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
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.
Figure 2B
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/HP1 Magnetic Circuit Design. Finite Element
1LD/HP Pat. No 5,151,943
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.
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