In this review, we will be comparing Classic 200TI and SCM150PSL, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Spendor and ATC.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor Classic 200TI and ATC SCM150PSL first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor Classic 200TI | ATC SCM150PSL |
|---|
| Brand | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 | ATC
United Kingdom · founded 1974 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 0.98" |
|---|
| Midrange | 7.09" | 2.95" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12.2" | 14.76" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 20-25k Hz | 60-17k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 100 to 1500 Watts watts |
|---|
| Weight | 54.88kg / 120.7lbs | 67.20kg / 147.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 44" x 14.5" x 20.1"
1117.6 x 368.3 x 510.5mm | 34-13/16" x 19-5/8" x 22-3/8"
884.0 x 498.0 x 568.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Spendor Classic 200TI and ATC SCM150PSL 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* |
Spendor Classic 200TI |
ATC SCM150PSL |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
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 Classic 200TI and SCM150PSL are 3-way speakers.
Spendor Classic 200TIATC SCM150PSL
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Spendor Classic 200TI |
ATC SCM150PSL |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
0.98-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 7.09-inch |
1 x 2.95-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12.2-inch
|
1 x 14.76-inch
|
Classic 200TI features a 0.87" Tweeter, a 7.09" Midrange and 1 x 12.2" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 550 Hz, 3.8 kHz. On the other hand, the SCM150PSL features a 0.98" Tweeter, a 2.95" Midrange and 1 x 14.76" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 380Hz & 3.5kHz.
Frequency Response
Classic 200TI has a frequency range of 20-25k Hz whereas SCM150PSL has a frequency range of 60-17k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Classic 200TI can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SCM150PSL'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 Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Impedance and Sensitivity
Classic 200TI and SCM150PSL have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Classic 200TI sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the SCM150PSL's is at 91 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the ATC SCM150PSL a more sensitive speaker compared to Spendor Classic 200TI, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
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
Classic 200TI features XLR type posts and SCM150PSL has a XLR type posts. None of these speakers 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 Spendor Classic 200TI's and ATC SCM150PSL's external dimensions. Spendor Classic 200TI has external dimensions of 1117.6 x 368.3 x 510.5mm (44 x 14.5 x 20.1inch) whereas ATC SCM150PSL has external dimensions of 884.0 x 498.0 x 568.0mm ().
Spendor Classic 200TI is 129.7mm narrower and 57.5mm less deeper than ATC SCM150PSL but it is also 233.6mm 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 SCM150PSL needs about 50% more floor or shelf area. ATC SCM150PSL is 58mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Spendor Classic 200TI is 234mm 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 Spendor Classic 200TI is approximately 1880.2cm2 / 291.4inch2 and base area of the ATC SCM150PSL is approximately 2828.6cm2 / 438.4inch2. The Classic 200TI requires 34% less surface area than the SCM150PSL 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 Spendor Classic 200TI weighs 54.88kg / 120.7lbs and the ATC SCM150PSL weighs 67.20kg / 147.8lbs. This makes the SCM150PSL 22% heavier than the Classic 200TI.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 200TI and SCM150PSL's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
17k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1880cm2
vs
2828cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
35998USD
vs
35999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
14.76 inches
vs
12.2 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
884mm
vs
1117mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Spendor Classic 200TI |
ATC SCM150PSL |
| Brand |
Spendor |
ATC |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
20-25k Hz |
60-17k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12.2" |
14.76" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
0.98" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
7.09" |
2.95" |
| Crossover Frequency |
550 Hz, 3.8 kHz |
380Hz & 3.5kHz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1117.6mm (44") |
884.0mm (34.8") |
| Width |
368.3mm (14.5") |
498.0mm (19.6") |
| Depth |
510.5mm (20.1") |
568.0mm (22.4") |
| Weight |
54.88kg (120.7lbs) |
67.20kg (147.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Sealed |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
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 | A | Spendor Classic 200TI digs deeper - 20Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | ATC SCM150PSL is more sensitive (91dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($35,998 vs $35,999 a pair). |
A Spendor Classic 200TI B ATC SCM150PSL
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. 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 Spendor Classic 200TI the better fit for a large room and a very large room, and ATC SCM150PSL for a small room and a mid-size 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.