McIntosh xr Speakers

[Sookie30]

I have a pair of both the xr18 and xr22 McIntosh speakers. Just for fun, would anyone offer ideas on if these could be set up together? I was thinking of putting the base cabinet of the xr 18 on top of the xr 22. Trying to almost recreate xr290s. I have a mc2500 and mc7300 that could run these separately as well as a C34V pre amp.‍

 

[Dswankey]

I have a pair of both the xr18 and xr22 McIntosh speakers. Just for fun, would anyone offer ideas on if these could be set up together? ..I have a mc2500 and mc7300 that could run these separately as well as a C34V pre amp.‍

I'm assuming so however I would consult the OEM McIntosh owner manuals as to how to.

http://akdatabase.org/AKview/albums/userpics/10004/C34-V%20Quick.pdf

http://akdatabase.org/AKview/albums/userpics/10004/C34-V%20Owners.pdf

Also for future reference there is a dedicated McIntosh forum where you can interact with other McIntosh enthusiasts

McIntosh Audio

A tradition of excellence

www.audiokarma.org

 

[w3jn]

Try it and see how it sounds. You'll have to use separate amps for each set of speakers.

Pretty hard to improve on XRT-22s though! You're fortunate to have them.... I run a set with a MC2500 myself.

 

[Bill Ferris]

I have a pair of both the xr18 and xr22 McIntosh speakers. Just for fun, would anyone offer ideas on if these could be set up together? I was thinking of putting the base cabinet of the xr 18 on top of the xr 22. Trying to almost recreate xr290s. I have a mc2500 and mc7300 that could run these separately as well as a C34V pre amp.‍

XR ?
You mean "XRT-18 and XRT-22" ?!
I purchased new and owned the 22s from early 1990 until late 2003. and the 18s from 1992 to present.
I ended up bi-amplifying the living room sited 22s about a yr. later after listening to them.
And felt they could benefit from a couple of L/R placed Velodyne ULD-15 400 watt servo powered subwoofers a few yrs. later after bi-amp`g them.
My 18s reside in my master bedroom`s system and been providing me with excellent sound since installation, with only a replacement of the woofers/midrange surrounds after nearly thirty yrs. of daily service.
The 2 Velodyne powered subwoofers now assist them for improving their, IMO/E weak bottom octave.

I never had the inclination to feel the desire to try to combine those two speaker systems in my living room, as they delivered very satisfying sound individually as configured in their respective environments.

Remember if you attempt to use the XRT-18s bass/mid cabinets without plugging in the 18s tweeter array, the 18`s crossover`s mid/bass turnover points performance will be altered without the HF arrays impedance present, unless you substitute a ~20 watt 8 ohm resistor plugged into the 18`s tweeter DIN connector to properly load the crossover, as I had to do when I electronic/actively bi-amp`d my XRT-22s.

Good luck with the reconfiguration combination of those 2 individually great sounding speaker systems, Sookie30.

 

[Sookie30]

XR ?
You mean "XRT-18 and XRT-22" ?!
I purchased new and owned the 22s from early 1990 until late 2003. and the 18s from 1992 to present.
I ended up bi-amplifying the living room sited 22s about a yr. later after listening to them.
And felt they could benefit from a couple of L/R placed Velodyne ULD-15 400 watt servo powered subwoofers a few yrs. later after bi-amp`g them.
My 18s reside in my master bedroom`s system and been providing me with excellent sound since installation, with only a replacement of the woofers/midrange surrounds after nearly thirty yrs. of daily service.
The 2 Velodyne powered subwoofers now assist them for improving their, IMO/E weak bottom octave.

I never had the inclination to feel the desire to try to combine those two speaker systems in my living room, as they delivered very satisfying sound individually as configured in their respective environments.

Remember if you attempt to use the XRT-18s bass/mid cabinets without plugging in the 18s tweeter array, the 18`s crossover`s mid/bass turnover points performance will be altered without the HF arrays impedance present, unless you substitute a ~20 watt 8 ohm resistor plugged into the 18`s tweeter DIN connector to properly load the crossover, as I had to do when I electronic/actively bi-amp`d my XRT-22s.

Good luck with the reconfiguration combination of those 2 individually great sounding speaker systems, Sookie30.

I don’t think I’ll ever actually combine them electrically, just inspired by the 290s. I’d run the two separate speaker sets off 2 different amps.

 

[Bill Ferris]

I don’t think I’ll ever actually combine them electrically, just inspired by the 290s. I’d run the two separate speaker sets off 2 different amps.

Here`s a digital photo scan of my living room`s XRT-22 speaker system from Feb. 1991.
And below that is my current bedroom`s XRT-18 system.

 

[onwardjames]

I have a pair of restored XRT 20's, the granddaddy of the above lineup.

Enjoyed immensely at this house. You're a lucky fellow.

And Bill (@Bill Ferris ) stop rubbing it in how you have a bedroom system that dang lavish!

 

[Bill Ferris]

I have a pair of restored XRT 20's, the granddaddy of the above lineup.

Enjoyed immensely at this house. You're a lucky fellow.

And Bill (@Bill Ferris ) stop rubbing it in how you have a bedroom system that dang lavish!

Thank you, my kind A/K friend for that most generous compliment about my probably over the top bedroom system, Mr. Tim !
Yep, I`m admittedly a over the top unbridled and unmarried man who takes his morning music wakeup fix very seriously, as one might glean from my posted bedroom`s system picture !

No future upgrades to it are considered, for the rest of my animated time on this third rock from the sun !

All I was trying to do was inform or respond to, A/K member, Sookie30, that I just wasn`t just talking the talk, and that I really did own the 18s, and they were doing lovely sonic duty for me in my generously sized bedroom since 1992 !

 

[twiiii]

XRT 18 is not a true line array like the XRT 22. Its closer to a variation of a Bessel array to genrate more of a cardioid dispersion vertically. Go To Roger Russell Website and there is an explanation about how a computer was used to voice opposite pairs of the line array tweeters to get the vertical controlled dispersion they were after. At one time Audio Classics had pair of xrt 22 bass bins you could add to your system with the mids close to each other. stacked . But remember adding multple speakers even if the are identical reduces the intelligibility of the resulting sound especially above 200 hz or so. THe main advantage the 290 has oveer the 22 is the long line of midrange speakers. That makes the biggest difference. One to two speakersreducs clarity by 50% and to three speakers by 66%. Remember you stack and splay, never put speakers side by side. In either case you shrink the sweet spot, too. If you try to widen the sweet spot the definition of the sound will be further compromised. Th main advantag th 290 has over the 22 is th line array of mids. Yes, the cone surrounds on the 290 have a much longer performance life.

 

[damacman]

Here goes ...

Remove the XRT18s from the front of the room so that you may properly set up the XRT22s. Place the XRT18s in the rear corners of the room or along the side walls.

Set gains on the 2500 (22s) to max. Set gains on the 7300 (18s)to whichever point they make equal SPL at the listening location. Give that a whirl. You may also try reducing the gain on the 18s in 2dB increments from that of the 22s in an effort to get room filling audio which has pleasing ambiance.

I also have XRT22s, run by MC2600s. My room is 2ch as well as Dolby Atmos. I would love to have a pair of XRT18s for the side surround channels ... maybe in the next home.

 

[damacman]

Here is a pic of my room.

 

[Bill Ferris]

XRT 18 is not a true line array like the XRT 22. Its closer to a variation of a Bessel array to genrate more of a cardioid dispersion vertically. Go To Roger Russell Website and there is an explanation about how a computer was used to voice opposite pairs of the line array tweeters to get the vertical controlled dispersion they were after. At one time Audio Classics had pair of xrt 22 bass bins you could add to your system with the mids close to each other. stacked . But remember adding multple speakers even if the are identical reduces the intelligibility of the resulting sound especially above 200 hz or so. THe main advantage the 290 has oveer the 22 is the long line of midrange speakers. That makes the biggest difference. One to two speakersreducs clarity by 50% and to three speakers by 66%. Remember you stack and splay, never put speakers side by side. In either case you shrink the sweet spot, too. If you try to widen the sweet spot the definition of the sound will be further compromised. Th main advantag th 290 has over the 22 is th line array of mids. Yes, the cone surrounds on the 290 have a much longer performance life.

Yes, twiiii, one of the reasons I updated my living room`s bi-amplified configured XRT-22s TO THE XRT-30s 13 yrs. later after saving up for their new purchase in late 2003.
Plus the 30ties readily straight forward capability of being bi-amplified or tri-amplified.

As the pic below shows, no lacking of tweeters or mid range drivers in the MF/HF separate line arrays.
The resulting MF/HF sound field from them wraps very well around the living room, helping to make the speakers disappear with quality recordings.

 

[onwardjames]

Thank you, my kind A/K friend for that most generous compliment about my probably over the top bedroom system, Mr. Tim !
Yep, I`m admittedly a over the top unbridled and unmarried man who takes his morning music wakeup fix very seriously, as one might glean from my posted bedroom`s system picture !

No future upgrades to it are considered, for the rest of my animated time on this third rock from the sun !

All I was trying to do was inform or respond to, A/K member, Sookie30, that I just wasn`t just talking the talk, and that I really did own the 18s, and they were doing lovely sonic duty for me in my generously sized bedroom since 1992 !

You're a man among boys, Bill. If I could, I'd do the same. Rock on, brother.

Here is a pic of my room.

Tony, that room is beautiful. I'd have a slight issue with that left cabinet, looks like it might run smack dab into that lovely album tower/furniture thing, but I'm sure you got it dialed in.
Just gorgeous.

 

[Sookie30]

Here`s a digital photo scan of my living room`s XRT-22 speaker system from Feb. 1991.
And below that is my current bedroom`s XRT-18 system.
View attachment 2957781View attachment 2957784

Nice! For the 18’s looks like you followed the rule of 1/3rds for spacing, is that pretty standard? My issue is space, and a fireplace right in the way of on of the 1/3rd spots.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Nice! For the 18’s looks like you followed the rule of 1/3rds for spacing, is that pretty standard? My issue is space, and a fireplace right in the way of on of the 1/3rd spots.

Thanks, Sookie30.
The desired 1/3rd rule spacing placement was an happenstance, as the matching to the waterbed furniture`s setup centered entertainment center was already purchased and installed for a yr. before my local B&M Mc. dealer`s demo display room well broken in 18`s were offered to me at an attractive price !
When I finally was able to install the 2 L/R configured Velodyne brand 15" servo powered 400 watt floor firing subs around 2003 when I upgraded the living room`s 22s to the Mc. XRT-30s, as those subwoofers were not needed anymore in that room.
They were very helpful to assist the previous bi-amplified 22s weak, IMO, bottom octave in the large open room to the kitchen/dining room living room.

But the 30s 4 12" LD/HP woofers twin cabinets promptly showed they didn`t require any bottom octave assistance.
So I said to myself, hey my bedroom`s system`s 22s could use some bottom octave assistance, so I then dragged both of them into the bedroom.
Got them both well balanced in level, then dragged out my trusty IVIE brand IE-30 Class one 1/3rd octave resolution SLM/RTA and carefully voiced the stereo to the room via my twin channel pro series Yamaha rack mount 1/3rd octave EQ with the measurement mic using a microphone stand with it`s extended arm placed were my head would be while propped up laying in the big waterbed (sweet spot) until I could achieve +/- 2DB smoothing tuning across the systems capable 20 to 20k bandwidth.

I`ve been completely satisfied with the bedroom`s SQ since, and I have no intention or felt the need, nor desire for changing or upgrading that over the top for a bedroom system while I`m alive since the final upgrade 7~8 yrs. ago with the purchase and installation of the now in use great sounding Mc C-220 tube preamp.

 

[Sookie30]

Thanks, Sookie30.
The desired 1/3rd rule spacing placement was an happenstance, as the matching to the waterbed furniture`s setup centered entertainment center was already purchased and installed for a yr. before my local B&M Mc. dealer`s demo display room well broken in 18`s were offered to me at an attractive price !
When I finally was able to install the 2 L/R configured Velodyne brand 15" servo powered 400 watt floor firing subs around 2003 when I upgraded the living room`s 22s to the Mc. XRT-30s, as those subwoofers were not needed anymore in that room.
They were very helpful to assist the previous bi-amplified 22s weak, IMO, bottom octave in the large open room to the kitchen/dining room living room.

But the 30s 4 12" LD/HP woofers twin cabinets promptly showed they didn`t require any bottom octave assistance.
So I said to myself, hey my bedroom`s system`s 22s could use some bottom octave assistance, so I then dragged both of them into the bedroom.
Got them both well balanced in level, then dragged out my trusty IVIE brand IE-30 Class one 1/3rd octave resolution SLM/RTA and carefully voiced the stereo to the room via my twin channel pro series Yamaha rack mount 1/3rd octave EQ with the measurement mic using a microphone stand with it`s extended arm placed were my head would be while propped up laying in the big waterbed (sweet spot) until I could achieve +/- 2DB smoothing tuning across the systems capable 20 to 20k bandwidth.

I`ve been completely satisfied with the bedroom`s SQ since, and I have no intention or felt the need, nor desire for changing or upgrading that over the top for a bedroom system while I`m alive since the final upgrade 7~8 yrs. ago with the purchase and installation of the now in use great sounding Mc C-220 tube preamp.

Nice!
My problem is these speakers are in this stupid room and my wife wants to keep this fireplace. I would prefer to get rid of the fireplace entirely and center the TV.

 

[Bill Ferris]

Nice!
My problem is these speakers are in this stupid room and my wife wants to keep this fireplace. I would prefer to get rid of the fireplace entirely and center the TV.

Well then, I can`t help you with your sticky domesticated situation (AKA Wife) issue with the fireplace, Sookie30, Sir.
As having never been married, my skillset/experience is gratefully lacking in this potentially sensitive area !

Your setup (18s) doesn`t look too bad.
Any reason the left speaker is not quite placed as far in the room`s left side corner as the right side one in its corner, being the flare of the corner can sometimes assist in a speaker performance, but I don`t have that experience with my 18s, as they have only been placed and unmoved as seen in my posted picture, since 1992.
Since I haven`t used my living room`s fireplace since around 1993, or so, when I had a HQ metal roof installed about 7 or 8 yrs. ago I had the roofing company remove the the stack and to deck/roof over its hole for less chance of future roof flashing leaks risks.

Now, though the living room`s fireplace still exists, it only use is to put my tube amps in it that power my sunroom`s tube stereo system while venting their undesired waste heat into my attic where it should go instead of my living room when I power them up.

 

[Sookie30]

I’ve just been moving them around to try and see what sounds best, and there’s a return vent there. I thought if they were too close to a wall that was bad?
I tried putting them in the 1/3rd spot and they don’t fill the room nearly as well as being in the corner. I have them angled a bit, I think they sound pretty great. I just don’t know all the rules on speaker placement.
Anyways, I greatly appreciate your input.

 

[Bill Ferris]

I’ve just been moving them around to try and see what sounds best, and there’s a return vent there. I thought if they were too close to a wall that was bad?
I tried putting them in the 1/3rd spot and they don’t fill the room nearly as well as being in the corner. I have them angled a bit, I think they sound pretty great. I just don’t know all the rules on speaker placement.
Anyways, I greatly appreciate your input.

Sometimes rules are not necessarily applicable in all environments !