McIntosh RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System Owner’s Manual

RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.com
RS250
Wireless Loudspeaker System Owner’s Manual
Quick Start
is on page 4

Safety First
It is a smart idea to read all the enclosed RS250 SAFETY INFORMATION included in separate documents; even if you already know this stuff, you can’t be too safe.
Here is some compliance information:
FCC Information (For US Customers) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE:
DO NOT MODIFY THIS PRODUCT This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modification not expressly approved by McIntosh may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. 2. CAUTION: · To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirement, separation distance of at least 20cm must be maintained between this product and all persons. · This product and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. 3. COMPLIANCE INFORMATION: · Product Name: RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System · Model Number: RS250 · This product contains FCC ID:2AJYB-S810 McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, NY 13903 Tel. 607-723-3512
IC Information (Canadian Customers)
1. PRODUCT: This product contains IC: 20504-S810

This product complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this product may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this product must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This Class B digital Apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
2. CAUTION: To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that permitted for successful communication.
Informations sur IC (pour les clients Canadiens) 1. APPAREIL:
Cet Appareil contiens IC: 20504-S810. Cet Appareil est conforme à la norme CNR-210 du Canada. L’utilisation de ce dispositif est autorisée seulement aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) il ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’utilisateur du dispositif doit être prêt à accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique reçu, même si ce brouillage est susceptible de compromettre le fonctionnement du dispositif. Cet Appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
2. ATTENTION: Afin de réduire le risque d’interférence aux autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d’antenne et son gain de façon à ce que la puissance isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne soit pas supérieure au niveau requis pour l’obtention d’une communication satisfaisante.
Canadian Customers: CAN ICES-003 (B)/NMB003 (B)
RF Exposure Information
This equipment complies with FCC/IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment and

meets the FCC radio frequency (RF) Exposure Guidelines in Supplement C to OET65 and RSS-102 of the IC radio frequency (RF) Exposure rules. This equipment has very low levels of RF energy that are deemed to comply without testing of specific absorption ratio (SAR).
Cet équipement est conforme aux normes d’exposition aux radiations FCC/IC définies pour un environnement non contrôlé et satisfait les directives d’exposition à la radiofréquence (RF) dans le supplément C des OET65 et RSS-102 des règles d’exposition à la fréquence radio (RF) IC. Cet équipement a de très faibles niveaux d’énergie RF qui sont jugés conformes sans test de taux d’absorption spécifique (SAR).
RED (EN) Information 1. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Our products follow the provisions of EC/EU directives: LVD: 2014/35/EU EMC: 2014/30/EU RED: 2014/53/EU ERP: EC regulation 1275/2008 and its frame work
directive 2009/125/EU RoHS: 2015/863/EU
2. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS PRODUCT
This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets RED directive requirements. Modification of the product could result in hazardous Radio and EMC radiation.
3. CAUTION: Separation distance of at least 20cm must be maintained between this product and all persons.
This product and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

2

Table of Contents
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 FCC Information (For US Customers) . . . . . . . . . 2 IC Information (Canadian Customers) . . . . . . . . . 2 Thank you from all of us at McIntosh . . . . . . . . . 3 Make a Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Trademark and License Information . . . . . . . . . . 4 Quick Start (Bluetooth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 More Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
AirPlay 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Wi-Fi connection using an iOS Device . . . . . . 5 Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Setting up Wi-Fi Without Ethernet . . . . . . . . . 5 Chromecast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Note About Initial Network Connection . . . . . 6 Roon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tidal Connect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spotify Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Qualcomm® aptXTM Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Buttons and Switches on the Back . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Master Power Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CEC Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Inputs and Outputs on the Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 AUX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 HDMI ARC (Connecting to your TV) . . . . . . 7 Data Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Trig Out (Power Control). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Subwoofer Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Front View Labeled & Installing the Grille . . . . . .8 Remote Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Changing the Remote’s Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Description of Remote Control Buttons . . . . . . .10 The Knobs and LEDs on the Front. . . . . . . . . . . 10

The Right Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Left Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Network/Wi-Fi Indicator LED . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Automatic Input Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Sleep Mode LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Input Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Rear View Labeled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Rear Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Ethernet Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 AC Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 USB Service Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 HDMI and Optical Gain Adjustment . . . . . . . . . 12 The Browser Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 OVERVIEW Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SETTINGS Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 UPDATE Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Re- packing the RS250 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
List of Figures
Figure 1­ Scan for bluetooth devices . . . . . . . . . 4 Figure 2­ Ethernet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Figure 3­ 3.5mm Plug for AUX Input. . . . . . . . . 7 Figure 4­ 3.5mm Plug for Data Input . . . . . . . . . 7 Figure 5­ 3.5mm Plug for Power Control . . . . . . 7 Figure 6­ Front View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Figure 7­ Installing the Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Figure 8­ Sliding open the Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Figure 9­ Remote Control Diagram . . . . . . . . . 10 Figure 10­ Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Figure 11­ OVERVIEW submenu. . . . . . . . . . . 13 Figure 12­ SETTINGS submenu. . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Figure 13­ UPDATE submenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Figure 14­ Packing Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Thank you from all of us at McIntosh

Your new RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System is a precision instrument that will provide many years of enjoyment. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the features and instructions to get the maximum performance from your equipment.
If you need further technical assistance, please contact your dealer who may be more familiar with your particular setup including other brands. You can also contact McIntosh with additional questions or in the unlikely event of needing service.

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903

Technical Assistance: Phone: 607-723-3512

Customer Service (for repairs): Phone: 607-723-3515 Fax: (607)-724-1917

Email:

support@mcintoshlabs.com

Website: mcintoshlabs.com

Make a Note

For future reference, you can jot down your serial number and purchase information here. We can identify your purchase from this information if the occasion should arise. The serial number is located on the back label of the RS250.
Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Dealer Name:

3

Trademark and License Information

The McIntosh RS250 incorporates copyright protected technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. The RS250 uses the following Technologies:

Trademark Logo

License Information
Use of the Works with Apple badge means that an accessory has been designed to work specifically with the technology identified in the badge and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple, iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPhone and AirPlay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. To control this AirPlay 2­ enabled speaker, iOS 11.4 or later is required.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by McIntosh Group, Inc. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
Qualcomm aptX is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. aptX is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., registered in the United States and other countries.
The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi- Fi Certification provides assurance that the device has passed the interoperability test conducted by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a group that certifies interoperability among wireless LAN devices.
Roon Ready network devices have Roon’s streaming technology built in, and are certified by Roon Labs to provide the highest level of quality and performance in network streaming.

Trademark Logo

License Information
TIDAL is the first global music streaming service with high fidelity sound, hi-def video quality, along with expertly curated playlists and original content — making it a trusted source for music and culture.
The Spotify software is subject to third party licenses found here: https:// developer.spotify.com/esdk-third-partylicenses. CONNECT UPDATE
Chromecast built-in is a trademark of Google LLC.

TM HIGH-DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE

The terms HDMI, HDMI HighDefinition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.
For DTS patents, see http://patents. dts.com. Manufactured under license from DTS, Inc. DTS, the Symbol, DTS and the Symbol together, and Digital Surround are registered trademarks and/ or trademarks of DTS, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. DTS, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
License Notice and Trademark Acknowledgment: Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby, Dolby Audio, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

Quick Start (Bluetooth)
Here are the basic steps to start enjoying the RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System right away. This Quick Start will get sound flowing from the RS250 via a Bluetooth connection. That way you can hear some music as you read the rest of this manual.

· Connect to the RS250 to AC Power · Power the RS250 On by pressing Rear Panel Power
Switch · The BT above the Left Knob will Flash. If it is no
longer flashing, press and hold the Left Knob for two seconds and then release · On the phone (or other device) you wish to connect, press SCAN in the Bluetooth section of Settings. Generally, this is found in the Connections’ submenu of settings (devices may vary)
Settings>Connections>Bluetooth · The RS250 will appear as “RS250 xxxx”
in Available Devices. See Figure 1 · Choose the
RS250 to pair · When asked to
confirm you want to pair the RS250 to your device, select OK · The RS250 should now be “Connected for audio” · Play some music
Figure 1­ Scan for bluetooth devices

4

More Connections
AirPlay 2
AirPlay 2 is an Apple technology designed to control home audio systems and speakers in any room ­ with a tap or by simply asking Siri ­ right from iPhone, iPad, HomePod or Apple TV.
To control this AirPlay 2-enabled speaker, iOS 11.4 or later is required.
Multiroom Audio
AirPlay 2 technology lets you play a song on every RS250 in your house at the same time or adjust the volume in any room ­ all in sync.
After installing your RS250, add it to the Apple Home App with a few simple steps using your iPhone or iPad.
Siri Voice Control
Use Siri on your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV to control your RS250 with just your voice.
Wi-Fi connection using an iOS Device
Setting up the RS250 as a AirPlay Speaker will connect the RS250 to your Wi-Fi network:
· Make sure your iOS device is on the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect the RS250 to
· With the RS250 powered on, the LED below the Left Knob should not be solidly illuminated green (if it were lit, it would indicate the RS250 is currently connected to a network)
· Open up Settings on the iOS device · Open up the Wi-Fi submenu · Look at the Wi-Fi network list and find “Set
Up New AirPlay Speaker”

· Select the RS250 · The RS250 will be added to your network

Ethernet

For a wired connection
to your network, use an Ethernet cable to connect the RS250 to your router. See Figure 2.

Note: a solid red Network/

Figure 2­

Wi-Fi LED indicates that a

Ethernet connection

network error has occured.

See “Network/Wi-Fi Indicator LED” on page 11.

Note that plugging in an ethernet cable will disable the Wi-Fi radio of the RS250. The RS250 will use the ethernet connection for all network activity. To enable Wi-Fi, the ethernet cable must be removed.

With an ethernet connection, you can use the RS250 browser interface to provide the RS250 with your Wi-Fi settings. For more information, see “The Browser Interface” on page 12.

Setting up Wi-Fi Without Ethernet

To initially connect your RS250 to a Wi-Fi network without using an ethernet connection or iOS connection (as described above) follow these steps:
· Power the RS250 Off and then On
· When the green LED below the Left Knob is blinking, open your PC or phone’s Wi-Fi Connection Settings
· Locate the RS250 in the list of available networks and connect to it
· Open a web browser (Chrome or Firefox)
· Type 192.168.255.249 in the browser’s address bar and open that page
· Select SETTINGS from the RS250 interface

(see Figure 12 on page 13) · Select Wireless in Network Type · Select Start Scan
· Select your network · Provide your password and press Connect · Your RS250 will connect to your network
Chromecast
To Cast to your RS250, you will need: · The latest version of Google Home App · Wireless network and access password
With your mobile device/tablet connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your RS250 and the RS250 powered on:
· Open the Google Home App · Follow the steps for the RS250 if they
automatically appear
To manually add the RS250
· Tap the + at the top of the screen
· Select “Set up device” · Select “Setup new devices” · Follow the set up steps for a “Speaker”
Once the RS250 is setup, you can choose to Cast to it. To Cast:
· Choose the Cast button in the top right corner of a Chromecast-enabled app
· Choose the RS250 · When connected the Cast button will change
colors · Cast music, etc. to your RS250

5

Note About Initial Network Connection
When your RS250 connects to your network for the first time, it will automatically look for the latest software update. If available, the RS250 will install the newest version. When updating, the Red LED below the Right Knob will blink twice, pause and repeat.
You may adjust how future updates are handled. See “UPDATE Menu” on page 14.
Roon
When connected to your network, the RS250 will be available as a Zone for your Roon server. (If you have a Roon server.) The RS250 can be connected to your Wi-Fi using AirPlay (see “Wi-Fi connection using an iOS Device” on page 5) Chromecast or other methods noted on page 5. It can also be directly connected with an ethernet cable.
Tidal Connect
To listen to music on TIDAL through the RS250, using the Tidal app, select the content you want to play and then select the connect icon on the Now Playing page.
This will bring up a list of nearby devices to stream through. Locate the RS250 and select to pair.
If you are unable to find your device, make sure the device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you are streaming from.
Once paired you can use your TIDAL app as a remote. TIDAL is compatible with select smart assistants that enable voice controls. Depending on your region, you may enable this feature by linking your TIDAL account with your selected smart device. This option can normally be found in the Settings section of your respective Smart Devices app.

Spotify Connect
Use your phone, tablet or computer as a remote control for Spotify. Go to spotify.com/connect to learn how.
Qualcomm® aptXTM Audio
aptXTM is a codec that can provide CD quality music over Bluetooth connections. The RS250 will automatically utilize aptX when connected to a source that supports aptX. Simply connect with Bluetooth as described in “Quick Start (Bluetooth)” on page 4.
The RS250 also supports the higher resolution aptX HD (24-bit/48kHz). If your device utilizes aptX HD then that resolution will be utilized automatically. The RS250 also features aptX LL (Low Latency) which automatically ensures Bluetooth can deliver sound in sync with visual media. It reduces delay and improves end-to-end speed of the audio transmission, resulting in a high quality, synchronized user experience with any transmitting device that supports aptX LL.

Buttons and Switches on the Back
Master Power Switch
Looking at the rear of the RS250, the Master Power Switch will be directly to the left of the AC Power Inlet (Figure 10 on page 11). This switch will toggle power to the RS250 ON (I) and OFF (O). With this switch in the ON position, the RS250 can be put in Power Save mode by pushing and holding the Front Right Knob for 2 seconds.
When the Master Power Switch is in the OFF position, the RS250 will consume no power. Power Save/Standby and the remote control will only function when the Master Power Switch is in the ON position.
CEC Button
Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) is a feature of HDMI that theoretically allows users to control multiple connected devices through one remote control. This can work fine in some cases when you want to turn on the television and also power on other related devices, but there may be times when you do not want this or other connected events to happen. You can use the CEC Button to defeat this HDMI feature. Push in the button to defeat. Push again to enable. If you have a control system for your devices, you will want CEC defeated.
With CEC enabled, the RS250 can control a television’s volume, mute and unmute as well as power functions with compatible televisions. CEC will also ensure correct decoding and lip syncing automatically.
To determine the current setting of CEC, press and hold the CEC button for 2 seconds. The red LED above the Right Knob will blink for 3 seconds if CEC is active or remain solid for 3 seconds if not active. Holding the CEC button for 4 seconds will toggle the setting as indicated by the red LED.

6

Inputs and Outputs on the Back

Wired inputs are selected using the Left Knob. See Figure 6 on page 8.

Optical

The Optical input allows a digital source to be connected using a TOSLINK cable also known as an “optical audio cable.” The internal digital-to-analog converter (DAC) of the RS250 is able to process hires digital audio up to 192kHz/24-bit. The RS250 DAC will process standard format SPDIF PCM signals as well as Dolby Digital and DTS encoded multi-channel bit streams. Unsupported formats can result in strange and/or unpleasant sounds.

For HDMI and Optical volume boost adjustments see “HDMI and Optical Gain Adjustment” on page 12.

AUX

The AUX input accepts a 3.5mm

stereo male connector for analog Left

signals. This is also known as an Right

1/8 inch stereo mini plug, and is

Ground

the typical end used to connect

headphones to phones or similar

Figure 3­ 3.5mm Plug for AUX Input

devices. This input can be used to

provide a wired connection to various music sources.

HDMI ARC (Connecting your TV)
The RS250 can receive audio via an HDMI cable from ARC enabled televisions. Audio Return Channel (ARC) can provide two way communication between units allowing for volume control and lip-syncing functions to ensure audio and video are perfectly matched. This allows for more intelligent operation between components as well as less cable clutter. Make sure this feature is enabled in your TV’s setup menu.

The Lip Sync function is automatic with an ARC CEC connection. Lip Sync can be controlled with the RS250 remote control and will enable adjustments of audio to sync with accompanying video when CEC is defeated or with the optical input.

The HDMI ARC input is designed to be used exclusively with ARC compliant televisions. If the source is not ARC compliant, use the optical connection for digital sources.

For HDMI and Optical volume boost adjustments see “HDMI and Optical Gain Adjustment” on page 12.

PHONO

The PHONO input accepts RCA connections from a turntable to support vinyl record playback. The RS250 is configured to support Moving Magnet type phono cartridges. Use the ground lug to connect the turntable/tonearm ground wire.

Data Output

The Data Output uses a 3.5mm stereo male-to-male cable to send control signals to connected McIntosh source components. For instance, a PLAY command to a CD player can be sent using a single remote control.

Data Signal
N/C Data Ground
Figure 4­ 3.5mm Plug for Data Output

Trig Out (Power Control)

Trig Out uses a 3.5mm stereo male to male cable to send on/ off signals to other connected McIntosh components using a 12-volt trigger signal. This allows other components to
automatically power on and off when the RS250 does the same.

Power Control
N/C
Ground
Figure 5­ 3.5mm Plug for Power Control

Service
This blocked USB port is only for service by qualified persons, and is not intended for USB device support or playback.
Subwoofer Output
An external subwoofer can be connected using the RCA jack. The subwoofer will receive a line level mono signal. RS250 filters will automatically be optimized for integration with an external Subwoofer when connected and volume will track accordingly. Use the Subwoofer’s sensitivity adjustment to set the initial level. A crossover setting of 100Hz is suggested.

7

Front View Labeled

24.8″ 62.99 cm

NET BT
PHONO HDMI AUX OPT
PUSH BT PAIR

-30 -20 -10

-40

0

dB OUTPUT LEVEL

-30 -20 -10

-40

0

dB OUTPUT LEVEL

RS250 WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

HEADPHONE

VOLUME
PUSH POWER / MUTE

5.7″ 14.48 cm

12.75″ 32.4 cm

Figure 6­ Front View
Installing the Grille
The RS250’s Grille can be installed by lining up the six plastic pegs on the back of the Grille with the six holes framing the speakers of the RS250. Gently push with even pressure to install and pull straight away from the front to remove the Grille. See Figure 7. NOTE: the Grille has a top and bottom.

Figure 7­ Installing the Grille
8
NET BT

VOLUME

Remote Learning

The RS250 is capable of learning some commands from most television IR remotes. This is handy to control the volume of the RS250 that is optically connected to a television with only the television remote.
To teach the RS250 the other remote’s commands:

Press

Result

Press and hold the Power Meter lights will blink

Left Knob for 10 twice. Max Volume LED will

seconds.

blink twice per second.

Press the remote button to be learned for volume increase.

Power Meter lights will blink twice. Min Volume LED will blink twice per second.

Press the remote button to be learned for volume decrease.

Power Meter lights will blink twice. Min Volume LED will blink twice every 4 four seconds.

Press the remote Power Meter lights will blink

button to be

twice. The Max Volume LED

learned for mute. will glow steady.

Press the remote button to be learned for standby toggle.

Power Meter lights blink three times, LED state changes from steady to off indicating learning session has ended.

Changing the Remote’s Battery
Someday, the AAA battery in the remote will need to be replaced. This is how to do it. The back of the remote control is held in place by magnets. To remove the back of the remote to reveal the battery, slide the front of the remote up while sliding the back of the remote down. The goal is to move the back 3/16 of an inch from the top of the remote and then lift it off. There are many ways do to this, as far as positioning your fingers. To open the remote:

· Hold the remote upsidedown and backwards withMcIntosh name upsidedown and facing away from you. The thicker end will now be the top and you should be staring at the back of the remote.
· Pinch the remote with your index finger resting on the Trim/Select button and your thumb on the backside (facing you) opposite your index finger’s position. Your thumb and remote should both be pointing away from you (see Figure 8).
· Use your thumb to slide the back open 3/16 of an inch. Slide your thumb away from you towards the thicker end of the remote, while your index finger goes in the opposite direction (towards you). As if snapping your fingers in slow motion. For added strength, you can use your other hand in a similar position above your first hand using the same technique. Make sure you do not hold the side edge with either hand.
· Lift the back off with your other hand before it snaps closed again. You can grab the now exposed top edge.
· It gets easier after the first time. Remove and replace the battery noting the polarity (printed below the battery if you forget). To replace the back: Place the back in position 3/16 of an inch from the edge. The magnets will help you snap it back into place.
Figure 8­ Sliding open the Remote

9

Description of Remote Control Buttons
Mutes and unmutes the audio

LED illuminates during the time a remote command is sent to the RS250.
Decreases the volume level.
INPUT Source Selection Press this button to select the desired program source.
Each press will advance to another input.
NIGHT Toggles the meter lights and
input LEDs on and off.

INPUT HDMI

AUX

OPT

PHONO

Powers the RS250 on or off.
Increases the volume level.
Direct input access. Press to go directly to the indicated input.
LIP SYNC These two buttons adjust HDMI, USB or optically connected audio up to 150ms to sync with video.

Selects Previous Track with compatible
playback sources. Play/Pause with compatible
playback sources.
Figure 9­ Remote Control Diagram
10

H R 09 4

Selects Next Track with compatible playback sources.
NOTE: the following additional discrete commands for external control systems are available: POWER ON, POWER OFF, INPUT (Down), AUX, PHONO, OPT (Optical), and HDMI. Contact McIntosh Technical Assistance or your dealer for more information.

The Knobs and LEDs on the Front

The Right Knob The Right Knob is primarily
the Volume and Power Knob.

Command

Right Knob Action

Raise Volume Rotate clockwise

Lower Volume Rotate counter clockwise

Mute/ Pause

Short press (less than half a second)

Unmute/Play

Short press (less than half a second) or rotate in either direction

Adjust Bass Level

Press and Hold while turning clockwise to increase the Bass Level and counter clockwise to decrease. The Meter will graphically show the level as adjusted. The midpoint on the meter is considered neutral

Enter Sleep State Press and Hold for two seconds (power down)

Wake from Sleep Short Press State (power up)

The Left Knob The Left Knob can be used to select
sources, lighting levels, and place the RS250 in Discovery
Mode.

Command

Left Knob Action

Adjust Lighting

Press and Hold while turning clockwise to increase the lighting level and counter clockwise to
decrease. The Meter will graphically show the level as adjusted

Enter Bluetooth Press and Hold for two seconds Discovery Mode

Sleep Mode Lighting

The Left Knob is used to change wired inputs, adjust lighting, and to place the RS250 in Discovery Mode.

Network/Wi-Fi Indicator LED
When connected to a network, the Network/WiFi indicator LED will be glow a solid green. For network states, see the table below:

LED
Green- slow pulse
Green- solid Red- solid Red- slow pulsing

Status
RS250 is in process of joining the network
Connected to the network a network error has occurred
there is a critical firmware issue. Please upgrade firmware

Input Select
Use the Input Select Knob to select any wired input. Wireless Input selection is automatic. There is a hierarchy of input types. A Wi-Fi connection will take precedence over a Bluetooth connection. If there is no Wi-Fi connection present, Bluetooth connection is automatic.
If a Bluetooth connection is interrupted then it must be re-established from the mobile device.
Sleep Mode LED
The LED will glow red when the RS250 is connected to a live AC outlet and the unit is in Sleep Mode. When the RS250 receives a power on command, the Sleep Mode LED will turn off.
Input Indicators
When a network streaming session is active, the NET light will be lit. When a Bluetooth connection is established, the BT LED will be solidly lit.
The BT flashing indicates that the RS250 is in Bluetooth discovery mode. Other inputs will illuminate when selected.

Rear Panel Views

L

R

PHONO GND

PHONO IN

AUX

S UB DATA TR IG

IN

OUT OUT OUT

C E C HDMI IN HDMI AND OPTIC AL S E R VIC E E THE R NE T

DE FE AT (AR C )

OP T IC AL

IN

LE VE L ADJUS T

Contains FCC ID: Contains IC: Contains FCC ID: Contains IC:

Figure 10­ Rear View

Power Switch

Rear Connections
Ethernet Port
The Ethernet Port connects your RS250 to your network’s router using a standard CAT5, CAT5E or CAT6 cable with an RJ45 connector. Using a wired connection is one way to access the RS250’s setup via a browser. For more information, see “The Browser Interface” on page 12.

AC Connector
Use the supplied AC Power Cord to connect the RS250 to a live AC outlet.
USB Service Port
The USB port is only for performing service functions by a qualified service technician. It is not intended for USB device support or playback.

11

HDMI and Optical Gain Adjustment
Many video sources such as broadcast video to television sets have sound levels that are lower than typical music sources. Because of this, a volume boost has been added to the HDMI input making it louder. The ability to adjust the volume boost of the Optical input has been added so that the Optical input could be boosted as needed.
To adjust the volume boost:
· Go to HDMI or Optical input (whichever you wish to adjust).
· With a typical source playing, adjust the volume to a midpoint level.
· Rotate the knob located on the rear panel right side (when looking from the front), and rotate to achieve the desired output level. Choose this level to be approximately the same as what you would experience on another input. When you have achieved the desired level, release the adjustment knob. This trim level will be recalled for the HDMI or Optical input whenever selected. Note: you may independently set the trim for HDMI and Optical input. One will not affect the other.
These settings can be changed at any time.
The Browser Interface
To view the RS250’s browser interface, you will need its IP address.
There are several ways to find a device’s IP address. For instance, you can use IP scanner software. Here is one way with out additional software. To find the RS250’s IP address: With the RS250 connected to your network with a wired or wireless connection:

· Type the IP address of your router into the address bar of a browser (often 192.168.1.1)
· Enter the router’s Username and password. (The default can be found in the router’s documentation, but changing it is a good security rule)
· Look for the RS250 in the list of wired or wireless clients for your router
· Note the IP address With the RS250’s IP address:
· Type the address of the RS250 into the address
bar of your router
The RS250 Browser interface has three submenus: · OVERVIEW (see Figure 11) · SETTINGS (see Figure 12) · UPDATE (see Figure 13)
Click on the desired heading to enter that menu.
OVERVIEW Menu
The Overview menu provides the following information about the RS250:
· Serial Number · MAC Address · Network IP Address · Firmware versions
You can provide a Custom Name for the RS250. This is the name that will display for available AirPlay devices. If you wish to change the default name, type the new name in the box and press Enter. If the name was changed using the Apple Home app, the name will not be able to be changed on the web page.
The Overview Menu provides an indicator for the status of your Wi-Fi (WIFI enabled). When enabled the indicator will show ON and be green. An ethernet connection takes precedence and will automatically disable Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi, if set up, will reengage when the ethernet cable is disconnected.

SETTINGS Menu
The Power Sleep Timer has two settings:
· ON (default)
· OFF
When the Power Sleep Timer is set to ON, the RS250 will power off into a sleep state after approximately 30 minutes of no sound or user input. After 60 minutes of uninterrupted sleep, the RS250 will enter a Standby Mode. In this Standby Mode, the Wi-Fi radio is powered off and the unit can not be woken via the network. Standby Mode power consumption is less than 0.5 watts.
If the Power Sleep Timer is set to OFF, the RS250 will power off into a sleep state after 30 minutes of non-activity. The RS250 can be woken from sleep by input from the network (or physically pushing the Power Button). In a sleep state, the RS250 will continue to work with devices configured to control it in your Google Home collection.
The RS250 can be made to immediately enter a sleep state by pressing and holding the Right Knob for two seconds. If Power Sleep Timer is set to ON, the RS250 will enter Standby Mode after 60 minutes of uninterrupted sleep.
The Startup Volume Limit has two settings:
· ON
· OFF (default)
When the Startup Volume Limit is ON, upon power loss or return to play from Sleep or Standby, the first playback of the product will start at a low volume level. When switched to OFF, the product will resume playback at the last volume level.
The Settings Menu allows you to change settings for Wired and Wireless network connections.

12

Select Network Type to see/change settings:

Figure 11­ OVERVIEW Submenu

· Automatic

· Wired · Wireless

If Network Type is set to Automatic, the RS250 will

automatically connect to Wi-Fi when the ethernet

2

cable is unplugged provided the Wireless connection

2

has previously been setup. Selecting Wired for

Network Type will limit the RS250 network

connection to the ethernet port connection. Select

Wireless to setup a Wi-Fi network or to restrict the

network connection to Wi-Fi.

If you selected the Network Type of Wireless, the following submenus appear:

· Scan Networks

· Display SSID

· Network Password To set up a wireless connection for the RS250:

Figure 12­ SETTINGS Submenu

· Select Start Scan

· In the Display SSID submenu, select a wireless network using the up/down arrows
· Enter the Network Password for that Network · Select Connect

DHCP can be set to ON (Default) or OFF. If you change this setting to OFF, you will need to provide the following information manually:
· IP

· Netmask

· Gateway · DNS (1st and 2nd)

With DHCP ON, this information is automatically acquired and the submenus to enter the information

are not visible.

13

Figure 13­ UPDATE submenu

UPDATE Menu
The UPDATE menu allows you to reset settings to the factory defaults as well as update your RS250.
To restore Factory settings, select the “Start Factory Reset” button. Done. Note that you will lose your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection settings.
An alternative method for Factory Reset, is to Press and Hold the Left and Right Knobs for 10 seconds.
Update Method allows you to set how the RS250 updates its firmware. When set to the default of OTA Auto, the RS250 will periodically check for updates and install them automatically. When set to OTA Manual, the RS250 will check for available updates when you select the Start Search button to the right of Check for Update. If an update is available, you

can install it by selecting Start Update. (OTA stands for “over-the-air”.)
The Service option for updating is for service purposes by a McIntosh qualified technician only.
While the RS250 is in the process of updating the firmware, the power status LED will blink twice in quick succession, pause for 2 seconds, and then repeat during the entire process. Other internal processor updating will be accompanied by other LEDs or indicator flashing. This is normal.

14

Re-packing the RS250
When shipping the RS250, it is highly recommended that the unit be packed as it was originally shipped to avoid damage. Failure to properly pack the unit will likely result in damage. If you need any of the packing material, you can contact McIntosh Customer Service.

Figure 14­ Packing Material

ITEM QTY

1

1

2

1

3

1

4

1

5

2

6

1

7

1

8

1

9

1

DESCRIPTION Power Cord (US) Accessory Box Molded Foam Manual Molded Foam RS250 Plastic Bag Non Woven Bag Carton

PART # 310625SP 310626SP 310627SP 24116500 310628SP
301629SP 310630SP 310804SP

Technical Specifications
Power Output 650W – 400W Tweeter/Mids, 250W Woofers
Speakers Two 20mm Titanium Dome Fluid-filled Tweeters Four 50mm Titanium Inverted Dome Midranges Two 4 x 6 inch Long Throw Woofers
HDMI/Coaxial/Optical Digital Input Rate 32kHz to 192kHz, 24-Bit, Dolby Digital, DTS
Input Sensitivity (for rated output) 2Vrms Analog
Maximum Analog Input Signal 2.2Vrms
Overall Frequency Range 40Hz to 20,000Hz
Crossover Frequencies 275Hz and 4,000Hz
Sub out Frequencies 20Hz to 500Hz 100Hz Acoustic Crossover
Streaming Support Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon
Supported Audio Formats (Must also be supported by chosen source app and device) MP3, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, M4A, OGG, AIFF
Connectivity Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM a, b, g, n, ac WPATM, WPA2TM, WMM® 2.4/5 GHz, ethernet
Bluetooth 5.0 AVRCP, A2DP, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL
Power Requirements 100-120V/220-240V ~ 50/60 Hz 400 Watts

Dimensions Width 24 13/16 inches (62.99cm) Height 5 11/16 inches (14.48cm) Depth 12 3/4 inches (32.4cm)
Shipping Carton Dimensions: Width 29.4 inches (74.68cm) Height 10.8 inches (27.43cm) Depth 16.5 inches (41.91cm)
Weight 29.5 pounds (13.3kg) net 35 pounds (15.8kg) in shipping carton

15

The continuous improvement of its products is the policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who reserve the right to improve design without notice. The RS250 is designed to employ non-McIntosh-provided services some of which require separate customer subscriptions and some of which do not, as part of the Product’s functionality. Because McIntosh cannot control the providers of such services or the services themselves, the owner of the Product therefore assumes all risks related to the use of services provided by anyone other than McIntosh itself. McIntosh cannot and does not warrant against, and shall have no liability of any kind for any of the following that are attributable to non-McIntosh providers or services: (i) interruption, discontinuance, or other unsatisfactory performance of service; (ii) reduced Product functionality that is so attributable; or (iii) any other loss or damage of any kind that is so attributable.
McIntosh Part No. 24116501

References

• DTS
• McIntosh: Home Audio Systems for Music & Home Theater
• Spotify - Connect
• McIntosh: Home Audio Systems for Music & Home Theater

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