Short answer: the Dynaudio Emit 20. It ranks #133 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $1,049; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Dynaudio Emit 20 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Bookshelf speakers with unusually deep, low distortion bass for a two-way design and wide, consistent dispersion. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the ATC SCM19. The tradeoff: A resonance around 600-800Hz gives snares and similar percussion a muffled, flat quality lacking impact: confirmed as originating in the woofer itself (isolated via measurements of the raw driver out of the cabinet), and attempts at constrained-layer damping didn’t resolve it.
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 Emit 20. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Bookshelf speakers with unusually deep, low distortion bass for a two-way design and wide, consistent dispersion.
A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Emit 20 | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,049.00 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #133 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 7.1” Magnesium Silicate Polymer woofer, 1.1” Cerotar soft dome with Hexis tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (5.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Dimensions | 14.6”H x 8.1”W x 12.3”D (370.0 x 205.0 x 312.0 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.22 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.92 | 7.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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