RS200

[MACKIE1975]

" It’s an all-in-one system with DLNA streaming, built-in streaming service access, amplification and speakers all wrapped up in one classy-looking unit."

 

[joeinid]

It’s packing some serious power....

I bet it’s awesome!

The RS200 offers 650 Watts of total power that is delivered to 8 drivers consisting of (2) 4” x 6” woofers, (4) 2” midranges and (2) ¾” tweeters. In addition, a subwoofer output is included to connect an external powered subwoofer. As the RS200 can be placed in a variety of locations with unique sonic characteristics, a 3-position EQ switch allows you to set the EQ based on your room and listening preferences.

 

[leftside]

I bet most of our significant others would rather this was in the living room than some of the other Mac equipment we have

 

[AlTinkster92]

Not for me thanks.........

 

[MACKIE1975]

It is a WALL-E

 

[One911Guy]

It is beautiful. $3k beautiful.

 

[twiiii]

But no where do the publish the sensitivity or the out put capability of the system. I mean if it takes all the power to reach 100 db a 1 meter they system is rather limited in performance. I would guess the woofers could be around 88 to 86 db I meter 1 watt. So with 250 watts that would be a gain of close to 25 db. or 110 db at 1 meter or 100 db around 10ft which would be more than adequate at this guess. The unit must be using Class D amplification and no where do the publish the signal to noise of the system or the distortion. Which makes me wonder. Is it an over site or are they ashamed, I doubt the second. Using Airplay and I Tunes there is an one octave EQ to help adjust the sound. But I am not familiar what you could do with other sources unless you could add a EQ app. My 10x has a form of adjustments not all to my liking. That reminds me I had the phone updated to correct the Face Time issue, I hope the sound has not been affected as it was corrected with the previous update.

If its truly $3000 with a few reservations it seems to be GOOD value. Surely it sounds better than the Bose Radon's table top system, that set the standard years ago for the new generation.

 

[cajunpepe]

I’m gonna order one...will look and play beautifully under the Sony A1E!

The target audience for this product probably doesn’t care (or even know) about signal-to-noise ratios, sensitivity, Class A, A/B, D, wattage, that it’s made in China, or any other audiophile techno speak—- it’s a lifestyle product.

I applaud Mc for keeping it modern and hip—something attractive for the thirty-somethings!

(I have 2 modern, big reference Mac rigs—FWIW)

 

[Matte Grey]

Looks like a gateway drug too me, good thing.

 

[MACKIE1975]

It’s actually a McAire with steroid

 

[ODS123]

I like it too.. There's some griping in another thread about it being "engineered in Binghamton, assembled in China' but I'm not bothered by that so long as it's build and sound quality meet expectation.

McIntosh can't exist on high dollar separate amps and pre-amps alone. ..They need products like this and products like this probably cannot be cost-effectively made in the USA.

 

[damacman]

History shows that companies with a heritage such as McIntosh should be mindful about monetizing their brand name on products that don't reflect the core values.

I believe that is the concern here.

 

[cajunpepe]

History also shows that companies that fail to remain current and change with the times eventually go out of business.

Mac will be fine.

 

[damacman]

History also shows that companies that fail to remain current and change with the times eventually go out of business.

Mac will be fine.

Make a case as it pertains to McIntosh. Otherwise, it's just noise.

 

[damacman]

I'll help. A company forms with a solution to a problem - they've defined it, solved it, developed the solution, and marketed it. Not only is the solution effective, it's best in class. Said company grows slowly and patiently over decades creating a space that they own in which a clientele resides. This clientele becomes loyal to a fault to them.

Then ....

Said company is acquired - if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em ...

New owners / board of directors / decision makers never like the space said company they acquired owns. Yet, their arrogance allows them to blindly assume that they will own it always. We need X! Why aren't we selling Y? We're either growing or dying! So, the focus shifts from the core to the new - whatever that is. Did you know how much biz is being done in Z channel? If we just had a little bit of it ...

So here we are. McIntosh - I wouldn't take your eye off your clientele for long, as other companies are planning to divide up the very space you worked seven decades to create as we speak.

How's that for candid?

 

[ODS123]

So here we are. McIntosh - I wouldn't take your eye off your clientele for long, as other companies are planning to divide up the very space you worked seven decades to create as we speak.

So how is McIntosh to survive without devices like this?? I have dozens of friends and another dozen of family members. ..Not ONE has an audio system comprised of separates. But 5 or 10 of them have streaming-based music playback devices (eg., sonus) in their homes.

So what his McIntosh to do?? Should they turn their noses up at this market?? You'd rather they simply fade away??

 

[damacman]

So how is McIntosh to survive without devices like this?? I have dozens of friends and another dozen of family members. ..Not ONE has an audio system comprised of separates. But 5 or 10 of them have streaming-based music playback devices (eg., sonus) in their homes.

So what his McIntosh to do?? Should they turn their noses up at this market?? You'd rather they simply fade away??

Well for starters, I'd get my hands around the current QC issues that surround core products as of late. Secondly, I'd be sure not to introduce any more digital products until they repair that segment of their business - this has soured many devout customers. Third, I'd let the other companies all fight over the lifestyle product category - McIntosh has no business investing any more time and resources in it. Talk about watering down the brand - meters, blue lights, glitz. It'd be one thing to offer some entry level (gateway) products with performance as the first criteria. This is a one and done product which cannot later become part of a better system.

The moment your business plan includes being all things to all people, you're nothing to anyone. One has to only look at countless other brands that have traveled a similar path, audio or otherwise, to appreciate the concerns I've put forth.

 

[ODS123]

Well for starters, I'd get my hands around the current QC issues that surround core products as of late.

...I'd let the other companies all fight over the lifestyle product category - McIntosh has no business investing any more time and resources in it.

QC problems with other digital products is a separate issue and should be addressed, of course. But that can't (and shouldn't) stop them from meanwhile moving forward with new product development.

Why is Lifestyle Product being used as a slur...a term of derision? Lifestyle Products are simply those that fit in well with their core customer's way of life. If they satisfy a need and are well executed it is a win for company and customer alike. So people should stop using this term like a put-down.

The RS200 looks beautiful AND fits a need by giving people a way of bringing a modest sound system into a living room, bedroom, office, etc.. where a stack of components might be unacceptable. It would look perfectly at home on a credenza beneath a flat-screen TV And while it probably won't break any SPL contests, I'm betting it sounds absolutely lovely. So tell me why this is a jump-the-shark product for McIntosh?? If you want to beat up on McIntosh over bad product choices, I'd stick with their Light Box and Clock - two products that are all bling and no substance.

I can't help but wonder if part of the problem is people don't like the brand losing it's exclusivity. McIntosh was once known only to self-annointed audio connoisseurs. I think It bothers some that their products might begin showing up in other homes in their neighborhood. While the company is working to let others climb into the clubhouse, some of it's loyal devotees want to pull up the ladder.

 

[One911Guy]

Speaking of Light Box and Clock, I never really understood the Beach towel.

 

[damacman]

QC problems with other digital products is a separate issue and should be addressed, of course. But that can't (and shouldn't) stop them from meanwhile moving forward with new product development.

Why is the term Lifestyle Product being used as a slur, like a term of derision? Lifestyle Products are simply those that fit in well with their core customer's way of life. If they satisfy a need and are well executed it is a win for company and customer alike. So people should stop using this term like a put-down.

The RS200 looks beautiful AND fits a need by giving people a way of bringing a modest sound system into a living room, bedroom, office, etc.. where a stack of components might be unacceptable. It would look perfectly at home on a credenza beneath a flat-screen TV And while it probably won't break any SPL contests, I'm betting it sounds absolutely lovely. So tell me why this is a jump-the-shark product for McIntosh?? If you want to beat up on McIntosh over bad product choices, I'd stick with their Light Box and Clock - two products that are all bling and no substance.

I can't help but wonder if part of the problem is people don't like the brand loosing it's exclusivity. McIntosh was once known only to self-annointed audio connoisseurs. I think It bothers some that their products might begin showing up in other homes in their neighborhood. While the company is working to let others climb into clubhouse, some of it's loyal devotees want to pull up the ladder.

There is always that group of folks that is only in the group because others aren’t. As I don’t feel that way, I can’t comment how it plays here.