Atohm GT-3 Tower Speakers $13,000 Per Pair
(46.85h, 9.45w, 17.12d, 83 lbs, 92dB SPL, 6 ohms)
Two 7” Woofers, 6” Midrange, Silk Dome tweeter
Available in stunning Gloss Walnut, Gloss Piano Black, Gloss Piano White
Made in France: 7 year warranty!
Atohm speakers are indeed, actually MADE in France. Designer Thierry Comte has created a line of speakers that check some very special boxes. GT-3 is a conspicuously clear speaker, with a wide/deep 3D soundstage- that can reach deep into the bass region. GT-3 is beautifully smooth and images as well as any speaker I’ve ever heard. The new walnut finish is especially luscious.
As I mentioned in my GT-1 comments, Atohm is different from all the other moderately sized Euro speakers in that they have strong bass and can play to much fuller volume levels. Thierry’s driver designs allow them to generate more bass and play far tougher than the old school names we’re more familiar with.
Please pay special attention to the description of how he has created plinths to minimize coupling with the floor- for tighter bass definition. Atohms are far more than boxes with drivers screwed in. Decoupling from the floor provides more adroit bass definition. The bass is still ample. What’s different is that its character is tuneful and not muddled. Piano fans take note! If you love the nuances between unique drum kits, GT-3 is right up your alley.
Atohm has a detailed Technical Book if you like to read the deep dive detail of speaker creation. I especially enjoyed reading about the care that goes into the dedicated midrange driver of GT-3. Every speaker company has its spiel. When you read Atohm’s tech talk, you might think it’s just so much chatter. Yet when you actually hear the speaker, you can tell instantly that the discussion is legit. It isn’t just sales talk.
Before Getting Deeper Into The Bass
We’ve gotten to know GT-1 and GT-2 very well. GT-3 has the same family smoothness and imaging prowess. Atohms have the ability to place a vocal dead center with no drifting. You can appreciate this localization even if you’re sitting off center. Despite sitting to the R of the R speaker, you can still hear the breadth of the stage of music. This is especially nice if you have any FRIENDS.
Atohm can cast a DEEP soundstage as well. My favorite track for proving this is “Jazz At Lincoln Center.” It’s a live recording with a team of musicians wandering about the stage at times. Sometimes they move up to the mic and other times they’re taking a stroll. You’re right there with every step with Atohm.
GT-3 has superior midrange definition compared to its two little brothers. We luv GT-1 and GT-2. But there’s no escaping the fact that GT-3 wins in the middle, as well as the bass. GT-3 has precise definition of vocals and acoustic instruments that just take you to another level. GT-3 not only goes much deeper, but achieves architectural accuracy in the bass while so doing. There is no mud or sludge with GT-3.
Speakers for $50-100k use drivers from Scanspeak and SEAS. They’re good. But I like the GT-3 better. You can read the tech data in the technical book for the nuts & bolts. This precision is unique to Atohm and beats its Scandinavian competitors which sound more opaque and lethargic.
Expensive American speaker boys use the Euro drivers in ever heavier cabinets to try to get more clarity out of them. I won’t tell you they aren’t good. But I WILL tell you that Atohm has superior resolution and comes in at $13k instead of $40k plus.
About That Bass
I’m sticking with state of the art midrange being GT-3’s best characteristic. The midrange is where vocals and most instrumental character live. To get that right is job one and GT-3 is unsurpassed at this job.
GT-3 has two dedicated 7” woofers. They are deep, taut and shockingly strong when they need to throw a left hook. If you handshake with a fine amp like an Atoll IN300 for example, you’ll be happily surprised at the sheer impact you can achieve. If you run a pair of Atoll AM300 monoblox, GT-3 has even more to offer. That’s the mettle of this fine speaker. It is transparent in showing you what’s in front of it.
You don’t need to consider $40k Wilsons or Magicos in 250 pound cabinets. You’ll appreciate Atohm’s GT-3’s charms and muscle for much less money and a manageable 83 pounds.