McIntosh Laboratory

McIntosh Labs
Company typeCorporation
IndustryElectronics
Founded1949; 75 years ago (1949)
HeadquartersBinghamton, New York, United States
Key people
Co-founders Frank H. McIntosh and Gordon Gow (engineers)
ProductsAudio equipment
ParentMcIntosh Group
Websitemcintoshlabs.com

McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end[1][2][3] audio equipment headquartered in Binghamton, New York.[4][5] It is a subsidiary of McIntosh Group, which in November 2024 was acquired Bose Corporation, a fellow American audio company..[6][7]

The company was co-founded in 1949 by Frank H. McIntosh and Gordon Gow.[8][9][2] McIntosh Labs designs and produces audio amplifiers, stereo tuners, loudspeakers, turntables, music streamers, processors, and various other audio products.[10] Although solid state components are a large segment of the McIntosh line, audio enthusiasts most revere the warm sound of the company's tube amplifiers.[11][12][13] Some of their tube amplifiers rank among the finest ever created for home audio and theater use.[14] Their Unity Coupled Circuit, patented at the brand's inception, is still used today in products like their MC275 amplifier, whose vacuum tubes—used in many of the company's products—help to impart a lifelike warmth and soul to the sound. "McIntosh transformers are hand-wound in house as they've always been" according to McIntosh president, Charlie Randall.[4] Many of the employees working at the Binghamton plant have been with the company for decades and number approximately 170+ as of June, 2022.[15][16]

McIntosh audio products can usually be recognized by their black glass front panels (circa 1960's to present),[17] iconic blue VU meters (circa 1974 to present),[18] and iconic gothic logo.[19][20] The Mcintosh factory has a black facade with blue tinted windows to align with the company's trademark theme.[21]

Custom McIntosh system with iconic blue meters
McIntosh system with iconic blue meters
  1. ^ https://www.cnet.com/pictures/mcintosh-reference-system-the-worlds-best-stereo/null/ [bare URL]
  2. ^ a b "Audio Equipment Maker McIntosh to Expand Binghamton Facility". 15 September 2021.
  3. ^ https://twitter.com/BinghamtonNow/status/1438212717660282885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1438212717660282885%7Ctwgr%5Ef87ff8e72cfa72622697d4dd09c40f4684a4814b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwnbf.com%2Faudio-equipment-maker-mcintosh-to-expand-binghamton-facility%2F [bare URL]
  4. ^ a b "How McIntosh's Blue Meters Became Synonymous with Premium Audio". 11 November 2022.
  5. ^ "The Ultimate Audio Setup for Every Type of Listener". 7 January 2021.
  6. ^ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highlander-partners-announces-the-sale-of-mcintosh-group-to-bose-corporation-302310261.html
  7. ^ https://www.whathifi.com/news/boses-historic-double-swoop-sees-the-us-brand-acquire-mcintosh-and-sonus-faber
  8. ^ "McIntosh Heritage". McIntoshLabs. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  9. ^ "McIntosh | Heritage". Mcintoshlabs.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-06. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  10. ^ "McIntosh Craftsmanship". McIntoshLabs. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  11. ^ Mark (2022-09-19). "Why Do Hi-Fi Tube Amplifiers Sound Better?". makelifeclick.com. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  12. ^ McNair, Dave (2021-01-24). "McIntosh Labs MC1502 Power Amplifier | REVIEW". Part-Time Audiophile. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  13. ^ Ross, Robert (2023-01-22). "'It Sounds Human': Audiophiles Are Embracing the Lush Sounds of Old-School Tube Amps". Robb Report. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  14. ^ "Inside America's legendary audio gear factory". 7 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Binghamton's Legendary Audio Equipment Maker McIntosh Labs Sold". 16 June 2022.
  16. ^ "McIntosh Labs Binghamton Factory Plans to Add Dozens of Workers". 23 June 2022.
  17. ^ McIntosh Behind the scenes | Metal Fabrication, Silk-screening, and Glass Faceplate Work | Part II, 15 October 2022, retrieved 2023-12-13
  18. ^ McIntosh Behind the scenes | Final Assembly & the Finishing Touches | Part IV, 15 October 2022, retrieved 2023-12-13
  19. ^ "McIntosh Heritage".
  20. ^ "2017 CT Hall of Fame: Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow". www.cta.tech. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  21. ^ "mpbarneytuners - CAS visits Audio Classics and McIntosh". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2023-12-13.