Atlantis Lab AT21, bookshelf speakers

INFORMACIJA

Atlantis Lab AT21 is a high-end bookshelf speaker, developed in close collaboration with audio engineers and music lovers. It is a model that has become a technological and aesthetic benchmark for the entire Atlantis Lab series. Originally designed for professional use in recording studios, this speaker amazes with its versatility, musical accuracy and exceptional dynamics even in the most complex recordings.

Frequency range: 35 – 20,000 Hz (-1 dB)
Sensitivity: 96 dB (1W/1m)
Nominal impedance: 4 Ω
Rated (RMS) power: 250 W
Maximum (peak) power: 500 W

DESCRIPTION

Atlantis Lab AT21: the fruit of a collaboration between professionals and music lovers
The AT21 speaker is a large bookshelf speaker, which defines the brand's unique characteristics. Its development took a long time, calling on the professional world to validate expectations in terms of transparency, spatialization, and fidelity of micro-information such as the reverberation of original tracks. The chosen speakers came from a strict selection process in the professional world. Technical innovations in passive filtering and bass extension were first implemented on the AT21. Atlantis then understood that it held the keystone of its new range, due to the result of course, but also due to its technical and aesthetic concentration. The opinions were unanimous, the characteristics went beyond the specifications, and even expectations. Success was rapid, and requests for variations were listened to. The range was gradually enriched, while remaining faithful to the founding principles, to this undeniable standard that is the AT21.

Beyond the specifications
A two-way speaker, the AT21 nevertheless has three drivers. The high section is handled by a 1-inch compression driver with a titanium diaphragm, coupled with an "Atmos" profile horn. The mid-bass is handled by a pair: a 21cm on the front... and a 13cm located unconventionally at the rear. Their association and their positioning intelligently combine high efficiency, small volume, transparency in filtering and extension - surprising what's more - in the bass. The front speaker is high efficiency, equipped with a very light paper cone. Its transparency is striking. At the rear, the small woofer allows very low frequencies, thanks to a structurally very low resonance. Very concretely, the AT21 actually reaches 35Hz (at -1dB). The information deserves to be dwelled on: 35Hz on a bookshelf, high efficiency what's more, is very rarely seen - especially in this price positioning. And because the specification is not enough, this bass is truly qualitative. At these frequencies, this makes the subwoofer optional. Of course, the addition of the AT33 sub allows you to get this extra low octave in an undeniable continuity of quality and aesthetics... but it really remains an option. The efficiency is 96dB / 1w / 1m, which is impressive given the size and the bandwidth. The admissible power is "all terrain" with 250 Watts nominal, double in peak, which allows it to be happily married with any electronics (Transistor, tube, class D...) and any room.

For the pleasure of the eyes
The AT21 is a bookcase with still reasonable dimensions. It will need a stand worthy of the association. The proportions and finish are impeccable. It even has something more than a simple bookcase. On its stand, it even represents a beautiful piece of fine cabinetmaking. The imitation leather upholstery is successful: the grain is visible but light, the tension is perfect, and the ash-brown or white colors are particularly timeless and pleasing. The sides are made of oak worked with several bevels and grooves to provide additional rigidity and eliminate standing waves and parasitic resonances. The simple terminal block at the rear was made in France to exclusive specifications. It is of very fine craftsmanship, made of a high-conductivity copper alloy. The tightening is firm and easy. Banana plugs and bare wire are accepted. The front horn is circular in section and is inserted into the front via a square with softened edges. All of this serves as a reminder of the sporting performance of this beauty. The whole thing is well executed and a great success, able to blend into a wide variety of studios or living rooms, from contemporary to more rustic.

Atlantis Lab AT21: an impressive listen
The listening experience, finally, is impressive. Especially since we're looking at a library, and we think we know what to expect. From the very first moments: transparency, liveliness, airiness, firm and present bass. We forget everything, starting with certainties, and we let ourselves go. We play one song after another and tackle vague challenges. It plays everything with disconcerting ease. It goes far, very far. Even further than its price positioning might suggest. Here and there we hear details previously unknown on speakers in this range. The soundstage is vast, precise; the midrange is stunning, fast and ample; the bass completes the whole without any apparent gap, the treble flows without harshness or projection. The compression is clean, and does not overpower. Those who appreciate very high efficiency are well aware of this pinched nose effect, a slightly sonic projection that makes listening tiring, even annoying in some cases, less controlled. Of course, none of that here. The music fills the entire room as if it were self-evident. This is where we find the brand's philosophy, its quest for neutrality in the service of monitoring. But not only that. Well done Eric Buy! Even if the primary target was the professional world, Atlantis Lab products, including this astonishing AT21, are resolutely audiophile, and highly deserve to furnish and fill your living room.

TECHNICAL DATA

Origin
Designed and manufactured in France
Kind
Bookshelf speaker
Unit dimensions (H x W x D)
550 x 230 x 360 mm
Unit weight
19 kg
Permissible power
250W
Peak power
500W
Ways
2 ways
Acoustic load
Bass reflex
Yield
96dB/1w/1m
Nominal impedance
4 Ω
Bandwidth
35 - 20000 Hz (-1 dB)
Tweet
25mm horn-loaded compression tweeter
Bass/midrange speaker
1 x 21 cm, paper membrane - 1 x 13 cm on the back, Kevlar membrane
Connectivity
Single Terminal Block - Bananas or Bare Wire
Running-in
100 hours