McIntosh Laboratory Debuts Academy Loudspeaker Line Of Seven New Loudspeaker Systems

11-Sep-00

McIntosh Laboratory introduced seven Academy Series Loudspeakers at CEDIA EXPO 2000. These mark the first significant speaker introductions from the company since 1995, and the largest number of models ever introduced by the company at one time.""We are extremely pleased to be able to bring this new loudspeaker line to market at this time,"" says Graham Hallett, company President. ""We felt it wasnít enough to deliver models that just sounded good. In order to succeed in the market today, you need great performance, great looks and an overall long-term commitment to the category. Weíve made that commitment and now our customers arguably the most discriminating and demanding in the world can have what they demand."" The 2000 Academy LineupThe LS360 ($7,000 per pair, manufacturerís suggested retail price) is a three-way, 50-inch high flagship tower speaker comprised of eight McIntosh patented LD/HPô drivers, two 10-inch ported woofers, one 8-inch midrange and five tweeters in a Bessel Function Array. The LS340 ($5,000 per pair MSRP) is a three-way, 41-inch high tower speaker comprised of two LD/HP 8-inch ported woofers, one LD/HP 6.5-inch midrange and a 1-inch tweeter. The LS320 ($2,000 per pair MSRP) is a full range an 8-inch two-way bookshelf speaker that features an 8-inch LD/HP woofer and 1-inch LD/HP tweeter. The LS320 and all of its LS family are stated to be capable of enormous power handling.The three-way CS350 ($2,500 each MSRP) is designed as a L/C/R model or as a center channel with any of the LS models. The CS350 contains two 6.5-inch LD/HP bass drivers, a 4-inch LD/HP midrange and the same five-tweeter array as the reference LS360. A stabilizer bar allows the CS350 to be mounted above a video screen and angled downward.The PS112 ($2,500 each MSRP) is a powered subwoofer with a ported 12-inch long-throw driver and 400 watts of power and distortion protection. The sub also features crossover and level controls, along with user choice of triggered hard-wired or music turn-on. The two-way WS320 ($1,000 each MSRP) full-range in-wall speaker includes a deep-drawn aluminum back enclosure. The enclosure also contains back wave energy, said to result in minimal sound transmission into adjoining rooms. The WS320 is comprised of a 1-inch LD/HP tweeter and 8-inch LD/HP woofer. Dimensions are 24 (H) x 14 (W) x 4 (D) inches. The HT5 ($800 each MSRP) is an affordable L/C/R/S speaker system that performs equally well on a speaker stand, in a custom cabinet or as a surround effects speaker mounted on the wall. The two-way sealed design has two 6.5-inch LD/HP bass drivers, a 1-inch black anodized aluminum dome tweeter, and is only 8.5 inches deep.DetailsAll McIntosh Academy loudspeakers share a family industrial design. The arched bridge cabinet design of the LS, CS and PS models features rigid internal trusses, which the company says is inspired by one of the strongest geometric shapes (i.e. dams, bridges, cathedrals etc.) McIntosh also states that the laminated cabinet sides allow large diameter drivers to be placed in a cabinet that large in volume and minimal in foot print and perceived size. The cabinetís non-parallel design is said to eliminate standing wave resonance.Common to the LS, CS and HT designs is a special tweeter mounting and crossover technique that is claimed to minimize ""edge hole"" effects, characterized by a dramatic dip in high frequency response as a result of a symmetrical mounting location for the tweeter. Additional high frequency improvements are claimed for the LS340 and LS320 through the use of a special beveled black glass tweeter baffle. The flagship LS360 and matching CS350 center channel employ a five-tweeter Bessel function array. Through a unique wiring and crossover scheme, the five tweeters' amplitude and phase relationships are said to be adjusted so that the array acts as a single point source. The advantage claimed for such an arrangement is a very smooth and even polar response, as well as reduced dynamic compression and increased power handling at all frequencies. Flared bass ports in the LS360 and LS340 and PS112 models are designed to reduce the normally noisy output inherent in competitive models. A mounting foot system allows the tower models to be fitted with either extruded aluminum brackets that move the center of the feet outward for greater stability or with provided ""tiptoes"" that help decouple the speaker from the floor. All models include gold-plated binding posts, and the LS340 and 360 can be bi-wired and bi-amped for the ultimate in performance.FinishesThree finishes are offered for the LS, CS and PS models - natural cherry, red cherry or black ash. The HT-5 is available in black ash, and the WS320 comes with a paintable primer white finish.For more information, visit www.mcintoshlabs.com.

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