Soundstage Takes The ATC Loudspeakers Factory Tour

Early in October 2017 Soundstage were invited to visit the ATC Loudspeaker factory for a tour. We decided to use this exclusive opportunity to film the tour, allowing us to share the experience with you.
Whether you're an ATC enthusiast or you've never heard of them we're sure you will discover something new about this fantastic company.
Follow the production of a speaker from the initial stages all the way to its final testing, led by Ben Lilly and Richard Newman.
We are proud to be an ATC dealer in our shop based at:
8 Heddon Court Parade,
Cockfosters Road,
Barnet,
EN4 0DB.
02084409509
You can find ATC on our website here: www.soundstage.uk.com/brands/...

[@grannydeen1586]

In the '70's I worked in a speaker factory in New York state. I came here to see how it's still done. Your manufacturing is somewhat similar to the processes we used. Hearing you describe the components such as the front and back plates, the spider, crossover network, etc., I knew exactly what you were talking about. We produced raw speakers and speaker systems for some old but familiar names. Harmon Kardon, Jensen, JBL and Altec Lansing, Sony and Kenwood. They had a machinist shop, punch presses and a state of the art wood shop. Every speaker produced was tested in a sound booth on an oscilloscope (or sometimes with music with cheaper systems) before packaging. They are out of business now but your tour took me back to the '70's.

[@ducktwacy6702]

Great to see so many people at work in there and not just robots. Hope they have a good time while working and are proud of their product.

[@mikemcguinness1304]

Chances are the workers aren't into hifi and probably wouldn't spend that kind of money!

[@Nightjar726]

So wonderful seeing a western manufacturing plant.

[@danielesbordone1871]

The 15 inch 3-way studio monitors just blow me away. So clean, detailed and punchy. What a sound. ATC is probably the only company that can bring together the hi-end and professional audio sectors.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

And smart DIY ppl who take the the time and care to find big and efficient driver's that still sound good as a bass driver and then look for just as efficient and good sounding mid's and highs. I'm one of em😁

[@carlosmier4380]

PMC also, right?

[@marcjaffrey81]

This makes me proud to be British - a British company that is genuinely great

[@Openeyesopenheart42]

A British company started/ founded by an Aussie !!

[@HifiPassion]

oh my god... i love ATC loudspeakers, especially the classic ATC SCM50

[@StringerNews1]

Lovely! I've owned the ACM150ASL for 3 years now, and always wondered about the place where they were made and the people who made them. Thanks to Soundstage_hifi, and to ATC!

[@printerek]

Dzięki za tour. Wielki szacuneki respekt dla Ciebie, oprowadzającego za Twoje kompetencje. jesteś na pewno na właściwym miejscu :) Na tym przykładzie też widać jak cenni są ludzie, bezbłędni pracownicy. Wspaniały film. Dziękuję i pozdrawiam z Polski.

[@TheGreatestBeyonder]

Highly polished and professional product (and company)! Respected worldwide, and now we can not only hear, but also See why! Keep up the great work! 👍

[@dambuster6387]

Nice to here a BRITISH company making in house speaker assembly,s and not made in in China. Good luck to you guys.

[@michaelschneider-]

"Nice to hear a . . . . . "

[@jas_bataille]

Ever heard about Harbeth?

[@davidtaros1297]

Or focal

[@NineHellHeaven]

@@davidtaros1297 Focal are French.

[@emerica5700]

Bowers and Wilkins Diamond series!

[@rodrigoirisarrilillo1203]

Congratulations for your company and work, and thansk for the tour!

[@joyojoyo8]

Every penny worth spent on the products... much appreciated! Cheers!

[@baronblimey]

Brilliant presentation, well done. Love my 40's.

[@glichasasha750]

I didn’t see any robots. Good! Hard working, dedicated professionals. I will be getting either a 100 or 150 very soon. Update: ordered my 150s in walnut. Super excited!

[@MrBouncingDeath]

Enjoy! And I think you will be very happy with your purchase. I have never heard a bad word about atc. Quality over quantity. When I have the funds I will get atc scm11's. But first will threats my room acoustics.

[@glichasasha750]

@@MrBouncingDeath - thanks! I have already treated my room, I have sound absorption on the ceiling and side walls. I am now in the process of upgrading my amplifier. I hope you get yours soon!

[@michaelschneider-]

+1. .. This ATC owner/user says Yeah Man! .. We monitor with the older SCM20 Pro's all day... Never tiring. .. Using SCM100A's for BIG playback ... Truely professionally designed and built. .. Very nice video over view of ATC UK.

[@christophernyland1256]

WOW awesome technology and terrific engineering !!!

[@pho2]

i was amazed by the sense of scale when listening to classical music with ATC speakers, I literally took a step back.

[@stephengarratt5076]

pho2, This is where my ATC SCM40 s shine! They were made for classical music!

[@neve1064]

Honestly, I know Grammy nominated engineers who have never listened to high end systems. This disturbs me. It seems to me name sake is the leading decision criteria for speaker selection.

[@paulpavlou9294]

Thank you for the tour. I love the fact that every component is made in-house. My second and most memorable Wow moment in hifi was with a pair of SMC150 speakers at a Sydney HFi show many years back. There the first thing on my shopping list when I win Lotto. Fantastic company and beautiful sounding loud speakers.

[@danielmarshall4587]

Thank you for this video great inside and lovely products.

[@chrisslack3786]

Set up a new studio for a new artist project and bought a pair of SCM45A'S. I bought them totally off specs.Didn't feel I needed to test them as I knew ATC Speakers are built to the highest standard and have worked using the SCM 50's numerous times. The SPL was well loud enough for my room. I'm using PMC's for the near field, but I have to say the ATC's are just so transparent and real. Its like working with a visual frequency range but with your ears. My mixes are just so much better because I can hear everything so clearly. The mids are just so honest and the drivers so tight for bass. They are not kind to poor mixes or sounds. They tell you exactly what is. Totally a professional monitor system and whilst not cheap, you truly get what you pay for. I'm not associated with ATC in any way so this is totally my view and unbiased. But they are just so great to work with. I love them.

[@MrDddrrrggg]

Totally agree with this, have a pair of Scm45 A's myself and I've got to say, they are truly something else. I notice many people talk about the lack of bass on ATC's, but I think it's very present, maybe not as much as on other speakers, but it's definitely there and I'd even go as far as saying that it's a much better perception of the low end than on the other big bass speakers, it's so tight and real, it just doesn't feel hyped at all. Mids and Highs on these speakers are wild, better than any other speakers in that range, I think everybody knows that by now.

[@gianlucavessio3562]

Excellent!I really like how factories works!

[@MrVoayer]

Very informative, entertaining and educating video. And a highly regarded and highly respected loudspeaker company !!!

[@soundstage_hifi7724]

Thank you for the kind feedback. Subscribe to our channel for plenty more videos to come.

[@MsKaczo]

Love the belt!

[@nespressoman]

Brilliant video.

[@dynaudiofocus]

I've heard some amazing speakers in my time and after watching this video I'm gutted that I've never heard atc speakers.... Its now on my to do list

[@martinjohnson2381]

big steve they are fantastic, honest and open sounding speakers.

[@ManiVaas]

5:00 best Dome midrange driver ever made in history of mankind

[@tskolits]

Great video and company. Also amazing speakers!

[@Metralon]

The magnet on that tweeter is so strong 7:04 it drains some of the color from the image! Impressive.

[@volpedo2000]

It's very well know that neodymium magnets correct white balance

[@jas_bataille]

​@@volpedo2000 That wasn't a white balance correction, that was a bad flat-profile coming from under a basic "film look" LUT. And the WB is completely flawed and much too cold on the original footage before grading, but whatever. The mid-shadows on their faces just look green :P

[@jas_bataille]

And the graded WB is too warm. And still retains green cast all over skin tones... yikes

[@ilcomendante]

Jas Bataille Cannabis can ease symptoms on autism.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

funny 🤣🤣 not true but still funny

[@bunnypong64]

I first discovered ATC circa 1993 and met Billy Woodman and then Sales Manager Ashley James. Back then I was working in a very famous HiFi shop in London and IMHO, ATC blew away all the major brands I sold. From that first experience, I never looked back and realized most High-End HiFi is rubbish. I'm into ProFi. I've owned SCM10,20,50A and now have a pair of 100A. I love to go up to a pair of 150A but if I win the lottery, active Meyer Bluehorns! 😂

[@johnsweda2999]

What type of preamp do you use think is the best for ATC I'm assuming valves

[@alrayner4935]

Ashley James there's a name from the past. Back in Chiswick days

[@demotester3095]

Great production insights! The midrange domes are legendary and since over 30 years the best drivers for this frequency range in the world market (concerning distortion and IMD measurements). This makes me doubt in real technical progress in this low end industry. Anyway, ATC is a nice company with great products!

[@ManiVaas]

Dynaudio, ATC , PMC are my fav speaker brands :-)

[@cp070476]

Hey that midrange looks familiar.. Aah it's the same as in my SCM 100's 😁 Bloody great speaker.

[@TheEnderman67]

I just love the look of that soft dome midrange! A real unique feature for sure.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

Yeah dome mids are something else! Can't wait to finish my DIY 3way monitors with a 3inch dome.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@kaedeschulz5422 what is it volt

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@johnsweda2999 Just for now Dynaudio MD140 on a short waveguide like on the ATC or Volt till i'm done modifieng a Scan Speak D76. It will get a whole different motor from beefi PA driver that was blown. I may even do dual suspension. But only if i can get the right parts. The coil off course will also be changed. The woofer will be a 15" PA driver that i will modifie and the tweeter will be a Seas NoFerro900.

[@dennisking4719]

Nice interesting video about ATC speakers.

[@MrClubgibson]

Im number 1000! B) Loved the SCM25

[@the.stevelee]

Great video.

[@MissPalorte]

Wonderful products!!

[@HarelJann]

Inspiring stuff!

[@RobertKohut]

Nice! Looks like a "high range" midrange!!

[@NivaldoFilhosoundesigner]

Pretty cool!!

[@waiyeung7501]

I have the SCM11s, amazing resolving speakers. Well the 2 month wait.

[@user-hu8ym2fm1c]

i love ATC sounds (old scm-7)

[@justinparkman3585]

ATC are the best pound for pound speakers

[@ralex3697]

Great speakers

[@nasraidub]

Using scm 19 and loving it!

[@soundstage_hifi7724]

They are fantastic speakers

[@justinkeery1519]

Me too, love them

[@Panos125S]

Intresting !!

[@chocabek]

Great Tour, Great Product, I've Scm 40 and i'll go to the scm 40 A

[@connorduke4619]

For the the SCM 40A is actually the sweet spot in the range. It got a great score from German magazine Stereophile as well.

[@paradornphongphaew]

excellent presentation

[@soundstage_hifi7724]

We're glad you enjoyed it

[@tensevo]

Great Insights - thank you

[@stephenbrown9998]

Thank you very good

[@alieustiansamateh6401]

Simply the best ❤👍🏽

[@stephengarratt5076]

As a more than satisfied owner, I cannot disagree!

[@johnsweda2999]

@@stephengarratt5076 which Model

[@stephengarratt5076]

John sweda The passive ATC SCM40 These are classed as “Entry Level” speakers in the ATC range, but properly partnered with suitably powerful amplification they sound fantastic.

[@johnsweda2999]

I would throw some dirac live in there as well will make them sing

[@bernhardhnida3038]

great company. go buy there speakers..

[@FVDaudio]

[@markjohnathanappleton8642]

Brilliant company

[@gino3286]

Very very interesting and truly amazing products indeed. I wonder why they have not kept the midrange construction concept (i.e. horn loading) also for the tweeter ... like a scaled-down/smaller midrange ... i like very much when dome drivers look similar only scaled in size to cover their freq range. And also i am a big fan of wave guides/horn loading ... of course this would be impossible for the woofer. For that i like very much inverted spherical cap shape instead of a cone shape. In the past i have been very close to buy a 2nd hand Pro Ac EBS with that midrange ... i was in the middle of moving to a new country for work and i did not buy them. What a horrible mistake ... if i think about it i cry ... it could have been my speaker for all my life. I should start saving for a ATC ... Thanks a lot for the wonderful tour ! kind regards, gino

[@kaedeschulz5422]

Actually on bass driver's it doesn't matter much since the wavelength is most of the time way larger than the cabinet. On the tweeter they probably didn't do it because of the baffle being big enaugh (atleast on the bigger models scm 50 and up) so that it doesn't really matter since the tweeter doesn't "see" the edges wich are rounded over anyways.

[@yangchhin6892]

I very love

[@dragondriver69]

ATC

[@jonkennedyfederation]

BEN.. MY MAN!

[@michaeltracksuitaudio]

Love a nice 20 - 20k sweep

[@marcdort]

I hope they go on sell Black Friday I want to order the scm50

[@connorduke4619]

Hot tip: the greatest sound available on this planet today is buying some active ATCs and hooking them up to a Holo May Dac. Each is a master of its own domain and both play neutral, so no reason to think they will not match perfectly.

[@pezcebra]

Teachers great!

[@dmgmail7021]

I bought a set of atc 50 aslt. I don't think it's fair to talk about speakers alone so for this reason I will share my previous equipment. Used linn and Naim ss amps to Focals. Also McIntosh c2600 tube pre to pa mc275 vi to focals. There's was things about those combinations I really liked, but I always felt I was missing something. I sold everything and took a blind chance on new system entirely. I'd only been able to hear the atc 11 and 19s both passives but could tell there was something special. However I really wanted an end game system. I purchased a Supratek Cortese Lcr pre tube and the atc scm50 aslt. I run silver linn xlr interconnects. I can honestly say I no longer have a desire to upgrade. I does things that are hard to put into words, if you have not experienced this with Atc I'd say you may have the wrong amp or synergy is off or even something as simple and overlooked as speaker placement. I can still play with sound changes if I alternate copper and silver xlr cables or tube roll. I think it's important to note sound is much like taste buds, we may all have some slight preferences that differ. I think the goal is to know all the characteristics of musical sound you like (ex...warm, bass, clarity etc) then identify which equipment falls into those characteristics and build the best system you can afford.

[@ppaolosan]

ottimo ragazzi

[@davejones4740]

I would like to listen to the big loudspeakers. I want a good pair of loudspeakers that play loud where the bass is felt nice and punchy, with a mid and top end that sparkles.

[@sunnyboner676]

How do these compare to Neumann studio monitors that are tested in anechoic chambers? Their smallest ones are so accurately made, they don’t need to be sold as a matched pair. I have their KH 310 and they sound quite good but have never heard the ATC before.

[@jitrapornpha5104]

now compare that passive crossover at 12:20 with a similarly priced speaker from garbage company like Focal

[@hansdumbf7608]

Right, lets compare a Fiat to a Mercedes.. Seriously man, are you stupid? Focals most expensive professional speaker system costs about 3.500 and their cheapest is around 250... ATC's cheapest professional speakers start at almost 2.000 and their most expensive cost almost 25.000 a piece. Yes ATC is better, but Focal's 3 way speakers sound absolutely great for their price. Comparing these two is ridiculous!

[@CABohol]

Nice

[@brithifi8143]

used scm 7s , 19s, 35s sia2 cda2. Amazing loudspeakers, specialy scm35 real full range and extremly powerull 3 way. dual mono amps. nothing comes close at price - nothing! Well done ATC

[@kaedeschulz5422]

Atleast when it comes to off the shelf speakers... Then there are crazy DIY ppl like me LoL I'm even modding drivers so that they do exactly what i want. But nothing close to ATC since money wise i'm very limited and can't afford some equipment to go as far as making my own cones and soft domes. Oh and the amps ATC is using look like Toshiba 2SA1943 and 2SC5200 pairs. Very good and not even that expensive.

[@internationalmasterspeaker1879]

Wow

[@lucasjuniorproducer]

I wish ATC had Home Studio range Monitors...More affordable... Like Focal do The Alpha series or Adam the TV series etc...Would be so great users like us be able to afford that great brand... Just like Universal Audio did now with the Interfaces Volt series as well... I love ATC....

[@gdwlaw5549]

What would be the best starter ATC bookshelf ? Can anyone recommend perhaps a pre-owned ATC? .....

[@waiyeung7501]

SCM11

[@benjoe999]

It is interesting... they don't use anechoic chamber for testing the final product.

[@stephengarratt5076]

Last year, following the failure to get my Ruark Crusader II’s repaired, I auditioned and purchased a pair of ATC SCM40s.. Probably my best and most essential purchase in 47 years of my HiFi hobby. Since their purchase last June, I have hardly watched any TV, my evenings now taken up going through my large CD and vinyl library being astonished at this new sound! The only tiny annoyance I have with these speakers and it’s NOT a fault is their brutal honesty in exposing sub standard recordings. Some of these modern over compressed CDs, recorded for earbud and car listening sound awful! And they do need a powerful power amp system to show them at their best. My system is Tri-Amped...

[@neve1064]

Would you please list your amp(s), cabling and what prior speakers you’ve had extensive use with. Thanks, I’m in the middle of trying to make a selection for a tracking studio but I have audiophile friends whose systems blow conventional tracking studio speakers out-of-the-water and I’m more confused than ever.

[@stephengarratt5076]

neve1064 My amps are nothing really that exotic. Audiolab 8000Q preamp, 4 X 8000M 125 Watt (for the tweeter & midrange) 2 X 8300MB 250 Watt (for Bass) QED Signature Audio 40 interconnects Van Den Hul Teatrack & CS-122 speaker cable. Previous speakers: Castle Conway MK 1 (Modified) Ruark Crusader II (mid range domes faulty, unable to obtain replacements)

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@neve1064 Cables do not matter for sound!

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@stephengarratt5076 Did you ever think of building your own speaker's?🙂

[@stephengarratt5076]

Schulze Designs At this later stage in life, I have neither the skills, ability or inclination to design or build speakers. I am still 10 moths on extremely happy with my wonderful ATC speakers

[@hifispock]

I've just left a pair of Leak2075's for a pair of ATC SCM35's

[@backwoodsbillycreeks2174]

Santa please send me a couple of those soft dome mids for Xmas. Thank you!

[@kaedeschulz5422]

aaah another DIY person who loves dome mid's? nice!

[@GurcharanSingh-wf1rg]

Good intentions

[@johnsweda2999]

anybody know if the active crossover is DSP or do they have an ASP...?

[@eug3nius]

The active crossover is analogue not DSP. ATC drivers have good damping.

[@johnsweda2999]

@@eug3nius so it's ASP you're saying!

[@frankjames4573]

I'd love a pair of high end ATC's, but can't afford them, and probably never will! But, now I can at least understand why they are so expensive... Staff salaries, the factory running costs, component costs, and many other costs to take into consideration! Who would have thought, that designing and making speakers would be such an involved and complex task... I'm a retired woodworker, and I'm currently designing and building my own speakers, this is the only way I will ever be able to own a pair of high end speakers, I doubt weather I could even afford the cones they fit... lol I have already hit problems, with how I'm going to achieve this! Oh well, I should have chosen a more lucrative profession !!! Frank...

[@cocosloan3748]

Guy's now you know what quality looks like..Well it ain't cheap but this type of tech will last 2-3 lifetimes..On other hand if you think KRK Rookit are good speakers-you have no buissiness watching this :)

[@michaelschneider-]

+1. .. Agreed. .. "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later". .. As the saying goes. .. Quality cost's money. .. Our ATC products have been bullet proof.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@michaelschneider- In the off the shelf market quality is expensive that's true! Not in the DIY sector where you can build great speakers for far less money and even just as good as ATC if you can get hands on these driver's.

[@dougleydorite]

for the low end drivers QC, it's kinda of odd that there isnt any kind of damping or pressure traps in the environment when in studios, there is extreme measures to provide low end control. How can someone tell if there are resonances if there is comb filtering (aside from feeling the physically) Also the last qc test. Most speakers brag about an anechoic testing strategy. Maybe they just don't want to introduce variables to an already proven design, as people will pay anything for these puppies

[@82ivaylo]

Where are the cabinets build?

[@dncviorel]

In P.R.C. !!! :))))

[@a0r0a7]

UK apparently👍

[@stephengarratt5076]

Everything in the speakers is made by ATC including the cabinets.

[@Frank55]

Strange that they measure the speakers in the middle of the production facilty, and not in an anechoic room.

[@astralboy]

the reference that he was talking about perhaps that was anechoic? anyways for daily use most are in untreated/semi treated room where frequency response will not be same as anechoic chamber.

[@neve1064]

Still though, I just don’t like that test style; look at focal test room and that makes this look like an ad hoc setup.

[@gibm8078]

@@neve1064 i can understand your opinion, but i listened to many speakers in my Neve VRP studio before buying a pair of nearfields, ATC blew focal in every possible way ;)

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@neve1064 Also there is something called "gate" wich only let's signal trough in a certain time frame.

[@hondacity1111]

If I use Marrantz PM8006 drive ATC SCM40 is it suitable ?

[@MrTadzo]

oscar delahoya :-)

[@07BLUESTI]

whats better ATC or Barefoot? Whats the difference??

[@connorduke4619]

ATC all the way, ATC comes from a purely engineering approach. Barefoot loses focus on superficial styling aspects, making their speakers look like owls etc.

[@victormaldonadocordova6191]

Me gustaría trabajar se dela materia

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

that coilmachine is from 1853?

[@mikeg5172]

I like ATC but I never really understood the cabnits with 2 15" woofers, and 1 3" midrange. Im sure it probably sounds good but it seems like there are a lot of compromises in that box. I mean a 3" speaker can only sound so big.

[@carlosdlguerra]

Mike G the point there is for the woofer to work less and therefore have less distortion on the bass

[@porkchopspapi5757]

The mid-range is where most of the music you hear happens. A 3" mid-range is ridiculous.

[@mossfred]

The 3in mid driver is extremely efficient and the bass drivers are substantially less so therefore even with a pair of 12,s the mid driver is nowhere near its limits to keep up.

[@sjowners]

ATC midrange dome has 13mm of excursion.

[@amirjubran1845]

Traditional assumptions cannot be made to this speaker... it is a convex midrange woofer so its dispersion characteristics will be different than a typical concave design.

[@MrTadzo]

you must regenerate your employee,,,,:-D...just kidding.. but great loudspeaker

[@___joez]

why do all these speaker companies use windows xp man

[@neve1064]

Geez, why do I get into professions where selecting tools becomes a career? I started looking at esoteric brands in the tens of thousands and saw Focal and B&W factories which make ATC’s look like amateur hour. Seriously. However, ATC is a conventional standard so what gives? The anechoic chamber Focal uses to test their speakers looks more accurate than standing a mic in front of a speaker in the back of the warehouse. Honestly, choosing a speaker product has become Uber frustrating so I guess I’ll default to a product which is an industry standard like ATC, Barefoot, Genelec, etc.

[@johnsweda2999]

They were measuring impedance not frequency

[@turbosport]

Impressive but you're not afraid your competitor will copy your process?

[@InXLsisDeo]

Interesting how some of the best speakers in the world are built with seemingly old tech.

[@savink7762]

It is their know how.

[@PATISHAH]

all is great, but not prices...

[@dncviorel]

for what ATC offers...prices are great too.

[@BB..........]

The white-balance shift at 7:07 sure is annoying.

[@brianlambert3271]

*Wears expensive mechanical watch near the MAGNITIZER FROM HELL! You live dangerously! :-)

[@vicg5323]

Great tour. Lousy backdrop music gave me a headache.

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

The old lady in 3'15 should been retired and enjoy her remaining years far from the work on a factory, for the other hand, it says very good things about the working environment and their managers that don't lay off people when they no longer function as when they were young. I acknowledge a company that is able to build their products from A to Z without outsourcing.

[@bobbywallington8745]

The way I see it the old people have a lot more patients than Yung folks to complete a job A1 weather it's Monday or friday

[@davidbillyard6629]

@@bobbywallington8745 *patience. *whether. 😊

[@daveuk1324]

Unfortunately this video is a sad testament to the sate of British manufacturing in SMEs. Talented people, world class innovative products, solid engineering, but no investment. Old equipment and processes, dilapidated buildings, lack of R&D, suggests the ownership can't wait to cash out. I hope I am wrong but I suspect we risk seeing ATC go the way of Naim and Quad into generic consumer electronics rather than specialist high end audio.