ATC has announced the SCS70 Pro and SCS70iW high-performance 12-inch/300mm active subwoofers, targeting use in stereo, multichannel surround and immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos. The SCS70 Pro is designed for free-standing use, while the SCS70iW Pro is intended for flush/soffit mounting.
The SCS70 Pro features a new sub-bass driver developed by the British manufacturer’s in-house R&D team. The 30mm magnetic gap (50 per cent longer than any other offered by the company) for a long gap/short-coil configuration is a longstanding ATC design feature, ensuring distortion is minimised while simultaneously delivering the high excursion required to generate accurate, dynamic low frequency output.
‘Generating high magnetic flux over such a long gap required extensive Finite Element Analysis modelling, with the resultant 6-inch/150mm N48M neodymium magnet representing the most powerful ever assembled by ATC – and a first for the company,’ says ATC R&D Manager Richard Newman.
This configuration also ensures that the voice coil remains surrounded by the motor structure even at high drive levels, maximising cooling, reducing power compression, and improving reliability. ‘Turbulent air noise within the driver itself was 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,’ Newman says.
Drawing upon 34 years of experience in amplifier development, the SCS70 Pro’s driver is partnered with a new 300W class-AB power amplifier, hand built by ATC and optimised to the requirements of the drive unit to deliver fast, dynamic bass with minimal colouration.
Two balanced inputs provide connectivity for use in both stereo and multichannel/immersive audio systems while two buffered balanced outputs provide connection to monitor loudspeakers and/or to daisy-chain multiple subs. The fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley low-pass filters in the amplifier’s crossover are analogue, and filter Frequency options ensure optimal integration with a wide range of studio monitors, including ATC’s own, with an industry-standard 80Hz low-pass and an ‘off’ option for use with external processing. Additionally, a polarity switch and continuously variable (180° to 0°) phase adjustment allows further subwoofer crossover optimisation, and a stepped attenuator with a 21dB range provides precise level matching.
Output of the SCS70 Pro can be muted via a single latching footswitch connected via the quarter-inch input jack; additional subs can be muted via connection to the ‘thrut jack using the same footswitch.
Designed to partner ATC’s SCM20ASL Pro, SCM25A Pro, SCM45A Pro and SCM50ASL Pro Professional Series monitors, multiple SCS70 Pro subs can be employed for larger rooms, and also when partnering with larger active studio monitor models. It is recommended that Dolby’s DARDT (Dolby Audio Room Design Tool) be used to aid the design of ATC monitoring systems for Dolby Atmos.
ATC’s free-standing SCS70 Pro retails in the UK for £3,125 (plus VAT) while its flush/in-wall mounting SCS70iW Pro – including accompanying R1-300 Pro remote-mounted amplifier – retails in the UK for £3,750 (plus VAT).
