Very interesting discovery! It’s interesting how the brands that are deemed higher end are also introducing smart speaker products. It’s a great thing. Smart speakers are sometimes frowned upon by some audiophiles.
Hello Temu, thanks for your comments. Wireless products are increasing in popularity, and naturally we love the higher quality alternatives like this one
Considering the RS products are going to be used primarily for digital streaming, I’d believe the way forward is to let go of those meters and use that display space for track info and album art like premium streamers do. And I doubt that’d make it less of a Mcintosh.
Switching to digital meters shows that McIntosh have lost contact with their customer group. That tactile aspect is what made the brand tick, now they are just another run of the mill product. Well, if that's where they wanna go fine. I'm pretty sure sales will drop.
All of their traditional hi-fi products till have the analog meters, even their most entry level power amp or integrated. Not to mention that they just resurrected what was one of their most beloved product of all time: the MC3500 power amp to thunderous acclaim from fans. McIntosh isn't going anywhere but up.
Honestly I was interested in an all in one. I ended up prior to this release with the Naim Uniti Atom. Since I’m a minimalist when it comes to my setup I always wanted a McIntosh for those famous blue needle meters. For me I don’t like this versions digital meters
Hello BH, no, McIntosh designed these as stand-alone devices, rather than home theater type applications. Thanks for asking. If you are looking more for products that can be joined together, please reach out to us: ask@gramophone.com
Great presenation, I was wondering what you would suggest for this scenario. I just bought a home that has this open concept and I love listening to Vinyl. What would you recommend as I've been looking for a Mcintosh but I don't know what models to look into. Whether or not to go to an older version or newer. Thanks for the help in advance.
Hey User, congratulations on your new home! There are so many options within the McIntosh family, so please reach out to us, and we'll connect you with one of our team to discuss what may suit you best: ask@gramophone.com
Is there a playback app for my iPad to access my MP3 files via UPNP or DLNA on a home server without the need of Roon? Or does the music get to the RS250 only via AirPlay2 or Bluetooth?
Hey James, RS 250 has no mics on board. But it supports AirPlay 2, so Siri will respond to your voice commands, and your Google Assistant device will also offer you voice control. You can learn more at this link, or reach out to us: ask@gramophone.com skybygramophone.com/products/mcintosh-rs250-wireless-loudspeaker-system?_pos=17&_sid=0a29ce37e&_ss=r
The. RS250 sounds really good with music listening - but if your room is really large, and you like to play at realistic volumes, it may not fill a large living room. We'd suggest you try to audition the RS 250 before you commit to a large area
Thank you Tranceeris, no doubt this is a specialty product, intended for those who have a small space and want to fill it with quality. A larger system wi†h good sized woofers will out-perform this. It's just a different application
But it’s almost double the price of a MuSo. I’d imagine the bass is more robust than the Naim’s which in turn might have better PRAT. Those are standard signatures of the respective brands.
So, does it sound better than the best in wireless world - Vifa Stockholm 2.0 and Devialet I 108db? Edit: I've just watched the comparison with b&o a9, rs250 is a joke with boomy and boosted bass just like Naim, sounds completely off but that may be the mic. No chance against Vifa tho...
Don't go off of these UA-cam "sound tests" they really aren't, as you can never actually hear the product itself. Is it better than say a Devialet Gold Phantom? No, but the problem with the Devialet is that it never works. We used to carry them, and their software is the worst I've ever seen in any audio product. You literally could not get it to play anything at all most of the time. Great hardware rendered nigh useless by horrid software. The RS250 actually works which is why I keep bringing it up in the video. Airplay 2 and boom it just works. As for the Vifa I don't know as I do not have any experience with that product.
@@GramophoneMD Ever seen Oluv's sound test? When you listen to his video with an Etymotic, you get 95% of sound... Phantom works great on Bluetooth and idk why would you use wifi as it doesn't give you difference in sound, maby you could hear the difference with Vifa. At the end, why would anyone recommend the RS250?
No me gusta en absoluto la estética de Mcintosh El sonido puede ser increíble ..la estética es horrorosa y tienes que verlo todos los días Me iría a otro tíos marcas que cuiden el diseño...por ejemplo esotéric Hegel
Eliminating the analog blue meter is a major disappointment. That's a "New Coke" level mistake.
Totally agree.
Very interesting discovery! It’s interesting how the brands that are deemed higher end are also introducing smart speaker products. It’s a great thing. Smart speakers are sometimes frowned upon by some audiophiles.
Hello Temu, thanks for your comments. Wireless products are increasing in popularity, and naturally we love the higher quality alternatives like this one
Considering the RS products are going to be used primarily for digital streaming, I’d believe the way forward is to let go of those meters and use that display space for track info and album art like premium streamers do. And I doubt that’d make it less of a Mcintosh.
Nope keep it classic
Thanks for the presentation, great product, I will get one for sûre, soundbar, hi-fi, all together with gorgious look 🤩🍀
Get the Vifa Stockholm 2.0 instead...
Switching to digital meters shows that McIntosh have lost contact with their customer group. That tactile aspect is what made the brand tick, now they are just another run of the mill product. Well, if that's where they wanna go fine. I'm pretty sure sales will drop.
All of their traditional hi-fi products till have the analog meters, even their most entry level power amp or integrated. Not to mention that they just resurrected what was one of their most beloved product of all time: the MC3500 power amp to thunderous acclaim from fans. McIntosh isn't going anywhere but up.
@@GramophoneMD As we can see they are switching to digital meters. If they were serious about NOT doing that they wouldn't have done so.
They won't be switching to them in their traditional hi-fi products.
I would absolutely buy one if it had analogue meters
Honestly I was interested in an all in one. I ended up prior to this release with the Naim Uniti Atom. Since I’m a minimalist when it comes to my setup I always wanted a McIntosh for those famous blue needle meters. For me I don’t like this versions digital meters
Didn't know that this kinda equipment was available
when i hit lotto mcintosh is my number one......
Great review. Subscribed!
Thanks Mitch
Can you connect the rs250 and two rs150's together to make them all play at the same time while watching tv or listening to music?
Hello BH, no, McIntosh designed these as stand-alone devices, rather than home theater type applications. Thanks for asking. If you are looking more for products that can be joined together, please reach out to us: ask@gramophone.com
excellent video.
Thank you much Them! It's not far away from 30,000 views 🙂
Great presenation, I was wondering what you would suggest for this scenario. I just bought a home that has this open concept and I love listening to Vinyl. What would you recommend as I've been looking for a Mcintosh but I don't know what models to look into. Whether or not to go to an older version or newer. Thanks for the help in advance.
Hey User, congratulations on your new home! There are so many options within the McIntosh family, so please reach out to us, and we'll connect you with one of our team to discuss what may suit you best: ask@gramophone.com
Can the VU meters and glowing logo be turned off? I think they would be pretty distracting under a TV.
Hello Merope! The answer is yes, the meter lights can be dimmed or turned off!
Is there a playback app for my iPad to access my MP3 files via UPNP or DLNA on a home server without the need of Roon? Or does the music get to the RS250 only via AirPlay2 or Bluetooth?
Awfully thin review, with focus only on the connection & streaming aspects, and no talk about sound quality and/or competitive comparisons
Umm, he addressed that though, or was that not clear in the video?
Does not "smoke" Sennheiser's Ambeo. Sure looks better though!
Can you connect two devices at once to the RS250 via Bluetooth ?
Is it made in the USA ?
Always as usual.
Absolutely!
@@GramophoneMD assembled in China!
These new LED VU meters are a mistake. If they use these on their higher end products, there will be a lot of angry McIntosh fans.
I bet it is to keep cost down. I bet meters would add a (minimum) 2K to the price.
True opinion, JBL L75MS or RS250?
It's tough. Both are superlative. Slight preference for RS250, but neither is the wrong choice.
Those speaker drivers, must have, cost all of $45 from parts-express ... total!!! Probably why it sounds so bad!
Mac makes their own drivers.
Does this support Alexa and Google?
Hey James, RS 250 has no mics on board. But it supports AirPlay 2, so Siri will respond to your voice commands, and your Google Assistant device will also offer you voice control. You can learn more at this link, or reach out to us: ask@gramophone.com skybygramophone.com/products/mcintosh-rs250-wireless-loudspeaker-system?_pos=17&_sid=0a29ce37e&_ss=r
This feels more like a sales pitch than a review imho
It's not a review, it's information on a product they sell. If I could afford it I'd get one.
@@Ineedtotakeabreak It's just that the title says it's a review ;)
How is it pure music listening, in home large leaving Room ?
The. RS250 sounds really good with music listening - but if your room is really large, and you like to play at realistic volumes, it may not fill a large living room. We'd suggest you try to audition the RS 250 before you commit to a large area
Not mentioned, but, does Amazon Music also have compatibility with the RS250 ? Thanks -
Via Airplay 2, yes.
Do you know if it is safe to put like 10 lbs of weight on top of it?
yes
A true stereo experience, with those tiny drivers? I'll pass.
Thank you Tranceeris, no doubt this is a specialty product, intended for those who have a small space and want to fill it with quality. A larger system wi†h good sized woofers will out-perform this. It's just a different application
How does it compare to the Naim Mu-So?
It claps the Mu-So imo.
But it’s almost double the price of a MuSo. I’d imagine the bass is more robust than the Naim’s which in turn might have better PRAT. Those are standard signatures of the respective brands.
@@sachininspright Its not almost double, its more than double the price of the Muso. $3000 vs $1300
$3000.00
Price very high in India 🇮🇳
Thanks for your comment, sheelmirji
So, does it sound better than the best in wireless world - Vifa Stockholm 2.0 and Devialet I 108db?
Edit: I've just watched the comparison with b&o a9, rs250 is a joke with boomy and boosted bass just like Naim, sounds completely off but that may be the mic.
No chance against Vifa tho...
Don't go off of these UA-cam "sound tests" they really aren't, as you can never actually hear the product itself. Is it better than say a Devialet Gold Phantom? No, but the problem with the Devialet is that it never works. We used to carry them, and their software is the worst I've ever seen in any audio product. You literally could not get it to play anything at all most of the time. Great hardware rendered nigh useless by horrid software. The RS250 actually works which is why I keep bringing it up in the video. Airplay 2 and boom it just works. As for the Vifa I don't know as I do not have any experience with that product.
@@GramophoneMD Ever seen Oluv's sound test? When you listen to his video with an Etymotic, you get 95% of sound...
Phantom works great on Bluetooth and idk why would you use wifi as it doesn't give you difference in sound, maby you could hear the difference with Vifa.
At the end, why would anyone recommend the RS250?
No me gusta en absoluto la estética de Mcintosh
El sonido puede ser increíble ..la estética es horrorosa y tienes que verlo todos los días
Me iría a otro tíos marcas que cuiden el diseño...por ejemplo esotéric Hegel