SCS70-PRO - High-performance 12" Active Subwoofer
The ATC SCS70 Pro is an high-performance 12"/300mm active subwoofer, 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. Its performance and features make it ideally suited to stereo, multi-channel surround, and immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos.
ATC has a rich history of developing loudspeaker systems from component level up and the SCS70 Pro is no different. The subwoofer features a 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 this subwoofer. 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.
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 ¼" / 6.35mm jack). In addition, multiple subwoofers can be muted using the same footswitch, connected via the mute 'Thru' jack.
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 this design offers 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 Pro offers users additional low frequency extension and dynamic range but without compromising balance in the upper bass and lower mid-range. It provides 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 it, the SCS70 Pro is a strong addition to the Professional Series product line-up.
Features
- Active 12" subwoofer
- High performance sealed box design using 12”/314mm ATC proprietary sub driver.
- Ideal partner to the ATC SCM12, SCM20, SCM25A Pro, SCM45A Pro, SCM50A Pro.
- Suitable for use in stereo, surround and immersive audio applications.
- On-board 300W convention cooled discrete MOSFET class A/B amp.
- 2 x balanced XLR inputs
- 2 x balanced XLR outputs (un-filtered/processed).
- User adjustable gain, low pass frequency, polarity and phase settings.
- Remote sub muting via latching footswitch (supplied separately, latching type, ¼”/6.35mm jack connection)
- In-Wall variant with remote amplifier also available – the SCS70iW Pro.
Technical Specifications
- Drive Unit – Bass: 1 x SS75-314SC 8Ω
- Low Frequency Cut-off: 22Hz (-6dB, half space, low pass filter set at 80Hz).
- Low Pass Filters: 50Hz, 65Hz, 80Hz, 320Hz. (-6dB, 4th order Linkwitz Riley).
- MaxSPL: 110dB continuous, 116dB peak (IEC Weighted Pink Noise, 1m, half space, low pass filter @ 80Hz).
- Sensitivity: +4dBu ref 88dBC (single channel driven, Gain +6dB, Level 0dB, pink noise, low pass filter @ 80Hz).
- Amplifier type: Grounded Source MOSFET based Class A-B, convection cooled.
- Output Power: 300W in to 8Ω.
- THD+N: <0.003%/-90dB, at 100Hz, 300W into 8Ω over 90kHz bandwidth.
- Input CMRR: 90dB at 200Hz.
- Balanced Inputs: 2 x Rear Panel Mounted Female XLR, pin 2 hot.
- Input Impedance: 20kΩ (differential).
- Balanced Outputs: 2 x Rear Panel Mounted Male XLR, pin 2 hot.
- Output Impedance: 100Ω (differential).
- Frequency Response: <2Hz (-3dB) – 320Hz (-6dB, set by panel-controlled LP filter).
- Low Pass Filters: 4th Order Linkwitz Riley
- Gain Control: 0, +6dB, +10dB.
- Level Control: 0dB -11dB in 1dB steps. Total range 21dB with use of Gain switch.
- Phase Control: 0-180° ref. Input.
- Polarity Control: In-phase/Out-of-phase ref. Input.
- Limiter: ATC Active FET Momentary Gain Reduction, active limiter indicated via front panel LED.
- Sensitivity: 6dBu / 1.55Vrms for full power (single channel driven, Gain 0dB, Level 0dB)
- Mains Input: 220-230V or 115V – Factory set. Please observe panel markings and labels!
- Power Consumption: Idle 8W/14VA. 1/8th Power 170W/230VA. Full Power 500W/600VA.
- Remote Control: Mute via ¼”/ 6.35mm Jack socket, controlled via latching footswitch (supplied seperately)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 464 x 560 x 540 mm
- Weight: 44kg
