• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

McIntosh 4100 speaker recommendations please

tk1769

tk1769

Member
Second post here, thank you for the reply's to my previous post, and thank you in advance for this post! :D

So I have been spending a lot of quality time with my MAC 4100 receiver...I do like the sound (albeit quite a bit different then the Marantz it replaced). My question (as the title states) is what speaker recommendations would you experts have for this receiver?

Currently I am using two sets of speakers; Acoustic Research AR-2ax and Jamo J-72...the Jamo's sound ok, I am not very happy with the AR's. I do feel that currently the speakers are the 'weak link' in my system, and would like to hear from some of you.

Here are a few details that may help with your responses:
  • The room is treated (first reflection and some other minor treatments), and is approximately 12' x 14'
  • I use this system mostly for vinyl, although I am starting to look at reel-to-reel (in the distant future)
  • I listen to most types of music (rock, jazz, classical, blues, punk, folk, etc.) which will make it hard to find 'THE perfect speaker'
  • Open to the idea of getting a couple (few?) sets if needed, although 'all-around good' sounds appealing as my budget is far from unlimited
  • There is a preference to stay with 'vintage gear' as I have a modern studio also...this is definitely something I would prefer to do but not going to draw a line in the sand if modern speakers are a better choice...again I am here to learn from the best! :)
Thank you all, I look forward to hearing from you! :D
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
A room of that size makes for some challenging accoustical issues, the room nodes can reinforce each other,mostly in the 60 to 360 hz range,making for a real challenge.

I believe that any speaker that can reproduce a live accoustic event, whether a accoustic guitar or cello, can accurately produce any music. There are some speakers that can only reproduce another speaker accurately so they might do well with a electric guitar or synthesizer but fail with non electronic intstruments.

The receiver has the capability of driving just about any speaker load so that will not be your limiting factor, it will be your room.

Back when the MAC4100 was new I would have used a pair of McIntosh XR14s along with a MQ104 equalizer. I would have tried to place the speakers flanking the visual highlight of the room, fireplace, picture window, artwork etc. and try to keep each speaker at least 3 feet from the room corners. The Mac environmental EQ would then let me smooth out the room aberrations.

Since such room EQ is now like proper turntable setup, that is a lost and declining art you could still use a pair of 14s or look into a set of ADS 1090s, B&W 804s or other such small towers. Room placement will be critical.

Lastly making use of a more modern design style, a good satellite sub system might let you position the satellites where they image best and then you can position the sub where it least excites the room nodes. As is often the case in life the best image location might be the worst bass position in your room for speaker placement.
 
For a modern suggestion, I'm using KEF LS50's in a similar sized room, carpeted room with my 4100. No problem filling my room with quality sound. No need for a subwoofer if you were wondering.
 
DCM Timeframes TF1000s mirror very well in my 12x 18 work out room driven by a Mac 1900. There are various TF sizes and certainly vintage. I tried small JBLs L20s and AR2ax too (these sound better on my more powerful MC amps). As always depends on your tastes. You may want to have the AR's checked for usual tweeter and LPad issues. Good luck!
 
Those 2ax's should sound great with the 4100. Have they been restored?

I used AR 3's and 3a's when I had a 4100, also KLH Model Six's. All sounded terrific. A great receiver with a lot of power, I can't see how any speaker wouldn't sound good with it.
 
sberger said:
Those 2ax's should sound great with the 4100. Have they been restored?

I used AR 3's and 3a's when I had a 4100, also KLH Model Six's. All sounded terrific. A great receiver with a lot of power, I can't see how any speaker wouldn't sound good with it.
Click to expand...

I do not know if the speakers have been restored, I would assume they haven't been and that is the reason they don't sound good.
 
damacman said:
Polk Monitor 5, 7, or 10b.

B&W DM anything.

Altec Model 14.

Klipsch Heresy / Heresy II.

All are common enough on the used market.
Click to expand...

Thank you, any reason why you recommend these (specific characteristics, etc.) for this receiver and room?
 
c_dk said:
A room of that size makes for some challenging accoustical issues, the room nodes can reinforce each other,mostly in the 60 to 360 hz range,making for a real challenge.

I believe that any speaker that can reproduce a live accoustic event, whether a accoustic guitar or cello, can accurately produce any music. There are some speakers that can only reproduce another speaker accurately so they might do well with a electric guitar or synthesizer but fail with non electronic intstruments.

The receiver has the capability of driving just about any speaker load so that will not be your limiting factor, it will be your room.

Back when the MAC4100 was new I would have used a pair of McIntosh XR14s along with a MQ104 equalizer. I would have tried to place the speakers flanking the visual highlight of the room, fireplace, picture window, artwork etc. and try to keep each speaker at least 3 feet from the room corners. The Mac environmental EQ would then let me smooth out the room aberrations.

Since such room EQ is now like proper turntable setup, that is a lost and declining art you could still use a pair of 14s or look into a set of ADS 1090s, B&W 804s or other such small towers. Room placement will be critical.

Lastly making use of a more modern design style, a good satellite sub system might let you position the satellites where they image best and then you can position the sub where it least excites the room nodes. As is often the case in life the best image location might be the worst bass position in your room for speaker placement.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your detailed response, and you are spot on with your assessment of a 60 hz overload...I have done some treatment to help with this, but there are a couple areas where it is unavoidable.

There are some xr14s available locally here, I will see if I can work a deal as local is always better than not. I do have a satellite/sub system in my modern system, I have tried it with my vintage system and although it works ok I would still prefer to run this system as 'simple' as possible (along with keeping it proper vintage).

Thanks again for the information! :)
 
tk1769 said:
I do not know if the speakers have been restored, I would assume they haven't been and that is the reason they don't sound good.
Click to expand...

That's my point. With new caps those speakers would be a perfect match for the 4100.
 
MarZutra said:
For a vintage suggestion, there is a pair of Epi M400 on the used (No affiliation) in BC for peanuts. Original owner. Might need foam but very capable speakers. If they were on the used nearby they'd be sitting next to my M1000.

For fairly modern, you can't go wrong with Kef, Thiel or Vandersteen. Good luck!!
Click to expand...

Thank you, a little too far away for me too unfortunately ;)
 
jbailey930 said:
DCM Timeframes TF1000s mirror very well in my 12x 18 work out room driven by a Mac 1900. There are various TF sizes and certainly vintage. I tried small JBLs L20s and AR2ax too (these sound better on my more powerful MC amps). As always depends on your tastes. You may want to have the AR's checked for usual tweeter and LPad issues. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will take a look at the AR's to see if I have an issue there.
 
The XR14s were the sweet spot for the McIntosh speaker lineup for smaller rooms back when the MAC4100 was a new product. They will go down to 20 Hz with the Mac eq with a minimum amount of bass boost in that size room. They will excite the room nodes and no treatment including bass traps are really effective.With a MQ104/107 you can then go into the parametric and pull down the excited bass nodes. In my half again bigger room the speaker just to the right of the fireplace, 2 feet from a corner, needs a boost of 2 on the Mac EQ, the LH speaker needs a setting of 3 but it is half way down the wall. Watch out for the metal mesh covered mid dome in the XR speakers.......they rattle or outright fail if the previous owner clipped his amp excessively.

I have a soft spot for small towers, the speaker stand is built in. I have tried them all it seems over the last 38 years, but in reality it has only been a few dozen. When you are the guy that determines what goes on the sales floor the reps will throw everything at you to "try out".
 
c_dk said:
The XR14s were the sweet spot for the McIntosh speaker lineup for smaller rooms back when the MAC4100 was a new product. They will go down to 20 Hz with the Mac eq with a minimum amount of bass boost in that size room. They will excite the room nodes and no treatment including bass traps are really effective.With a MQ104/107 you can then go into the parametric and pull down the excited bass nodes. In my half again bigger room the speaker just to the right of the fireplace, 2 feet from a corner, needs a boost of 2 on the Mac EQ, the LH speaker needs a setting of 3 but it is half way down the wall. Watch out for the metal mesh covered mid dome in the XR speakers.......they rattle or outright fail if the previous owner clipped his amp excessively.

I have a soft spot for small towers, the speaker stand is built in. I have tried them all it seems over the last 38 years, but in reality it has only been a few dozen. When you are the guy that determines what goes on the sales floor the reps will throw everything at you to "try out".
Click to expand...

Excellent, thank you!
 
For a room of that size with 75-100 watts, an the music you like, you should get a three way speaker with an 8 - 10 inch woofer. In addition to the excellent suggestions already given, I recommend ADS 710, 780, 810, or 880 and Infinity Qb, or RSb.
 
chef free said:
For a room of that size with 75-100 watts, an the music you like, you should get a three way speaker with an 8 - 10 inch woofer. In addition to the excellent suggestions already given, I recommend ADS 710, 780, 810, or 880 and Infinity Qb, or RSb.
Click to expand...

thank you :thumbsup:
 
One advantage of floor speakers is that distance between LF drivers and the floor surface is calculated into the design, thus allowing bass response that is known and predictable. With bookshelf designs, the engineer has no real way of knowing how the speakers will be placed therefore must make certain compromises.

Varying distances to floor can have dramatic effects on bass response.
 
My 2 favorite pair of speakers hooked to my MAC 4200 are the Yamaha NS-690II and JBL 4312A. I actually think I like the Yamaha's teamed up with it better. I think you would really like a pair of Boston Acoustic A150 for you size room. the Boston's are skinny and made to perform best against a wall. They will fill up your room. Have fun!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom