McIntosh Labs PS1K Powered Subwoofer
Built for seismic yet disciplined low end, the PS1K pairs dual carbon-fibre 13-inch drivers with 1,000 watts for tight, clear bass, formidable dynamic headroom, and 20Hz reach. The Ear highlights its sealed, heavily braced design and extensive tuning suite—parametric EQ, variable phase, and balanced connectivity—making this a sumptuous high-output foundation for reference stereo or cinema systems.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
91/100
Integration
78/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Connectivity
88/100
Value for Money
68/100
Pros
Dual 13-inch carbon-fibre drivers and 1,000W amplification promise tight, clear, high-output bass for both music and movies.
Sealed enclosure and thick baffle design are engineered to minimise port noise and vibration for cleaner low-frequency response.
Balanced and unbalanced connections, adjustable filters, variable phase, and parametric EQ provide unusually comprehensive system and room-tuning flexibility.
Cons
The $35,000 MSRP makes it a cost-no-object luxury subwoofer rather than a broad-value proposition.
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SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Bass
92/100
Specs: dual 13" carbon-fiber woofers, 1 kW total power, frequency response to 20 Hz and LFE routing. Expect authoritative extension, low distortion and very high output for a two-woofer design; no third-party listening data provided.
Dynamics
90/100
1 kW amplifier, >113 dB max output and low THD (0.05%) point to excellent headroom, transient control and slam. No independent listening reports to confirm subjective dynamic behavior.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Integration
78/100
Extensive EQ, two-band parametric PEQ, continuously variable phase and adjustable HP/LP filters give tools for seamless blend, but no reviewer outcome evidence is available. Features ≠ Integration; add outcome evidence or lower Integration.
Build Quality
92/100
Massive 370 lb unit, high-polish piano black finish, anodized aluminum base and powder-coated plates indicate flagship-level fit and finish and a very rigid enclosure consistent with low coloration.
Features Connectivity
88/100
Comprehensive I/O (balanced/unbalanced in/out, stereo and mono options), parametric EQ, variable phase, HP/LP filters and very high input headroom. Excellent toolset for tuning and system integration.
Value for Money
68/100
At a $40,000 price, this is a luxury flagship offering. Performance and build justify a premium for brand/owner expectations, but the cost limits broad value—no reviews claim it as an exceptional bargain.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Impedance Nominal
- 8 Ohms
- Power Output
- 1KW (Two 500W, one per woofer)Maximum Output > 113 dB
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz - 500Hz with LFE 20Hz - 100Hz without LFE
- Filter Frequencies
- High Pass: 40Hz - 100HzLow Pass: 40Hz - 100HzPhase: Continuously VariableParametric: Two band 30Hz - 100Hz, variable bandwidth and level +/- 8dB
- Input Sensitivity
- 1V Balanced500mV Unbalanced (0.5V)
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- Amplifier: 0.05%Preamplifier (rear panel outputs): 0.005%
- Voltage Gain
- Amplifier: 31dBPreamplifier: 10dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio
- Amplifier: 115dB A WeightedPreamplifier: 100dB A Weighted
- Input Impedance
- 20K Ohms Balanced10K Ohms Unbalanced
- Maximum Input Signal
- 9V Balanced4.5V Unbalanced
- Number of Woofers
- 2
- Woofer Size
- 13"
- Woofer Type
- Carbon Fiber with extra long excursion and Low Distortion High Performance (LD/HP®) Magnetic Circuit Design
- Balanced Input
- 1 Pair Stereo1 Subwoofer (mono)
- Unbalanced Input
- 1 Subwoofer (mono)
- Balanced Output
- 1 Pair Stereo1 Subwoofer (mono)
- Unbalanced Output
- 1 Subwoofer (mono)
- Enclosure Finish
- Highly polished Piano Black
- Metal Finish
- Anodized aluminum baseHigh Durable powder coated plate surfaces
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
- 19-1/4” (48.9cm) x 50-1/16” (128.7cm) x 22-1/2” (57.2cm)Base footprint: 25-5/16" (64.3cm) x 28-7/16" (21.43cm)
- Unit Weight
- 370 pounds (167.8 kg)
- Shipping Weight
- 638 pounds (310 kg)
Manufacturer's Description — McIntosh Labs
- (2) 13” Woofers
- (2) 500 Watt Amplifiers
- Up to 1,000 Watt Power Rating
- Adjustable Low & High Pass Filters, Parametric EQ Filters, Level Control, and Phase Adjustment
- Extra thick enclosure baffle to ensure ultimate rigidity and low vibration
A MASTERFUL BLEND OF PRECISION, POWER, AND PASSION
Experience bass excellence with the McIntosh PS1K Powered Subwoofer. Expertly engineered with a passion for audio excellence, the PS1K enhances your home audio system by delivering deeper, more precise low frequencies.
NO-COMPROMISE DESIGN
Design and construction of the PS1K subwoofer embodies a no-compromise approach. At its core are two 13" woofers (also referred to as drivers), equipped with powerful magnets. These drivers feature our proprietary Low Distortion High Performance (LD/HP) Magnetic Circuit Design, which significantly reduces distortion while boosting power handling and efficiency.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was essential in optimizing these drivers, ensuring a sound experience that is nothing short of extraordinary. The drivers are designed for extreme linearity to minimize distortion, with an extra-long voice coil and a suspension system engineered for extended linear travel.
The PS1K also features innovative multi-layer carbon fiber cones in the woofers. These cones, with an integrated voice coil joint, provide unmatched rigidity and power handling. Unlike traditional single-layer carbon fiber cones, which could flex and degrade sound quality, the PS1K’s multi-layer design offers exceptional strength and resists flexing, even during extended excursions.
FEEL THE SOUND
Feel the intensity of your favorite music and movies from the PS1K’s dual 13” woofers, with each powered by a 500 watt Class D amplifier that combine to deliver up to 1,000 watts of total output. These amplifiers are carefully calibrated to minimize distortion, delivering tight, clear bass even in large listening spaces. The woofers are mounted above the amplifier module, which features a power output meter to display the PS1K’s total output. The enclosure’s nearly 1-1/2" (3.8cm) thick baffle ensures rigidity and minimizes vibration, while the sealed box design eliminates port noise.
PERFORMANCE FOR EVERYONE
The PS1K’s sonic and visual synergy with McIntosh speakers is impeccable, but its powerful capabilities also make it an ideal match for high-output speakers from other manufacturers. The PS1K will easily keep pace with the main speakers in any high-end home audio or home theater system and is capable of maintaining performance at high volumes without compromise.
VERSATILITY FOR EASY SYSTEM INTEGRATION
The PS1K excels in both performance and versatility. Whether you’re using a two-channel stereo system or a multi-channel home theater setup, the PS1K offers balanced stereo inputs and outputs, along with balanced and unbalanced subwoofer inputs and outputs. This range of connection options supports nearly any installation, and daisy-chaining allows for multiple PS1Ks in a system.
Once connected to your preamplifierintegrated amplifier, or home theater processor, the PS1K’s built-in filtering controls let you fine-tune it to your listening preferences. Adjustable Low Pass and High Pass filters allow you to set the crossover frequency, while two fully adjustable parametric EQ filters help mitigate the effects of room acoustics and speaker placement. Level Control and Phase adjustment knobs ensure seamless blending of the PS1K’s output with your existing audio system.
BUILT-IN PROTECTION FOR A LIFETIME OF LISTENING
McIntosh prioritizes the longevity of your audio investment. The PS1K features two of our key protection technologies. Power Guard monitors the audio input signal and makes near-instantaneous adjustments to prevent harsh clipping, all without compromising sound quality. Sentry Monitor, our fuse-less short-circuit protection, disconnects the amplifier’s output stage before current levels become unsafe and automatically resets when conditions normalize.
HARMONY OF SOUND, SIGHT AND CONVENIENCE
With a high gloss black finish, carbon trim, and aluminum base, the PS1K complements our XRT2.1K and XRT1.1K speakers, creating a stunning visual harmony. For convenience, the PS1K includes our Power Control technology for seamlessly turning the subwoofer on or off from other McIntosh components, eco-friendly signal sensing ensures efficient power management, while glide feet for hard floors and spikes for carpeting provide a perfect fit in any space.
Enhance your audio experience with the McIntosh PS1K Powered Subwoofer – a masterful blend of precision, power, and passion. Contact your local dealer to embark on a journey that transcends sound and touches the depths of your soul. At McIntosh, we invite you to discover the art of sound, the ultimate inspiration for life's most memorable moments.
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Authorized dealers for McIntosh Labs PS1K Powered Subwoofer
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Advance Audio — in-store — Wichita, Kansas, United States (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
and 225 more verified dealers