.I spent a fun afternoon with a pile CDs and the Geithains after the room was finished. Would be really interesting to see a set of measurements of these given the innovative design.
I expect that the D&D 8C would be at least shortlisted if that selection was being done again today, as others have mentioned.
I sold my SCM 150ASL's after having them for 15 years (2004-2019). I replaced them with Neumann KH420, which knocked them out of the park in bass and imaging.
I've only heard the Genelec's at trade shows and never got to excited but they have a loyal following here ASR, and I respect that.
I've only heard the Genelec's at trade shows and never got to excited but they have a loyal following here ASR, and I respect that.
You've just outlined my future upgrade path.
" I'd take KEF's best stuff and a Purifi or Benchmark amp. "
OP
Deleted member 4708
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I used to be very vocal about publishing measurements too. I am not so sure anymore. Think about the (in)existing standards - one can publish good measurements in less than honest conditions, etc. I do appreciate companies that publish measurements - it is proof of good engineering, but I give a pass to companies that do not publish measurements yet their stuff performs when measured.
Alpha Divine has been reviewed and the only problem found was from the xover between bass and mid - something that can be fixed with DSP.
https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/divine-100.49-tower-loudspeaker/measurements
(this is the older version of alpha)
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The main advantages buy ATC, for me, is 1. The class AB “power pack” amps are exceedingly simple to work on and will always have stock replacement parts, even 25 or 30 years from now. You cannot say the same for hypex and icepower and ncore amp modules which will only exist as long as b&o is around.
the other and more important thing for me is true ability to customize the cabinet to any veneer you can possibly desire. Burr walnut with gorgeous matching patterned sworls, hand polished to a mirror finish. Or a piano floss black with several coats of laquer. Exotic woods of any kind... I know ATC isn’t the ONLY company offering this but they’re probably the best company offering it.
Lastly this is not a reason for the asr community, but it is important to me: brand and pride of ownership. I love owning something from a brand I like. Ilkness says it’s a cult... maybe it is. But it’s a cool cult to be in. Or at least, it feels like one. I do find it interesting that nobody bats an eye at Amir for owning an antiquated DAC that measures quite poor SINAD wise, and also owns amplifiers (Mark Levinson no. 53) Horrifically measuring amps. Yet he still owns them. Why? They’re gorgeous looking.
Will I be buying into a cult of personality speaker brand if I got my ATC scm150? You betcha. Will it be inferior to other, state of the art speakers? No doubt about it, yes. Will it look better? Hmm I’ll let you decide. Will a small minority of ASR members continue to smugly pat them selves on the back and armchair engineering? I guess so? Will the average forum goer on this website be able to make their intelligent and informed decisions? I hope so.
That's a lot of words to say that you bought an image instead of a tool.
OP
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C'mon! ATC is a very good speaker + an image / a brand. He bought into both.
And to come out clean - I love the archaic / retro look of the "pro" ATC SCM150ASL. Man oh man - go figure
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Bro I haven’t even my made up my mind if I’m buying ATC. It’s years away for me. More than likely if I’m impressed with my barefoot speakers I’ll move up that line. Your smug attitude is shining strong.
Geithain are the coolest of the options. I'd get the big Neumanns myself.
D&D's business also seems to be going very well. Visting the major pro audio forums, one reads lots of anecdotes about ATC users preferring the 8Cs or Kii Threes. One finds many fewer anecdotes about a preference for ATCs or other traditional monitors.
DSJR
Master Contributor
Umm, I was told Billy Woodman retired some years back although he pops in regularly - same with Tim Isaac who designed the original electronics. There's a young team there, so please don't be so quick to write them off.
By the way, the 100A's I used to own are nearly thirty years old and fully serviceable. I wonder if the 8C's and similar will be the same at that age? I've not heard the 8C's but did very much admire the Kii Three's heard without the sub-stands
I do love the look too, but "very good" doesn't apply to them, really.C'mon! ATC is a very good speaker + an image / a brand. He bought into both.
And to come out clean - I love the archaic / retro look of the "pro" ATC SCM150ASL. Man oh man - go figure
Get a thicker skin, this is the interweb. I can and do make posts full of effort and short banters when I see fit. Usual audiophile talking points that don't belong on this website don't really bring out effort from me; conveniently ignoring off-axis goes into that category for me.
That aside, I'd welcome accurate measurements of ATC's stuff, at least as accurate as Klippel's NFS or soundandrecording.de.
Not sure how that's appropriate. If the only purpose of a post is to put someone down, save it.
OP
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https://www.hifinews.com/content/atc-scm100se-loudspeaker-lab-report
THD 100Hz/1kHz/10kHz (for 90dB SPL/1m) 0.2% / <0.1% / 0.1%
That's as good as it gets. State of the art.
The SCM150ASL is back on the first position.
1) Non-linear distortion matters a lot less than linear, and on-axis isn't the prettiest (especially for the price, again). Off-axis isn't shown here.
2) Can't really get any useful information from 90 dB only, sadly. If you want to know how loud you can play cleanly, you need measures at different (and higher!) SPLs, something like this:
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