MCINTOSH RS150 AND MCINTOSH RS250 WIRELESS SPEAKERS LAUNCHED

McIntosh has launched the new McIntosh RS150 Wireless Loudspeaker and McIntosh RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System.

The McIntosh RS150 is a compact wireless speaker and the McIntosh RS250 is the brand’s most advanced and powerful home audio wireless speaker system to date.

McIntosh McIntosh RS250 Wireless Speaker system

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

Both the mono RS150 and stereo RS250 are stand-alone, complete wireless speaker solutions. The new models do not require a dedicated control app. Rather, each feature a variety of built-in streaming “cast-to” technologies including Spotify® Connect, TIDAL® Connect, Apple® AirPlay® 2, Bluetooth®, Chromecast, and Roon Ready allowing users to easily stream from their smart devices.

MCINTOSH RS150 WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER

The RS150 is an entry-level to the experience of McIntosh’s sound and performance standards built in a moderate size that can fit in almost any home listening setting. It is an updated version of the RS100, replacing the predeceasing unit with double the power output (from 60 Watts total power to 120 Watts total power) . It directly connects to popular streaming apps that use compatible casting technologies. The Woofer is enlarged from a 4″ to 5-1/4″ diameter driver, 90 Watts of power and a larger, re-engineered enclosure resulting in higher output with lower distortion and deeper bass extension. There are easily removable speaker grille if the user prefers to expose the woofer and tweeter. Bass control has also been added to fine-tune the low-end performance based on unique room characteristics and listening preferences. The design resembles the traditional McIntosh aesthetic, with a glass front panel on the lower section of the speaker.

McIntosh RS150 front and back

MCINTOSH RS250 WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

The McIntosh RS250 includes virtually everything needed to enjoy music streaming from any device and features turntable connectivity via the dedicated phono input. There is the ability to connect to television via an audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) input. It offers 650 Watts of total power that is delivered to two 4″ x 6″ woofers, four 2″ midranges, and two ¾” tweeters. The midranges and tweeters are front-firing, while the woofers are down-firing with the sound emanating from under the main chassis just above the base plate. The woofer enclosure has been reengineered to reduce distortion with improved bass control to fine tune the low-end performance. To enhance low frequencies even more, it can be connected to an external powered subwoofer.

McIntosh RS250 front and back views

To enjoy non-streaming music, the RS250 has an optical input to connect digital sources and a 3.5mm AUX input for connecting other music sources. There is also a ¼” headphone jack on the front panel permits personal listening. Both the McIntosh RS150 and RS250 are compatible with TIDAL HiFi’s Hi-Res playback of 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution digital music files and with their built-in high-resolution streaming capabilities, both are Roon Ready endpoint devices.

They use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for both the high bitrate Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard as well as Qualcomm® aptX™ HD for hi res audio playback, and Qualcomm aptX Low Latency for improved synching between audio and video. They both include a wired ethernet port while also supporting Wi-Fi protocols a, b, g, n, and ac. And the units are Google Assistant compatible for voice control

The McIntosh RS250 wireless system

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Orders for the RS150 and RS250 can now be placed. Shipping to the United States and Canada is expected to begin in December 2021 for RS150, and January 2022 for RS250. Shipping to the rest of the world will follow shortly thereafter for each product.

UK availability and pricing is TBC, we will have information on this soon from McIntosh’s UK distributor, Fine Sounds UK.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded):

RS150: $1,200 USD

RS250: $3,000 USD

HiFi Pig Says: Either a first step into the McIntosh universe or a bedroom/office system idea for McIntosh fans.

Get all the latest Hifi News with Hifi Pig here!