Atlantis Lab AT21: the fruit of a collaboration between professionals and music lovers

The AT21 speaker is a generously sized bookshelf speaker that defined the brand's unique characteristics. Its development took a long time, calling on the professional community to validate expectations in terms of transparency, spatialization, and fidelity of micro-information such as the reverberation of original tracks. The chosen speakers were the result of a rigorous selection process within the professional community. 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, not only in terms of the result, of course, but also in terms of its technical and aesthetic focus. The opinions were unanimous; the characteristics exceeded the specifications, and even expectations. Success was rapid, and requests for variations were heeded. The range gradually expanded, while remaining faithful to the founding principles, to the undeniable benchmark 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 is well executed and a great success, able to blend into very varied studios or living rooms, ranging from contemporary to more rustic.

Atlantis Lab AT21: an impressive listen

The listening experience, finally, is impressive. Especially since we're looking at a bookshelf, 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 the songs and vague challenges one after the other. 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 hitherto unknown on speakers of 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. Bravo 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.