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
- Well-matched internal amps and loudspeaker hardware
- Accurate and transparent sounding
- Capable of creating deep and very broad soundstage
- Onboard power amps provide plenty of grunt
- Can impart significant dynamic contrasts with unexpected agility
Product Considerations
- In more reflective rooms, can sound too hot in the top-end
- A good quality preamp and source is needed to have a full system
- Some might find its slightly dry monitor-ish timbre not to their liking
- To get the best out of the SCM40A, the volume really needs to be turned up
- Cabinets are not as heavy duty as their drivers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audiovector AMT driver—SCM40A tweeter lacks some atmosphere around the notes
Takeaway: The SCM40A is a talented and dynamic speaker that is fun to listen to, with a wide and deep soundstage. It is a superb active loudspeaker package that offers fresh insight and impact to music.
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
SCM40A v2
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Manufacturer's notes
- Drivers: HF ATC 25mm dual suspension Tweeter, Mid 75mm ATC Soft Dome, LF ATC 164mm SC
- Matched Response: ±0.5dB
- Frequency Response (-6dB): 48Hz-22kHz
- Dispersion: ±80° Coherent Horizontal, ±10° Coherent Vertical
- Max SPL: 112dB
- Crossover Frequencies: 380Hz & 3.5kHz
- Input Connector: Female XLR
- Input sensitivity: 1V
- Filters: 4th Order critically damped with phase compensation
- Amplifier Output: 150W LF, 60W MF, 32W HF
- Cabinet Dimensions (HxWxD): 980 x 370 x 344mm / 38.58 x 14.56 x 13.54″ (inc. foot plinth & amp, spikes add 25mm to height, grill adds 34mm to depth)
- Weight: 36kg
- Spikes: 4 per cabinet, M8 x 1.25mm
Our take on the brand
Used
ATC
What if you spend a bit more?
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Build quality and sound exceed expectations for the price
- Beautiful lacquer finish, demonstrating mastery
- Natural, consistent, smooth, slightly warmed, dynamic, and resolving sound
- Very good dynamics and space, allowing for an immersive listening experience with proper positioning and equipment
- Extremely dynamic, natural, full, and versatile sound, particularly for the Jasper 23 Active
Product Considerations
- Stabilizing plinths are too narrow, making the speakers prone to tipping
- Matte finishes can be challenging to keep pristine, requiring regular polishing
- A powerful and high-quality amplifier is necessary to perform at its best, along with a high-end source and audiophile-grade cabling
- Two bass-reflex ports at the back require more distance between the speakers and the rear wall
- The Stereo Hub lacks a LAN jack for the active version (Jasper 23 Active)
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Jasper 23's bass focuses on rhythm, pace, dynamics and kick, whereas the Audiovector QR5 provides a subwoofer-type belly massage
- Both the System Audio Legend 60.2 Silverback and Buchardt Audio A700 are larger than the Jasper 23 Active, making placement in a medium-sized room risky
Takeaway: The Jasper 23 series offers beautiful design and great sound. It is well-built, versatile, and a good choice for those who prioritize audio quality.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Anyone who has ever wondered whether there are any multi-functional and fully active speakers in fully-fledged dimensions can now answer their question with a resounding yes. With the same front width as the 3A, the Monitor Reference 5A stands 908 mm tall, making it a full-size floorstanding speaker. This format leaves you in no doubt as to whether you have a real hi-fi system in front of you.
COMPACT, BUT WITH A SOUND OF A MUCH LARGER MODEL
The tweeter dome measures 25 mm (like its siblings) and is driven by the tried and tested, powerful ferrite magnet. Underneath there are two 170 mm chassis. One caters for the all-important vocal range as a bass-midrange driver, while the second is designed purely for reproducing the deep bass range. The use of materials really makes an impact here - the floorstanding speaker of the Monitor Reference series delves right down to a frequency of 28 Hz. Nevertheless, the 5A boasts a slim visual appearance and can therefore be set up in any living room environment.
There is even more amplifier power on board here: Each channel has 60 watts of continuous power (or 120 watts of peak power). An HDMI input, phono preamplifier, Bluetooth® with fast aptx® Low Latency capability, as well as analog and digital connections round off the configuration here as well. And we haven´t skimped on the material either: Weighing in at 14.7 and 13.8 kg (active and passive speaker respectively), the Monitor Reference is not unbearable, but it is still considerably sturdy.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Large-scale audio presentation, providing more scale on movies than a similarly priced soundbar
- Fine musical dexterity
- Articulate highs and full-bodied mids
- Precise imaging
- Excellent connection suite, including HDMI ARC and phono input
Product Considerations
- Unfulfilling low end, lacking subwoofer-like grunt
- Sonic character can be a little bright and on the shrill side
- Remote feels a little cheap and response can be slow
- Tower speakers are not the obvious choice for arranging tidily around a flat panel display
- Unrefined when pushed to the limits
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Similarly Priced Soundbar—the Magnat Monitor Reference 5A offers a completely different set of attributes due to the drivers' size and delivers a more bold and scaled performance and imaging ability, especially for music
Takeaway: The Magnat Monitor Reference 5A offers impressive music performance, while doubling as a cinema speaker system, and has plenty of connectivity options. If music is a priority and the large speaker aesthetic isn't a problem, these speakers are a good value.
Video review
Our take on the brand
High-end active speakers combining sound quality and power, the LN05A offer a true all-in-one connected solution designed to deliver sound in large rooms from 20 to 50m2. Three trendy finishes and an attractive price to enjoy unlimited music.
• Small and powerful: equipped with a 25mm fabric dome tweeter and two 13 cm concave drivers, this compact speaker delivers surprising power and energy.
• Versatility Meets Simplicity: the LN05A features a 2x80 Watts Class D amplifier module with numerous analog and digital inputs.
• Wireless streaming: Ease of use with Bluetooth aptX connection to provide outstanding audio quality.
• The love of vinyl records: These speakers will appeal to the fans of 33 & 45 rpm records with their phono preamplifier, making it possible to connect any turntable.
• Home theater experience: Featuring optical/coaxial inputs so you can connect the speakers to your TV set and a SUB output to add a subwoofer and enrich the sound of your movies and series.
They are supplied with a remote control with frequency settings, a 5m speaker cable and decoupling spikes.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Elara LN05A integrates an amplifier, DAC, and Bluetooth receiver, making music listening convenient by removing the need for a separate amplifier
- Features Bluetooth reception with aptX, theoretically capable of transmitting CD-quality music
- Offers rich functionality with digital (optical) and analog (RCA, 3.5mm) inputs, plus a phono stage for turntable connection
- Delivers a slightly warm sound with a hint of sweetness, making it appealing to listeners
- Maintains sound stability and layering even at high volumes, with no signs of audio distortion, indicating a well-configured amplifier
Product Considerations
- Drum sounds lack some punch
- Low-end extension is somewhat lacking, which is likely the LN05A's greatest weakness
- Status display is unclear, making it difficult to know the current volume level or the status of treble and bass adjustments
- Remote control is crucial; without it, the speaker's functionality is severely limited
- The status light uses only three colors with no differentiation; even more frustratingly, there's no way to know the current volume level or the status of treble and bass adjustments
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The built-in phono stage of the LN05A offered a slightly denser—more nuanced—sound
- DAC isn't as bright as the Micromega MyDAC, but remains competent
Takeaway: The Triangle Elara LN05A is a convenient and functional speaker that simplifies music listening with its integrated amplifier and multiple input options. Its warm and sweet sound signature makes it an enjoyable musical companion for any home.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Can play louder and more powerfully than the Fenris A5 and A4 models
- Has a fresh and open sound where no tonal range is left behind, making it easy to listen to
- Has enough power to fill a large living room
- Has a full set of analogue and digital inputs, including a turntable input and HDMI input
Product Considerations
- The sound can become somewhat harsh when the volume is turned up
- Dynamics are limited at higher volumes, with the music becoming a wall of sound
- Requires space and should be positioned away from walls and corners for best bass response
- There is no option to choose whether the active speaker should act as the left or right channel
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Argon Audio Forte A55, the Fenris A55 is less nuanced
- Compared to a Bluetooth table speaker or a Sonos Play:5, the Fenris A55 provides 'bloody real stereo'
Takeaway: The Argon Audio Fenris A55 is a full-grown floorstanding speaker that plays openly and engagingly. Its multiple inputs and powerful sound can emphasize that music is taken seriously.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What else competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Effortlessly detailed and balanced sound
- Excellent stereo imaging and dynamics
- High-quality Bluetooth streaming
- Simple setup and control
- Multiple connection options, including subwoofer output, digital input for TV, and analog inputs
Product Considerations
- No HDMI ARC for seamless control with TV remote
- No dedicated app for adjusting settings
- Bass output may be lacking for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer
- Grilles are non-removable
- Speakers power down after 20 minutes at rest, requiring manual Bluetooth pairing each time
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2, the Q Acoustics M20 sounds fuller, louder and less compressed
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers offer detailed, balanced sound and are easy to set up with various devices. They're a versatile audio solution for upgrading sound, whether for music, movies, or gaming.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Improved stereo sound compared to the original Move, due to the addition of dual tweeters
- Significantly longer battery life—advertised up to 24 hours—making it suitable for extended use indoors and outdoors
- Designed with portability in mind, featuring a built-in handle for easy carrying and an IP56 rating for dust and water resistance
- The speaker benefits from the Auto Trueplay feature, which automatically optimizes the sound to the unique acoustics of your space, delivering a balanced audio experience
- Versatile connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2, and can even stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers
Product Considerations
- Considered hefty and not as easily portable as smaller options like the Sonos Roam
- Google Assistant is no longer supported, which may be a drawback for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem
- It cannot be used as a speakerphone for calls
- Despite being a stereo speaker, channel separation isn't always very distinct, and it can sound more like an expansive mono speaker
- An adapter is needed for a line-in connection, and a carrying case are sold separately, which increases the overall cost
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonos Move: The Move 2 offers stereo playback—as opposed to mono—longer battery life, and more connectivity options
- Vs Sonos Roam: The Move 2 sounds better and gets louder, but the Roam is smaller and lighter
- Vs Sonos Era 300: The Era 300 has Dolby Atmos support, but is not portable or water-resistant like the Move 2
- Vs Sonos Era 100: The Move 2 can be taken on the go unlike the Era 100 and is rated for dust and water resistance
- Vs Bose SoundLink Max: The Sonos Move 2 sounds a bit more balanced out of the box, and its battery can even be replaced down the line, while the Bose has a longer-lasting battery and doesn't require an adapter to connect to analog line-in sources, but it can't connect to Wi-Fi
Takeaway: The Sonos Move 2 is a versatile and improved portable speaker, offering great sound and battery life for both indoor and outdoor use, and its integration with the Sonos ecosystem makes it an easy choice for existing Sonos users.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Simple Bluetooth speaker connects and pairs easily without needing an app
- Rated IP67 against water and dust, making it durable for splashes and rain
- Can be used to charge other small devices via USB-C
- Lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around with a removable lanyard
- Plays nicely with both iOS and Android devices
Product Considerations
- The soft touch rubber coating is a dust magnet
- The Beats app is barebones, with no EQ controls
- Can't playback stereo content without pairing another speaker
- Audio can get muddy and lose detail at high volumes
- Some controls have a learning curve
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Beats Pill+: The 2024 Beats Pill is lighter, has better build quality, a more balanced sound, and support for voice assistants, but lacks Bluetooth multipoint support and stereo playback without pairing
- Vs JBL Flip 6: Has a more balanced sound out-of-the-box, a longer battery life, and voice assistant support, but JBL is better built and offers a graphic EQ in the companion app
Takeaway: The Beats Pill is a simple, portable, and durable Bluetooth speaker that sounds good, especially at its price. It's easy to connect to devices and take anywhere.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive spatial audio delivers a more immersive and 3D soundscape compared to traditional stereo, when playing Dolby Atmos content
- Wide, room-filling sound projects further and more confidently than other similar wireless speakers
- Can be used as Dolby Atmos surround speakers, delivering multi-channel rears for the first time
- Includes both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6) connectivity
Product Considerations
- The spatial audio experience is heavily dependent on the quality of the Dolby Atmos mix, and some mixes can be disappointing
- Touch controls don't provide the tactile feedback of physical buttons
- The Sonos app can be slow and not always intuitive to use
- Spatial audio tracks can only be played over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth
- No Google Assistant
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Era 300 offers a more refined sound, with a deeper bassline and better wraparound sound, compared to Amazon Echo Studio
- The Era 300 has better dynamics, and supports Dolby Atmos, compared to Sonos Five—the slightly larger Five can reproduce a more extended low bass and offers superior stereo music playback
- Era 300 gets slightly louder and has slightly better directivity and features both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, whereas the Apple HomePod (2nd generation) can only connect via Wi-Fi
Takeaway: The Sonos Era 300 excels at spatial audio playback, and the spatial audio from a single wireless speaker feels detailed, engaging and accomplished. It's a great addition to any home, offering immersive sound for both music and movies.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers stereo sound, unlike the Sonos One, due to angled tweeters
- Has a larger woofer, resulting in deeper bass
- Features Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2, offering more flexibility
- Easy to set up and use with the Sonos app, which integrates many music sources
- Includes Trueplay room tuning, now available for Android users, which optimizes the speaker's sound based on its placement in the room, and adjustable EQ
Product Considerations
- The Apple HomePod 2 provides more natural warmth of human voices
- A separate adapter is needed for a wired connection, and it's not included in the box
- Lacks Google Assistant support
- Android users may find the Quick Tuning feature is not as capable as the iOS version
- Isn't designed for outdoor use
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Era 100 has better sound quality with cleaner bass and can playback stereo content without downmixing to mono, compared to Sonos One/One SL
- Era 100 is more affordable and compact but lacks Dolby Atmos support, compared to Sonos Era 300
- Era 100 is cheaper but doesn't have a built-in battery for portability, compared to Sonos Move 2
Takeaway: The Sonos Era 100 is a versatile wireless speaker with great sound, enhanced bass, and easy integration with streaming services. It's a solid choice for anyone seeking a compact, all-in-one speaker that delivers both convenience and quality audio for an immersive listening experience.
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
- Well-matched internal amps and loudspeaker hardware
- Accurate and transparent sounding
- Capable of creating deep and very broad soundstage
- Onboard power amps provide plenty of grunt
- Can impart significant dynamic contrasts with unexpected agility
Product Considerations
- In more reflective rooms, can sound too hot in the top-end
- A good quality preamp and source is needed to have a full system
- Some might find its slightly dry monitor-ish timbre not to their liking
- To get the best out of the SCM40A, the volume really needs to be turned up
- Cabinets are not as heavy duty as their drivers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audiovector AMT driver—SCM40A tweeter lacks some atmosphere around the notes
Takeaway: The SCM40A is a talented and dynamic speaker that is fun to listen to, with a wide and deep soundstage. It is a superb active loudspeaker package that offers fresh insight and impact to music.
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