Short answer: the Polk R200. It ranks #178 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $799; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Polk R200 is the better-sounding choice. A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room. Watch for: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements.
The ATC SCM19 is the deeper-bass option. A heavy, sealed pro style ATC bookshelf speaker with a very dense cabinet and low distortion at high volume. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 3dB, against 74Hz for the Polk R200. The catch: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700Hz, 4dB bump around 700Hz.
Buy the Polk R200. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room.
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
| Polk R200 | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.09 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 7.03 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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