Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs ATC SCM40

Short answer: the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 if sound quality matters most, the ATC SCM40 if price matters most. The Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 ranks #208 of 226 floorstanding speakers, rated 3.0/5, at $18,999.98. The ATC SCM40 ranks #217, rated 2.6/5, at $7,999, $11,000.98 cheaper.

The Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 is the better-sounding option. Klipsch’s corner horn, with every driver horn-loaded: a K-771 compression tweeter, a new 3” K-1133-HP midrange compression driver on a Tractrix horn and a 15” woofer in a fully enclosed folded bass horn that uses the room corner as part of the horn. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from Klipsch’s measured Heritage models.

The case for the ATC SCM40: A 3-way tower built around ATC’s 75mm soft dome midrange, the pro-audio driver that gives ATC its reputation for clean, dynamic vocals, with a 25mm tweeter and a 164mm woofer (crossovers at 380Hz and 3.5kHz). The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured ATC SCM19, which showed too little bass, a forward midrange to treble balance and a 4dB resonance near 700Hz.

Buy the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the ATC SCM40 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.

About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 2.4 to 3.6; ATC SCM40 2.2 to 3.0). Treat this verdict as provisional.

Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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• Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs Klipsch Cornwall IV
• Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs Klipsch La Scala AL6
• Klipsch La Scala AL6 vs ATC SCM40
• Klipsch Cornwall IV vs ATC SCM40

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Klipsch Klipschorn AK7: $18,999.98 per pair Estimated Audio Advice eBay

Same family: the Klipsch Heresy IV (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 2.3/5), the Klipsch Forte IV (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4/5), the Klipsch Cornwall IV (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5) and the Klipsch La Scala AL6 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 2.8/5).

Pros: Klipsch’s corner horn, with every driver horn-loaded: a K-771 compression tweeter, a new 3” K-1133-HP midrange compression driver on a Tractrix horn and a 15” woofer in a fully enclosed folded bass horn that uses the room corner as part of the horn. It reaches 34Hz (±3dB) with 103dB sensitivity, so very little amplifier power produces large, effortless output.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from Klipsch’s measured Heritage models. It must sit in a room corner to work as designed, it stands 1353mm tall and weighs 118kg, and horn speakers of this kind usually sound midrange forward.

Full Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 review and specifications →

DIY Kit	No
Dimensions	53.3”H x 31.5”W x 28.1”D (1353 x 800 x 715 mm)
Drivers	K-771 compression driver on K-792 horn, 3” K-1133-HP compression midrange on K-406 horn, 15” K-33-E woofer (folded corner horn)
Frequency Response	34Hz - 19kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified)
Impedance	8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	120dB (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	103dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)
Weight	260.1 lbs (118 kg) each
Woofer Cabinet	horn-loaded

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs Klipsch Cornwall IV
  • Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs Klipsch La Scala AL6
  • Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs DALI Rubikore 6

ATC SCM40: $7,999.00 per pair Estimated Acoustic Frontiers eBay

Same family: the ATC SCM19 (bookshelf, rated 2.4/5).

Pros: A 3-way tower built around ATC’s 75mm soft dome midrange, the pro-audio driver that gives ATC its reputation for clean, dynamic vocals, with a 25mm tweeter and a 164mm woofer (crossovers at 380Hz and 3.5kHz). Each pair is matched to ±0.5dB and the cabinet is a heavy 31kg.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured ATC SCM19, which showed too little bass, a forward midrange to treble balance and a 4dB resonance near 700Hz. Sensitivity is a low 85dB and ATC recommends 75 to 300 watts, and bass is rated only to 48Hz (-6dB).

Full ATC SCM40 review and specifications →

Released	2013 (13 years ago)
Crossover Frequency	380Hz, 3.5kHz
DIY Kit	No
Dimensions	38.6”H x 14.6”W x 12”D (980 x 370 x 305 mm)
Drivers	25mm soft dome tweeter, 75mm soft dome midrange, 164mm woofer
Frequency Response	48Hz - 22kHz -6dB (manufacturer specified)
Impedance	8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	112dB (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	85dB (1W/1m, manufacturer specified)
Weight	68.3 lbs (31 kg) each

• Links
  • Official ATC SCM40 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • ATC SCM40 vs Klipsch La Scala AL6
  • ATC SCM40 vs Klipsch Cornwall IV