McIntosh XR7 Isoplanar Loudspeakers, Fill The House With Music!

The McIntosh XR7 Isoplanar loudspeaker system was released officially in 1976, but the development of the multi-driver concept came almost a decade earlier with the ML-1C.  Where the ML-1C was a four driver, 4-way system, the XR7 took things many steps further as a seven driver, 4-way system.  The XR7 were part of an entire lineup of Mac's own branded "Isoplanar" designs, where the midrange and tweeter elements were arranged in a series of arrays...sort of how live concert monitors are set up.  This arrangement lends itself to broader dispersion with reduced "lobbing" the the crossover point, giving the speaker a more natural and transparent delivery.

The XR7's 12" heavy duty paper cone woofers are housed in a large, heavily-braced composite wood cabinet, covered in walnut veneer. These drivers punch, hit, slap, and claw bass all over the place; but not in a rough-and-tumble way.  With McIntosh's finesse at the helm, these speakers inflict bass with grace - More like Zoe Saldaña than The Rock.  The controlled and tight bass is matched with a high-efficiency 8" mid-bass, and a pair of 1.5" dome upper mids.  Vocals are clean and clear and delivered with authority.  Highs are handled with a bevy of four tweeters per cabinet.  

The system plays as sophisticated as it look.  In spite of its sheer size, the cabinets' shape and sealed nature allow them to be placed closer to walls than most.  The grilles swing out like cabinet doors to reveal all the goods inside.  Of course, all woofer and mid-bass foams have been replaced and properly aligned. 

Power handling? Yes. They do that too. Rated at 300 watts max, just be responsible and use a real amp, not a home theater receiver. 

To be used with or without on of McIntosh's Custom Environmental Network Equalizers, the XR7 promos big things and they provide big things.  A lovely throwback to a bygone era, someone will really enjoy these beasts for many more years to come.

$1,999/pair (plus MA sales tax, if applicable)

* Note, conventional shipping is a no-no.  Ask about a freight quote. or bring a couple friends and pickup in person.