McIntosh MHT300 20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response

@oddiofyl 

How low can the source go??

I've measured below 10Hz using REW and UMIK-2 microphone.

For reference:

Onkyo TX-RZ50 5 Hz – 100 kHz — +1, –3 dB (Direct mode)

Denon X4800H 10 Hz – 100 kHz — +1, –3 dB (Direct mode)

Pioneer VSX-LX805 10 Hz – 100 kHz — +1, –3 dB (Direct mode)

@oddiofyl 

+1

MacIntosh is probably stating the specs within the audible audio spectrum, which is 20hz to 20khz. It undoubtedly produces output well below this when fed appropriate material. Your bottleneck will likely be your subwoofers not the Mac. 

It is unlikely you will notice a difference between the Mac and those other units in the bass. 

The Mac comes from decades of producing very high end products. I would put much more faith in the sonic qualities of the Mac over the other brands. Specs have very little to do with what processors sound like. I would read reviews from professional high end home theaters if you want to know what they sound like. 

If you are unhappy with the low bass... there are volume controls on the subwoofers you can over woof them. 

My system is a Marantz AV10 processor, Parasound 52+ amp and two SVS PB 3000 subwoofers. 

@ghdprentice 

MacIntosh is probably stating the specs within the audible audio spectrum, which is 20hz to 20khz. It undoubtedly produces output well below this when fed appropriate material.

All mainstream manufacturers state their specs well below the audio spectrum 20Hz. It's subpar that McIntosh can only state 20Hz-20kHz. It's a premium $10K for subpar performance.

I asked McIntosh and they stated it continues to produce audio below 20Hz. But they cannot make any specific claims, such as -3dB at 15Hz. Therefore, you have to conclude that it cannot even do -3dB at 15Hz. If it's -6dB, it's bad. For reference, the C55 preamp claims -3dB at 15Hz. Even this isn't stellar but if the preamp is used just for music, it's not a major issue.

Regarding compensating the subwoofer, you can't just increase the volume knob on a sub because it increase the volume for the entire utilized bandwidth. If you have a stellar room control software, it can be more precise but will likely not be enough to compensate for the shortfall. For example, many amps state up to 20kHz but it falls off hard after 20kHz. I can EQ the bands above 16kHz +12dB but it won't do anything since the amp is almost starting off at zero dB, 12x0=0. Therefore, I don't think you can make up for the shortfall by boosting the EQ on subwoofers.

Sounds like you have built a case for not buying the Mac. I'd input your question to an AI. It's good with this kind of stuff. 

I had Chatgpt summarize the Mac versus the Marantz AV10:

The McIntosh MHT300 presents sound with a distinctly full-bodied, warm character… emphasizing weight, density, and smoothness, with slightly rounded transients and a cohesive, almost analog richness that favors long-term listening over razor precision. In contrast, the Marantz AV10 leans toward neutrality and transparency… delivering cleaner dialogue, sharper transient response, and a wider, more precisely layered soundstage, with superior spatial resolution and control. In essence, the McIntosh shapes the experience toward warmth and authority, while the Marantz steps back, revealing more of the recording and the room with greater accuracy and separation.