ATC active or Tannoy TD12?

The ATCs at the RMAF 2007 were one of the best sounding speakers at the show.
Get them active or be prepared to get a very powerful amp. Very inefficient but a strong amp will make them sing.

Thanks Shadorne.I only want to get worthy improvment.I am curently integrated powerfull Revel B15 to the system and it was huge improvment alongside adding Whest modified Naim NAC82,Supercap.Now sounding very good,I am still thinking that my old Naim 250 is not great match for this combination.That was why I was thinking to go active speakers and avoid this amp situation upgrade.

Tied Atc t16 active and sold it with big loss,it was unlistanable when you compare it with Tannoy Td12.Maybee bigger models like ATC 50 active could be more fair to compare.I was really disappointed with that sound.

How are the ATC Passives (say, the SCM-40 or others) for
somewhat nearfield use (7.5 feet from the listening chair)?
Are they assaultive or piercing at all?
Thanks in advance.

Rgs92,

With ATC you need to think low distortion, clarity and forwardness that you would normally associate with horns but with wider even dispersion of a dynamic speaker. So if tend to find horns are harsh and piercing then yes, absolutely, ATC will be similar.

Mike,

If the T16 was unlistenable then no ATC speaker will work for you - they all pretty much sound alike. Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. On the flipside you can feel even happier about the sound of your awesome Tannoys!