McIntosh bluetooth waterproof speakers with usb charging ports and a 1 year product lifecycle incoming.
A lowfi company buying a hiend brand , great idea…,.
So can we expect a lower priced plastic chassis Mcintosh for every home
in the future ?
So can we expect a lower priced plastic chassis Mcintosh for every home
in the future ?
I think Mcintosh has been selling so well because the displays in them looks so nice. Perhaps Bose will add some RGB coloring.
Just saw the article. Not sure to laugh or cry. I wish companies would not be able to buy each other but here we are.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/19/bos...maker-of-high-end-luxury-audio-equipment.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/19/bos...maker-of-high-end-luxury-audio-equipment.html
McIntosh has not been the original McIntosh for years.
Japanese years
McIntosh MA6800 integrated amplifier
After a long and illustrious history that saw them expand their business around the world, the company began to struggle and was ultimately acquired by Clarion, a large Japanese manufacturer of car stereo gear in 1990 for 28.6 million dollars.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory#cite_note-34"><span>[</span>34<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory#cite_note-35"><span>[</span>35<span>]</span></a> McIntosh components, particularly the early tube models, are highly regarded in Japan. In a speech shortly after the purchase, Clarion president Yutaka Oyamada told McIntosh employees that "we like McIntosh as it is, and we have no intention of changing what has made it so successful."<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory#cite_note-MacLab_part_2-mcintoshsold-36"><span>[</span>36<span>]</span></a> After the Clarion purchase, McIntosh expanded into car audio and home theater.
In May 2003, Clarion sold McIntosh Laboratory to D&M Holdings also of Japan. The company continued to operate independent engineering, design, and divisions
At least Bose is a step up from Clarion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory
Japanese years
McIntosh MA6800 integrated amplifier
After a long and illustrious history that saw them expand their business around the world, the company began to struggle and was ultimately acquired by Clarion, a large Japanese manufacturer of car stereo gear in 1990 for 28.6 million dollars.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory#cite_note-34"><span>[</span>34<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory#cite_note-35"><span>[</span>35<span>]</span></a> McIntosh components, particularly the early tube models, are highly regarded in Japan. In a speech shortly after the purchase, Clarion president Yutaka Oyamada told McIntosh employees that "we like McIntosh as it is, and we have no intention of changing what has made it so successful."<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory#cite_note-MacLab_part_2-mcintoshsold-36"><span>[</span>36<span>]</span></a> After the Clarion purchase, McIntosh expanded into car audio and home theater.
In May 2003, Clarion sold McIntosh Laboratory to D&M Holdings also of Japan. The company continued to operate independent engineering, design, and divisions
At least Bose is a step up from Clarion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntosh_Laboratory
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Probably better Bose than "Highlander Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm" who currently own McIntosh.
But Bose is looking to upsell its cheap stuff, no doubt.
But Bose is looking to upsell its cheap stuff, no doubt.
Not the first time that a giant was taken down by a little guy with a rock. But in this case the giant was the good guy.
I like the aesthetic of power meters, but maybe they will tame it down to an amber color and finally let our eyes’ S-cone cells relax for a while? That much blue can’t be healthy.
Followed along with Bose's acquisition by the Dallas firm 2 or 3 years ago and believe that they found High End audio a dead end and ditched McIntosh as quickly as possible. It's odd that Bose is going into the high end sector when they refused to develop their own products, notably the 901, after prodding by many of us. The 901 could have been a serious audiophile product with better, computer EQ along DSP lines. Suggested this to them repeatedly when I bought my last pair in 2013 and their response was to abandon the product altogether.
So now they buy McIntosh? Makes no sense to me.
Bet they got a fire-sale deal...
So now they buy McIntosh? Makes no sense to me.
Bet they got a fire-sale deal...
In the article I read, they pointed out that 1/3 of Bose revenue comes from automobile sound systems, but they aren't able to crack the really high-end manufacturers like Lamborghini. They think the McIntosh name will allow them to do that.
How much revenue would Lambo bring in every year and what margins? I think it’s just more PE financial gymnastics rather than don’t deeply strategic marketing insight.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/bose-corporation-acquires-mcintosh-group
I am not a fan of either but it is more consolidation.
dave
I am not a fan of either but it is more consolidation.
dave
When a brand like McIntosh keeps getting sold repeatedly it suggests that, for industry reasons, they are being propped up. Who wants this historically important audiophile brand to tank? Would give shudders throughout the audiophile world.
Now this ignores Mcintosh's attempt to develop "nonsense" products like the LB200 -- an empty box with Mcintosh lights on the front -- for $1500. We had some serious fun with this on another forum when it came out as an upgraded model (#2). Now how do you upgrade an empty box?
But this highlights the problems with McIntosh. They have been out of major audio development for so long they started begging forums to propose new products for the company. And no-one could suggest much for an overpriced, dysfunctional brand that wants to sell 5-figure amplifiers in extremely heavy boxes with garish meters on the front.
Now this ignores Mcintosh's attempt to develop "nonsense" products like the LB200 -- an empty box with Mcintosh lights on the front -- for $1500. We had some serious fun with this on another forum when it came out as an upgraded model (#2). Now how do you upgrade an empty box?
But this highlights the problems with McIntosh. They have been out of major audio development for so long they started begging forums to propose new products for the company. And no-one could suggest much for an overpriced, dysfunctional brand that wants to sell 5-figure amplifiers in extremely heavy boxes with garish meters on the front.
That was just the example given by the CEO of Bose in the article. I assume they expect a broader reach than just Lambo. Plus, the article speculates about other McIntosh branded products. It's all about the "brand".
Already a thread here: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/bose-buys-mcintosh.420109/#post-7848876
Appears to be big news on the interwebs, at least for a day. 😉
jeff
Appears to be big news on the interwebs, at least for a day. 😉
jeff
Lots of doctors, dentists, and their ilk buy McIntosh. It's the blue lights.
I think Mac are just suffering from what is happening all over the high end. The market might look ‘big’ when you read Stereophile but very very few people are spending tens of thousands of $ on gear. Most of these outfits are small operations.
Worse, dealers demand 50% margins and that, more than anything IMV, places a very heavy burden on manufacturers.
Worse, dealers demand 50% margins and that, more than anything IMV, places a very heavy burden on manufacturers.