Short answer: the Dynaudio Special Forty. It ranks #148 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $3,600; 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 Special Forty is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the ATC SCM19. The catch: A glaring, sometimes sibilant quality around 3-4kHz was the most noticeable issue in listening, the one thing the reviewer would want notched out with EQ.
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 Special Forty. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet.
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 Special Forty | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3600 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.73 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.74 | 7.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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