McIntosh XR14 speakers bargain?!

R

rossross1

New member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
4
Location
Alaska
I have the opportunity to buy a pair of McIntosh X14 speakers for $150. Looking online these are fabulous speakers and that is a rock bottom price. I have no doubt they are in fine condition. But researching as a complete beginner, it seems I'll need lots more equipment to make them 'work'. The seller says I'll need an MQ101 equalizer, but I've read an MQ102 would be fine, but they are few and hard to find. A 101 is going for $395 on eBay! Plus shipping to Alaska -always a killer. I've read suggestions that a Behringer DSP 1124P would work - they are $400 also, but at least new. But do I also need an amplifier and more? I want to hook up to my iMac, and have started reading all about DACs etc. Will this end up being a nightmare for a beginner, or does the touted outstanding quality of these speakers make it worth embarking on the voyage?! Should I just go with Audioengine 5 powered speakers and forget trying to join the 'Audiophile' community? Thank you in advance for any help.
 
Thanks for the welcome messages... So quickly too! Does that response from NorthStar mean go with the AudioEngine 5s? I've read excellent reviews and it seems you can just plug into the iMac, nothing else needed. Or are you just after my bargain McIntoshes..?!!!:roflmao:
 
Ross,

Did you mean XR-14 speakers?

Why do you need all the crossovers and eq's to run the McIntosh speakers?
 
Yes, sorry. XR-14s.
I don' t know... Which is why I have joined this forum! I have long wanted to get a decent sound system, and now I have a beautiful new iMac chock full of music. When I heard of the availability of these speakers and looked them up on the Internet, I got really excited thinking I'd found amazing speakers at an amazing price. But I don't think I can just plug 'em in to my computer and sit back to incredible sound... So what would I need? All I've read says the equalizer is a necessity for the XR-14s. If not, I'll be buying those speakers tomorrow first thing! I apologize for asking such basic questions...
 
Hi Ross

No need to apologize. We were all beginners once. :) You may also want to post questions about the XR14 speakers on the McIntosh part of audiokarma.org and see if anyone knows about them. I'll do some searching about them and post here but to me it looks like you would need and integrated amp or amp and preamp to plug them into. Do you have any other stereo gear besides the computer?
 
Last edited:
Thanks Joe.
So would you agree with Bob (NorthStar) on the AudioEngine 5s? Or a different make perhaps. I suppose that having powered speakers eliminates the need for other equipment. I read that a DAC is optimal in this configuration.
 
rossross1 said:
Thanks Joe.
So would you agree with Bob (NorthStar) on the AudioEngine 5s? Or a different make perhaps. I suppose that having powered speakers eliminates the need for other equipment. I read that a DAC is optimal in this configuration.
Click to expand...

Yes, I would have to agree with Bob. The A5+ look really nice and come with everything you need to get going.
 
joeinid said:
Yes, I would have to agree with Bob. The A5+ look really nice and come with everything you need to get going.
Click to expand...

Man, I would kill for those at $150! I've had two pairs of them and they are good for full range speakers. They're probably not for you though. You want some computer speaker. Those xr-14's are like 60+lbs each and require power haha. Regarding the equalizer, you can get away without it, but you will be a tiny bit light on bass.
 
joeinid said:
Welcome to the forum PhoenixG! Thank you for joining.
Click to expand...
Thanks Joe! You've got some nice equipment. I see you have the Cornwall III - I used to have a set of Cornwall I's and thought they were some of the best speakers I've ever had.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top