Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It ranks #119 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98; the ATC SCM19 ranks #209, rated 2.4/5, and costs $3,750, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Polk Signature Elite ES20 is the better-sounding option. Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Watch for: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
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 Polk Signature Elite ES20. 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.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
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 Signature Elite ES20 | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398.98 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #209 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer | 5.9” Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in | 17.2”H x 10.4”W x 11.8”D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 6 ohms |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | 4.61 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.44 | 7.03 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
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