A 51” tall, three-way floor-standing point source design, the XR200 utilizes a 19-element midrange/tweeter array that is comprised of twelve 2” high-power, long throw titanium midrange drivers and seven ¾”, tinsel lead, magnetic fluidcooled, titanium dome tweeters. The 19-element array is a proprietary McIntosh design, offering extraordinary clarity, image localization and depth with exceedingly low distortion.
Summary: There is no such a thing as the best speakers in the world but the McIntosh XR290 comes close. Yes I agree with first reviewer that the XR200 is a very good speaker system. But the XR290 tops it by a large margin. I own the XR290 for more than 10 years. I do not have the usual buyer's remorse after they purchased relatively expensive speakers and went round to listen to newer models each year. This is an unending task of comparing newer speaker systems or for that matter newer hifi gears like pre and power amps etc.
Many of my friends don't trust that the McIntosh line of speakers are that good. These they maintain are a far cry from McIntosh's line of pre and power amps of which they excel and are well known for. That beautiful blue and green lights from the front plated glass panels and those captivating meters.
The XR200 and XR290 are excellent speakers. The only negative point is that they are hugh. Excellent in sound reproductions- definitely. These speakers are now collectors' items and are very hard to find today. Those available are badly scratched or dented. So if looks don't matters or if scratches are minor, rush out to buy them.
Comparing with today's state of the art $50K and above speakers, these Mac's can hold up themselves very well. Of course the sound source is very important. Have a very well recorded LP or even CD or SACD and with the appropriate equipments as well as the best interconnects, they sound even better than the latest very high end speakers. Older speaker system are not inferior sounding speakers as are commonly believed. It depends on the quality of "old speakers" of course. A bad sounding old pair of speakers will always sound bad.
The only way to compare speaker systems are prolong listening. Listening requires concentration. Be knowledgeable to hear what you are hearing for. The LP, CD or SACD and supporting equipments must be the same and in the same listening room. Throw out prejudices and try not be influenced by what experts or what the show room people said. Also do not trust just in great brands. Trust in your own listening. Quality of sound/ music is not that easy for the brain/ mind to remember. Therefore comparing speakers side by side is still the real test of all tests.
I once compared the XR200 and XR290 with a currently very well known speaker systems with a price as high as the sky is high. But the XR290 in my opinion and also those in the listening session excelled especially in the very tight and enormous bass, the mids and the highs. Also excels in all the audio labels like height, width, depth and whatsoever people want to further labels.
I had been an audiophile for 45 years. Like everyone else I went through a long learning curve. These McIntosh speakers are very special speakers. Just look out for used pairs and rush out fast to buy them.
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: In a word, the best speakers I've owned in my 40+ years of audio. After selling my McIntosh XRT20s in 1994, I was on a speaker merry go-round and tried over eight different brands during the last 15 years.
During the first 100-200 hrs. or so I was somewhat disappointed; they sounded "dark" and the bass a little "boomy", but after they were broken in, WOW! Finely detailed and probably the most musical speaker I've heard anywhere. Unlike some smaller McIntosh speakers, bass is outstanding and the mid-range is close to perfect (of course, there are no perfect speakers). They are being driven with a McIntosh MC402, tri-wired with Canare 4S11 "star quad" (inexpensive at about $1.00 per foot). Interconnects are Acoustic Zen and Morrow Audio. Highly recommended for those looking for speakers in this price range ($16,000 MSRP).
The McIntosh XR200 is a very good speaker. It is only best by the McIntosh XR290 a giant size speaker system. It's sound signature is approximate the XR200 but perhaps with less well controlled bass.
Older speaker systems are outdated and sounds bad is a myth and a fallacy. A Good pair of speakers would always be good even with the passage of time. there will always be newer speaker systems. It is planned obsolescence in full display. The McIntosh XR200 and XR290 can hold their grounds even when compared to the best of today's speakers. Though the Mac's strength is in pre and power amps, their speaker products are under rated.
Recently I compared these speakers against a $100,000 current speaker system and the panel of experienced audiophiles came out unanimously that the Macs are better speakers in many areas. Call these labels by any hifi terminology depth,width,or height etc, these Macs are better. Cosmetic wise,we admitted that these looks older and dated but sound wise these are very serious speakers and can overwhelm any other speakers. This is my opinion of course. Mint condition used speakers are very hard to come by in the second hand market. If available and if scratches or dents are minor, rush out to buy. However if the speakers components ie bass, mid or high units are damaged, don't buy them as spare parts are limited and sometimes unavailable. I bought mine brand new in 2001. Being an audiophile for 45 years, I take special care when handling my XR290. Many audiophiles are proud and careful owners but sometimes dents and scratches are inevitable through passage of time. Yes I agree with the first reviewer that these speakers by McIntosh are the "best speaker" one can ever own. But there is no such a creature as the best speakers in the world. But some speakers can come very close to that ideal. Don't trust what I say as taste and preference of sound signatures differ among listeners. The above opinions are mine and only mine from my 45 years as an
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
4 of 5
Comments
