Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
XCS1.5K
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Power Rating: 1,500 Watts
- Frequency Response: 32Hz - 20kHz
- Sound Pressure Level, 2.8V/1m: 88dB
- Crossover: 150Hz, 500Hz, 3kHz
- Number of Woofers: 4
- Woofer Size: 8"
- Woofer Type: Long Throw Carbon Fiber Sandwich Cone
- Number of Midranges: 14
- Midrange Size: 2.5"
- Midrange Type: Aluminum Dome
- Number of Tweeters: 25
- Tweeter Size: 3/4"
- Tweeter Type: Aluminum Dome
- System Type: Ported 3 and 4-Way Center Channel
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D): 49-31/32" (126.92cm) x 17-3/16" (43.66cm) (including feet) x 21-7/32" (53.9cm)
- Unit Weight: 178 lbs (80.74 kg)
- Shipping Weight: 218 lbs (98.9 kg)
Description
The XCS1.5K Center Channel Loudspeaker is an important piece of the puzzle to create a cinematic, immersive experience in a home theater system that uses our XRT2.1K or XRT1.1K Floor Standing Loudspeakers as the front left and front right speakers. The center channel speaker is a critical component in any home cinema system as a vast majority of dialog and other key sounds in a movie or television show emanate from the center speaker – thus making it essential that it produces a high quality, clear sound.
The XCS1.5K Center Channel Loudspeaker is an important piece of the puzzle to create a cinematic, immersive experience in a home theater system that uses our XRT2.1K or XRT1.1K Floor Standing Loudspeakers as the front left and front right speakers. The center channel speaker is a critical component in any home cinema system as a vast majority of dialog and other key sounds in a movie or television show emanate from the center speaker – thus making it essential that it produces a high quality, clear sound. The XCS1.5K has been meticulously engineered for this exact purpose.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- McIntosh products blend classic, retro aesthetics, reminiscent of their 1970s designs, with modern materials and cutting-edge internal components, offering a unique visual appeal.
- The brand's amplifiers are known for their substantial power output, often exceeding specifications, and their ability to drive a wide range of speakers across varying impedance levels due to their unique Autoformer technology.
- McIntosh offers a high degree of customization and control through features like multi-band equalizers, adjustable input sensitivity, and advanced settings accessible via dedicated apps or web interfaces.
- They distinguish themselves with a focus on long-term reliability and customer satisfaction, with products built to last for decades and supported by a dedicated dealer network.
Select products
Select product comparisons
MHT300
- Positioning: Positioned as a versatile home theater receiver in McIntosh's lineup, suitable for custom installations or standalone display.
- Description: Supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video, making it ideal for modern home theaters. Unlike other McIntosh products, it offers 7.2 channel audio with expandability to 7.2.4, providing flexibility for future upgrades. This makes it perfect for users looking to integrate advanced video capabilities and immersive audio in a custom home theater setup.
MHA200
- Positioning: A compact, high-quality headphone amplifier designed for personal audio enthusiasts.
- Description: Uses vacuum tube amplification, delivering a warm and detailed sound that is distinct from solid-state amplifiers like the MC462. Its compact size and multiple impedance settings make it versatile for various headphone types.
MC462
- Positioning: A powerful stereo amplifier, offering robust performance for high-end home audio systems.
- Description: Features a Quad Balanced design with McIntosh Autoformers, providing 450 Watts per channel with low distortion. Compared to the MC1502, it offers a solid-state solution with increased dynamic headroom.
MC1502
- Positioning: A high-power vacuum tube amplifier, ideal for audiophiles seeking classic tube sound.
- Description: Delivers 150 Watts per channel using vacuum tubes, offering a rich, warm sound that contrasts with the solid-state clarity of the MC462. Its Unity Coupled Circuit ensures consistent performance across various speaker impedances.
MC901
- Positioning: A unique dual mono amplifier, combining both vacuum tube and solid-state technologies.
- Description: Integrates a 300 Watt vacuum tube amplifier with a 600 Watt solid-state amplifier, providing the best of both worlds for bi-amping loudspeakers. This hybrid approach is unlike any other McIntosh product.
MC21KW
- Positioning: A flagship monoblock amplifier, representing the pinnacle of McIntosh's power amplification.
- Description: Delivers 2,000 Watts of power, making it suitable for the most demanding audio setups. Its tri-chassis design and advanced technologies like Autoformer and Power Guard set it apart from other amplifiers.
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Avg. Product Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used For Sale
543
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
2
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
77
Founding Year
1949
Our take on the brand
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
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