McIntosh XRT20 Floorstanding Speakers Reviews

Price Paid:  $4000.00 from audiclassics

Summary:
years after my reviews the detail problem was not in the speakers but was the mc 2205 amp the 2255 makes a big difference in sound the new mac amps are even better the double balanced ones i still believe in these old speakers i woudnt consider anything unless they were another linesource type speakers roger russel has a new linesource they must be awesome if youve never heard these before sucks to be you ive heard many so called high end speakers lately wheres the bass or efficiency two traits that are opposed to each other these speakers are classics dynamic range i suspect most audiophles have never heard the xrt20 have it in spades roger russell is a super genius theres more to sound than accuracy but then again if a speaker is acurate and still sound bad i dont need acc. dont fool yourself the xrt20 are very accurate i was almost fooled i tried too fool myself needed new amp i call protection mode we like to believe our gear is good enough its cheaper that way but whats more important money or pleasure

Strengths:
imaging dynamic range smouth they sound real

Weaknesses:
big but if you have the room that could be a strenght

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The XRT20s exhibit awesome imagining and a well-defined sound stage. They were designed in the late 70s using a column of 24 soft dome tweeters in conjunction with a cabinet containing an 8" midrange and a pair of 12" woofers. The paper cones provide a soft natural and well detailed sound. This approach may not satisify those searching for bright metallic sounding highs, airy midrange and the thump of newer designed subs. The XRT20s are very capable of showcasing almost any stereo system. They will require a serious power amplifier such as a McIntosh MC2500 or larger for optimum performance. Very comfortable listening can be achieved with less than 1 watt. Rated at 300 and fused for protection they a capable of creating lease breaking sound levels.

Strengths:
Natural non colored sound Clean highs Awesome imagining and sound stage Real wood cabinents McIntosh quality and support Value

Weaknesses:
Size and weight May require amp upgrade for optimun performance Foam speaker surrounds may require replacement after 12 to 15 years. (typical for 70s and 80s speakers) Tweeter placement some what critical. This may be my fault due to lack of room. Over all very forgiving.

Similar Products Used:
Focal, Polk and various McIntosh speakers McIntosh MC1000s amplifiers McIntosh MX130 preamp

Price Paid:  $4000.00 from audio classics N.Y.

Summary:
These speakers have 24tweeters per side
2x12 inch woofers and an 8 inch midrange in
a separate bass module.These speakers sound
best placed against the back wall this way
they only stick out 12.5 inches,while they
take up lots of width they really don`t
take much space.

These speakers patents is called stereo
speaker system for creating stereo images.
And do these speakers image,not only do
they have good width and depth they also
get the height properly and that the height
that is is very hard to find in speakers.

one of the things i like doing is to sit
some unsuspecting friends in the sweet spot
play something that starts say with an
acoustic guitar at full power and wait till
it kicks in, the looks and expressions i`ve
gotten over the years was worth the price
of admission

Strengths:
will handle lots of power even at 20khz but
sound real sweet at 1 watt orless

Weaknesses:
takes up a lot of floor space 45 inches
lack a little bit in detail on voices but
that could be my room,the tweeter columns
sit in the corner of the room mac does not
recommend you do this,but to place the bass
bins in the corner affects the bass too
much,need a bigger room

Similar Products Used:
MACml4c,xrt
18`s,xr240`s,mc2205,mcd7007,mr78,mr65b,c37,
c28,c26,marantz model 150w/scope

Price Paid:  $4000.00 from audio classics N.Y.

Summary:
These speakers have 24tweeters per side 2x12 inch woofers and an 8 inch midrange in a separate bass module.These speakers sound best placed against the back wall this way they only stick out 12.5 inches,while they take up lots of width they really don`t take much space. These speakers patents is called stereo speaker system for creating stereo images. And do these speakers image,not only do they have good width and depth they also get the height properly and that the height that is is very hard to find in speakers. one of the things i like doing is to sit some unsuspecting friends in the sweet spot play something that starts say with an acoustic guitar at full power and wait till it kicks in, the looks and expressions i`ve gotten over the years was worth the price of admission

Strengths:
will handle lots of power even at 20khz but sound real sweet at 1 watt orless

Weaknesses:
takes up a lot of floor space 45 inches lack a little bit in detail on voices but that could be my room,the tweeter columns sit in the corner of the room mac does not recommend you do this,but to place the bass bins in the corner affects the bass too much,need a bigger room

Similar Products Used:
MACml4c,xrt 18`s,xr240`s,mc2205,mcd7007,mr78,mr65b,c37,c28,c26,marantz model 150w/scope