In this review, we will be comparing SCM50PSL and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from ATC and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ATC SCM50PSL and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ATC SCM50PSL | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Brand | ATC
United Kingdom · founded 1974 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.98" | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 2.95" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 9.21" | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 70-20k Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 100 to 1500 Watts watts | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 41.10kg / 90.4lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 28-1/4" x 11-15/16" x 16-3/4"
717.0 x 304.0 x 425.0mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SCM50PSL and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
ATC SCM50PSLKLH Kendall
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
ATC SCM50PSL |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.98-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2.95-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 9.21-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
SCM50PSL features a 0.98" Tweeter, a 2.95" Midrange and 1 x 9.21" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 380Hz & 3.5kHz. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
SCM50PSL has a frequency range of 70-20k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SCM50PSL's min frequency of 70Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SCM50PSL and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SCM50PSL sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to ATC SCM50PSL, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
SCM50PSL can handle a max power of 1500 watts RMS, whereas Kendall has a max power handling value of 250 watts RMS, 1250 watts less than the SCM50PSL.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SCM50PSL has a XLR which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare ATC SCM50PSL's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. ATC SCM50PSL has external dimensions of 717.0 x 304.0 x 425.0mm () whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
KLH Kendall is 92mm narrower and 45mm less deeper than ATC SCM50PSL but it is also 304mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
ATC SCM50PSL needs about 60% more floor or shelf area. ATC SCM50PSL is 45mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. KLH Kendall is 304mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the ATC SCM50PSL is approximately 1292.0cm2 / 200.3inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The SCM50PSL requires 60% more surface area than the Kendall which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The ATC SCM50PSL weighs 41.10kg / 90.4lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the SCM50PSL 86% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how SCM50PSL and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 Max Input Power |
1500 watts
vs
250 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
9.21 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
717mm
vs
1021mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
70 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
1292cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
17999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ATC SCM50PSL |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
ATC |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
100 to 1500 Watts watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
5.5 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
70-20k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
9.21" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.98" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
2.95" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
380Hz & 3.5kHz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
717.0mm (28.2") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
304.0mm (12") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
425.0mm (16.7") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
41.10kg (90.4lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
10 Years |
These sit in different price classes - ATC SCM50PSL costs roughly 12x what KLH Kendall does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KLH Kendall digs deeper - 25Hz against 70Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | ATC SCM50PSL takes more power (1500W vs 250W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | B | KLH Kendall: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KLH Kendall is cheaper - $1,500 against $17,999, about 92% less; arguably a different class. |
A ATC SCM50PSL B KLH Kendall
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KLH Kendall is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ATC SCM50PSL if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 70Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Kendall is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.