McIntosh XCS1K - Manual (Page 4)

4
Introduction
The new McIntosh XCS1K Loudspeaker System is a
Center Channel Loudspeaker capable of reproducing the
full dynamic range of a symphony orchestra with very low
audible distortion. It is the perfect match to the famous
XCS1K Column Loudspeakers, when used in a Home
Theater/Music System. It uses the same acoustic technol-
ogy found in the XCS1K Column Loudspeakers developed
by the McIntosh Acoustic Engineers. The technology has
been refined over the years and is now the 6th generation
of the design and provides superior quality sound repro-
duction in a full range system.
The XCS1K Loudspeaker utilizes
a Horizontal Arc Array Design
with three-quarter inch Titanium
Dome Tweeters and multiple
rows of two inch Midrange
Inverted Titanium Dome Driv-
ers. Refer to figures 1, 2A and
2B. The Sound Waves from this
Horizontal Arc Array produce a
stable and focused sym-
metrical horizontal sound
image. Since the audio
power fed to each row
is distributed among all
the drivers, each driver
does not have to work as
hard, resulting in greater
power handling capa-
bility, greatly reduced
power compression and
a dramatic reduction in
distortion.
The Low Frequency Section of the System consists of
two 10 inch Woofers. They have a large magnet assembly
and long cone excursions with very low levels of harmonic
distortion and frequency response down to 16Hz. Refer to
figure 3. The Woofer also incorporates McIntosh’s Pat-
ented LD/HP 1 Magnetic Circuit Design. Finite Element
Analysis and testing
resulted in a design con-
cept which utilizes a pair
of aluminum shorting
sleeves in the magnetic
circuit. Refer to figure
4. The sleeves virtually
eliminate the negative
influence of the fluctuat-
ing voice coil field on
the permanent magnet
field. This results in
lower distortion due to
more linear magnetic
flux in the voice coil
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
listening, reveal ten times less
distortion than previous designs.
A good example of this low dis-
tortion is incredible smoothness
and clarity in the reproduction of
the human voice.
The
Crossover
Networks
used in the
XCS1K
Loudspeak-
er System
are phase
matched
between
the Low
Frequency,
Midrange
and High Frequency Sections to ensure a smooth frequen-
cy response over the entire audible range. Refer to figures
6, 7 and 8. The crossover inductors are selected so they
will not add audible distortion. The network capacitors are
film type for extra reliability. All the Capacitors and In-
ductors are chosen for high current capacity. Each section
of the network utilizes its own self resetting high current
PPTC type fuses to provide an extra measure of protection.
Figure 2B
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
1 LD/HP Pat. No 5,151,943