Price Paid:  $4600.00 from Audio Classics, Vest

Summary:
This is undoubtedly the best speaker system I have ever owned. The sound is best described as transparent with outstanding stereo imaging thanks to the high frequency line source equivalent (23 tweeters). Frequencies below approximately 1500 Hz are handled by a separate "bass cabinet" containing two 12" woofers and an 8" mid-range. The woofers cross over to the mid at a very low 100 - 250 Hz; they will rattle the windows when the music call for it - no subwoofers needed here!! This is one of the last systems manufactured by McIntosh before the Clarion buyout; they were discontinued in 1993 and replaced by the vastly inferior XRT26 (with shiny black rubber surround woofers, aluminum dome tweeters and "tinny" sound).

Strengths:
Sonic transparency, wide-range flat response and superior stereo imaging.

Weaknesses:
These are big, heavy speakers. Each bass cabinet is about 24" wide by 15" deep by 40" high and weighs 100 lbs. The associated tweeter panel is 79" high by 10" wide by 1.75" deep, weighs 65 lbs. and is designed to be hung on a wall adjacent (8"-12" away) from its associated bass cabinet.

Similar Products Used:
Replaced a pair of Acoustic Research (AR) Model LST.