ATC Statement EL50 Anniversary Loudspeaker

ATC is delighted to introduce the forthcoming EL50 Anniversary, the latest evolution of the legendary ATC 50 loudspeaker design, featuring discrete active tri-amp technology first deployed by the SCM70 in the 1990s and refined through the SCM50 Anniversary speaker in 2004 and the SE Series in 2014. Its industrial design draws from the EL150, released in 2006, the first ATC loudspeaker to employ an elliptical enclosure and designed by Billy Woodman. Leather detailing on the front face and beautiful hand-selected veneers further elevate the design.

New Discrete Active Amp-Pack
This advanced new model incorporates a new, proprietary 3-channel active ‘Amp-Pack’ featuring balanced input, user controls, active crossovers and three power amp channels, delivering 200W, 100W and 50W continuous power to the bass, mid and high-frequency channels, respectively. All aspects of the amplfier have been re-designed and upgraded.

Key amplifier features are as follows:
• Balanced instrumentation input combines very low noise and high common mode rejection ratio (CMRR).
• New discrete op-amps (gain stages) optimised for lowest possible noise and distortion.
• 4th order active crossovers implemented with new gain stages.
• Class A-B MOSFET output stages featuring discrete driver stages capable of 350W continuous total power.
• Re-designed and upgraded power supply featuring three separate toroidal transformers for each power amplifier.
• Dedicated line level power supply with extensive regulation.
• Switchable input sensitivity for source matching.
• Power on/off trigger input.

Cabinet and Finishing

The cabinets are manufactured in-house using a combination of traditional craftmanship and modern CNC machining to produce a structure with ideal acoustic characteristics and a striking new visual form.
Key cabinet features are as follows.
• Curved laminated construction combines high stiffness and damping, reducing cabinet-borne colouration in the upper-bass and mid-range.
• Precision turned aluminium bass driver mounting ring to further increase cabinet stiffness.
• Curved elliptical cabinet face and edges create a smooth transition from the drive units into the room, reducing edge diffraction and producing a more uniform on and off-axis frequency response for reduced linear distortion and improved imaging.
• Hand-selected and matched European walnut veneers cover the curved elements of the cabinet, complemented by ebony inlays on the rear panel and finished with a high-gloss polyester lacquer.
• Upholstered napa leather panels around the mid and high frequency drivers and the lower front section add a contrasting texture while integrating cleanly with the cabinet’s overall form.
• CNC machined alloy foot-bars threaded for spikes (supplied).
• Fabric wrapped grille with magnetic attachment.

Drive Units

The drive unit complement is the proven family of parts employed in the SCM50, built entirely in-house with a focus on low distortion and consistent performance at all playback levels with any source material.

Key features and characteristics are as follows:
SH25-76S Tweeter
• Compact but exceptionally powerful neodymium motor to support a frequency response beyond 25kHz.
• Compact size for tight spacing to mid-driver, improving dispersion.
• Dual-suspension system precisely controls the coil & diaphragm motion.
• Coated fabric dome for smooth, uniform on and off-axis response and low listener fatigue.
SM75-150S ‘Superdome’ Mid-Range
• Wide bandwidth – 380Hz to 3.5kHz – results in point source for large proportion of critical mid-band.
• High-power magnet drive system and large voice coil combine high efficiency and very low power compression.
• Driver system that can resolve the smallest musical details while effortlessly handling the largest dynamic peaks found in complex recordings.
SB75-234SL ‘Super Linear’ Bass Driver
• Super Linear motor system for reduced 3rd harmonic distortion in the upper-bass/lower-midrange resulting in improved clarity and integration with the mid-range driver.
• Optimised spider-roll-surround pairing allows large linear excursion for controlled low frequency output with very low distortion.
• Large 3″/75mm voice coil minimized power compression ensuring consistent balance and low frequency character at all drive levels.

The EL50 Anniversary launches as an exclusive run of 50 pairs, each supplied with a hardbound owner’s handbook. The book celebrates ATC’s journey from its origin as a drive unit specialist in 1974 to its status as one of the world’s most highly respected loudspeaker manufacturers, revered by music lovers and audiophiles, and trusted by hundreds of international recording and mastering studios.

ATC will present the EL50 Anniversary at the Bristol Hi-Fi show on February 20th.

Pricing and Availability

The EL50 Anniversary is available to order now and the first batch will be ready to ship from mid-March.
Recommended UK Retail £49,500 inc. VAT. Following the limited run, the EL50 will enter continued production.