Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio. It ranks #4 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $3,630; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding pick. A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass. The tradeoff: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
The case for the ATC SCM19: A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume. Watch for: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass.
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
| GR-Research NX-Studio | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | sealed |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.03 |
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