McIntosh ML1 Mk II Floorstanding Loudspeaker User Guide
- June 1, 2024
- McIntosh
Table of Contents
McIntosh ML1 Mk II Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Specifications
- Speaker Model: ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II
- Cabinet Material: Oiled American Walnut solid woods and veneers
- Finish: Satin finish
- Driver Configuration: 4-way speaker
- Max Power Handling: 600 Watts
Product Usage Instructions
Vintage Outside
- The ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II features a cabinet made from oiled American Walnut solid woods and veneers with a satin finish.
- The magnetically attached wood grille with acoustically transparent black knit cloth enhances the speaker’s aesthetic appeal.
Cutting-Edge Inside
- The ML1 utilizes five separate speaker drivers including a 12″ woofer, 2 x 4″ lower midrange drivers, 1 x 2″ soft dome upper midrange, and a 3/4″ titanium dome tweeter.
- The symmetrical driver positioning ensures uniform sound dispersion.
- The specially milled transition plate houses the midranges and tweeters closely together to minimize off-axis lobing and vibrations.
- Internal bracing provides an airtight enclosure for the woofer, reducing vibrations for clearer sound reproduction.
Powerful By Design
- Capable of handling up to 600 Watts, the ML1 is designed for high-powered listening sessions without strain.
- The five individual speaker drivers share the power load efficiently, ensuring optimal performance when paired with powerful amplifiers like the McIntosh MC611 and MC462.
FAQ
- Q: Can the wood grille be removed for a different look?
- A: Yes, the wood grille is magnetically attached and can be easily removed for a different aesthetic.
- Q: What is the recommended amplifier to pair with the ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II?
- A: The ML1 is designed to work best with high-power amplifiers like the McIntosh MC611 and MC462 for optimal performance.
THE ML1 BOOKSHELF LOUDSPEAKER WAS THE FIRST SPEAKER MCINTOSH EVER MADE
- The ML1 Loudspeaker was the first speaker McIntosh ever made. It was introduced in 1970 with a mid-century modern design style and produced amazing sound quality with high volume output capability and tremendous bass response, especially when paired with an external equalizer. Countless music enthusiasts chose the ML1 to listen to their cherished music.
- The original ML1 was discontinued in 1977, though we have continued to offer high-performance speakers ever since. Now with a gesture to our speaker origins, we are bringing back the ML1 as the ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II.
VINTAGE OUTSIDE
- Externally, the new ML1 evokes memories of when the original ML1 was available – a time when there were fewer distractions, and it was easier to listen to music and become immersed in it. The classic looks of the ML1 rekindle the mood of that era so you can relax and appreciate your favourite songs.
- The cabinet is built from oiled American Walnut solid woods and veneers with a satin finish. It has a matching magnetically attached, removable wood grille with acoustically transparent black knit cloth with a touch of metal trim, giving the speaker a refined look.
- Gone are the vertical wood slats found on the original ML1 grille that could interfere with music playback.
- The new ML1 grille only has acoustically transparent cloth that does not obstruct the music.
CUTTING-EDGE INSIDE
- Internally, the new ML1 is fully modern performance-first speaker technology.
- A 4-way speaker, the ML1 uses five separate speaker drivers to produce astonishing sound.
Woofer
- 1 x 12″ woofer in a sealed enclosure with a polypropylene cone and dust cap with synthetic rubber suspension.
Lower Midrange
- 2 x 4″ lower midrange drivers in a sealed sub enclosure also with polypropylene cones and dust caps with synthetic rubber suspension.
Upper Midrange
- 1 x 2″ soft dome upper midrange
Tweeter
- 1 x 3/4″ Titanium dome tweeter (the same tweeter used in our XR50 and XR100 speakers).
Unlike the original ML1, the drivers on the new generation ML1 are positioned
symmetrically so there is not a dedicated left and right speaker, eliminating
the possibility of installing the speakers in the wrong orientation, and
providing a more uniform listening area.
A specially milled transition plate houses the midranges and tweeter and
allows them to be placed close together. Their proximity to each other reduces
off-axis lobing of the sound field and places all the acoustic output that
typically impacts imaging together in a small space. The transition plate also
provides a strong foundation for the upper-frequency units to reduce
vibrations that might affect the sound. Internal cabinet bracing provides an
airtight and separated enclosure from the 12″ woofer to further minimize
vibrations.
The upper midrange in the ML1 has low resonance and high-power handling
capabilities; this allows the crossover point between the lower and upper
midranges to avoid the 1kHz frequency that is critical to producing clear
vocals. The crossover frequency of the tweeter reduces the vertical loving of
the sound field and allows the ML1 to reproduce the recorded music more
faithfully
POWERFUL BY DESIGN
The ML1 is engineered to handle up to 600 Watts from an amplifier, making it perfect for high-powered listening sessions that would strain other speakers. Its five individual speaker drivers work together to share the power load, keeping the ML1 unstressed when fed clean, high-power from powerful amplifiers such as the McIntosh MC611 and MC462. The resulting life-sized sound can fill up all but the largest rooms. But it’s also nimble enough to produce amazing sound when used with lower-power amplifiers like the MC275, MC1502, MC312, and MC830. To achieve an even higher level of sonic performance, the ML1 can be bi-amped with our MC451 amplifier.
DEEP BASS RESPONSE TO FEEL THE MUSIC
With its 12″ woofer, the ML1 has an incredible bass response down to 27Hz,
which is close to the lowest frequency the human ear can detect. A subwoofer
will typically not be needed to achieve deep, punchy bass. You might see some
similarly sized speakers with more woofers, but don’t be deceived by a higher
woofer count as there is no substitute for woofer size. The single 12″ woofer
in the ML1 has the same surface area as four 6″ woofers – and when it comes to
the bass frequencies that a woofer produces, the larger the surface area the
better to push all that air.
The 12″ woofer has been designed to work in an acoustic suspension design
enclosure, just like the original. However, much has been learned since the
original ML1 speaker and modern design and simulation tools were used to
develop design parameters that provide a bass response similar to the original
but without the need for an external equalizer. The woofer also uses our
patented Low Distortion High Performance (LD/HP®) Magnetic Circuit Design that
significantly reduces distortion while increasing power handling and
efficiency. The performance improvements from LD/HP are so vast that the 12″
woofer in the ML1 could rival woofers twice its size.
EXPANSIVE SOUND COVERAGE FOR ALL LISTENERS
- Unlike many speakers that project their best sound over a narrow area in front of the speaker, the ML1 delivers exceptional sound over a wider area at all frequencies thanks to its 4-way design, carefully selected driver complement and sizes, and its expertly engineered crossover network.
- This means that everyone in the room can enjoy the full stereo sound stage projected by the ML1, instead of being confined to a limited “sweet spot” for listening.
BETTER CROSSOVER FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE
The ML1 uses a custom-built crossover network designed by our engineers for
performance and durability.
Over-specified components ensure high power handling, while solid-state, self-
resetting protection devices prevent damage to any of the drivers. The
crossover design separates the high and low-frequency circuits, and each is
available both bi-wiring or bi-amping as desired. All the power sent to the
ML1 from your amplifiers is fed through our Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts
that easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming
loose and possibly causing a short. The binding posts are gold-plated to
prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent through your speaker
cables.
FINISHING TOUCHES
- The ML1 is made in the USA and comes with a matching stand that features a vintage die-cast aluminium name badge on the base that matches the badges found on some of our amplifiers and integrated amplifiers.
- The stand has been designed to elevate and position the ML1 loudspeaker for optimum imaging and listening enjoyment. It comes with feet for use on hard floors, and spikes for use on carpet. The speaker can also be set directly on the floor if desired, or placed on a sturdy piece of furniture that’s free of decorations or items that could vibrate.
System Driver Complement
- 1 x 12″ Woofer (incorporating LD/HP)
- 1 x 2″ soft dome Upper Midrange
- 2 x 4″ lower midranges
- 1 x ¾” Titanium Dome Tweeter
Impedance
- 8 Ohms
Frequency Response
- 27Hz – 45kHz
Sensitivity
- 85dB (2.83V/1m equivalent)
Crossover Frequencies
- 180Hz
- 500Hz
- 4500Hz
Recommended Power Range
- 75 – 600 Watts
Maximum Power Handling
- 600 Watts
Enclosure Finish
- American Walnut veneers and solids with a satin finish.
Grille Finish
- Solid American Walnut with a satin finish, black knit cloth with metal trim.
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
- Speaker: 15″ (38.1cm) x 26-1/8″ (66.4cm) x 13-3/8″ (34cm)
- Stand: 16″ (40.6cm) x 10-1/4″ (26cm) x 16″ (40.6cm)
Shipping Carton
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
- Speaker: 20-1/2″ (52.1cm) x 30-1/2″ (77.5cm) x 20-1/2″ (52.1cm)
- Stand: 20-1/2″ (52.1cm) x 15-1/2″ (38.6cm) x 20-1/2″ (52.1cm)
Weight
- Speaker: 66 lbs (30 kg) net / 75.3 lbs (34.2 kg) in shipping carton
- Stand: 19 lbs (8.6 kg) net / 25.3 lbs (11.5 kg) in shipping carton
For the Consumer’s Protection
In order to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction, new McIntosh
products may only be purchased from an Authorized McIntosh Dealer; and, with
certain limited exceptions may only be purchased over-the-counter or delivered
and installed by the Authorized McIntosh Dealer. McIntosh does not warrant, in
any way, products that are purchased from anyone who is not an Authorized
McIntosh Dealer, or that have had their serial numbers altered or defaced.
About McIntosh
- McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is the premier American designer and manufacturer of high-fidelity audio equipment.
- Founded in 1949, McIntosh products are handcrafted by experts passionate about creating an unmatched sonic experience. From its factory in Binghamton, New York to all corners of the world, the McIntosh blue meters have become a symbol of quality audio and continue to own the premiere position in home audio entertainment for discerning listeners.
- Powering events like President Lyndon Johnson’s inauguration speech, world-renowned concert systems like Woodstock, the Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound and Despacio, McIntosh has shaped some of the most important moments in music and culture.
- McIntosh gives music enthusiasts the power to create their ultimate sound experience.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>