In this review, we will be comparing SCM7 and Sonetto I, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ATC and Sonus faber.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ATC SCM7 and Sonus Sonetto I first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ATC SCM7 | Sonus Sonetto I |
|---|
| Brand | ATC
United Kingdom · founded 1974 | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.98" | 1.15" high definition DAD Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.92" | 6" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-22k Hz | 45-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 75 to 300 Watts watts | 30-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs | 5.50kg / 12.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.81" x 6.85" x 8.46"
300.0 x 174.0 x 215.0mm | 14" x 9" x 12"
359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ATC SCM7 and Sonus Sonetto I speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
ATC SCM7 |
Sonus Sonetto I |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SCM7 and Sonetto I are 2-way speakers.
ATC SCM7Sonus Sonetto I
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
ATC SCM7 |
Sonus Sonetto I |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.98-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.92-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
SCM7 features a 0.98" Tweeter and 1 x 4.92" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.5kHz. On the other hand, the Sonetto I features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 Hz.
Frequency Response
SCM7 has a frequency range of 60-22k Hz whereas Sonetto I has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Sonetto I can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SCM7's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
SCM7 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Sonetto I which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sonetto I can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. SCM7 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the Sonetto I's is rated at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Sonus Sonetto I a more sensitive speaker compared to ATC SCM7, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
SCM7 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Sonetto I has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 150 watts less than the SCM7.
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
Sonetto I features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SCM7 has a Binding Posts/4mm Plugs, bi-wire which doesn't feature bi-amping/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 SCM7's and Sonus Sonetto I's external dimensions. ATC SCM7 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 174.0 x 215.0mm (11.81 x 6.85 x 8.46inch) whereas Sonus Sonetto I has external dimensions of 359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm (14 x 9 x 12inch).
Sonus Sonetto I is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 45mm wider, 59mm taller and 90mm deeper than ATC SCM7.
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.
Sonus Sonetto I needs about 79% more floor or shelf area. Sonus Sonetto I is 90mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Sonus Sonetto I is 59mm 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 SCM7 is approximately 374.1cm2 / 58.0inch2 and base area of the Sonus Sonetto I is approximately 668.0cm2 / 103.5inch2. The SCM7 requires 44% less surface area than the Sonetto I which gives it a small advantage 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 SCM7 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the Sonus Sonetto I weighs 5.50kg / 12.1lbs. This makes the SCM7 36% heavier than the Sonetto I.
Here is a comparison of how SCM7 and Sonetto I's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto I?
Here are the items that come with the Sonetto I:
- 2 Masks
- 2 Fabric dust guards
- 2 Jumpers
- 1 Manual
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
300mm
vs
359mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
374cm2
vs
668cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
4.92 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1749USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ATC SCM7 |
Sonus faber Sonetto I |
| Brand |
ATC |
Sonus faber |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
75 to 300 Watts watts |
30-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-22k Hz |
45-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.92" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
cellulose pulp and other natural fibers |
| Tweeter Size |
0.98" |
1.15" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
high definition DAD Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.5kHz |
2500 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
359.0mm (14.1") |
| Width |
174.0mm (6.9") |
219.0mm (8.6") |
| Depth |
215.0mm (8.5") |
305.0mm (12") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
5.50kg (12.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Sonus Sonetto I digs deeper - 45Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Sonus Sonetto I is more sensitive (87dB vs 84dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | ATC SCM7 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | ATC SCM7 takes more power (300W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | ATC SCM7 is easier to place; Sonus Sonetto I is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | B | Sonus Sonetto I: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Sonus Sonetto I is cheaper - $1,099 against $1,749, about 37% less. |
A ATC SCM7 B Sonus Sonetto I
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?
Sonus Sonetto I has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate ATC SCM7 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Sonus Sonetto I for a mid-size room and a large room.
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.