Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #48 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $549; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the more accurate option. A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.65 against 4.61 for the ATC SCM19. The catch: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
What the ATC SCM19 does well: A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume. The catch: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size.
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
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 7.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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