Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks #23 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $798; the ATC SCM19 ranks #119 and costs $3750, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 offers: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.17 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Watch for: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 4.51. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.
What the ATC SCM19 offers: Harmonic distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays generally low across the range aside from the spike tied to the 700-800Hz resonance. Sealed (unported) cabinet avoids port noise and resonance, and the extremely dense, heavy-duty enclosure (17.8kg/39lb each) reflects ATC’s pro-audio build standards. Watch for: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700hz, 4dB bump around 700hz. Not recommended for the price. CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show a very uneven overall balance - a broad accentuation from midrange to treble paired with too little bass - along with directivity error. At 96dB SPL/1m, harmonic distortion tied to the 500-700Hz resonance rises to a level the reviewer says “should not be there.”
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
The ATC SCM19 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 130 bookshelf speakers; there are better options higher up.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $798 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #119 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter | 5.9" Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak | - |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each | 17.2"H x 10.4"W x 11.8"D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.51 | 3.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.17 | 6.21 |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 compares with other leading options:
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- AsciLab C6B vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: $798 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.17 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 4.51. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.
Full Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.51 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.17 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Buchardt Audio E50
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ATC SCM19: $3750 per pair Tmraudio eBay
Pros: Harmonic distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays generally low across the range aside from the spike tied to the 700-800Hz resonance. Sealed (unported) cabinet avoids port noise and resonance, and the extremely dense, heavy-duty enclosure (17.8kg/39lb each) reflects ATC’s pro-audio build standards. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700hz, 4dB bump around 700hz. Not recommended for the price. CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show a very uneven overall balance - a broad accentuation from midrange to treble paired with too little bass - along with directivity error. At 96dB SPL/1m, harmonic distortion tied to the 500-700Hz resonance rises to a level the reviewer says “should not be there.”
Full ATC SCM19 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 10.4"W x 11.8"D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.9" Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.21 |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons