The McIntosh XR50 is a compact bookshelf loudspeaker designed to deliver rich, full sound that rivals much larger speakers. It features a small footprint yet boasts impressive bass response and a broad soundstage, making it ideal for various audio setups. The XR50 showcases an elegant design with a tapering cabinet and is offered in attractive real wood finishes, including Black, Red Walnut, and Pear Maple. The speaker operates on a three-way ported design, integrating four drivers: a 3/4-inch titanium dome tweeter, two 2-inch inverted titanium dome midrange drivers, and a 6-inch low-distortion/high-power (LD/HP) polycone woofer. Despite its light weight of 8.9 kg, the XR50 is engineered to handle powerful audio input, rated between 75 to 300 watts with a nominal impedance of eight ohms. Its efficiency is rated at 81 dB, which indicates low sensitivity. While it excels in synergy with McIntosh amplifiers, using it with non-McIntosh units may diminish some performance qualities. The backward-facing bass port enhances low frequencies, while a precision crossover network ensures even sound distribution across audible ranges. The use of neodymium-iron-boron alloy magnets in its drivers contributes to a compact design while improving dispersion and reducing distortion. Overall, the XR50 delivers exceptional audio performance, rich detail in both bass and treble, making it a highly recommended choice for both music and home theater systems.
