McIntosh Automotive: The Systems

For over seven decades, McIntosh has arguably been the most legendary name in home audio, with sound systems proudly handcrafted at our factory in Binghamton, New York. Now with McIntosh Automotive, we bring to life the home audio experience inside one of the most acoustically challenging environments: the automobile.

To create in-cabin sound quality worthy of the McIntosh nameplate, custom automotive variants of the home audio system were developed from scratch. The most advanced materials and technologies were used to make components lighter, yet stronger, so speakers respond faster in delivering remarkable sonic reproduction. Engineers spent countless hours creating the best possible audio system design that envelops all passengers in flawless sound.

Our MX1375 and MX1200 Reference Entertainment Systems and MX950 Entertainment System create a truly amazing listening experience that redefines what’s possible in luxury car audio.

Both the MX1375 and MX1200 Reference Entertainment Systems and the MX950 Entertainment System integrate a high level of authenticity and design language from the McIntosh home audio products into the car cabin. The systems incorporate McIntosh’s iconic styling cues such as illuminated McIntosh logos, metal ridged control knobs, and aluminum frames that have made McIntosh instantly recognizable to fans around the world. Backlit logos on the door speaker grilles accent the vehicle’s interior lighting with McIntosh’s signature blue. The subwoofer grille is emblazoned with the McIntosh “Mc” logo as it appears in McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks^™. The systems are truly a treat for the eyes as well as the ears!

The MX1375 and MX1200 Reference Entertainment Systems and MX950 Entertainment System offer crisp, high-quality sonic reproduction with low distortion and rapid response. Every seat is its own sweet spot with finely-tuned bass so all passengers feel like they are in the middle of the performance. To ensure McIntosh luxury home audio experience was replicated in the vehicle, engineers constantly went back and forth between the test vehicle and the McIntosh Reference Room itself to ensure a truly authentic McIntosh experience, even in a car. The resulting system is so revolutionary, it doesn’t just bring the performance to you, it brings you to the performance.

The MX1375 in the Grand Wagoneer is "a stunning vehicle entertainment system that provides the listener with everything they love and expect from a McIntosh system... a new standard for high-end automotive entertainment systems that would make any drive a concert experience to remember." - ecoustics

The MX1375, MX1200, and MX950 carry forward McIntosh’s philosophies on sound:

Precise Imaging

Natural Dynamics

Harmonic Richness

Vibrant Musicality

Exclusive to the MX1375 Reference Entertainment Systems is unique Adaptive 3D Surround Processing capabilities. This innovative technology uses algorithms to "adapt" to the source material in order to apply the appropriate level of 3D effect. It monitors the natural reverb of the incoming audio signal, and then adds just the right amount of reverb effect only to signals that need it. This means you will be able to make out the position of an electric guitar on a concert stage, for instance, but you will not hear a newscaster that sounds as if they are in Carnegie Hall. 3D Adaptive Surround Processing creates a customized and realistic "sense of space" for an immersive listening experience that doesn’t just sound amazing, but emotionally transports you to the performance.

The MX1375, MX1200, and MX950 feature many long-trusted McIntosh home audio technologies including Low Distortion/High Performance (LD/HP^®) and Power Guard^®. LD/HP was developed by McIntosh engineers after exhaustive studies. In their research, they found that they could significantly reduce the amount of distortion by cleverly controlling the magnetic field around the speaker's voice coil; this enables McIntosh drivers to produce cleaner sound that is more faithful to the original source. Power Guard monitors and adjusts the audio input signal in real time, then if necessary makes minor unobtrusive adjustments to prevent harsh sounding distortion and clipping that could damage your speakers.

Both systems also feature the most advanced materials technologies in order to make components lighter, yet stronger, so speakers respond faster in delivering timely sonic reproduction. Precision tuned and precisely placed coaxial speakers with an integrated midrange and tweeter are combined with dedicated woofers and a subwoofer to deliver a luxurious aural performance.

The result of all of this produces an advantage you can only get with a McIntosh Entertainment System whereby the vehicle occupants are enveloped in a massive sweet spot to hear music with zero coloration — just as the artist intended.

MX1375 Reference Entertainment System:

Up to 1375 Watts of power delivered effortlessly through a 24-channel amplifier
23 speaker luxury audio system for fully-immersive experience
12" dual voice coil subwoofer
Adaptive 3D Surround Processing

MX1200 Reference Entertainment System:

Up to 1200 Watts of power delivered effortlessly through a 24-channel amplifier
19 speaker luxury audio system for fully-immersive experience
12" dual voice coil subwoofer

MX950 Entertainment System:

Up to 950 Watts of power delivered effortlessly through a 17-channel amplifier
19 speaker luxury audio system for fully-immersive experience
10" dual voice coil subwoofer

All Entertainment Systems Feature:

LD/HP speaker design for reduced distortion
Power Guard for crystal clear audio at high levels
Metal ridged control knobs that have helped make McIntosh instantly recognizable around the world
Advanced materials for lighter, yet stronger components
Legendary McIntosh industrial design – a treat for the eyes and ears

The McIntosh in-vehicle app complements the Uconnect system. When you play audio through the McIntosh app you’ll be not only enveloped in an immersive and sensational acoustic experience with flawless sound, but you will also experience the look of the iconic Blue Meters with their charming dancing needles. Our team worked intensively to deliver an innovative digital simulation that perfectly emulates the analog version of the meters which are symbol of the globally renown McIntosh electronics. You can control most audio playback through the app.

The McIntosh app allows you to get the most out of the McIntosh luxury audio system for a sensational acoustic experience that delivers music with zero coloration – just as the artist intended.

The McIntosh systems feature up to 23 speakers meticulously placed in the vehicle cabin so that every seat is its own sweet spot, transporting all passengers directly to the performance. Use the buttons below to compare the MX1375 and MX950 speaker configurations and learn more about each system.

Viewing MX1375 System Layout View MX950 System Layout

The McIntosh MX1375 Reference Entertainment System features 23 speakers in 16 optimized locations and a 12" Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer to deliver precision sound through every inch of the vehicle. A 24-channel amplifier delivers up to 1375 Watts of power.