Speaker revision by ATC

[Mariner]

I have a couple of SCM20s that are over 25 years old. So no SL version, and also with the old tweeter. I know that ATC offers an upgrade to the latest version, and it would also be significantly cheaper than buying the speakers new. Has any of the forum members ever upgraded their speakers and would like to share their experiences?
Thanks....

[Larry]

Mariner:
I looked into upgrading the tweeters to my powered 20s, which is not on all fours for you, but did provide some insight. There were more things that needed to be upgraded than a simple swap of drivers.

My speakers have the SL drivers, so I'd need only upgrade the tweeter and the crossover. The estimated cost was around US$2k. ATC's US importer indicated the crossovers might need to be updated to assure a proper working relationship with the new tweeter. Without looking at my speakers, they expected that other parts might need replacement, which might cost more again. FWIW, my tweeters were supposed to be an upgrade (SEAS) from the earlier tweeters and my experience with ATC's tweeters is a distinct upgrade from mine - sweeter, more detailed and extended.

Upgrades within the UK might be less costly than here in the US.

Good luck, let us know what you find.

Larry

[Mariner]

Hi Larry,
thanks a lot for your answer!
Well $ 2000 is a lot for changing the tweeter on both SCM20 ! As far as i know in 2019 the new tweeter cost GBP 250 each.
So ATC seems to take a lot of money for changing the crossover and installtion. Maybe the shipping was also very expensiv.
I´m not really sure if i will update my SCM20, but i have to pay also tax and toll, and shipping is also expensive from Germany to the UK.
Thats why i collect experiences ! And it´s good to hear that the new tweeter will be a real upgrade !
I´m also not sure how ATC will change to SL. Will they build in a new driver, or is it possible to upgrade the old one ??
So maybe all i will keep after an upgrade is the old cabinet ......

[Larry]

Mariner:

Yeah, the upgrade was pricey, but the new tweeters are very nice. I sense we had the same thought - $500 for a "new" 20! Alas, it was not to be for me, at least for now. I don't understand why the charges are so high here, but . . . the tweeters are only available to distributors, as I understand it. Again, maybe that's just the US.

I believe the switch to SL is complete driver swap. I expect the SL's are considerably more expensive than the tweeters. FWIW, my first 20s were passive and without the SL drivers. My dealer told me he wasn't sure he could hear the difference the SL drivers made. I can't offer anything on that front. ATC is still a very good brand, even if they're new gear is better than their older gear.

Cheers,

Larry

[Mariner]

Thanks for your thoughts Larry! 👍
I know that the change to the new tweeter will cause a change in the crossover,
but i never thought that this change might be so expensiv.
If i got you right, your 20s are active. Pro or Tower version?
I'm dreaming of a classic activ version of the 20s, but they are not available.
I will contact the german distributor about the change, but before there will be a change on the amp-side because i will go from stereo to multichannel.

[Larry]

My speakers are active 20s and were a temporary deviation from the square MDF box that typifies ATC products. Here's a picture of them.

[Mariner]

I once had a center ( C4CA) from this series.
Congrats!