Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It ranks #96 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750. The ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, at $3,750, $2,000 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Dynaudio Contour 20i is the better-sounding pick. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. The catch: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Why pick the ATC SCM19: A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume. The tradeoff: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,000 with the ATC SCM19 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Efficiency: the ATC SCM19 is rated at 85 dB sensitivity against 82.5 dB for the Dynaudio Contour 20i, so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (32 Hz vs 34 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Contour 20i | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5750 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.03 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Dynaudio Contour 20i: reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- ATC SCM19: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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