Maybe it's just a case of my ears being used to a different sound signature. This setup produced an unlistenable amount of hiss with the Fortes. They sounded better when I used the Rogue Cronus Magnum III as a preamp driving a Peachtree Nova 300 as a power amp, but I got a fair amount of hiss with that setup. I also tried the ATCs in my main system (details in profile) and they sounded uninspiring compared to Forte IIIs, which are very dynamic and 'front row'. In case it's helpful: I used this same setup with original LS50s in place of the ATCs and I enjoyed the sound.

The Benchmark is rated for 100WPC and is believed to have more 'real world' power. I'm listening at low levels - 55 to 60 DB. I've read that ATC speakers are unforgiving of partnering equipment, but I don't believe the RME/Benchmark combo to be poor quality. Depending on my seating position, my ears are on axis with the tweeter, or slightly above them. It is toed in to match the listening angle of the right speaker. The left speaker is 12' farther from my head than the right speaker. It is coupled to the speaker stand with four dots of BluTack. The left speaker is on a speaker stand next to the desk, corner loaded by the same wall and the side of a bookcase. The right speaker is resting on my desk to the right of a large monitor, effectively corner loaded by a wall behind the monitor and books on a bookcase. I'm auditioning some new gear for my office/desk system, and I'm interested in some advice from people familiar with ATC speakers.ĪQ Type 4 10' (the older version with braided covers)

Atc scm11 usa