Bose buys McIntosh


End of an era?

telemarcer

Bose has outstanding engineering talent driven by outstanding product developers and a rigidly scientific approach to discovering what customers would buy.

I may not be their target audience, at all, but there are things they do very well.

I’m sure Bose will bring their background in market research and customer testing to McIntosh. This probably means the company will go in a different direction than it has so far, but don’t blame the engineers. Blame the test audience.

Of course, they could also feel the Mc brand was so affordable they can slap the label on imported plastic boxes and charge 10x more until they drive the brand into the ground.  Time will tell.

One of the best car stereos I ever had was the McIntosh system in my 2003 Subaru Outback VDC.  Although the car was too noisy to really appreciate it, in park, it sounded pretty good.  I did speak to someone (Chuck Hinson?) at McIntosh about it once, and he sent me some technical diagrams, indicating that, although some of this was from Clarion, McIntosh did indeed have a hand in the design.

 

In other news: The next Sonus Faber line will do away with those unnecessary tweeters and woofers, and get full range sound from the midrange drivers using patented Bose technology.  Also, McIntosh will introduce a new Lifestyle line of electronics, with undisclosed power ratings, and "really cute" tiny speakers your s.o. will love!  The new McIntosh turntable will be a rebranded model from Crosley, complete with a high quality ceramic cartridge, and will retail for $7,999.  😁