McIntosh MQ112 Equalizer – First Look
All Image Credit: McIntosh
Over the years the stand alone graphic equalizer has waned in popularity in favor of the more fully automatic systems like Audyssey and DIRAC. Well that didn’t prevent McIntosh bringing it back one more time….and I still (occasionally) use three analog Rane ME30B equalizers for tilt control for my three front Genelec 1038 monitors.
McIntosh have just introduced the MQ112 Environmental Equalizer, an eight-band graphic EQ with an adjustment range of ±12 dB at frequency bands between 25 Hz and 10 kHz and a Tilt control for adjusting the effect of the equalization.
According to McIntosh; “In the relentless pursuit of perfect audio, we understand the frustration of adapting your living space for optimal sound reproduction. With the MQ112, you can make changes to the music itself so that room acoustic problems can be overcome. The results can be stunning and can make even a great sounding stereo system sound even better.”
In use, the MQ112 equalizer is connected between the preamp and power amplifier, it has eight bands centered at 25 Hz, 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and 400 Hz at the lower end of the spectrum and 1 kHz, 3 kHz, and 10 kHz at the higher end. While the Tilt control shifts the overall tonal balance by boosting bass or treble ±6 dB across the entire frequency range. Its convenient In and Out modes totally bypasses the EQ circuits making it easy to hear the effect of the MQ112 settings.
Rear panel analog signal connectivity is supported using; two sets of balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs and one set of balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs. Control is available using the Power I/O and EQ Thro jacks, with switches supporting; Auto Off/On and Stereo/Mono modes.
Finally the MQ112 showcases those classic McIntosh design features of an illuminated green logo, black glass faceplate, rotary control knobs and aluminum end caps.
Features At A Glance:
- 8-band analog equalizer
- Adjust the audio signal at 8 key bands in the 25Hz – 10kHz audio frequency range
- ±12dB range of adjustment for each band
- TILT knob for further customization with subtle tonal balance shift of ±6dB
Specifications:
- Rated Output Voltage;
- 2.5V Unbalanced
- 5V Balanced
- Maximum Output Voltage:
- 10V Unbalanced
- 20V Balanced
- Maximum Input Voltage:
- 10V Unbalanced
- 20V Balanced
- Voltage Gain (all controls flat):
- Unbalanced: IN to OUT 0dB
- Balanced: IN to OUT 0dB
- Frequency Response (all controls flat):
- +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
- +0, -1dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
- Signal To Noise Ratio: 115dB (below rated output)
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005% from 20Hz to 20kHz
- Input Impedance:
- 10k ohms Unbalanced
- 20k ohms Balanced
- Output Impedance:
- 500 ohms Unbalanced
- 1000 ohms Balanced
- Equalizer Controls: ±12dB at 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1kHz, 3kHz, and 10kHz
- Tilt Control:
- ±6dB at 20Hz and 20kHz
- 650Hz Tilt Axis
- Unit Weigh: 15 lbs (6.8kg)
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-1/2” (44.5cm) x 3-15/16” (10cm) x 15-11/16” (39.8cm)
Availability
October 2023
MSRP:
- US: $3,000.00
- UK: £3,745.00
- EU: €3,999.00
Fore more information visit the McIntosh Labs web site:
Related posts:
- For more McIntosh posts click here.
