surrounded by sound
Member
- Thread Author
- #1
Anyone know ?
What has Bose done to McIntosh ?
- Thread starter surrounded by sound
- Start date
Specifically related to what?
How long until they dump them is the more likely question.
I’m a fan, always have been, mostly for nostalgic reasons, but they are in dire need of a new direction. They’ve been tossed around like a hot potato for years now.
From a dealer perspective, they are stuck in 1985 with a complete denial on how consumers buy in 2026. The Amazon generation does not take kindly to 1985 buying strategies.
Today, they seem to focus on dealers focused on cheap home theater and CI. They have completely lost their focus on two channel audio focused dealers. They want dealers who are selling CI services out of a van, not dedicated B&M high end two channel audio.
That’s a market, I’m afraid, they can’t win. That market is completely dominated by Sonance, Origin, Wisdom, Kaleidoscope, Control4, Lutron, Trinnov and dozens of others.
IMO, their push for CI-fi is not catching on despite their recent relationship cultivation with ProSource.
Two channel was slow to innovate and that worked well for Mcintosh. CI has rapid innovation, slick, inexpensive products adopting the latest connected, streaming and wireless technologies and I’m afraid Mc is just not positioned culturally to keep up.
They’re on what, owner 7 now? 6 since 1990. I predict owner 8 is around the corner.
Their best owner IMO, was Clarion and D&M. At least they understood audio and who the Mcintosh customer was.
Just think how many players they allowed to enter a market they once completely dominated, as they lost focus, tinkering in everything from car audio to home theater, clock radios, empty boxes, and class D amps. There is an important distinction between expanding the brand and successfully building a profitable new business.
How long until they dump them is the more likely question.
I’m a fan, always have been, mostly for nostalgic reasons, but they are in dire need of a new direction. They’ve been tossed around like a hot potato for years now.
From a dealer perspective, they are stuck in 1985 with a complete denial on how consumers buy in 2026. The Amazon generation does not take kindly to 1985 buying strategies.
Today, they seem to focus on dealers focused on cheap home theater and CI. They have completely lost their focus on two channel audio focused dealers. They want dealers who are selling CI services out of a van, not dedicated B&M high end two channel audio.
That’s a market, I’m afraid, they can’t win. That market is completely dominated by Sonance, Origin, Wisdom, Kaleidoscope, Control4, Lutron, Trinnov and dozens of others.
IMO, their push for CI-fi is not catching on despite their recent relationship cultivation with ProSource.
Two channel was slow to innovate and that worked well for Mcintosh. CI has rapid innovation, slick, inexpensive products adopting the latest connected, streaming and wireless technologies and I’m afraid Mc is just not positioned culturally to keep up.
They’re on what, owner 7 now? 6 since 1990. I predict owner 8 is around the corner.
Their best owner IMO, was Clarion and D&M. At least they understood audio and who the Mcintosh customer was.
Just think how many players they allowed to enter a market they once completely dominated, as they lost focus, tinkering in everything from car audio to home theater, clock radios, empty boxes, and class D amps. There is an important distinction between expanding the brand and successfully building a profitable new business.
surrounded by sound
Member
- Thread Author
- #3
Thank you for the reply.
W9TR
Well-known member
What Bose has done so far is to pull them from Best Buy/ Magnolia and trim their bloated product offerings by eliminating a lot of niche and duplicative products.
In the process they have eliminated all their high power tube amplification products, specifically the MC 2301 and MC 3500. They are trying to get into the custom integration (CI) business but none of those products are remotely competitive and many are laughable. Their streaming products are all designed by third parties..
Apart from their misguided entry into CI there is no evidence of a change in direction that bodes well for the brand. But they’re like the Eveready Bunny - they seem to keep marching along despite constant changes of ownership and focus.
As one of the iconic American HiFI brands still standing, I wish them the best. I own a lot of their stuff and have found it a pleasure to own.
In the process they have eliminated all their high power tube amplification products, specifically the MC 2301 and MC 3500. They are trying to get into the custom integration (CI) business but none of those products are remotely competitive and many are laughable. Their streaming products are all designed by third parties..
Apart from their misguided entry into CI there is no evidence of a change in direction that bodes well for the brand. But they’re like the Eveready Bunny - they seem to keep marching along despite constant changes of ownership and focus.
As one of the iconic American HiFI brands still standing, I wish them the best. I own a lot of their stuff and have found it a pleasure to own.
Last edited:
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
McIntosh is the wrong brand to buy for CI, IMO. They would have been better off buying one of the receiver brands that used to be up for sale. I hate to see the Mac legacy destroyed.
FWIW, there is an extensive thread here somewhere that started after the acquisition took place. It might be interesting to go back and see whose predictions are close.
FWIW, there is an extensive thread here somewhere that started after the acquisition took place. It might be interesting to go back and see whose predictions are close.
still-one
Well-known member
Local dealer here gave up the brand.
crwilli
Well-known member
Among all the changes, the one that bothers me the most, having grown up 5 miles from their HQ, is the recent rationalization of their high powered Tube amps. The MC2301, MC3501MKII and MC1502 amps are all discontinued. The MC275 MK? remains for some reason - nostalgia/profit? McIntosh has a soul and those tube amps are a key part of it. That soul is dying.
Craig, well said, but one wonders as to the relevancy with respect to 'todays' younger audiophile demographic ?
Shadowfax
Well-known member
Yep, they would have heard Bose way more times than McIntosh
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I didn't know you grew up in the Binghamton area. I also grew up with the McIntosh facility. Their second facility was right next to my high school in Conklin. We used to go right by the main factory every single day. Where did you grow up?
One thing I do like is that I can still talk to real folks for whatever questions I might have. I called them just the other day. I was considering possibly looking into their external phono stage. The gentleman I talk to for a while basically said that what was built into my C49 is the same as sold separately other than a bit more flexibility and a couple more functions on the external unit. He literally doubted that I could hear a difference. I really appreciated the honesty.
surrounded by sound
Member
- Thread Author
- #11
Good mornong Randy ! Is Corey Ford still in business in Binghampton ? I used to deliever cars to them about twice a month.
RepublicOfTexas69
Active member
Sadly they will most likely go the way of Pontiac and Oldsmobile and one day will be a distant memory like the Rochester carburetor.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I absolutely thought the 3500mkii was a very cool idea. From what I understand it was always intended to be a limited model, a tribute to Woodstock. It also requires 8 EL509 tubes which acquiring those in matched sets can be a problem. As well the 1502 used 8 KT-88's.
Even more niche, a package deal with 3500 mkii and a passive JBL with one of the companies providing the external crossover would have really been cool. Making something like the M2 but using the Mac amps similar to Woodstock.
People who are into Bose don't buy 3500 mkII's.
Mac has introduced a new tube integrated MA-2375, which is an all analog, all tube integrated. As mentioned the 275 power amp continues to be a legend.
In this economy it makes sense to thin down the line especially those units that move slow. We will have to see how things shake out.
Out of curiosity I checked to see if others have discontinued tube gear and found this is not unique to Mac which gives me a bit more optimism for the company. It seems it's a tube issue and possibly tube gear in general.
I learned that Bob Carver closed their doors and released chematics to the public for future service.
Audio Research phased out several amps, they did bring in a couple new models. Of course we all are aware there could be other factors going on here.
A Pro sound company, Tube Tech has discontinued some legendary pieces.
Who knows if the tube shortage is ever ironed out maybe tube gear will pick back up. Hopefully it will survive.
Even more niche, a package deal with 3500 mkii and a passive JBL with one of the companies providing the external crossover would have really been cool. Making something like the M2 but using the Mac amps similar to Woodstock.
People who are into Bose don't buy 3500 mkII's.
Mac has introduced a new tube integrated MA-2375, which is an all analog, all tube integrated. As mentioned the 275 power amp continues to be a legend.
In this economy it makes sense to thin down the line especially those units that move slow. We will have to see how things shake out.
Out of curiosity I checked to see if others have discontinued tube gear and found this is not unique to Mac which gives me a bit more optimism for the company. It seems it's a tube issue and possibly tube gear in general.
I learned that Bob Carver closed their doors and released chematics to the public for future service.
Audio Research phased out several amps, they did bring in a couple new models. Of course we all are aware there could be other factors going on here.
A Pro sound company, Tube Tech has discontinued some legendary pieces.
Who knows if the tube shortage is ever ironed out maybe tube gear will pick back up. Hopefully it will survive.
surrounded by sound
Member
- Thread Author
- #14
Looks like McIntosh stopped making the AM/FM tuner too.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I'm surprised anyone makes a tuner anymore. I grew up on FM, loved radio, now I haven't had a tuner in my system in about 25 years. Radio is struggling to remain relevant yet it sounds like crap, programming is crap, in general. Some markets may have a Classical or college station that makes the exception.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I really do not know. I have not spent much time in Binghamton in years. I moved to Syracuse in the mid 1980's and to California in 2004. I have only been back to Binghamton for my mother's and then my father's funerals since the California move.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Looks like the MR88 was discontinued in 2016 and the MR87 was discontinued in 2022. The only tuner being offered is in the receive now
. My MR85 was only replaced by the MR87 and MR88.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
The local FM sounds pretty darn good here in Wichita on my MR85. I use a Magnum Dynalabs ST2 antenna which does the job nicely. There are a ton of stations and many that come in at the highest strength.
RepublicOfTexas69
Active member
Just spent a week up in Wichita with my Cv and Ag distributors. Farmers and HD Mechanics are the salt of the earth. Was conducting training and did a couple of trade shows down at the Kansas Star Casino.