Klipsch La Scala AL6 vs ATC SCM40

Short answer: the Klipsch La Scala AL6 for better sound quality, the ATC SCM40 for the lower price, though neither ranks well in its class. The Klipsch La Scala AL6 ranks #216 of 226 floorstanding speakers, rated 2.8/5, at $15,399.98. The ATC SCM40 ranks #217, rated 2.6/5, at $7,999, $7,400.98 cheaper. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 226 floorstanding speakers, and the MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition, ranked #4 at $7,995, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.

Why pick the Klipsch La Scala AL6: A fully horn-loaded 3-way: a K-771 compression tweeter on a K-792 horn, a new 3” K-1133-HP midrange compression driver on a Tractrix horn and a 12” woofer in a horn-loaded vented bass section. Watch for: 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, which range from the Klipsch Heresy IV’s uneven response to the much better Klipsch Forte IV.

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 catch: 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 La Scala AL6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the ATC SCM40 if the price matters more than sound quality.

About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Klipsch La Scala AL6 2.2 to 3.4; ATC SCM40 2.2 to 3.0). Treat this verdict as provisional.

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Specifications Side By Side

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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Klipsch La Scala AL6:

• Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs Klipsch La Scala AL6
• Klipsch Cornwall IV vs Klipsch La Scala AL6
• Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 vs ATC SCM40
• Klipsch Cornwall IV vs ATC SCM40
• Klipsch Forte IV vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez

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 La Scala AL6: $15,399.98 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 higher, estimated 2.8/5) and the Klipsch Klipschorn AK7 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3/5).

Pros: A fully horn-loaded 3-way: a K-771 compression tweeter on a K-792 horn, a new 3” K-1133-HP midrange compression driver on a Tractrix horn and a 12” woofer in a horn-loaded vented bass section. Sensitivity of 103dB means a few watts from a small tube or class A amplifier play very loud, up to 120dB.

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, which range from the Klipsch Heresy IV’s uneven response to the much better Klipsch Forte IV. Horn speakers of this kind typically have a strong midrange forward character and narrow vertical dispersion. Bass is rated only to 40Hz (±4dB), and the cabinet is 994mm tall, 623mm wide and 93kg.

Full Klipsch La Scala AL6 review and specifications →

DIY Kit	No
Dimensions	39.1”H x 24.5”W x 25.5”D (994 x 623 x 647 mm)
Drivers	K-771 compression driver on K-792 horn, 3” K-1133-HP compression midrange on K-406M Tractrix horn, 12” K-281 woofer (horn-loaded, vented)
Frequency Response	40Hz - 19kHz ±4dB (manufacturer specified)
Impedance	8 ohms nominal, 3.2 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified)
Maximum SPL	120dB (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	103dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)
Weight	205 lbs (93 kg) each
Woofer Cabinet	horn-loaded, ported

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

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 Cornwall IV
  • ATC SCM40 vs Klipsch Klipschorn AK7