Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Clarity and detail unlike any other speaker manufacturer
- Very 'open' sounding, providing space around every instrument in the mix, and provide real width and height to the music playing through them
- Midrange definition is unforgiving—but telling—and it forces one to carve things out accurately
- Remains clear and refined to very high levels, showing little sign of strain even when pushed hard
- Bass-adjustment control allows the speaker to be easily accommodated in most rooms
Product Considerations
- Appearance is a bit of an acquired taste
- The enclosures are curved, which means that there is no way to lie them down on their sides
- These speakers are ruthlessly honest
- Can over-organize the midrange, in effect—making the mix too clean
Takeaway: The SCM20ASL is a brutally honest monitor that provides amazing clarity and detail, allowing for the creation of better mixes that translate well across different systems. With its neutral tonality and excellent stereo imaging, this monitor is a valuable tool for any serious mix engineer.
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
SCM7 MK3
- Positioning: The entry-level model in ATC's loudspeaker lineup.
- Description: Features a compact design and precise sound, with a 25mm soft dome tweeter and a 125mm mid-bass driver. Compared to the SCM19, it offers a smaller footprint, making it ideal for small rooms or desktop setups, but it lacks the larger bass driver and higher sensitivity found in the SCM19.
SCM19
- Positioning: A mid-range model in the Entry Series, offering a balance between performance and size.
- Description: Features an "SL" spec bass driver and 75mm integral soft dome, providing excellent phase coherence and bass response. It offers a more robust soundstage than the SCM7 MK3.
SCM19A
- Positioning: An active version of the SCM19, positioned as a higher-end option within the Entry Series.
- Description: Includes an on-board 182-watt Class A/B bi-amplifier, delivering enhanced sound clarity and power. It uses active crossover filters, unlike the passive SCM19, which requires external amplification.
SCM40A
- Positioning: The groundbreaking flagship model of the Entry Series, offering the most advanced features and performance.
- Description: Equipped with a tri-amplifier system and a 164mm bass driver, providing exceptional sound quality and dynamic range. It surpasses the SCM19A with its additional mid-range driver and higher power output.
Read the reviews
SCM20ASL Pro
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Manufacturer's notes
- Drive unit – Low Frequency (LF): 6.5"/150mm Super Linear with 75mm/3" voice coil (SB75-150SL 8 Ohm)
- Drive unit – High Frequency (HF): 1"/25mm dual suspension Soft Dome (SH25-76S 6 Ohm)
- Amplitude Linearity (±2dB): 80Hz-20kHz
- Cut-off Frequencies (-6dB, free-standing): 55Hz, 25kHz
- Horizontal Dispersion: ±80°, Coherent
- Vertical Dispersion: ±10°, Coherent
- Max. Continuous SPL (1 metre): 108dB
- Crossover Frequency: 2.1kHz
- Audio Input: Rear panel mounted female xlr (pin 2 +)
- Input Sensitivity: 1V
- Input Sensitivity Trim: -12dB (1V – 4V)
- Input Impedance: Balanced > 10kΩ
- Amplifier Output: Bass 200W, High 50W
- Filters: 2nd Order Critically Damped
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 450 x 250 x 392mm (17.72˝ x 9.84˝ x 15.43˝)
- Weight: 23.4kg / 51.6lbs
Our take on the brand
Used
ATC
What if you spend a bit more?
As with any PMC loudspeaker, thanks to its super-consistent dispersion and tonal balance, the PMC8-2 may be simply and seamlessly combined with smaller PMC speakers to create larger multi-channel or immersive systems. The twin bass drivers are partnered with the same PMC55 mid-range tweeter, DSP system and four channels of 400W Class-D amplification used in the PMC6-2. Again, the speaker is configurable directly via the rear panel or using the browser-based SoundAlign™ software from a computer or tablet.
Together with the precisely tuned ATL™ cabinet and hexagonal Laminair™ vents, the PMC8-2 delivers phenomenal performance that approaches that of our Main reference monitors, with smooth and consistent bass response down to 25Hz, a revealing mid-range and wide, stable sound-staging. As with the rest of the range, the PMC8-2's superb definition, fidelity, dynamics and bass accuracy allow mix decisions to be made quickly with complete confidence, and with no listening fatigue even after long sessions.
PMC8-2s can be upgraded through the addition of a PMC8-2 SUB to create an XBD system, enhancing the system's bass headroom by 6dB. Dedicated short and taller floor-stands are available for the PMC8-2 and PMC8-2 XBD systems which position them on the ideal listening axis.
"Active 3-way nearfield reference monitor with ATL™ bass loading Frequency response: 25Hz - 25kHz (- 3dB @1m full space, on-axis) Max. cont. SPL: 113dB @1m (half space value calculated as +3dB from full space measurement. Unweighted input, 20-20kHz Pink Noise (IEC) with 12dB CF for 2 hours AES2-1984 duration) State-of-the-art Class-D amplifiers: HF 400W, MF 400W, LF 2x 400W Analogue / AES3 digital input (16/24-bit, 18 -192kHz sample rate) Digital 'through' output (AES3 24-bit 96kHz SoundAlign™ network control interface for single or group EQ & settings Sophisticated DSP crossover, driver protection, EQ, and delay/polarity options PMC8-2 + PMC8-2 SUB creates PMC8-2 XBD, with up to 6dB of additional headroom Optional dedicated floor stands for PMC8-2 (40") and PMC8-2 XBD (19")"
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Unparalleled clarity, definition, and utmost accuracy
- Excellent bass extension and clarity, as well as proper tonal balance at every volume
- Super wide dispersion, and thus a bigger sweet spot
Product Considerations
- It would be overkill in smaller rooms
- A pair is a significant investment, so it makes sense that it's geared toward large, professional recording environments
- They weigh nearly 100 pounds apiece
Takeaway: The PMC 8-2 is a wise investment for professional studios that delivers detailed and accurate monitoring, so it could very well be the only monitor needed It uses proprietary technology to deliver its signature sound
Video review
Our take on the brand
What else competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Broad dynamic range with extended high frequencies and low distortion
- Precise and detailed high end that is clean and dimensional
- Highly dimensional, reach-out-and-touch-it midrange representation
- Full, firm, and punchy low end
- Tonal consistency is good no matter where you are in the room
Product Considerations
- Requires the purchase of a left and right model
- Low mids may be more forward than some users are accustomed to
- Needs a robust speaker stand due to its weight
- The sweet spot seemed a bit shallower in depth than other monitors produce
Takeaway: The SCM25A is a studio monitor with great clarity that can help make better mixing decisions and identify problem areas in tracks. It's built to provide accurate and trusted counsel, making the technical parts of tone-building quicker.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Extremely clear sound, making them better for mixing and mastering than many other monitors
- Sound like main monitors, offering a large sound footprint not typically found in near-field or mid-field monitors
- Wide bandwidth accuracy and dependability at any volume level
- Midrange performance is particularly notable for realistic, unhyped accuracy, especially on naturally recorded human voices
- Bass performance combines extended bandwidth with great dynamic, pitch, and temporal accuracy
Product Considerations
- Require a significant break-in period
- To get the most out of them, an interface that can connect via AES is needed, as the conversion when using analog is not as transparent
- Correct placement is crucial; at least four and a half feet of distance is needed between the listener and the monitor to be able to get all of the sound that it's trying to give
- SoundAlign software, while useful for EQ adjustments, may introduce unwanted digital artifacts to the sound
- Expensive, these monitors are at the higher end of this sector and share that space with some well-respected designs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ATC SCM25a: The reviewer finds an absence of 'not hearing the box' evident in the 6-2 compared to the ATCs
- Vs Neumann KH310s: The 6-2s outperform them in every respect, sounding much better, with other monitors sounding colored by comparison
- Vs ATC 150s: The reviewer prefers these PMC6-2s over the ATC 150s
Takeaway: The PMC6-2 is a high-performance studio monitor that delivers exceptional clarity and detail. For those seeking accurate and dependable sound at all volumes, these monitors are worth consideration.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Detailed and accurate sound reproduction
- Extended bass response due to PMC's Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology
- Exceptional stereo imaging allowing for precise mixing and monitoring
- Easy configuration through the SoundAlign web interface, offering versatile adjustments
- Attractive and versatile design suitable for both portrait and landscape orientations
Product Considerations
- Minor dip in the frequency response around 300Hz, potentially due to transmission line harmonics, though it doesn't affect the overall performance
- High mids may be revealing and fatiguing to some users
- Users need to ensure proper network connectivity for using the SoundAlign app
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ATC SCM20ASL Pro Mk2, the PMC6 has a stronger low-end, while the ATC offers unmatched clarity and articulation in smaller rooms
- Vs PSI Audio A21-M, the PMC6 is more powerful
- Vs Genelec 8341A, the Genelec has a wider frequency response
Takeaway: The PMC6 is an impressive nearfield monitor that provides trustworthy sound to work on your audio and mixes. It's a valuable studio tool because it allows users to make mix choices with confidence.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Product Strengths
- Clarity and detail unlike any other speaker manufacturer
- Very 'open' sounding, providing space around every instrument in the mix, and provide real width and height to the music playing through them
- Midrange definition is unforgiving—but telling—and it forces one to carve things out accurately
- Remains clear and refined to very high levels, showing little sign of strain even when pushed hard
- Bass-adjustment control allows the speaker to be easily accommodated in most rooms
Product Considerations
- Appearance is a bit of an acquired taste
- The enclosures are curved, which means that there is no way to lie them down on their sides
- These speakers are ruthlessly honest
- Can over-organize the midrange, in effect—making the mix too clean
Takeaway: The SCM20ASL is a brutally honest monitor that provides amazing clarity and detail, allowing for the creation of better mixes that translate well across different systems. With its neutral tonality and excellent stereo imaging, this monitor is a valuable tool for any serious mix engineer.
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