McIntosh ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II
Although they're best known for their amplifiers and receivers, McIntosh also makes speakers. Their initial effort in the space was the ML1, released in 1970 with a handsome mid-century modern design and discontinued in 1977. Now it's back with the updated ML1 Loudspeaker Mk II. The new version has a design that pays homage to the original, with an American Walnut body, and acoustically transparent cloth replacing vertical wood slats on the grille. Hidden underneath is a five-driver design, with a 12" woofer in a sealed enclosure, two 4" lower midrange drivers in a sub-enclosure, one 2" soft dome upper midrange driver, and one 0.75" titanium dome tweeter, the latter being the same one found in the XR50 and XR100 speakers. Designed to handle up to 600 Watts of power, the speakers create a wide soundstage, are made in the USA, and arrive with a matching stand sporting a vintage die-cast aluminum badge.