Short answer: the KEF Q3 Meta. It ranks #156 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $764.97; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The KEF Q3 Meta is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the ATC SCM19. The catch: Not well suited to high-output use: compression and strain in the 1-2kHz region emerge above about 90dB at 10 feet, so a high-output home theater setup isn’t the best application.
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. The tradeoff: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the KEF Q3 Meta. 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.
Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall.
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
| KEF Q3 Meta | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $764.97 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #156 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.3”W x 12”D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.50 | 7.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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