ATC has introduced the EL50 Anniversary loudspeaker, featuring discrete active tri-amp technology first deployed by the SCM70 in the ‘90s 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 Bill Woodman. Leather detailing on the front face and hand-selected veneers further elevate the design.
This advanced new model incorporates a new, proprietary three-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.
Within the first line level stages, new discrete gain blocks have been developed and implemented within a balanced instrumentation input and the fourth-order active crossovers to achieve a lower noise floor and reduce distortion.
In addition, the power supply has been comprehensively re-designed and upgraded with individual toroidal transformers for each power amplifier channel, plus a separate transformer serving the low voltage supply. This topology is optimised to improve headroom under demanding use and reduces intermodulation distortion between the channels to deliver greater clarity to the listener.
Building on previous development work, the EL50 Anniversary cabinet construction has been improved and updated via advanced in-house manufacturing technology to increase stiffness and internal damping, reducing cabinet-borne colouration in the upper-bass and mid-range.
The bass driver is mounted into a precision turned aluminium ring which is bolted into the cabinet face and curved cabinet face and edges create a smooth transition from the driver output into the room, reducing edge diffraction and producing a more uniform on and off-axis frequency response for reduced linear distortion.
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.
The drive unit complement is built entirely in-house with a focus on low distortion and consistent performance at all playback levels with any source material. The SH25-76S ‘S-Spec’ tweeter uses a compact neodymium motor, a dual-suspension system to precisely control the coil motion and a coated fabric dome for smooth, uniform on and off-axis response.
The critical mid-band is reproduced by ATC’s SM75-150S ‘Superdome’ mid-range driver, covering 380Hz to 3.5kHz. Its combination of high-power magnet drive system and large voice coil mated to a dome diaphragm results in a driver system that can resolve the smallest musical details while handling the largest dynamic peaks found in complex recordings.
Completing the system, the SB75-234SL bass driver features ATC’s 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. At the lowest octaves, an optimised spider-roll-surround pairing allows large linear excursion for controlled low frequency output.
The EL50 Anniversary launches as an exclusive run of 50 pairs, each supplied with a hardbound owner’s handbook. Following the limited run, the system will enter continued production.
The new EL50 Anniversary will make its global debut at The Bristol Hi Fi Show, Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd February 2026 during an exclusive press preview on Friday 20th at 9:45 – 10:30am in Castle Suite (1st Floor).
Availability: March 2026
Typical UK retail prices (per pair inc. VAT): £49,500.00