McIntosh Loudspeaker Systems Part 1
A History

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Contact McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. for complete literature and retail prices of current products.

H = height
W = width
D = depth
w = watts

 

The systems are listed alphabetically. There may be missing prices or other features. Any additions, corrections or comments are welcome.

MQ

 

A McIntosh MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer was part of the system design and was required for extended bass response.

HT1

HT2

HT3

HT3F & HT3W

HT4

L3C

L3M

LS310

LS330

LS350

ML1C MQ

ML2C
MQ

ML2M MQ

ML4C MQ


ML4M
MQ

ML10C MQ

SL1

SL4

SL6

ST1

ST2

ST3

ST4

WS200

WS210

WS220

XD715

XD717

XE10

HT-1 Home Theater loudspeaker system

2-way floor system has two 8" LD/HP woofers and three 1" aluminum dome tweeters. THX approved. Black ash finish. Tweeter panel can be turned 90 degrees if system placed on its side. This will maintain the same tweeter orientation.

Resetting solid state tweeter protection.

Crossovers: at 500Hz and 1400 Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 86dB @1w/1m [89dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 300w
Overload protection: Solid state for tweeters
Size: 22-1/2"H, 15-1/2"W and 10-1/2"D
Weight: 42 lb.
Manufactured: 1993-.
Last retail price: $1,100.00 each

HT-2 Home Theater subwoofer.

Floor system has Two 12" LD/HP woofers facing downward. THX approved. Black ash finish.

Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 88dB @1w/1m [91dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 600w
Size: 20-1/2"H, 30"W and 20"D
Weight: 90.5 lb.
Manufactured: 1993-.
Last retail price: $1,750,00 each

HT-3 Home Theater surround speaker

Wall speaker has Two 5" woofers and two 1" aluminum dome tweeters. THX approved. Finish textured black. White grille cloth.

Crossover frequency: 1500Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output 85dB @1w/1m [88dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 200w
Size: 15-1/2"H, 15-1/2"W and 4" into wall, 2" out from wall
Weight: 20 lb.
Manufactured: 1993-
Last retail price: $1000.00 each

HT-3F and HT-3W Home Theater surround Speaker

Earlier versions of the HT-3. One for flush in-wall mounting and one for on the wall mounting.

Wall speaker has Two 5" woofers and two 1" aluminum dome tweeters. THX approved. Finish textured black. White grille cloth.

Crossover frequency: 1500Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output 85dB @1w/1m [88dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 200w
Size: 15-1/2"H, 15-1/2"W and 4" into wall, 2" out from wall
Weight: 20 lb.
Manufactured: 1993-
Last retail price: $1000.00 each

HT-4 Home Theater center channel speaker.

Two 6-1/2" woofers and three 1" aluminum dome tweeters. THX approved. Black ash finish.

Crossover frequency: 1250Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 84dB @1w/1m [87dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating 200w.
Overload protection: Solid state for tweeters
Size 8"H, 21"W and 11"D
Weight 23 lb.
Manufactured 1994-.
Last retail price $1,000.00 each

L3C Equipment cabinet

Contemporary style equipment cabinet matches the ML-2C and ML-4C speaker systems. Has the same height and depth. Walnut finish. Lift-up top is in two pieces, 41-3/4" and 21-1/8". Left and right storage with hinged doors 19" wide.

Size: 29"H, 63-1/8"W and 21-3/8"D.
Sold from: 1971-.
Last retail price: $600.00

L3M Equipment cabinet

Mediterranean style equipment cabinet matches the ML-2M and ML-4M speaker systems.. Has the same height and depth. Pecan finish. Lift-up top is in two pieces, 41-3/4" and 21-1/8". Left and right storage with hinged doors 19" wide.

Size 29"H, 63-1/8"W and 21-3/8"D.
Sold from 1971-.
Last retail price $600.00

LS310 Loudspeaker System

2-way bookshelf system with 8" LD/HP woofer and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. Walnut or black ash finish. Resetting solid state protection. Terminals for bi-amp/bi-wire. Black grille cloth.

Crossover at 2500Hz
Impedance 4 ohms
Output 84dB @1w/1m [87dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating 200w
Overload protection: none
Size 18-1/2"H, 10-1/2"W and 10-1/2"D
Weight 24.5 lb.
Sold from 1993-1997
Last retail price $1100/pr

LS330 Loudspeaker System

3-way floor system with two 8" LD/HP woofers and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. Walnut or black ash finish. Resetting solid state protection. Terminals for bi-amp/bi-wire. Black grille cloth.

Crossover frequencies: 350Hz and 3500Hz
Impedance 4 ohms
Output 85dB @1w/1m [88dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating 300w
Overload protection: none
Size 36"H, 13"W and 12"D
Weight 56.5 lb.
Sold from 1993-1997
Last retail price $2200/pr

LS350 Loudspeaker System

3-way floor system with two 10" LD/HP woofers, 5" mid and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. Walnut or black ash finish. Resetting solid state protection. Terminals for tri-amp/tri-wire. Black grille cloth.

Crossover frequencies: 450Hz and 2500Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 86dB @1w/1m [89dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 500w
Overload protection: none
Size: 44"H, 15-1/2"W and 12-5/8"D
Weight: 87.5 lb.
Sold from: 1993-1997
Last retail price: $3500/pr

 

ML-1C Loudspeaker system

4-way bookshelf system has 12" woofer, 8"lower mid, 1-1/2" soft dome upper mid and 2-1/4" tweeter. Contemporary design has walnut finish. Solid wood grille frame with plastic vertical slats having matching walnut laminate. Black grille cloth behind slats. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.

Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz, 1.5kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 26"H, 15"W and 13-1/2"D
Weight: 64lbs.
Sold from: 1970 to 1975
Last retail price: $399.00 each

ML-2C Loudspeaker system

5-way floor system has two 12" woofers, 8" lower-mid, 1-1/2" soft dome mid-mid, 1-1/2" soft dome upper-mid and 2-1/4" tweeter. Contemporary design has walnut finish. Solid wood grille frames with plastic vertical slats having matching walnut laminate. Black grille cloth behind slats. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.

Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz and 7kHz.
Impedance: 8 ohms.
Output: 89dB @1w/1m.
Power rating: 200w.
Size: 29"H, 28-3/8"W and 21-3/8"D. Weight 144 lb.
Sold from: 1971 to 1981.
Last retail price: $799.00 each

ML-2M Loudspeaker system

5-way floor system has two 12" woofers, 8" lower mid, 1-1/2" soft dome mid mid, 1-1/2" soft dome upper mid and 2-1/4" tweeter. Mediterranean design has pecan finish. Gathered curtains on rods behind grilles. Colors of green, red and gold were available. Solid brass decor and handles at the center of the grille. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.

Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 200w
Size: 29"H, 28-3/8"W and 21-3/8"D
Weight: 144 lb.
Sold from: 1971 to 1985
Last retail price: $799.00 each

ML-4C Loudspeaker system

5-way floor system with four 12" woofers, 8" lower mid, two 1-1/2" soft dome mid mids, two 1-1/2" soft dome upper mids and two 2-1/4" tweeters. Contemporary design has walnut finish. Solid wood grille frame with plastic vertical slats having matching walnut laminate. Black grille cloth behind slats. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.

Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 300w
Size: 29"H, 41"W and 21-3/8"D
Weight: 212 lb.
Sold from: 1971 to 1977
Last retail price: $1199.00 each

ML-4M Loudspeaker system

5-way floor system with four 12" woofers, 8" lower mid, two 1-1/2" soft dome mid mids, two 1-1/2" soft dome upper mids and two 2-1/4" tweeters. Mediterranean design has pecan finish. Gathered curtains on rods behind grilles. Colors of green, red and gold were available. Solid brass decor and handles at the center of the grille. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.

Crossover frequencies: 250 Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 300w
Size: 29"H, 41"W and 21-3/8"D
Weight: 212 lb.
Sold from: 1971 to 1973
Last retail price: $1199.00 each

ML-10C Loudspeaker system

3-way bookshelf system with 10" woofer, 1-1/2" soft dome mid and 2-1/4" tweeter. Contemporary design has walnut finish. Solid wood grille frame with plastic vertical slats having matching walnut laminate. Black grille cloth behind slats. Requires the MQ101 or MQ102 equalizer for flat low frequency response.

Crossover frequencies: 1kHz and 7kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w .Size 25"H,
12-13/16"W and 12-5/8"D
Weight: 58 lb.
Sold from: 1973 to 1981
Last retail price: $319.00 each

SL1 Powered subwoofer.

Has 12" LD/HP woofer and built-in McIntosh amplifier. Black ash finish. THX approved. Black grille cloth.

AMPLIFIER: 250w into 4 ohms. Distortion .005%. Hum and noise -115dBA. IHF dynamic headroom 1.1dB. Input sensitivity: THX 0.1V, variable mode 0.4V (9.0V max). Input impedance 15k. Power Guard.

LOUDSPEAKER: Front facing woofer. Response 20-350Hz (THX mode). 12" LD/HP woofer. Magnetic shielding.

FRONT PANEL: Power switch with indicator lights: off or on/standby. High pass frequency control: 50 to 125Hz with labels at 50, 63, 80, 100 and 125Hz. Subwoofer frequency control: 50 to 125Hz with labels at 50, 63, 80, 100 and 125Hz. Level control: 0 to max. Control mode switch: var or THX. Phase switch: 0 or 180.

BACK PANEL: High input barrier strip. R/Mono input connector. Line input. Hi pass output. THX/mono. Power control connectors: in and out. Fuse.

Size: 18-3/4"H, 16-1/2"W and 19"D
Weight: 85 lb.
Sold from: 1997-
Last retail price: $2000 each

SL4 Loudspeaker system

2-way floor system with two 6-1/2" woofers and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. Slim line. Walnut or black ash finish. Magnetic shielding. Black grille cloth.

Crossover frequency: 2400Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 84dB @1w/1m [87dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 150w
Overload protection: none
Size: 41"H, 10"W and 10-1/4"D
Weight: 23 lb.
Sold from: 1995-
Last retail price: $700.00 each

SL6 Loudspeaker system

Three way floor system with two 6" woofers, 6" woofer/midrange and three 1" aluminum dome tweeters. Slim line. THX approved. Walnut or black ash finish. Magnetic shielding. Terminals for biamp/biwire. Black grille cloth.

Crossover frequencies: 200Hz and 1800Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 85dB @1w/1m [88dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 200w
Overload protection: none
Size: 47"H, 12-1/2"W and 10"D
Weight: 55-1/2 lb.
Sold from: 1995-
Last retail price: $1,250.00 each

ST 1 Stereotech Loudspeaker system

2-way bookshelf system with 10" woofer and 2" cone tweeter. Vinyl covered cabinet.

Crossover at 1500 Hz.
Impedance 8 ohms.
Power rating 70w.
Size 23"H, 13"W and
10-11/16"D.
Weight 32 lb.
Manufactured 1975-1981.
Last retail price $169.00 each

 

ST 2 Stereotech Loudspeaker system

3-way bookshelf system with 10" woofer, 5" mid and 1-3/4" tweeter. Vinyl covered cabinet. Mid and tweeter controls.

Mid-range level switch (800 to 3500Hz): Boost, normal and cut
Tweeter level switch (3500 to 20,000Hz): Boost, normal and cut

Crossover frequencies: 600 and 4kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Power rating: 90w
Size: 24-1/2"H, 14"W and
12-5/16"D
Weight: 43 lb.
Sold from: 1975-1978
Last retail price: $234.00 each

ST 3 Stereotech Loudspeaker system

3-way bookshelf system with 12" woofer, 5" mid and 1-3/4" tweeter. Vinyl covered cabinet. Mid and tweeter controls.

Mid-range level switch (600 to 3500Hz): Boost, normal and cut
Tweeter level switch (3500 to 20,000Hz): Boost, normal and cut

Crossover frequencies: 600 and 4kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Power rating: 100w
Size: 26"H, 15"W and 13-5/16"D
Weight: 49 lb.
Sold from: 1975-1978
Last retail price: $269.00

ST 4 Stereotech Loudspeaker system

3-way bookshelf system with 12" woofer, 5"mid and 1-5/8" tweeter. Vinyl covered cabinet. Mid and tweeter controls.

Mid-range level switch (600 to 5000Hz): Boost, normal and cut
Tweeter level switch (5000 to 20,000Hz): Boost, normal and cut

Crossover frequencies: at 600 and 5500 Hz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Power rating: 100w
Size: 28"H, 16-1/2"W and 13-5/16"D
Weight: 56 lb.
Sold from: 1975-1981
Last retail price: $299.00

WS200 Loudspeaker System

2-way wall system has 6" woofer and 1" soft dome tweeter. Mounts in wall. White enamel finish. White grille cloth.

Resetting solid state protection

Crossover frequency: 1300Hz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 86dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 80w
Size:
Weight: 7 lb.
Sold from 1990-1993
Last retail price: $600/pr

WS210 Wall Loudspeaker system

2-way wall system with 5" woofer and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. Mounts in wall.

Crossover frequency: 1800Hz.
Impedance: 4 ohms.
Output: 84dB 1w/1m [87dB @ 2.83v].
Power rating: 150w.
Size: 12-5/8"H and 8-5/8"W.
Weight: 4.9 lb.
Sold from: 1995-.
Last retail price: $550/pr

WS220 Wall Loudspeaker system

2-way wall system with 8" LD/HP woofer with magnetic shielding and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. Mounts in wall. White enamel finish. Sealed enclosure. Resetting solid state protection for tweeter.

Crossover frequency: 2100Hz
Impedance: 4 ohms
Output: 84dB @1w/1m [87dB @ 2.83v]
Power rating: 150w
Size: 17-13/16"H, 15-3/8"W and 3-7/8"D behind wall
Weight: 16 lb.
Sold from: 1990-1993
Last retail price: $1000/pr

XD715 Loudspeaker System

3-way floor system has 10" woofer, 5" mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut veneer cabinet. Black grille cloth.

Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.

Crossover frequencies: at 375Hz and 1kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 86dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 30-1/4"H, 14-3/4"W and
10-1/16"D
Weight: 43 lb.
Sold from: 1986 to 1990
Last retail price: $599.00 each

XD717 Loudspeaker System

3-way floor system has 12" woofer, 6-1/2 mid and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut veneer cabinet. Black grille cloth.

Main and tweeter fuses are located at the back of the cabinet.

Crossover frequencies: at 350Hz and 1kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 87dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 37-3/4"H, 17-1/2"W and
11-13/16"D
Weight: 66 lb.
Sold from: 1986 to 1990
Last retail price: $799.00 each

XE10 Loudspeaker System

2 way bookshelf system has 10" passive radiator, 8" woofer and 1" soft dome tweeter. Walnut vinyl finish cabinet. Black grille cloth. Sold only in Europe. Identical to the XL10 but with slightly different dimensions.

Tweeter fuse is located at the back of the cabinet.

Crossover frequencies: at 90Hz and 1kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms
Output: 89dB @1w/1m
Power rating: 100w
Size: 24.9"H, 12.5"W and 8.9"D.
Weight: 28 lb.
Sold from; 1981-1984
Last retail price:

Changes were made in 1993

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, 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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