McIntosh XCS200 User Manual

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: [phone] www.mcintoshlabs.com

XCS200

Loudspeaker System

Owner’s Manual

WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR

ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE

THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS!

PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. RE-

FER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

To prevent the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover or back.

No user-serviceable parts inside.

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a non-abrasive dry soft cloth.

7. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.

8. This Loudspeaker is capable of producing
extremely high sound pressure levels, even
when connected to amplifiers of moderate
power output. User caution is advised. Ear
protection is recommended when playing at
high volumes as continued exposure to high
sound pressure levels can cause permanent
hearing impairment or loss. The use of a
Sound Level Pressure Meter will greatly
aid in determining when high volume levels
are occurring.

9. Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other

apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.

10. Only use attachments/accessories specified by
the manufacturer.

11. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table specified by the manufacturer, or
sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used,
use caution when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

12. Refer all ser vicing to qualified ser vice
personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way,
liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen
into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.

13. Do not expose this equipment
to dripping or splashing and
ensure that no objects f illed
with liquids, such as vases, are
placed on the equipment.

14. WARNING: When this Loudspeaker is
connected to an amplifier that is Powered
On, the connection terminals may have
hazardous live voltages present with a risk
of electric shock.

2

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh XCS200 Loud­speaker System ranks you at the very top among
discriminating music listeners. You now have “The
Best.” The McIntosh dedication to “Quality,” is as­surance that you will receive many years of listening
enjoyment from this unit.
Please take a short time to read the information in
this manual. We want you to be as familiar as pos­sible with all the features and functions of your new
McIntosh.

Please Take A Moment

The serial number, purchase date and McIntosh Dealer
name are important to you for possible insurance
claim or future service. The spaces below have been
provided for you to record that information:

Serial Number: _______________________________

Purchase Date: _______________________________

Dealer Name: ________________________________

Technical Assistance

If at any time you have questions about your McIntosh
product, contact your McIntosh Dealer who is familiar
with your McIntosh equipment and any other brands
that may be part of your system. If you or your Dealer
wish additional help concerning a suspected problem,
you can receive technical assistance for all McIntosh
products at:

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Customer Service

If it is determined that your McIntosh product is in
need of repair, you can return it to your Dealer. You
can also return it to the McIntosh Laboratory Service
Department. For assistance on factory repair return
procedure, contact the McIntosh Service Department
at:

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Table of Contents

Safety Instructions ..................................................... 2

Thank You and Please Take a Moment ......................3

Technical Assistance and Customer Service ............. 3

Table of Contents and General Information .............. 3

Introduction ................................................................ 4

Performance Features ................................................5

Dimensions ................................................................6

Unpacking the Loudspeaker and

Installing the XCS20 using Stablilizer Bar ................7

Installing the XCS200 on the Wall .........................8-9

Room Acoustics and Loudspeaker Placement ......... 10

How to Connect using a single Amplifier ............... 11

How to Connect using two Amplifiers ............... 12-13

How to Connect using three Amplifiers ............. 14-15

Photos .................................................................. 16 -17

Specifications ........................................................... 18

Packing Instruction .................................................. 19

General Information

1. For additional connection information, refer to the
owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected
to the XCS200 Loudspeaker.

2. The XCS200’s built-in speaker protection incorpo­rates three automatic resetting solid-state devices
in the crossover networks. One protects the tweet­ers, one for the midranges and one for the woofers.
The protection allows a certain amount of over­drive but extended periods will trigger protection.
If an obvious lack of high, mid or low frequencies
is noticed, the Protection Device may have acti­vated. These devices will automatically reset when
the volume level is reduced significantly and kept
low until the output of the affected Loudspeaker
Element returns to normal.

3. When the XCS200 Loudspeaker System is driven
by more than one amplifier, the output levels of the
different amplifiers connected to the Loudspeaker
System must be adjusted to achieve a proper bal­ance between the low, midrange and high frequen­cies reproduced. This adjustment is best achieved
through the use of audio test equipment operated
by a qualified installer.

4. When discarding the unit, comply with local rules
or regulations. Batteries should never be
thrown away or incinerated but disposed
of in accordance with the local regula­tions concerning battery disposal.

5. For additional information on the
XCS200 and other McIntosh Products
please visit the McIntosh Web Site at
www.mcintoshlabs.com.

Copyright 2010 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

3

Introduction

McIntosh Acoustic Engineers have achieved in the
design of the XCS200 Loudspeaker System a level
of high performance. The XCS200 provides supe­rior spaciousness sound reproduction with unusual
sound stage depth in a full range system. It uses a
new acoustic design technology known as Progressive
Inductance ControlTM (PIC). PICTM permits the use of
multiple Midrange and Tweeter Loudspeaker Drivers
to increase the Dynamic Range of the Loudspeaker
System, without the otherwise negative Acoustic
Combing Effects present in such a quasi point source
Loudspeaker design.

The XCS200 utilizes multiple three-quarter inch
Titanium Dome Tweeters and two
inch Titanium Inverted Dome
Midrange Drivers. Refer to figures
1 and 2. Since the audio power
is distributed among all the driv­ers, each driver does not have to
work as hard, resulting in greater
power handling capabil­ity, dramatic reduction
in distortion and greater
dynamic range.

The Low Frequency
Section of the System
consists of two newly
designed eight inch
Woofers. They have a
large magnet assembly
and long cone excursions
with very low levels of harmonic distortion and fre­quency response down to 80Hz. Refer to figure 3.

The Woofers incorporate McIntosh’s Patented
LD/HP® 1 Magnetic Circuit Design. Finite Element
Analysis and testing resulted in a design concept

1

LD/HP Pat. No 5,151,943

4

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

which utilizes a pair of aluminum shorting sleeves in
the magnetic circuit. Refer

LD/HP

to figure 4. The sleeves
greatly reduce the negative

Conventional

influence of the fluctuating
voice coil field on the per­manent magnet field. This
results in lower distortion
due to more linear mag­netic flux in the voice coil

Figure 4

gap. Refer to figure 5. Ad­ditional benefits
are less volume
compression due
to improved heat
transfer through
the sleeves and a
cooler operating
voice coil. Both
measurements,
as well as critical

Figure 5

listening, reveal ten times less distortion than previ-

ous designs. A good example of this low distortion is
incredible smoothness and clarity in the reproduction
of the human voice.

The Crossover Network used in the XCS200
Loudspeaker System is designed to ensure an even
frequency response over the entire audible range. The
Second and Third Order Designed Network utilizes
Capacitors and Inductors with high current capacity.
Refer to figure 6. There are two different types of low
loss (DCR) Inductors in the network, each one chosen
not to exhibit any core saturation even at high power

Figure 6

levels. This prevents the addition of distortion to the
music at any frequency. The Capacitors used are the
low loss (ESR) types. The Network also utilizes self
resetting high current PTC Fuses to provide an extra
measure of protection.

The enclosure is an important part of the XCS200
Loudspeaker System. The Loudspeaker System uti­lizes a trapezoidal shaped, rigid extruded aluminum
enclosure that houses the Loudspeaker Drivers. Refer
to figure 7. The Column’s small footprint allows for a
variety of different placements in a room.

Figure 7

Performance Features

• Patented LD/HP® Technology

The McIntosh Low Frequency Loudspeaker Elements
feature the patented LD/HP Magnetic Circuit Design.
This design, when compared to conventional Loud­speaker Elements, reduces distortion significantly. It
also increases power handling and efficiency.

Introduction and Performance Features

• Stabilizer Bar and Wall Mounting Brackets

The built-in Stabilizer Bar allows changing the
vertical angle up to ± 5.5 degrees. On Wall Mount­ing Brackets are supplied for both Flush and Angled
mounting of the XCS200.

• Neodymium-Iron-Boron Alloy Magnets

The 8 two inch Midranges and 5 three-quarter inch
Dome Tweeters all use this Alloy. The Neodymium­Iron-Boron Alloy has the highest flux density per
unit of volume. This allows for a smaller physical size
driver and thus closer driver to driver placement for
improved dispersion.

• Low Harmonic and Intermodulation Distortion

The XCS200 Loudspeaker System is capable of repro­ducing the full dynamic range of a symphony orches­tra with very low audible distortion of any kind.

• High Power Handling

The Loudspeaker Elements and Crossover Compo­nents of the XCS200 are all chosen for use with ampli­fiers up to 600 watts.

• Superior Imaging

Locating the Tweeters between the two rows of
Midranges generates a symmetrical horizontal polar
response for superior imaging.

• Optional In-Wall Mounting Kit

The optional In-Wall Mounting Kit is supplied with a
paintable Metal Grille for both horizontal and vertical
In-Wall Mounting Positions. Contact your McIntosh
Dealer for additional information.

• Multiple Connections

In addition to the regular connections, the XCS200
Loudspeaker System provides separate connections
for Bi-Amplification and Tri-Amplification hookups,
as well as Bi-Wiring and Tri-Wiring.

• Extruded Enclosure

The Loudspeaker Enclosure is extruded thick alumi­num construction with non-parallel internal sides to
reduce internal standing waves. The enclosure has a
durable textured black finish.

• Gold Plated Input Connectors

The XCS200 Input Connectors are gold plated for
superior corrosion resistance and high electrical con­duct iv ity.

• Versatile Operation and Placement

The XCS200 Loudspeaker System is designed for use
in a multichannel system including the Front Channels
(Left, Center and Right) or Surround Channels (Side
and Back).

5

Dimensions

End View

of the

XCS200

32

-1/2

"

82.55cm

10

-5/8

"

27.0cm

11

-1/8

"

28.3cm

12

-7/8

"

32.8cm

9

-3/8

"

23.8cm

1

-15/16

"

4.9cm

5

-5/16

"

13.5cm

8

-11/16

22.1cm

Front View

of the

XCS200

Rear View

of the

XCS200

Front View

of the

XCS200

(without Grille)

7

-3/16

"

18.3cm

5

-5/16

"

13.5cm

5

-5/16

"

13.5cm

27

-3/16

"

69.0cm

13"

33.0cm

12

-3/4

"

32.4cm

2

-1/4

"

5.7cm

1

-3/4

"

4.4cm

3

-7/16

"

8.7cm

3/4

"

1.9cm

7

-1/8

"

18.1cm

7

-1/4

"

18.4cm

4

-1/2

"

11.4cm

1"

2.54cm

7

-1/4

"

18.4cm

8

-5/8

"

21.9cm

5

-5/16

"

13.5cm

The following dimensions can assist in
determining the best location for your
XCS20 0.

6

Unpacking the Loudspeaker

To protect the fine finish of the XCS200 Loudspeaker
System during the installation process, it is advisable
to prepare a suitable area. A freshly vacuumed car­peted area covered with a soft, clean fabric, such as a
large bed linen or blanket would be suitable.

It is recommended that the Professionals at your
McIntosh Dealer, who are skilled in all aspects of
installation and operation, install the XCS200 Loud­speaker System and any associated audio equipment.

1. Remove the Loudspeaker System and foam end
caps by lifting up on the rear of the Loudspeaker
and place it along side the shipping carton on a
flat surface.

2. Release the Loudspeaker from the foam end caps
and set it aside.

3. Close the top flaps of the shipping carton and
place the two foam end caps on top of the carton.
Refer to figure 1 for the next several steps.

Stabilizer Bar

Rubber Bumpers

top of the shipping carton/foam end caps.

Note: 1. When the XCS200 is to be used with the

supplied Stabilizer Bar and Hardware,
proceed to “Installing the XCS200 using
Stabilizer Bar”.

2. The XCS200 Loudspeaker is also sup­plied with On Wall Mounting Brackets
and Hardware. If the XCS200 is to be
mounted on the wall at this time, proceed
to “Installing the XCS200 On the Wall” on
page 8.

3. When the optional In-Wall Mounting Kit
is chosen, refer to the installation guide
supplied with the kit.

Installing the XCS200 using Stabilizer Bar

1. Place the Loudspeaker System, with the front fac­ing down, on top of the protective shipping bag.

2. Attach the four rubber bumpers to the bottom long
edge of the XCS200 Loudspeaker System. Refer
to figure 2.

Stabilizer Bar

Dimensions and Unpacking the Loudspeaker

Figure 3

5. Tighten the three screws securing the Stabilizer
Bar to keep it in place, but not enough to prevent
changing the angle of the XCS200 in the following
steps.

6. The vertical angle of the XCS200 may be changed
±5.5 Degrees from perpendicular, allowing the
sound to be directed upwards or downwards to
accommodate the seating arrangement in the
room. Refer to figure 4. This can be accomplished

Foam end caps

Figure 1

4. Carefully remove the protective shipping bag from
the Loudspeaker System so as not to mar the fin­ish or damage the Loudspeaker Grille.

5. Place the just removed protective shipping bag on

Stabilizer Bar Screws

Figure 2

3. Loosen, but do not remove, the three screws secur­ing the Stabilizer Bar to the back of the XCS200.
Refer to figure 2.

4. Reposition the Stabilizer Bar even with the previ­ously applied rubber bumpers on the side edge of
the XCS200 enclosure. Refer to figure 3.

Figure 4

by temporarily loosening the three screws and
moving the Stabilizer Bar up or down. When the
desired angle is achieved, tighten the three screws.

7. Optionally, attach the supplied McIntosh Logo to
the Front of the XCS200 Loudspeaker Grille using
the two spring clips.

8. Proceed to “Room Acoustics and Loudspeaker
Placement” on page 10.

7

Installing the XCS200 on the Wall

7

-3/4

"

19.7cm

23

-3/4

"

60.3cm

5

-5/16

"

13.5cm

Rear View

of the

XCS200

Screws - H

Screws - H

Screws - V

Screws - V

Location R

Location R

Location R

The supplied On Wall Mounting Brackets allow for
three different mounting positions of the XCS200
Loudspeaker relative to the wall, both vertical and
horizontal. Two positions are flush mount, with the
Loudspeaker close to and parallel with the wall. The
other position is angle mount, which places the Loud­speaker further away from the wall and allows for
rotation of ± 30 Degrees. Refer to figure 5.

Horizontal Wall Mounting
Angled Hardware

Wall Bracket

Locking
Screw

Loudspeaker Bracket

Wall Mounting Screws

Figure 5

1. Carefully remove the Grille from the Front of the
Loudspeaker by lifting it up at the edges and place
it in a safe place.

2. Using an appropriate tool, remove the three
screws securing the Stabilizer Bar to the back of
the XCS200. Refer to figure 6. Replace the just
removed screws with the supplied Stabilizer Bar
Replacement Screws as indicated as Location-R.
Refer to figures 5 and 7.

Vertical and Horizontal

Wall Mounting

Flush Hardware

Loudspeaker Bracket

Wall Bracket

Stabilizer Bar
Replacement Screws

Stabilizer Bar

Stabilizer Bar Screws

Figure 6

Figure 7

Note: Retain the three removed screws and Stabi-

lizer Bar for possible future use.

3. Attach either the flush mount or angle mount
brackets to the rear of the Loudspeaker. Refer to
the chart below, along with figures 5 and 7 for the
screw location. Also, be sure to orient the bracket
as illustrated in figures 8, 9 and 10.

Note: The Angled Bracket is only for vertical

mounting of the XCS200 Loudspeaker.

XCS200 Screw Removal for Wall Mounting

Mounting Type Screws - V Screws - H

Vertical Flush Mount Remove -----

Vertical Angle Mount Remove -----

Horizontal Flush Mount ----- Remove

4. Determine the Loudspeaker Mounting Location
on the wall, making sure the Mounting Bracket
will be anchored to a stud located inside the wall.

Note: Use extreme caution to avoid any existing

electrical wiring, plumbing, etc., located
inside the wall.

5. Refer to figures 11 thru 16 to install the appro-

priate Wall Bracket on the wall
(orient the bracket as illustrated)
using the supplied Mounting
Screws. If the Flush Mount
Bracket is used, attach the two
cone shaped rubber bumpers to
the rear of the Loudspeaker, near
the bottom.

Note: If the wall covering mate-

rial and/or thickness is dif­ferent from the illustration,
the two supplied Mounting
Screws need to be replaced
with screws of the appro­priate type and length.

6. Orient the Loudspeaker to line up with the Wall

Brackets and attach them together. If the angle
mount is used, install the Locking Screw to secure
the Loudspeaker at the desired angle.

7. Optionally, attach the supplied McIntosh Logo to

the Front of the XCS200 Loudspeaker Grille using
the two spring clips.

8. Align the Grille fasteners to the Loudspeaker

Grommets (four on each side). Carefully push
down to secure the Grille to the Loudspeaker.

9. Proceed to “Room Acoustics and Loudspeaker

Placement” on page 10.

8

Installing the XCS200 on the Wall

7”

17.8cm

16”

40.6cm

6-1/4”

15.9cm

16”

40.6cm

7-7/8 ”

20.0cm

8-1/4”

20.9cm

Figure 8

Horizontal Mounting
with Flush Hardware

Figure 11

Vertical Mounting
with Flush Hardware

Figure 13

Vertical Mounting with
Angled Hardware

Figure 15

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 12

Figure 14

Figure 16

9

Room Acoustics and Loudspeaker
Placement

Loudspeaker Placement

Loudspeaker placement in a room can greatly affect
performance. The XCS200 Loudspeaker is designed
for Music and Home Theater Systems. The optimal
method for selecting speaker locations includes the
use of a real time spectrum analyzer operated by an
experienced system installer. An uncompromising
installation would take into consideration the floor,
wall and ceiling coverings, the type and placement of
furniture and can even include the architectural design
of the room and its construction materials.

Sometimes Loudspeaker placement in a room is
limited to locations with unacceptable perfomance.
McIntosh now offers a solution with several Electronic
Products offering the ability to precisely measure
and correct for room induced acoustical problems,
thus restoring proper musical balance. Contact your
McIntosh Dealer for more information about this new
exciting advance in sound reproduction technology.

If a McIntosh product with room correction is not
part of your system nor professional measurement of
your system performance been performed, listen to
the Loudspeaker. Try various locations by listening to
music containing continuous bass and find a location
where there is an over all musical balance in the sound
and the bass content does not predominate. Placement
near a wall, corner, floor, ceiling or any intersect­ing surfaces will reinforce or diminish some bass
frequencies. The bass frequencies that are altered by
placement in a particular location is dependent on the
dimensions of the room.

The XCS200’s Smooth Frequency Response may
be altered by a large object(s) located in the sound
waves path or by locating the Loudspeaker too close
to a side wall. There should be an unobstructed area in

front of the Loudspeaker of at least 30 degrees either
side from the center axis for the best performance.
Refer to figure 20.

Figure 20

Locating Loudspeakers for use in Home Theater

In a Home Theater application, the placement of Left
and Right Front Loudspeakers can be limited by such
considerations as the size and location of the video
monitor. The locating suggestions in the “for use in a
Music System” section below can still be helpful as a
starting place. Refer to figure 21.

Locating Loudspeakers for use in a Music System

When used in a Music System the distance between
the Loudspeakers and the listener to the Loudspeak­ers should form an equilaterial or an acute isosceles
triangle. If the speakers are too far apart relative to the
listener, some imaging can be lost. Refer to figure 22.

Room Acoustics and Loudspeaker Placement

Figure 21

Figure 22

10

How to Connect using a single Amplifier

Figure 30

Figure 31 Figure 32

Figure 33 Figure 34 Figure 35

Caution: The AC Power Cord should not be connected to

the Power Amplifier until after the Loudspeaker
Connections have been made. Failure to ob­serve this could result in Electric Shock.

When connecting the XCS200 Loudspeaker to an am­plifier, it is very important to use cables of adequate
size so there is negligible power loss in the cables. The
size is specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (Ameri­can Wire Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the
larger the wire size:

Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide

Loudspeaker

Impedance

8 Ohms

25 feet

(7.62 meters)

or less

16AWG 14 AWG 12AWG

1. Prepare Loudspeaker cables by choosing one of the
methods below:

Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the

cable ends, refer to figures 30, 31 & 32. If the
cable is
stranded,
carefully
twist the
strands
together
as tightly as possible.

Note: If desired, the twisted ends can be tinned

with solder to keep the strands together or
attach spade lugs.

Spade lug or prepared wire connection:
Insert the spade lug connector or prepared

section of the cable end into the terminal side
access hole, and tighten the terminal cap until
the cable is firmly clamped into the terminal so
the wires cannot slip out. Refer to figures 33, 34
& 35.

50 feet

(15.24 meters)

or less

100 feet

(30.48 meters)

or less

2. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200
LOW Frequency COM Binding Post to the CTR
(Center) Channel COM (-) Binding Post of the
Multichannel Power Amplifier.

Notes: 1. It is important to maintain the correct

polarity at both ends of the Loudspeaker
cables.

2. For proper operation the metal jumpers
must be installed between the Loudspeaker
Terminal Posts as illustrated.

3. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200

LOW Frequency 8Ω Binding Post to the CTR

(Center) Channel (+) Binding Post of the Multi­channel Power Amplifier.

4. Tighten all of the Loudspeaker and Amplifier
Binding Posts.

Jumpers

How to Connect using a single Amplifier

Multichannel Power Amplifier

Jumpers

11

How to Connect using Two Amplifiers

Figure 30

Figure 31 Figure 32

Figure 33 Figure 34 Figure 35

Caution: The AC Power Cord should not be connected

to the Power Amplifiers until after the Loud­speaker Connections have been made. Failure
to observe this could result in Electric Shock.

When connecting the XCS200 Loudspeaker to ampli­fiers, it is very important to use cables of adequate
size so there is negligible power loss in the cables. The
size is specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (Ameri­can Wire Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the
larger the wire size:

Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide

Loudspeaker

Impedance

8 Ohms

25 feet

(7.62 meters)

or less

16AWG 14 AWG 12AWG

1. Prepare Loudspeaker cables by choosing one of the
methods below:

Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the

cable ends, refer to figures 30, 31 & 32. If the
cable is
stranded,
carefully
twist the
strands
together
as tightly as possible.

Note: If desired, the twisted ends can be tinned

with solder to keep the strands together or
attach spade lugs.

Spade lug or prepared wire connection:
Insert the spade lug connector or prepared

section of the cable end into the terminal side
access hole, and tighten the terminal cap until
the cable is firmly clamped into the terminal so
the wires cannot slip out. Refer to figures 33, 34
& 35.

50 feet

(15.24 meters)

or less

100 feet

(30.48 meters)

or less

2. Remove the metal jumper between the Loudspeak­er LOW Frequency COM (-) Binding Post and
MID Frequency COM (-) Binding Post.

3. Remove the metal jumper between the Loudspeak-

er LOW Frequency 8Ω (+) Binding Post and MID
Frequency 8Ω (+) Binding Post.

4. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200
LOW Frequency COM Binding Post to the COM
(-) Binding Post of the Power Amplifier number
One.

Notes: 1. It is important to maintain the correct

polarity at both ends of the Loudspeaker
cables.

2. For proper operation the metal jumpers
must be installed between the Loudspeaker
Terminal Posts as illustrated.

5. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200

LOW Frequency 8Ω Binding Post to the 8 ohm (+)

Binding Post of the Power Amplifier number One.

6. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200
MID Frequency COM Binding Post to the COM (-)
Binding Post of the Power Amplifier number Two.

7. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200

MID Frequency 8Ω Binding Post to the 8 ohm (+)

Binding Post of the Power Amplifier number Two.

8. Tighten all of the Loudspeaker and Amplifier
Binding Posts.

12

How to Connect using Two Amplifiers

Power Amplifier number TwoPower Amplifier number One

Jumper

Jumper

13

How to Connect using Three Amplifiers

Figure 30

Figure 31 Figure 32

Figure 33 Figure 34 Figure 35

Caution: The AC Power Cord should not be connected

to the Power Amplifiers until after the Loud­speaker Connections have been made. Failure
to observe this could result in Electric Shock.

When connecting the XCS200 Loudspeaker to ampli­fiers, it is very important to use cables of adequate
size so there is negligible power loss in the cables. The
size is specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (Ameri­can Wire Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the
larger the wire size:

Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide

Loudspeaker

Impedance

8 Ohms

25 feet

(7.62 meters)

or less

16AWG 14 AWG 12AWG

1. Prepare Loudspeaker cables by choosing one of the
methods below:

Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the

cable ends, refer to figures 30, 31 & 32. If the
cable is
stranded,
carefully
twist the
strands
together
as tightly as possible.

Note: If desired, the twisted ends can be tinned

with solder to keep the strands together or
attach spade lugs.

Spade lug or prepared wire connection:
Insert the spade lug connector or prepared

section of the cable end into the terminal side
access hole, and tighten the terminal cap until
the cable is firmly clamped into the terminal so
the wires cannot slip out. Refer to figures 33, 34
& 35.

50 feet

(15.24 meters)

or less

100 feet

(30.48 meters)

or less

Power Amplifier number One

2. Remove all four metal jumpers between Loud­speaker Binding Posts.

3. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200
LOW Frequency COM Binding Post to the
COM (-) Binding Post of the Power Amplifier
Output One.

Note: It is important to maintain the correct

polarity at both ends of the Loud­speaker cables.

4. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200

LOW Frequency 8Ω Binding Post to the 8

ohm (+) Binding Post of the Power Amplifier
Output One.

5. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200
MID Frequency COM Binding Post to the
COM (-) Binding Post of the Power Amplifier
Output Two.

6. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200

MID Frequency 8Ω Binding Post to the 8 ohm (+)

Binding Post of the Power Amplifier Output Two.

7. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200
HIGH Frequency COM Binding Post to the COM
(-) Binding Post of the Power Amplifier Output
Three.

8. Connect a Loudspeaker cable from the XCS200

HIGH Frequency 8Ω Binding Post to the 8 ohm

(+) Binding Post of the Power Amplifier Output
Three.

9. Tighten all of the Loudspeaker and Amplifier
Binding Posts.

14

How to Connect using Three Amplifiers

Power Amplifier number ThreePower Amplifier number Two

15

16

Photos

17

Specifications General Specifications

Specifications

System Driver Complement

Two 8 inch LD/HP® Woofers
Eight 2 inch Titanium Inverted
Dome Midranges
Five 3/4 inch Titanium Dome Tweeters

Impedance

8 ohms Nominal

Frequency Response

80Hz - 45kHz

Sensitivity

86dB (2.83V/1m equivalent)

Crossover Frequencies

240Hz
1,900Hz

Power Handling

600 Watts Maximum

Finish Enclosure

Textured Black

Finish Grille

Black Knit Cloth

Overall Dimensions (includes base and feet)

Width is 32-1/2 inches (82.55cm)
Height is 10-5/8 inches (27.0cm)
Depth is 7-1/8 inches (18.1cm)

Weight

61 pounds (27.5 kg) net
73 pounds (33.2kg) in shipping carton

Shipping Carton Dimensions

Length is 37-1/2 inches (95.3cm)
Width is 17 inches (43.2cm)
Depth is 14-1/2 inches (36.8cm)

18

Packing Instructions

Shipping
Carton

Foam
End Cap

Protective
Shipping Bag

Foam
End Cap

In the event it is necessary to repack the equipment for
shipment, the equipment must be packed exactly as il­lustrated. To protect the finish of the Loudspeaker it is
advisable to place it in the original protective shipping
bag before placing it into the shipping carton.

Use the original shipping carton and interior parts
only if they are all in good serviceable condition. If
a shipping carton or any of the interior part(s) are
needed, please call or write Customer Service Depart­ment of McIntosh Laboratory. Refer to page 3. Please
see the Part List for the correct part numbers

Quantity Part Number Description
1 034488 Shipping carton
2 034489 Foam end cap
1 034310 Protective shipping bag

Packing Instructions

19

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, NY 13903
www.mcintoshlabs.com

The continuous improvement of its products is the
policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who
reserve the right to improve design without notice.
Printed in the U.S.A.

McIntosh Part No. 04116800