EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors
On approach to the Atlanta airport we received a speed assignment that we thought was 200 knots. Sometime during the approach a separate voice in the same facility but not the assigning controller asked what speed we were assigned. The copilot replied 200 knots.  The controller asked which speed we were assigned; and we replied we thought we heard 200 knots; we tried to mitigate the situation by asking 'which speed would you like'. The reply was 'your assigned speed'. A remark like that from the controller does not help anybody. Generally we would like to comply with the instructions but remarks like this don't allow us to adequately mitigate the situation. The controller indicated that he would review the tape; we thought that was a good idea; that way we could find which party may have been in error; but we never received any results. We were hoping they would let us know whether the misunderstanding was possibly on our end or possibly their end.Since pilots and air traffic controllers work together; we hope that the air traffic controller don't have the attitude that we are not willing to comply with their instructions; but rather willing within the limitations of our aircraft. If instructions were misunderstood or not complied with as previously assigned; we would prefer that the best resolution moving forward be assigned or possibly a phone number be issued so that we may contact the controller to discuss possibly where the misunderstanding may have occurred so that future events are less likely to occur. It's my understanding that most pilots want to follow air traffic controller instructions but if a misunderstanding occurs; most pilots may want to clarify instructions.
EMB-175 Captain reported communication difficulties with ATC that were complicated by what he felt was an antagonistic attitude on the part of the Controller.