ATC Loudspeakers SCS70 Pro 12" Subwoofer

High Performance Active Subwoofer

The ATC SCS70 Pro and SCS70iW Pro are two new high-performance 12"/300mm active subwoofers, designed to deliver the exceptional levels of performance demanded by audio and music professionals and integral to partnering with ATCs range of active studio monitors. Their performance and features make them ideally suited to stereo, multi-channel surround, and immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos. The SCS70 Pro has been designed for use free standing and the SCS70iW Pro has been optimised and includes features ideal for flush/in-wall mounting.

Technology

ATC has a rich history of developing loudspeaker systems from component level up and the SCS70 Pro is no different. The subwoofer features a new ATC designed & built sub-bass driver, engineered for optimal reproduction of the lowest four octaves of the audio band. To best achieve this, it is designed with a 30mm magnetic gap, 50% longer than any other offered by ATC. The long-gap and short-coil configuration takes a long-standing ATC design feature to its limit, ensuring magnetic non- linearities are minimised, while simultaneously delivering the high linear excursion required to generate accurate and dynamic low frequency output. Generating a high level of magnetic flux over such a long gap required extensive FEA computer modelling and the resultant 6"/150mm N48M Neodymium magnet is the most powerful ever assembled by ATC and a first for the company. As well as minimising distortion, the short-coil long-gap configuration ensures the voice coil remains surrounded by the steel motor structure - even at high drive levels - maximising cooling, reducing power compression, and improving reliability. Turbulent air noise within the driver is minimised via a large, flared vent running through the centre of the motor structure, which has the added benefit of increasing voice coil and motor cooling.

The SCS70 Pro subwoofer delivers an extended low-frequency response without employing electronic equalisation, quite unlike many subwoofers available today. Instead, the more elegant combination of exceptional transducer engineering and a marginally larger cabinet volume is used. The simplicity of this approach reduces phase shift and group delay, aiding the integration of the sub with the partnering monitor loudspeakers. Ultimately, it delivers a more balanced and coherent experience for the listener, extending the low-frequency response without masking details or changing the tonal character in the upper bass/lower mid-range.

Drawing on 34 years of experience in amplifier design and development, ATC's electronic engineering team have delivered an all-new amplifier for these two new subwoofers. The 300W class AB design is hand-built by ATC at their UK facility and precisely optimised to the requirements of the drive unit, resulting in fast, dynamic bass with minimal colouration. Two balanced inputs provide connectivity suited to both stereo and multi-channel/immersive audio systems plus two balanced outputs provide connections to monitor loudspeakers or to 'daisy-chain' multiple subs. Low-pass filters are analogue, 4th order Linkwitz-Riley and filter frequency options ensure optimal integration with a wide range of studio monitors. An industry-standard 80Hz low-pass and an 'off' option (for use with external processing) are also provided. A polarity switch plus a continuously variable 180° phase adjustment allows further optimisation of the subwoofer crossover and a stepped attenuator with a 21 dB range provides precise level matching.

Features

Integrating active subwoofers designed to operate ‘free-standing’ into control rooms
designed for flush/ in-wall monitoring can be a challenge, but the SCS70iW Pro (In-Wall) is dedicated to this application, simplifying installation, and ensuring optimal performance. A shallower cabinet and recessed input connector panel maximises floor space and a remote mounted 7U/19” amplifier (R1-300 Pro) offers the user the flexibility to install in-wall close to the subwoofer, in a control room rack or in a machine room. Connection between the in-wall sub and remote amp is via NL4 speaker cable and 5-pin XLR cable (sold separately & available in multiple lengths).

Extending the low frequency response of a monitoring system brings many advantages, but occasionally, reducing the amount of bass energy in the control room allows the listener to focus on a particular task higher up in the audio spectrum. The SCS70 Pro output mute feature makes this quick and easy, with ‘mute’ toggled via a single latching footswitch (connected via a 1⁄4" / 6.35mm jack). In addition, multiple subwoofers can be muted using the same footswitch, connected via the mute 'Thru' jack.

In-Use

The size and performance of the SCS70 Pro make it the ideal partner for a wide range of ATC monitor loudspeakers, from the SCM12 Pro up to and including the SCM50A Pro. Multiple subs can be employed to elevate performance, to fill larger rooms and also when partnering with larger models of loudspeakers. Buffered linkable inputs and outputs makes connection of multiple subs simple as does the linkable ‘mute’ circuit. Surround and Immersive Audio formats can be particularly demanding of subwoofers and these two new designs both offer improvements in dynamic range and clarity at higher SPLs. It is recommended that Dolby’s DARDT (Dolby Audio Room Design Tool) should be used to aid the design of ATC monitoring systems for Dolby Atmos, ensuring the format guidelines are met and best possible performance is achieved.

Designed and engineered with a focus on resolution and integration, the SCS70 and SCS70iW Pro offer users additional low frequency extension and dynamic range but without compromising balance in the upper bass and lower mid-range. They provide an upgrade path to customers owning smaller monitors and lacking space for larger mid-field or main monitors whilst also strengthening ATC’s options in surround and immersive audio applications. Whichever way anyone chooses to use them, the new SCS70 Pro and SCS70iW Pro are two strong additions to the Professional Series product line-up. 

Specifications