McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end[1][2][3] audio equipment headquartered in Binghamton, New York.[4][5] It is a subsidiary of McIntosh Group, which is under the ownership umbrella of Highlander Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm.[6]
The company was co-founded in 1949 by Frank H. McIntosh & Gordon Gow.[7][8][2] McIntosh Labs designs and produces audio amplifiers, stereo tuners, loudspeakers, turntables, music streamers, processors, and various other audio products.[9] Although solid state components are a large segment of the McIntosh line, audio enthusiasts most revere the warm sound of the company's tube amplifiers.[10][11][12] Some of their tube amplifiers rank among the finest ever created for home audio and theater use.[13] Their Unity Coupled Circuit, patented at the brand's inception, is still used today in products like their MC275 amplifier, whose vacuum tubes—used in many of the company's products—help to impart a lifelike warmth and soul to the sound. "McIntosh transformers are hand-wound in house as they've always been" according to McIntosh president, Charlie Randall.[4] Many of the employees working at the Binghamton plant have been with the company for decades and number approximately 170+ as of June, 2022.[14][15]
McIntosh Laboratory revenue was $25 million and $42 million in 2021 and 2022 respectively.[16][17] McIntosh audio products can usually be recognized by their black glass front panels (circa 1960's to present),[18] iconic blue VU meters (circa 1974 to present),[19] and iconic gothic logo.[20][21] Even the Mcintosh factory has a black facade with blue tinted windows to align with the company's trademark theme.[22]
McIntosh system with iconic blue meters
Company history & highlights
Frank H. McIntosh & Gordon Gow co-founded McIntosh in 1949.[7][8] The company was originally located in Silver Spring MD. It moved to Binghamton NY in 1951.
Dave O'Brien joined McIntosh in 1962. He led the McIntosh Amplifier Clinics for the next 29 years. Dave retired on June 11, 1999 after 38 years of service with McIntosh.[23]
In 1965, Mcintosh amps were used to power President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inauguration speech.[24]
McIntosh amplifiers were used at the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969.[26][27] A battery of twenty McIntosh MC3500 tube amplifiers were used to power the JBL speakers at Woodstock for the 400,000+ fans in attendance.[28] Urban legend has it that these amps needed to be cooled by ice on the hot August days so they would not overheat but McIntosh Laboratory Inc President, Charlie Randall, dismissed the tale as folk lore saying "Any ice packed around the amps in the middle of August would have quickly melted and the resulting water would have caused massive issues with the electronics".[29]
On March 23, 1974, the Grateful Dead's "Wall of Sound" debutted at the Cow Palace[30] in Daly City, CA (and then subsequently on other tour locations). It reportedly used forty-eight 600-watt per channel (bridged monoblock) McIntosh model MC2300solid stateamplifiers for a total of 28,800 watts of continuous power to power a speaker system over 100 feet wide and three stories tall.[31][32][24]
In October 1977, Gordon Gow became president and CEO when Mr. McIntosh retired. Mr. McIntosh sold his stock shares to top management and a few dedicated McIntosh investors. He was retained with a salary on a consulting basis. He moved from his home in Endicott, NY to Scottsdale, Arizona[33]
After a long and illustrious history that saw them expand their business around the world, the company began to struggle and was ultimately acquired by Clarion, a large Japanese manufacturer of car stereo gear in 1990 for 28.6 million dollars.[34][35] McIntosh components, particularly the early tube models, are highly regarded in Japan. In a speech shortly after the purchase, Clarion president Yutaka Oyamada told McIntosh employees that "we like McIntosh as it is, and we have no intention of changing what has made it so successful."[36] After the Clarion purchase, McIntosh expanded into car audio and home theater.
In May 2003, Clarion sold McIntosh Laboratory to D&M Holdings also of Japan. The company continued to operate independent engineering, design, and divisions.[37]
Italian years and return to the United States
On October 8, 2012, Fine Sounds SpA of Milan, Italy, announced it had purchased McIntosh.[38] In May 2014, the CEO of Fine Sounds Group, along with the President of McIntosh Labs, led a management buyout of the Fine Sounds Group from its Italian investment firm owner, Quadrivio Investment Group.[39]
Since then, Fine Sounds Group has renamed itself McIntosh Group and relocated from Milan to New York.[40][41] McIntosh Group is a holding company for the brands McIntosh Laboratory, Sonus Faber, Sumiko Phono Cartridges, Fine Sounds Americas, Fine Sounds BeNelux, and Fine Sounds U.K.[42] It has also partnered Sonus Faber with Maserati and partnered McIntosh Audio with Jeep.[43] Jeff Poggi and Charlie Randall were named Co-CEO's in 2017 of McIntosh Group.[44] Daniel Pidgeon is the current CEO of McIntosh Group (since June 2022).[45]
Charlie Randall is the current President of McIntosh Laboratory (since 2001).[7][46][47]
A Dallas-based Private Investment firm, Highlander Partners, acquired McIntosh Group (which includes McIntosh Laboratory) as part of their equity portfolio in June 2022.[6][14]
Other McIntosh facts
Apple and the Apple logo are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Macintosh is a trademark of McIntosh
Laboratory, Inc. and is being used with
express permission of its owner.
Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, reached a settlement agreement with McIntosh president, Gordon Gow, to use the name Macintosh for Apple's start-up personal computer line. Although the brand names have a different spelling, they sounded enough alike when pronounced that the agreement required a placard to be placed on the back of the Macintosh Plus 1MB computer starting in March 1983. In March 1986, Apple gained exclusive license rights to use the Macintosh name for an undisclosed but substantial sum of money.[48][49]
In 2002, McIntosh developed the Harley-Davidson riser mount radio. Sold through Harley dealerships, the radio could be added to many Harley models that lacked mobile audio.[7]
On November 7, 2017, McIntosh founders Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow were posthumously inducted into the Consumer Technology Hall of fame in a ceremony held at the Rainbow room in NY city. This honor is bestowed upon those who have made a significant impact in the technology sector with products and technologies that improve lives around the world.[21][50]
The World of McIntosh Experience Center was a 12,000 square foot, five story townhouse located in the SoHo district of New York. It was open for tours from 2015 to 2021 and was used as a retail showroom for McIntosh, as well as for private events such as movie screenings, art exhibits, and presentations.[51] On September 21st, 2023, an 11,000 square foot townhome labeled The McIntosh House of Sound opened in NYC's Chelsea District. Similar to the World of McIntosh Experience Center, it showcases audio products from McIntosh, Sonus faber, Pro-Ject, Rotel, and Sumiko.[52][53]
MC275 (European version with 220/110 V switch (red)MC240, early version of 1961 (long-exposure)MC2505 solid-state stereo power amplifierMcIntosh MT10 Precision TurntableMA12000 350WPC Hybrid Tube Solid State Integrated AmplifierWoodstock 50th Anniversary MC3500 MkII Tube Mono block Amp
Year
Selected products
1949
50W-1 power amplifier
1950
AE-1 preamplifier
1953
A116 power amplifier, C108 preamplifier
1954
MC30 power amplifier, C4 preamplifier
1957
MR55 AM-FM tuner
1960
MC240 stereo power amplifier
1961
MC275 stereo power amplifier
1962
MX110 Tuner-preamplifier
1963
MR67 tuner
1963
MR71 tuner
1964
C24 preamplifier
1965
MC250 solid state power amplifier, MAC1500 receiver
1967
MC2100, MC2105, MC2505 solid state power amplifiers
01/04/2023 MC451 Dual Mono Power Amplifier named CES 2023 "Innovation Award Honoree".[102]
01/17/2023 MA8950 Stereo Amplifier receives "Editor's Choice" Award for Best High End Stereo Amp from AVS forums.[103]
01/26/2023 MHA200 Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier wins AVS "Editor's Choice" award for Best High-End Hi=Fi Product 2022.[104]
03/23/2023 MX123 and MC257 win Robb Report Best Home Theater A/V Processor and Amplifier [105]
05/14/2023 C12000 Solid State & Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and the MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifier MkII named Stereo Pre-power Amplifiers of the Year by What Hi-Fi Magazine. [106]
Today Mark Levinson,[107]PS Audio, Audio Research, Jeff Rowland, Manley Laboratories, Accuphase, Allnic Audio, MBL, McGary, Naim Audio, Anthem, Adcom, Emotiva, Trinnov, Integra, Marantz, NAD Electronics, Scientific Audio Electronics (SAE), Hegel, Immersive Audio Technologies (StormAudio), Bryston Audio,[108]Krell Industries, Parasound[109] and Dan D'agostino[110] are examples of modern-day high end audio products that compete with McIntosh.[111]
For the present day historical audio collector, McIntosh is the most valued when measured by marketplace prices. “After 66 years in business, McIntosh is the rock of the high end. Their products are always competitive in terms of sound quality, they're generally of above-average reliability, and their resale value is among the best in the business” as quoted by Jeff Fritz of SoundStage! Ultra publications.[112][113]
Car audio
Mcintosh MX 950 Reference sound system shown in a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve model..19 speakers 950 watts with 10" subwoofer
In the late 90's and early 2000's, a few vehicles were available from the factory with McIntosh sound systems, including BMW,[24]Subaru Legacy and Outback models (starting from the BH & BE Legacy chassis) as well as the 100th Anniversary 2005–2006 Ford GT.[114][115]
Past production vehicles included a CD changer, CD changer/AM/FM controller, and an external DAC.
Unique features such as the Fast Responding Wattmeter and the patented Power Guard circuitry set their amplifiers apart from others' products; various models were available offering from 75 to 2,000 watts, divided amongst one to six channels. High quality power supplies, powerful circuit topologies, and balanced inputs completed each amplifier.
At the end of the chain used to lie their hand-built drivers, which came in standard 5+1⁄4-inch and 6+1⁄2-inch nominal sizes. All applicable car products were finished with McIntosh's signature glass plate displays.
McIntosh car audio has made a comeback in recent years as it has just recently been added to their current catalog.
On September 3, 2020 McIntosh's first ever automotive Reference system was recently announced by Jeep with its return to American luxury SUVs with the Grand Wagoneer concept.[116][117] The McIntosh MX1375 Reference Entertainment System and MX950 Entertainment System are available as factory-installed systems in the Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Jeep Grand Cherokee respectively, starting with the 2022 model year.[118] McIntosh is offered as an upgrade in certain models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L (three row SUV WL platform) starting with the 2021 model year (one year earlier than the Wagoneer or GC model debut)[119]
Marine audio
McIntosh recently collaborated with Wally Yachts of Milan Italy[120] to offer an historic milestone at the company. It marks the first time McIntosh systems have been used in a marine environment.[121]
