McIntosh PS2K Subwoofer – a Bassaholic Dream?
There
isn’t any scarcity of giant, costly subwoofers on the planet. The theater within the
Audioholics Sensible Dwelling has not too long ago been upgraded to incorporate the RBH Sound
Unequalled 21-SF/R Subwoofer,
a 21-inch behemoth that’ll set you again $10,000. However in some circles, that’s
thought of small. Earlier this yr, our buddy Shane Lee checked out Ascendo Audio’s The
80an
80-inch subwoofer that prices six figures and weighs a bit greater than Andre the
Big, at 573 kilos. Within the Ascendo,
the voice coil is 21 inches. Whereas the RBH sub is extra of an
all-rounder, the Ascendo is constructed particularly for infrasonic bass. You would possibly
be stunned to be taught what number of audio firms make subwoofers that value as
a lot as a automobile (I’ll name-drop just a few extra later). Now, McIntosh has joined their
ranks, delivering what the Binghamton
model calls “a masterclass in precision, energy, and keenness.” This new monster
of a subwoofer is the PS2K Powered Subwoofer ($50,000 every), promising
“unparalleled bass efficiency.” Should you’re out there for a subwoofer in
this ludicrous class, McIntosh expects that you have already got an
“awe-inspiring house audio system,” however the PS2K is designed to “elevate the
listening expertise… by including new depths of low frequency perfection.”
Naturally, the awe-inspiring methods almost definitely to companion with the PS2K are McIntosh’s personal Reference Two-Channel and Reference
Dwelling Theater methods, which use the corporate’s towering XRT2.1K
($140,000/pair) or XRT1.1K
($70,000/pair) loudspeakers, powered by the two,000-watt, three-chassis MC2KW monoblock
amplifiers ($43,000 every). However McIntosh says the PS2K isn’t only for the model’s fanboys —
it’s additionally “the right complement to high-output loudspeakers from different
producers” as a result of the PS2K sub “is not going to run out of steam on the excessive
quantity ranges.” Apparently, McIntosh hasn’t but revealed the PS2K’s frequency response our CEA-2010 max output stats, so we don’t
know exactly how deep (or how loud) it may possibly play.
Mcintosh PS2K Subwoofer Design Particulars
So
what do you get for $50K? The PS2K
is a tower-style sub, packing 4 13-inch woofers into a cupboard standing simply
barely taller than Michael Jordan, at about 79 inches, and weighing in at a
menacing 458 kilos. Contained in the gloss black monolith, the drivers use large
magnets and profit from McIntosh’s patented Low Distortion Excessive Efficiency
(LD/HP) Magnetic Circuit Design, which “considerably reduces distortion whereas
rising the motive force’s energy dealing with and effectivity,” in response to the
firm. The efficiency of the drivers was optimized utilizing Finite Component
Evaluation (FEA), leading to “excessive linearity” and decreased distortion. The
voice coil is described as “further lengthy,” and the specially-designed
long-excursion suspension
reportedly delivers “longer linear functionality than most drivers.” The cones
themselves are constructed from multi-layer carbon fiber (which McIntosh says flexes
lower than single-layer carbon fiber), making them robust sufficient to face up to
lengthy, prolonged tour journey. The cones even have an built-in shaped joint
with the voice coil, leading to “excessive rigidity and excessive energy dealing with
functionality,” in response to the corporate.
Every
of the PS2K’s
4 drivers is powered by its personal 500-watt Class D amplifier, giving the sub a
whole energy output of as much as 2,000 watts. McIntosh tells us that the amplifiers
are “meticulously calibrated to attenuate distortion and produce clear, tight
bass with astonishingly low distortion in even probably the most expansive listening
areas.” The amps reside in a module on the base of the tower, which is adorned
with an influence output meter displaying the entire output of the PS2K.
The basic
McIntosh meter, mixed with the sub’s gloss black end, carbon trim, and aluminum base, will make sure to
please followers of the model and its iconic styling. The entrance baffle is almost 1.5
inches thick, promising “final rigidity and low vibration.” In contrast to many
massive subs, the PS2K
is a sealed field design. Round again you’ll discover balanced and unbalanced stereo
inputs and outputs, in addition to balanced and unbalanced subwoofer inputs and
outputs, with daisy-chaining capabilities. There are adjustable low-pass and
high-pass filters, plus
two totally adjustable parametric EQ filters and a part adjustment knob. Sadly these are analog dials which lack the precision of digital management to regulate frequency and Q.
McIntosh vs Different Tremendous Subs
Lastly,
the PS2K advantages from two of McIntosh’s
proprietary safety applied sciences. Energy Guard screens the audio enter sign coming into
the amplifiers and “makes real-time, close to speed-of-light changes to forestall
harsh sounding clipping,” when crucial. McIntosh says such changes are
imperceptible to the human ear, so there is no such thing as a lack of sound high quality.
In the meantime, Sentry Monitor is the corporate’s title for its fuse-free safety
circuit, which disengages the amplifier’s
output stage earlier than present exceeds secure working ranges, after which
mechanically resets when regular working situations have returned.
Even
on this frankly absurd worth class, the McIntosh PS2K will face competitors
throughout the world of super-high-end subs. REL’s new flagship sub, the No. 32,
sells for merely $10,000 every — however these subs might be stacked, and are sometimes
offered in packs of six for giant methods. The Magico Titan 15, which packs a pair
of 15-inch drivers inside its 390-pound aluminum cupboard, will set you again
$32,000 every. The Divin Sovereign is an 18-inch subwoofer from the German loudspeaker
producer Göbel
Excessive-Finish, and is available in at $29,500 every. Wilson Audio’s Subsonic will set you
again $39,000 every, and also you’ll have to supply your personal amplification. Most
patrons will take house at the very least a pair of any of those. A extra frugal bass
fanatic may buy the JL Audio Gotham V2 ($20,000 every) or the downright
inexpensive — by comparability — Perlisten D215S ($10,000 every). Have much more cash to blow on bass? The
monumental YG Acoustics InVincible 21.2 packs a pair of 21-inch woofers and
6,000 watts of energy, all for the eye-watering worth of $120,000. Will the McIntosh
PS2K ship the required efficiency to
entice customers of super-expensive audio system from these different manufacturers, or will it
be bought solely by the wealthiest of McIntosh devotees? We suppose time will inform as this behemoth of a sub simply began transport again in October, 2023. Share your ideas within the associated discussion board
thread under.
Except in any other case indicated, it is a preview article for the featured product. A proper overview might or might not comply with sooner or later.
