McAire

[Haurock]

The woofers are behind the front face plate. You can see them in the owner's manual.. I just took a peek.

Interesting concept..

[JohnK]

I can't quite make out if using the USB input grabs the digital signal from an iDevice and does the D to A internally - or if it's analog only input. That and the airplay streaming capability were the two big differences between B&W's Zeppelin and new Zeppelin.

They also go out of their way to say iPhone/iPod, not iPad. I assume you can connect but perhaps you cannot charge the iPad? That's a well known issue on (older) PCs and laptops, not enough juice to charge, but if that's the case here I'd be surprised since this is a new design.

[Haurock]

Originally Posted by JohnK

I can't quite make out if using the USB input grabs the digital signal from an iDevice and does the D to A internally - or if it's analog only input. That and the airplay streaming capability were the two big differences between B&W's Zeppelin and new Zeppelin.

They also go out of their way to say iPhone/iPod, not iPad. I assume you can connect but perhaps you cannot charge the iPad? That's a well known issue on (older) PCs and laptops, not enough juice to charge, but if that's the case here I'd be surprised since this is a new design.

If you look at the McIntosh website you can see they have pics of the iPad docked with the Dock that is provided.. so I am thinking that the iPad can be used to connect wit the McAir. What I don't think you'll be able to do, is use the iPad as a remote control, while it appears you can do so with an iPhone.

Apple Compatibility

The McAire is compatible with the following Apple Mobile Devices with the latest version of the Apple OS Software installed:

AirPlay Connection or USB Connection
iPod touch (4th generation)
iPod touch (3rd generation)
iPhone 4S
iPhone 4
iPhone 3GS

AirPlay Connection only
iPad
iPad 2
iPad New

USB Connection only
iPod classic
iPod nano (6th generation)
iPod nano (5th generation)

[Haurock]

[mcintoshmagic]

No mention of iPhone 5 compatibility. Obviously it will work via AirPlay but USB I'm not so sure.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by mcintoshmagic

Thankfully they cleaned up (well, sort of) the McAire font on the pre-production units. Where are the 4" woofers? I only see the midranges and tweeters. I've heard it will be $3000 but hopefully they will be sensible and price it no higher than $2500.

Hopefully someone will open one up so we can see how McIntosh this McIntosh is. Does anyone know what would constitute a change from "Made in the USA" to "Handcrafted in the USA with US and Imported Parts"? I'm assuming it has to do with the percentage of imported parts being used.

I still get the feeling the guts are made overseas and then assembled into the McIntosh-built chassis. I'd be very happy to be proven wrong though as this is something I've been waiting for.

Still hoping they will make an all-tube version of the MXA60 one day.

Interesting there's no mention of amplifier(s) and output power. Maybe the imported parts are B&O ICE modules?

[mcintoshmagic]

Originally Posted by Haurock

If you look at the McIntosh website you can see they have pics of the iPad docked with the Dock that is provided..

It looks like that may actually only be a stand rather than an actual dock.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Haurock

If you look at the McIntosh website you can see they have pics of the iPad docked with the Dock that is provided.. so I am thinking that the iPad can be used to connect wit the McAir. What I don't think you'll be able to do, is use the iPad as a remote control, while it appears you can do so with an iPhone.

Apple Compatibility

The McAire is compatible with the following Apple Mobile Devices with the latest version of the Apple OS Software installed:

AirPlay Connection or USB Connection
iPod touch (4th generation)
iPod touch (3rd generation)
iPhone 4S
iPhone 4
iPhone 3GS

AirPlay Connection only
iPad
iPad 2
iPad New

USB Connection only
iPod classic
iPod nano (6th generation)
iPod nano (5th generation)

Thanks Rock, I see the pic with the dock now. Still a lot of unanswered questions, perhaps we'll learn more from blogs during RMAF.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by mcintoshmagic

No mention of iPhone 5 compatibility. Obviously it will work via AirPlay but USB I'm not so sure.

Well the 5 has the new connector, maybe the Mc includes the cables for the older but not the newer? Still you'd think any USB cable for the iPhone5 would work...

[Freestone]

There seems nothing special feature wise in this unit to me. Nothing unique.

Sonos owns this category and does awesome whole home and there are lots of AirPlay devices out there too.

So now it is down to sound and pricing. Plenty of competition.

Of course the branding and the blue meters...
But the b&o's are pretty slick too...