Сабвуферы — McIntosh PS1K

The PS1K is a powered subwoofer from McIntosh Laboratory, launched in October 2024 at a US price of USD 35,000. It follows the PS2K from September 2023 and works as a scaled-down version of that design, using two drivers where the larger model has four. McIntosh built it to partner its own loudspeakers such as the ML1 MKII, while the connection panel lets it join other high-end systems as well.

Key specs that matter

Two 13-inch woofers are each driven by a dedicated 500 W Class D amplifier, giving a combined rating of up to 1,000 W and a maximum output above 113 dB. With the LFE input the response spans 20 Hz to 500 Hz, and without LFE it covers 20 Hz to 100 Hz. High pass and low pass filters are both adjustable from 40 Hz to 100 Hz, phase is continuously variable, and a two-band parametric equaliser acts between 30 Hz and 100 Hz. The rear offers one pair of balanced stereo inputs and outputs, plus mono subwoofer inputs and outputs in both balanced and unbalanced form. The cabinet measures 48.9 cm wide, 128.7 cm high and 57.2 cm deep, and the unit weighs 167.8 kg.

Engineering and use context

The woofers use multi-layer carbon fibre cones with integrated voice coil joints, which add rigidity and let each driver handle more power. Their motors follow the McIntosh Low Distortion High Performance magnetic circuit design, abbreviated LD/HP, and the drivers are built for extra-long excursion. The enclosure is sealed rather than ported, which removes port noise, and the baffle is nearly 38 mm thick to limit vibration. McIntosh fits its Power Guard and Sentry Monitor protection circuits along with signal sensing that switches the subwoofer on and off to save energy. The finish is polished piano black with carbon trim, standing on an anodised aluminium base. The box comes with glide feet for hard flooring and spikes for use on carpet.

Pairing

The balanced stereo outputs let the PS1K sit between a preamplifier and the main power amplifier, with its high pass filter removing low bass from the signal sent on to the main speakers. The mono subwoofer inputs accept the LFE feed from a processor or receiver in a home cinema, and the mono outputs can feed a second subwoofer. Its adjustable crossover range suits floorstanding speakers like the ML1 MKII as well as smaller models from other brands.

Alternatives

The McIntosh PS2K is the larger subwoofer in the range, carrying four 13-inch drivers and 2,000 W of amplification at a US price of USD 50,000.