Bryston Model T vs. McIntosh XR100…the winner is?

[JWJW]

Curious if anyone has compared the two. The Model T is one HELL of a bargain (minus the gimmicky lighted badge) compared to the XR100. Both are tall, freestanding column speakers….

On just aesthetics alone (looking more bad-ass), I would have to pick the Model T's.

Any "side-by-side" comparisons done yet?….James?

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Hi JW

I have not personally heard the McIntosh speakers but it looks like they agree with us in that multiple drivers make for a much better speaker when it comes to lack of dynamic compression.

Not sure what their philosophy is regarding on and off axis polar response - I am sure they will sound excellent.

james

[HiFiCrossFit]

I have not had the chance to hear the Bryston speakers but would love to. However I do own the XR100s and am very pleased with them. I drive them with a pair of MC275s and they sound great. I've heard them being driven by the 601s and it was beautiful and effortless.

[TWiiii]

If a speaker is rated at 88db 1 meter, then how can it out out 112 db with 250 watts. By my math it would be about 109.3 give or take. So what else can we believe. But they do seem to be honest with the power handling capability, where Mac seems to be pushing the envelope. Especially with the 1k. Bryston does mention their speaker rating is concerned about compression. The question they don't answer is what is acceptable. Klipschorn 4 db, Cornwall 4 db, JBL from 2.9 to 3.4 on their Everest and K2 speakers. I can remember driving pairs of D130's with a MC 3500 and after 200 watts the higher power went just to distortion and heat.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Hi TW

From Engineering:

Hi James,

They are two different specs. The 112dB is the point where compression will begin. 250 watts is a maximum recommended amp size. They can take more power than 250 watts no problem but the 250 watt rating gives you a bit of headroom before you hit compression of any kind.

[BuffaloBill]

112db is pretty loud.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

112db is pretty loud.

Hearing damage loud!

james

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by TWiiii

If a speaker is rated at 88db 1 meter, then how can it out out 112 db with 250 watts. By my math it would be about 109.3 give or take. So what else can we believe.

Their math is correct -- 88dB @ 1m for 1 Watt is equivalent to 112dB @ 1m and 251.1886 Watts:

112 - 88 = 24dB
1 Watt * 10 ^ (24 / 10) = 251.1886 Watts

[Haurock]

When the Model T's were premiered at TAVES, I had gone to the show with the specific intent of giving th XR100s serious consideration. I also knew the Model T's were going to be there as well.

To state it rather simply, the hit of the show were the Model Ts, and not by just a slight margin. I've written elsewhere that I was rather disappointed in what I heard from the XR100s. I wa truly hoping that I would like them and have a complete McIntosh system. In my opinion, the Model Ts are much...MUCH better. Now in all fairness, I have not done a head to thead comparison, but based on what I heard that day, I would think even the XR200s would be no match for the Model Ts. The Model Ts are THAT good.

[Masterlu]

I had to move my Model T's from a room that had two other brands (deliberately unnamed) because the Model T's outperformed both of the others which happened to cost 2x and 2.5x as much!