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Mcintosh car audio?

Audi0

Audi0

Super Member
Went to the local auto wrecker and found this plus the matching amp. It was in the subaru they just dropped on the lot. As I didnt have a working stereo in my jeep and I always wanted a McIntosh I sort of accidentally bought it.

Anybody have any any experience with mcintosh car audio?

The CD player is finicky however it works. Not so sure about the sound. It just sounds alright at best. Maybe I should go grab the McIntosh speakers that I didnt take. Maybe there calibrated for the amp? Should I just RIP it all out and put in a standard aftermarket kenwood?
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That stuff is from the days when Clarion own Mac. They started slapping the name on car audio gear for a few years before they sold Mac. I've never heard anybody describe it as anything special.
 
It was only $30 for the head unit plus amp. So peanuts in the grand scheme of car audio.
Chances are I will take it out and pass it on to someone else.

I wouldn't go singing high praises about it. The cool factor is it looks like a mini Macintosh if you were to add wood sides.
Then again I guess I could brag I have mcintosh audio system in my jeep.
 
In it's time it was a very good system. IIRC it had a pretty good DAC and was pretty flexible with regards to adding amps and subs and such.
 
You should go back and get every single item that has the Mc label on it. Even if it doesn't suit your taste, someone will want it.
 
PabloX said:
What country are you in? Subaru definitely used McIntosh branded head units in markets other than the US, but I never saw one in a US market subaru
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From canada. 2001 subaru outback VDC is what I pulled it out of.

Im thinking the setup is reliant on a non adjustable crossover so it needs a sub.
Will go back there and pull the speakers if it's still there. The foam surrounds were shot though.

The unadjustable 6 band eq looks like it's made for subaru car parameters. If I were to ditch the amp with a aftermarket one that may solve a slew of issues.

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As far as factory installed systems go, it's probably pretty sweet sounding if you have the whole system.
 
Yeah I know right? It made it super easy splicing it into my jeep. Compared to reading a service manual to figure out what wire does what.
 
What I managed to rescue. Missing the front woofers as they were replaced with some kenwoods. I suspect due to foam rot.

2x front tweeter
2x rear coaxial
1x rear sub woofer
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Was Involved with "SQ" or sound quality focused car audio for a while. However currently I haven't had an aftermarket car stereo in 8 years. People sought out those subbie McIntosh headunits.
I remember seeing a Michael Jackson interview once where he showed off his all McIntosh limo. So yes they were involved.
 
Do you need crossovers for the tweeters? Maybe they were in the doors somewhere?
Should be pretty decent if the amp is all ok. Just need a set of decent midrange drivers for the front or skip having rear speakers and run the coax's up front with no door tweeters.
 
Atypical cap just to protect the tweeter. No crossover that I could see.

Besides that I cant use any of the 6.5 inch drivers in my jeep. It will only take 6×4 and 4'.
I can use the 6×9 sub if I get a box for it. The grille cant fit either due to weird spacing. The Subaru had a large MDF overhang on top of the woofer. So the hole was a solid .5 inch smaller then the woofer.
 
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