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McIntosh’s Gorgeous New Wireless Speakers Pay Homage to Its Legendary Past

The wireless speakers boast McIntosh’s signature design and sound, but with an added old-school flair.

McIntosh and Grateful Dead audio componentMcIntosh

By Tucker Bowe

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McIntosh’s wireless speakers, the RS150 and larger RS250, have been around for several years and have been standouts for their high-quality sound, versatility, gorgeous design, and, yes, expensive price tag.

Now, the famed New York-based hi-fi manufacturer has revealed special-edition versions of its wireless speakers that celebrate one of the most iconic bands of all time and pay homage to their shared past.

McIntosh x Grateful Dead

McIntosh x Grateful Dead
The limited-edition wireless speakers celebrate the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary.
McIntosh

The special edition RS150 and RS250 wireless speakers are a collaboration between McIntosh and the Grateful Dead. They were designed to celebrate the band’s 60th anniversary — the Grateful Dead were formed in 1965 — and the hi-fi maker and band’s history together.

The two have a relationship dating back to Woodstock 1969, the iconic music festival famously powered by twenty McIntosh MC3500 amplifiers. And, on day two, the band performed.

But the two are undoubtedly more famous for the Grateful Dead’s legendary Wall of Sound from 1973. The Wall of Sound, which used 48 McIntosh MC2300 amplifiers (a total of 28,800 watts of power) to drive over 600 speakers, ultimately revolutionized the concert audio experience.

McIntosh x Grateful Dead
You can think of the McIntosh RS150 as a bigger, better version of the Sonos Era 100.
McIntosh

Same speakers, new logo

Each of the Grateful Dead 60th anniversary edition speakers are almost exactly the same as the predecessors — except for a slight aesthetic difference. The special edition speakers feature the Grateful Dead’s name and skull-and-lightning-bolt logo.

Otherwise, both wireless speakers have the same standout design that features McIntosh’s signature look: a high-gloss black finish, blue-glowing power meters and a green illuminated logo. The sound quality is the same, too.

The McIntosh RS150 is a 120-watt mono speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming capabilities. At the same time, the McIntosh RS250 is a 650-watt stereo speaker with the same Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming abilities but several wired inputs, too (including HDMI ARC and a phono input for TV or turntable connectivity).

McIntosh x Grateful Dead
The McIntosh RS250 is significantly bigger, better and more versatile than the RS150 wireless speaker.
McIntosh

Price and availability

Unsurprisingly, these limited-edition wireless speakers are going to cost extra. While the stock McIntosh RS150 and RS250 speakers currently sell for $1,200 and $3,000, respectively, the Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary Edition versions cost $1,500 and $3,500.

Basically, you have to be a really big Deadhead and an audiophile with deep pockets to want either of these special-edition wireless speakers. Otherwise, it’s probably a better bet to get the regular models, instead.

The special-edition speakers are available now on McIntosh’s website.

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