McIntosh MEN220 - Black glass

Description

Three Functions in One Chassis: Room Correction, EQ, Active Crossover

The McIntosh MEN220 combines three distinct functions that each improve the performance of a quality hi-fi system, and that combined deliver an unparalleled level of clarity and precision. First function: room correction, which compensates for the unavoidable acoustic flaws introduced by the listening room's dimensions, surfaces, and furnishings. Second function: custom EQ, which shapes the frequency response to personal preference or to the type of music. Third function: a two-way active crossover, which splits the signal into two frequency sections that feed two separate power amplifiers (bi-amping) or a main amplifier plus an active subwoofer.

RoomPerfect™ Technology From Lyngdorf 

The MEN220 uses RoomPerfect™, one of the most advanced systems in the world for adapting a sound system to the unique acoustic environment of a room. RoomPerfect™ is developed by Lyngdorf Audio A/S (Denmark); the MEN220 is manufactured under license from Lyngdorf. In practice, RoomPerfect™ analyzes the audio characteristics of your loudspeakers AND the specific acoustic traits of your room, then adjusts the audio signal to deliver a sound profile precisely tailored to the room's size, shape, and acoustic qualities. That technology enables flexible speaker placement without compromising sound quality: against a wall, in open space, or asymmetrically from the listening position — RoomPerfect™ compensates.

Up to Eight Listening Positions + Global Room Correction Mode

The MEN220 performs its acoustic measurements through the included calibrated microphone and stand. It supports precise measurement and correction for up to eight distinct listening positions in the room — a primary position at the couch, a secondary position at an armchair, a third position at another seat, etc. It also offers a Global Room Correction mode that optimizes reproduction for listening from any point in the room, particularly suited to multi-purpose rooms where the listener doesn't always sit in the same spot.

Six Preset EQ Curves + Six Custom EQ Profiles

The MEN220 offers six factory-preset EQ curves tailored to different music genres (rock, classical, jazz, etc.) and allows the user to create up to six additional custom EQ profiles. A note: the MEN220 is not an N-band parametric equalizer, contrary to some third-party descriptions — it is a complete room correction system whose EQ uses the RoomPerfect™ correction curves along with the MEN220's preset and custom profiles. The user switches between profiles from the front panel, the remote, or the web interface.

Two-Way Active Crossover (Butterworth, Linkwitz-Riley) for Bi-Amping

The MEN220's two-way active crossover splits the audio signal at a user-adjustable crossover frequency and sends the two sections (high and low) to two separate pairs of analog outputs — one balanced XLR pair and one unbalanced RCA pair for the High section, one balanced XLR pair and one unbalanced RCA pair for the Low section. Available filter types: Butterworth 1st, 2nd, or 4th order (6, 12, or 24 dB/octave) and Linkwitz-Riley 2nd, 4th, or 8th order (12, 24, or 48 dB/octave). Typical configurations: bi-amping a pair of loudspeakers (one amp pair for the bass sections, another amp pair for the treble sections) or integrating an active subwoofer into a stereo system.

Connectivity: XLR, RCA, Balanced Microphone, Network

The MEN220's rear panel offers the following analog inputs and outputs: one balanced XLR input, one unbalanced RCA input, two pairs of balanced XLR outputs (High + Low), two pairs of unbalanced RCA outputs (High + Low). A dedicated balanced microphone input handles the RoomPerfect™ calibration procedure. A network connection provides access to the web control interface. There is a USB Type-A port, but it is reserved for service (firmware updates only). 3.5 mm Power Control input and output ports and a Data Port input allow synchronized power-on and IR commands with the rest of a McIntosh stack. Input impedance 10 kΩ (XLR and RCA), output impedance 50 Ω, maximum input voltage 4.5 V, output voltage 2.0 V (up to 4.5 V maximum), 0 dB gain — the MEN220 does not change the source's output level relative to its inputs.

User Interface: Front Panel, Remote, or Web Browser

Operation is straightforward. The user can act directly on the front-panel rotary knobs and push buttons, on the included remote, or from a web browser pointed at the MEN220's network address — the web interface is particularly convenient for the RoomPerfect™ calibration procedure and for managing EQ profiles. The black glass front panel carries an illuminated McIntosh logo, rotary knobs, and silk-screened push buttons in the classic McIntosh style. Frequency response +0/-0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, THD 0.002% across the audio band, 100 dB signal-to-noise (A-weighted) — measurements taken with EQ filters and output filters bypassed.

Common Questions

How does the MEN220 fit into my existing hi-fi system?

The MEN220 typically sits between your preamplifier (or integrated amplifier with a Processor Loop) and your power amplifier(s) over a balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA connection. If your chain includes an active subwoofer or a bi-amped configuration, the MEN220's two pairs of outputs (one High pair + one Low pair) send each frequency section to the matching amplifier. Input impedance 10 kΩ, output impedance 50 Ω, 0 dB gain — the MEN220 does not change the source's output level relative to its inputs.

Is the RoomPerfect™ calibration procedure complicated?

No. The MEN220 ships with a calibrated measurement microphone, a microphone stand, and a microphone cable. The user places the microphone on the stand at the primary listening position, launches the guided procedure from the front panel, the remote, or the web interface, then follows the on-screen instructions: the MEN220 emits test tones, measures the room's response, then asks you to move the microphone to additional positions in the room (up to 8 distinct listening positions total). RoomPerfect™ then builds the acoustic map and calculates the correction filters. The user can enable, bypass, or switch profiles from the remote at any time.

Is the MEN220 an N-band parametric equalizer?

No — that's a common misconception. The MEN220 is a full room correction system based on Lyngdorf RoomPerfect™, not a traditional parametric equalizer. RoomPerfect™ automatically computes the correction filters from the microphone-measured room response; the user does not configure frequency bands manually. In addition, the MEN220 offers six factory-preset EQ curves by music genre and up to six custom EQ profiles that the user can create to taste. For a traditional 8-band analog environmental EQ, McIntosh offers the MQ112 Environmental Equalizer.

Which McIntosh partners are recommended with the MEN220?

McIntosh explicitly recommends the MC312, MC462, and MC1502 stereo power amplifiers, as well as the MC611 and MC1.25KW monoblocks — particularly relevant in a bi-amped configuration using the MEN220's active crossover. For preamplification, McIntosh recommends the C55 (solid-state preamp), the C2800 (vacuum tube preamp), or the C12000 (two-chassis reference preamp). For a two-channel integrated chain, the MA12000 integrated amplifier. 

What's in the Box

McIntosh MEN220 Room Correction System

Calibrated measurement microphone

Microphone stand

Microphone cable

Remote control

AC power cord

Owner's manual