A British Hi-Fi Specialist’s New Bookshelf Speakers Look Like Absolute Stunners

Designed for audiophiles with small-to-medium-sized listening rooms.

Published April 16, 2025

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Last year, ATC introduced the SCM20ASL LE active loudspeakers to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Only 150 were made. They came in one dark blue finish. And a pair was priced at $14,000.

Fast-forward one year, and the acclaimed British loudspeaker manufacturer has introduced the SCM20ASL. They are almost identical to their “LE” predecessors … but they come in a wide range of finishes, lack the anodized silver and leather accents, and are considerably more affordable.

That said, these are still high-end bookshelf-sized loudspeakers that are designed for serious audiophiles.

ATC SCM20ASL

250 watts of power

The ATC SCM20ASL are bookshelf-sized active loudspeakers that, according to the brand, are ideal for “modestly sized rooms where performance cannot be compromised.”

Each loudspeaker has the same two-way design — featuring a 25mm “S-Spec” dual-suspension tweeter and 150mm “Super Linear” mid/bass driver — as their year-old, limited-edition predecessors.

They also have the same built-in class A/B amplification, which can deliver 250 watts of continuous power to each speaker: 200 watts go to the mid/bass driver, and 50 watts go to the tweeter.

According to the brand, the SCM20ASL was conceived to “deliver extraordinary levels of clarity, neutrality, transient response, and effortless power delivery.”

Designed for compact spaces

The fact that the SCM20ASL are active loudspeakers gives ATC greater control to ensure they sound their absolute best. For the listener, it also means there are fewer moving parts to worry about — just the combination of preamplifier and music source.

The loudspeakers feature balanced XLR connections, and sensitivity controls are located on the rear panel, which can be adjusted to better suit the connected preamp and audio source.

The cabinet has a fully-sealed design to ensure tighter bass, but it also gives the listener greater flexibility to place the speakers closer to the walls. (Again, this is another feature that makes them conducive to smaller rooms.)

The speakers are also available in a wide range of standard and premium real wood veneers and high-gloss finishes.

Price and availability

The ATC SCM20ASL active loudspeakers start at $9,999/pair in a standard finish, which includes Cherry, Oak, Walnut, Black Ash, Black Satin and White.

If you opt for a more premium wooden veneer, such as Rosewood, Pippy Oak or Burr Magnolia, that raises the price by a grand to $10,999. A high-gloss finish raises the price considerably higher.

All the ATC SCM20ASL active loudspeakers can be purchased now and are expected to start shipping this month.