McIntosh Loudspeaker Systems Part 2
A History
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For complete literature and retail prices of current products Contact McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. |
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H = height |
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The systems are listed alphabetically. There may be missing prices or other features. Any additions, corrections or comments are welcome. |
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MQ |
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A McIntosh MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer was part of the system design and was required for extended bass response. |
2-way bookshelf system has 6" woofer
and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut finish. Black grille cloth. Acoustic
material is located around tweeter.
Tweeter fuse is located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossover frequency: 1kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 85dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 80w
Size: 12-7/8"H, 8-1/8"W and 7-1/16"D
Weight: 15 lb.
Sold from: 1983 to 1992
Last retail price: $599.00/pr
Bass speaker floor system for use with a
pair of XL1's. This is not a subwoofer but extends the bass response to be
similar to the XR16. Walnut finish. System has a 12" dual coil woofer.
Aluminum ring for woofer. Black grille cloth.
Left and right channel fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossover frequency: 90Hz
Impedance: 8 ohms for left and right channel
Output: 85dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 27-7/32"H, 17-1/2"W and 11-3/4"D
Weight: lb.
Sold from: 1985 to 1991
Last retail price: $549.00 each
2-way bookshelf system has 10"
passive radiator, 8" woofer and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut vinyl
finish. Later changed to walnut veneer. Black grille cloth.
Tweeter fuse is located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossover frequencies: 90Hz and
1kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 24-15/16"H, 14-3/16"W and 7-13/16"D
Weight: 27.5 lb.
Sold from; 1982-1991
Last retail price: $429.00 each
XR3 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
4-way floor system with 10" woofer,
5" lower mid, 1-1/2" dome upper mid and two 2-5/8" angled
tweeters. Walnut finish with clear vinyl laminate. Replaceable top and base.
Hinged grille. Black grille cloth.
Plug-in printed circuit crossover board. Crossover cover at the top front has block diagram plus main and tweeter fuses. Red and yellow indicator lights at the bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.
Crossover frequencies: 700Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 200w
Size: 26-15/16"H, 12-3/4"W and 12"D
Weight: 63 lb.
Sold from: 1976 to 1981
Last retail price: $425.00 each
XR5 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
4-way floor system has 12" woofer,
8" lower mid, 1-1/2" dome upper mid and two 2-5/8" angled
tweeters. Walnut finish with clear vinyl laminate. Replaceable top and base.
Hinged grille. Black grille cloth.
Plug-in printed circuit crossover board. Crossover cover at the top front has block diagram plus main and tweeter fuses. Red and yellow indicator lights at the bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.
Crossover frequencies: 250Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 200w
Size: 29-15/16"H, 15"W and 12"D
Weight: 76 lb.
Sold from: 1976 to 1980
Last retail price: $599.00 each
XR6 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
4-way floor system has 12" woofer,
8" lower mid, 1-1/2" dome upper mid and 1" soft dome tweeter.
Walnut finish with clear vinyl laminate. Replaceable top and base. Hinged
grille. Black grille cloth.
Plug-in printed circuit crossover board. Crossover cover at the top front has block diagram plus main and tweeter fuses. Red and yellow indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.
Crossovers frequencies: 250Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 200w
Size: 35-13/16"H, 17-1/2"W and 13"D
Weight: 81 lb.
Sold from: 1977 to 1980
Last retail price: $749.00 each
XR7 Isoplanar Radiator Speaker System
4-way floor system has two 12"
woofers, 8" lower mid, two 1-1/2" dome upper mids and four
2-5/8" angled tweeters. Walnut finish with clear vinyl laminate.
Replaceable top and base. Hinged grille. Black grille cloth.
Plug-in printed circuit crossover board. Crossover cover at the top front has block diagram plus main and tweeter fuses. Red and yellow indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.
Crossovers frequencies: 250Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 300w
Size: 40-3/16"H, 19-1/2"W and 14-3/8"D
Weight: 125 lb.
Sold from: 1976 to 1980
Last retail price: $1099.00 each
XR14 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
4-way floor system has 10" woofer,
5" lower mid, 1-1/2" dome upper mid and 1" soft dome tweeter.
Walnut finish. Black grille cloth.
Red and yellow level indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
This is the last of the systems that requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.
Crossover frequencies: 700Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output level: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 30-16/64"H, 14-3/4"W and 10"D
Weight: 52 lb.
Sold from: 1979 to 1986
Last retail price: $749.00 each
XR16 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
4-way floor system has 12" woofer,
8" lower mid, 1-1/2" dome upper mid and 1" soft dome tweeter.
Walnut finish. Black grille cloth.
Red and yellow level indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
This was the first of the smaller systems to be designed in our new anechoic chamber.
Crossover frequencies: 250Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 150w
Size: 35-5/8"H, 17-1/2"W and 11-3/4"D
Weight: 75 lb
Sold from: 1980 to 1985
Last retail price: $950.00 each
4-way floor system has 12" woofer,
8" lower mid, 1-1/2" dome upper mid and 1" soft dome tweeter.
Walnut finish. Aluminum rings for 8" & 12". Woofer vibration
isolation mounting. Black grille cloth.
Red and yellow level indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossover frequencies: 250Hz,
1.4kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output 86dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 200w
Size: 37-3/4"H, 17-1/2"W and 11-13/16"D
Weight: 76 lb.
Sold from: 1985 to 1986
Last retail price: $995.00
XR19 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
4-way floor system has two 12"
woofers, 8" mid and 12 one inch soft dome tweeters arranged in a semi-ellipse.
Walnut finish. Black grille cloth on bass and tweeter section covering 3 front
faces
Red and yellow level indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossover frequencies: 100,
250Hz and 1500Hz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 86dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 250w
Size: 45-3/4"H, 25-7/8"W and 12-7/8"D
Weight: 151 lb
Sold from: 1981 to 1987
Last retail price: $2649.00 each
3-way floor system has 10" woofer,
5" mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Available in oak, walnut or black
lacquered hardwood finish.
Resetting solid state protection.
Crossover frequencies: 375Hz and
1200Hz
Output: 86dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 300w peak
Size: 40-1/4"H, 13"W , 7-13/64"D top and 11-1/4"D bottom
Weight: 56.6 lb.
Sold from: 1990 to 1993
Last retail price: $750.00. each
3-way floor system with 12" woofer,
6-1/2" mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Available in oak, walnut or
black lacquered hardwood finish.
Resetting solid state protection.
Crossover frequencies: 325Hz and
1200Hz.
Output: 86dB @1w/1m.
Power rating: 300w peak.
Size: 43-3/16"H, 15"W , 9-3/4"D top and 13-1/4"D bottom.
Weight: 75 lb.
Sold from: 1990 to 1993.
Last retail price: $1150.00. each
3-way floor system has two LD/HP 10"
woofers, 5" mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Available in oak, walnut or
black lacquered hardwood finish. Black mounting rings for 10" woofers provide
vibration isolation mounting. Front panel is angled back.
Resetting solid state protection.
Crossover frequencies: 450Hz and
1300Hz
Output: 84dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 300w peak
Size: 47-1/4"H, 14"W , 7-7/8"D top and 12-5/8"D bottom
Weight: 81 lb.
Sold from: 1991 to 1993
Last retail price: $1499.00 each
3-way triple column floor system has four
12" LD/HP woofers, twelve 5" mids and twenty four 1" soft dome
tweeters. Shipped in two sections. Black grille cloth. 90-day special order
only.
Resetting solid state protection. Terminals for tri-amp/tri-wire.
Crossover frequencies: 400Hz and
1300Hz
Output: 87dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 1000w
Size: 83"H, 28.75"W and 12.5"D
Weight: 347.5 lb. for one system
Sold from: 1992-
Last retail price: $13,750.00 each in walnut, oak or black ash
Last retail price: $16,900.00 each in rosewood lacquer
Last retail price: $22,700.00 each in black polyurethane gloss
Last retail price: $28,450.00 each in rosewood/polyurethane
4 way floor system has 12" passive
radiator, 10" woofer, 5" mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut finish.
Black and silver mounting rings for 5",10" & 12". Woofer and
passive radiator have vibration isolation mounting. Black grille cloth.
Red and yellow level indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
Three position mid-range switch
(450 to 1300Hz): 0dB, -1.5dB and -3.0dB
Three position tweeter switch (1300Hz to 20,000Hz): 0dB, -1.5dB and -3.0dB
Crossover frequencies: 55Hz,
450Hz and 1.3kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 82dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 46-1/2"H, 16"W and 11-1/16"D
Weight: 83 lb.
Sold from: 1983-1986
Last retail price: $1199.00 each
4-way floor system has 12" passive
radiator, 10" woofer, 5" mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut
finish. All black mounting rings for 5, 10" & 12". Woofer and
passive radiator have vibration isolation mounting. Black grille cloth.
Different cabinet construction for better appearance.
Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet. Mid and tweeter level switches on early versions.
Three position mid-range switch
(450 to 1300Hz): 0dB, -1.5dB and -3.0dB
Three position tweeter switch (1300Hz to 20,000Hz): 0dB, -1.5dB and -3.0dB
Crossover frequencies: at 55Hz,
450Hz and 1.3kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 82dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 46-1/2"H, 16"W and 11-1/16"D
Weight: 83 lb.
Sold from: 1986-1991
Last retail price: $1250.00 each
3-way floor/wall system has 12"
woofer, 6" mid and a column of 16 tweeters. Two piece system. Walnut
finish. Tweeter column can be mounted on a wall or attached to the bass cabinet
with CS 18 column stand. Aluminum rings for 6" & 12". Woofer has
vibration isolation mounting. Black grille cloth.
Red and yellow level indicator lights at bottom right. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet. Computer derived multi-crossover for tweeters to maintain uniform vertical dispersion.
Crossover frequencies: 350Hz and
1500Hz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 86dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 150w
Size: bass section: 27-7/32"H, 17-1/2"W and 11-/4"
Size: tweeter column 57-5/16"H, 10-1/2W and 1-5/8D
Weight: bass section 63 lb.
Weight: column 34 lb.
Sold from: 1985 to 1992
Last retail price: $2699.00. each
CS18 tweeter stand last retail price: $649/pair (oak or walnut)
XRT20 Isoplanar Radiator Loudspeaker System
3-way system has two 12" woofers,
8" mid and column of 24 one-inch soft dome tweeters. Complete system
requires bass cabinet and tweeter column. Tweeter column is shipped in two
sections to be assembled. Can be mounted on a wall or attached to bass cabinet
with CS 20 column stand. Walnut finish. Black grille is on 3 sides of the bass
cabinet and the center of the tweeter column.
Red and yellow indicator lights at bottom right front. Red light indicates tweeter fuse blown. Yellow light indicates maximum power level. Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossovers frequencies: 250Hz
and 1500Hz. A later version had an additional crossover at 150Hz.
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 300w
Size: bass section 39-1/4"H, 25-1/2"W and 12-11/16"D
Size: tweeter column 77-1/8"H, 10-3/4"W and 1-13/16"D
Weight: 159 lb. Total for one system
Sold from: 1979 to 1985
Last retail price: $3300 each (one bass cabinet and 1 tweeter column)
CS20 stand for tweeter column last retail price: $250 each
4-way floor/wall system has two 12"
woofers, 8" mid and column of twenty three 1" soft dome tweeters. Two
piece system. Walnut or oak finish. Early tweeter columns were solid oak or
walnut but later changed to veneer. Aluminum rings for 8" & 12".
Woofer vibration isolation mounting. One piece tweeter column can be mounted on
wall or stand on floor with CS 22 column stand. Black grille cloth on bass
cabinet and tweeter column.
Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.
Crossover frequencies: 100Hz,
250Hz and 1500Hz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 87dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 250w
Size: bass section 40-3/4"H, 25-3/4"W and 12-3/4"D
Size: tweeter column 79-1/2"H, 10-1/2"W and 1-5/8"D
Weight: bass 119 lb.
Weight: column 69.5 lb.
Sold from: 1986 to 1993
Last retail price: $4550.00 each (one bass cabinet and one tweeter column)
CS22A tweeter stands last retail price: $799.00/pair (oak or walnut)
3-way floor system with two 10"
LD/HP woofers, 8" mid and column of sixteen 1" aluminum dome
tweeters. Two piece system. Black ash finish. Woofers facing rear. One piece
tweeter column mounted on bass cabinet. Terminals for tri-amp/tri-wire. 90 day
special order only.
Crossover frequencies: 250Hz and
1500Hz.
Impedance: 4 ohms.
Output: 85dB @1w/1m [88dB @ 2.83v].
Power rating: 1000w.
Overload protection: none
Size: 84"H including tweeter section. bass section 14-1/2"W and
19"D.
Weight: 130 lb.
Sold from: 1993 to.
Last retail price: $4,250.00 each
NOTE: The XRT24 was made after I left McIntosh and was changed from my original design. Customers said the system did not sound acceptable and this system was replaced by the XRT25.
3-way floor system with 12" LD/HP
woofer, 8" mid and column of sixteen 1" aluminum dome tweeters. Two
piece system made for Japan. Walnut or black ash finishes. One piece tweeter
column mounted on bass cabinet. Woofer facing front. Terminals for
tri-amp/tri-wire. 90 day special order only.
Crossover frequencies: 250Hz and
1500Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 85dB @1w/1m [88dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 1000w
Overload protection: none
Size: 84"H including tweeter section. bass section 14-1/2"W and
19"D
Weight: 130 lb.
Sold from: 1993 to
Last retail price: $4,250.00 each
4-way floor/wall system has two 12"
LD/HP woofers, 8" mid and column of twenty three 1" aluminum dome
tweeters. Two piece system. Walnut or black ash finish. One piece tweeter
column can be mounted on wall or stand on floor with CS 26 column stand.
Terminals for tri-amp/tri-wire. Crossover switch for wall or stand use. 90-day
special order only.
Resetting solid state protection.
Crossover frequencies: 100Hz,
250Hz and 1500Hz.
Impedance: 4 ohms.
Output: 84dB @1w/1m [87dB @ 2.83v].
Power rating: 1000w.
Size: bass section 43-1/2"H, 20"W and 15-1/2"D.
Size: tweeter column 86"H. Tweeter stand base 17"W and 15"D.
Weight: bass section 92 lb.,
Weight: column with base 70 lb.
Sold from 1993 to.
Last retail price $7,000.00 each (one bass cabinet and one tweeter column)
NOTE: The MQ109 and MQ109B equalizer were made specifically to compensate for the XRT26 loudspeaker system. The XRT26 was made after I left McIntosh and was changed from my original design. Customers said the system did not sound acceptable and the MQ109 and MQ109B were produced to correct the problem. The equalizer must be connected between the preamplifier and power amplifier.
Impedance of Home Systems Was Changed To 4 Ohms
All systems manufactured prior to 1993 were 8 ohms and had an industry standard sensitivity rating of 1 watt into 8 ohms. All systems made after this date were 4 ohms and have a rating of 2.83 volts, which is actually 2 watts into 4 ohms, making them appear to have greater sensitivity. To convert to a 1-watt level, subtract 3 dB from the rated sensitivity. For example: the LS350 is rated at 89dB for 2.83 volts. This converts to the industry standard rating of 86dB/watt/meter.
In addition, the new 4-ohm impedance requires the use of heavier speaker wire to maintain the same low losses compared to the earlier 8-ohm speakers. The total DC resistance of the wire must now be less than 0.4 ohms instead of 0.8 ohms.
Frequency Response Tolerance Added
1993 was also the first time that McIntosh advertised a speaker frequency response tolerance (+ or - so many dB). The tolerance is based on measurements made in an anechoic (reflection free) environment, usually directly in front of the speaker. A response with this tolerance will almost certainly not be measured for the same speaker in a typical home environment. Frequencies below 250Hz are particularly influenced by the speaker location, room dimensions and construction. In some problem rooms peaks and dips as much as 15 dB can be found. Even mid-range and high frequency response can be affected by reflecting objects within a few feet of the speakers. The advertised tolerance is no indication of what the actual response might be in your home.
Power Ratings Changed
Power ratings of the new speaker systems were arbitrarily increased in 1993. All earlier systems were conservatively rated for continuous music listening. Although the new power ratings have higher numbers, they should be considered as a rating only for occasional peaks and not for continuous music.
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About This Site |
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More text and pictures about McIntosh will be added as my research continues. Any comments, corrections, or additions are welcome. |
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Created by Roger Russell |
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