CLX Art and McIntosh MC601

[netroamer]

As part of a trouble-shooting process, I had to do a Factory Reset on my MX150 and that cost me my Room Perfect settings and I was planning a rerun next week.

However, today I saw a post about the correct taps to be used on a MC452 and that got me off my lazy butt to do a test between the 8ohm (current configuration suggested by M-L) and the 4ohm taps from my MC601's.

I set the MX150 to "Pure Stereo" to send a full range, no subwoofer, signal to the CLX's and changed the taps to 4ohms. WOW, the bass was incredible and the sometimes annoying overly-bright highs were less so. I am still not sure about the mid-range, but the listening I did, so far, did not leave me wanting.

I know there a a few out there with this combination and would like to hear about your impressions.

[joeinid]

It never hurts to experiment. Keep us updated. I am glad the system sound better this way.

[mgard]

John,

That is really cool how bass firmed up. I run my Magnepan 3.7's off the 4 ohm tap on the MC601's also but that is where they have always been so I can't give you any input. That is a nice tweak with no $$'s attached.

~Mike

[bzr]

John the same was found on another site & most if not all agreed that the 4 was better than the 8

[netroamer]

Originally Posted by bzr

John the same was found on another site & most if not all agreed that the 4 was better than the 8

With the CLX having a nominal impedance of 6ohms it puts it in the middle of the MC601 2-4-8ohm autoformers. With a low impedance of .07ohms, the 4ohm taps seem to be the logical first choice. However, the M-L people seem pretty strong about using the 8ohm taps. I ran 40-20k sweeps and charted the speakers using the 4ohm taps, I will run sweeps with the 8ohm taps to compare any differences. It may be a few days until I can find the time.

[netroamer]

Here are the sweep graphs. Signal was sent directly to the MC601's, no processor, no subwoofer.

The patterns for the 4ohm and 8ohm taps show little difference, most probably, as a result of the autoformers in the MC601.

My subjective conclusion based on the listening test is that there is a more robust bass and more mellow high end at 4ohms.