MACARIA
MACARIA OBX System: Open-Baffle Speakers with Signature Crossover Network.
The MACARIA Open Baffle Crossover (OBX) System is comprised of.
- Baffles in the material of your choice, fitted with MACO® propietary 15" drivers
- MACO® crossover using top-grade audiophile components, with bi-amping ability
- MACO® base (Grounded Base comes standard; upgrade to the Floating Base available on any model)
- VIABLUE™ wiring and absorbers
Tech Specs
- Sensitivity: 92 dB/1m
- Impedance: it has the ability to run at 4 or 8 Ohm (user selectable by cable connection)
- Frequency response: 35-16,000 Hz
Dimensions
- With Grounded Base: 50cm (19.7") wide x 107cm
(42.1") tall x 37cm (14.5") deep - With Floating Base: 50cm (19.7") wide x 117cm
(46") tall x 43cm (19.9) deep
Weight (approx. each)
- Birch: 23 kg
- Solid Wood: 25 kg
- Quartz: 45 kg
- Granite: 55 kg
Baffle Thickness
- Solid Wood and Birch: 2.25" (+/-
1/16”) - Stone (Quartz and Granite): 2" (+/-
1/16”)
The MACARIAS boast a sensitivity of 92dBs, meaning most amplifiers should be capable of driving them effectively. However, to stay on the safe side and to ensure good bass control, we do recommend pairing them with an amplifier that delivers anything above 50W. We've conducted tests with a 300B (7W) amp and found that they sound fantastic at regular listening levels in a well-treated room. It's important to note, though, that at higher listening volumes, the lower frequencies will demand more power for better control. By keeping this in mind and letting us know your intended electronics, we can help make sure your listening experience is truly extraordinary.
We aim to ensure that your experience with the MACARIAS is unparalleled in your personal space. Therefore, to achieve the absolute best sound quality, we encourage you to email us atcontact@macoacoustic.comto inform us about the electronics you plan to pair with your MACARIAS. This will allow us to confirm the compatibility and ensure that your setup delivers the optimal auditory experience.
The MACARIA Story
From day one, our idea has been to bring about what has been missing in our audio listening experience. What we found to be missing is exactly what we have incorporated into our designs. Over the years, we have realized that the evolution of a loudspeaker has been limited by the acoustic contributions of the enclosure in which it is contained. Rather than combat these unwanted sonics inherent to traditional boxed speaker designs, we have chosen to eliminate the problem entirely. While the open baffle speaker is not a new concept, today's technology, combined with advancements in design and materials, has allowed us to focus on what we believe is the true evolution of this design.
Born out of a lifetime of passion for music across all genres and a respect for the quality it deserves in reproduction, four years have been dedicated to the research and development of the MACARIAS. During this time, we realized that to offer such a product, we would need to work directly with manufacturers of the highest standards in the audio industry—not only for proprietary components but also for a level of service and dependability crucial to the demands of this product.
We invite you to experience what has eluded many in their search for the most realistic and satisfying discovery of the music they love, in a way that has never been heard or felt before.
MACO® CROSSOVERS
The heart of the MACARIA OBX System lies in our signature MACO® crossovers—crafted to be the soul of the sound. Each crossover is built with top-of-the-line components, including premium VIABLUE™ wiring (binding posts, harness, and jumpers), ensuring that every nuance is faithfully preserved and delivered. This crossover network is what gives the MACARIAS their signature sound. Set in a beautifully designed enclosure, our crossovers are a testament to our commitment to designing and building with only the best, never compromising on quality to create a listening experience like no other.
BAFFLE MATERIALS
Stone: Sculpted from a single piece of Granite or Quartz, the Stone model is the epitome of luxury. It comes standard in a natural finish; it can be polished as an upgrade for an extra luxurious touch. Quartz comes standard in white, however if you would like your Quartz baffle in a specific colour, contact us for a quote. All special order baffles are final sale.
Acoustically, our stone models (i.e., Granite and Quartz) have the most definition. The stone’s dense mass ensures no interaction with the acoustic driver, allowing it to transform the signal into distortion-free, pristine, and detailed sound.
Thermal Treated Wood: Available in light and dark Ash, the wood MACARIAS exude a classic coziness and natural elegance. Our wood is thermal treated to enhance the durability and resistance. Wood MACARIAS come standard in a natural finish.
Sonically, the wood models have a warmer tone with a warmer mid-range, enriching the voices and instruments.
Birch Ply: The Birch model is formed by many layers of ply. With its beautiful natural lines, the rough finish of the Birch gives this baffle its unique raw, laid back look. It comes standard in a natural finish.
If you would like your Birch baffle in a specific colour, we can do automotive custom work to further personalize your baffle; contact us for a quote.
Sonically, while warmer than the stone models, Birch is the more neutral of the woods.
Standard Materials
MACO® Bases
Grounded: Also called the Single Leg, the Grounded Base comes standard with the MACARIAS. This base supports the baffle closer to the ground, with isolation provided by VIABLUE™ UFO absorbers. Sitting closer to the ground, it produces a deeper bass and more bass extension.
Floating: An upgrade option, this base uses 5mm of damping compound at its connection to the baffle coupled with VIABLUE™ UFO XL absorbers in the legs. Engineered to suspend the baffle in the air, it literally makes the MACARIAS "float", reducing interaction with the floor to an absolute minimum, resulting in more defined bass and increased separation.
Bases
MACO® DRIVERS
All MACARIAS will come standard with two 15 inch proprietary MACO® paper cone drivers.
Open Concept Loudspeaker
Liberated from traditional box enclosures, the MACARIAS offer a captivatingly natural audio environment with a vast soundstage, making your music collection come to life around you, while the minimalistic design frees your space for an open, airy ambiance.
Elegant Design
With the MACARIAS, you never have to compromise style for sound quality. With its elegant design, contours and deliberately crafted details, the MACARIAS are poised t be a sculptural and auditory centerpiece, turning heads in any space.
Refined, Enduring Materials
Using luxury, locally-sourced materials, the MACARIAS are designed to be long-lasting. In addition to their unique aesthetics, each material choice directly influences the sound, allowing for a customized listening as well as aesthetic experience.
FAQs
What are the sonic differences between the baffle materials?
In addition to aesthetics, each material has its own sound and personality. Every material interacts differently with sound, adding its own flavor and tonality to the music.
Overall, the wood options have a warmer tone. Solid wood has a warmer mid-range, which enriches the voices and instruments. Birch is the more neutral of the woods.
The stone models (i.e., the granite and) quartz have more definition. The stone’s dense mass ensures no interaction with the acoustic driver, allowing it to transform the signal into distortion-free, pristine, and detailed sound.
What are the sonic differences between the two base options?
The Grounded Base, which comes standard with the MACARIAS, produces a deeper bass as it sits closer to the ground.
The Floating Base, which is an upgrade, suspends the baffle in the air, reducing interaction with the floor to an absolute minimum, resulting in more defined bass and increased separation.
What is "thermal treated" wood and why did you choose to use it?
The thermal treatment process enhances the durability and resistance of the wood, and also deepens the color, enriching its elegance.
*Does not include Birch Ply.
I noticed the thermally treated wood options now only include ash. Why is that?
Ash has consistently been a favorite among our customers for its strength, beauty, and performance. It’s also highly regarded in the music industry for its resonant, sweet sound with a well-balanced mix of brightness and warmth, making it a popular choice for high-quality guitars. Inspired by this, we’ve chosen to feature thermally treated ash in our speakers to enhance acoustic performance. By offering it exclusively, we’re able to streamline production while continuing to provide the exceptional quality and craftsmanship our products are known for.
What if I want a different thermally treated wood for my MACARIA?
If you would like a custom order wood, walnut or maple can be selected as a bespoke upgrade option. These woods feature unique grains, densities, and tonal characteristics, perfect for purists seeking something truly special. Each option is priced differently. Contact us at hellot@macosound.com for more information and pricing. Allow additional time for the production of custom orders.
What is the ideal power and room set-up for the MACARIAS?
The MACARIAS have a sensitivity of 91dBs so most amplifiers should be able to drive them however we do recommend anything above 50W to stay safe and ensure good bass control.
We have tested them with a 300B (7W) amp, and they sound fantastic at regular listening levels in a well-treated room. Just keep in mind that at high listening levels the lower frequencies will demand more power to have better control.
We aim to ensure that your experience with the MACARIAS is unparalleled in your personal space. Therefore, to achieve the absolute best sound quality, we encourage you to email us at contact@macoacoustic.com to inform us about the electronics you plan to pair with your MACARIAS. This will allow us to confirm the compatibility and ensure that your setup delivers the optimal auditory experience.
The ideal distance from the wall for placement of the MACARIAS is 3-6ft.
What parts do you use in your crossover?
At MACO®, we never cut corners. Our crossover uses top grade components such as the humongous custom-made capacitor and inductor. We have also made sure to use minimal parts on the signal path and point-to -point connections.
I noticed that the prices of MACARIAS have increased. Why did that happen?
Effective November 1st, 2024, the prices of our MACARIA speakers increased. MACARIAs represent not just the highest quality, but also a refined listening experience crafted for those who recognize and seek distinction in both sound and design.
Since our inception, we have personally absorbed all additional costs, ensuring that we deliver the high-quality product that our customers have come to know and appreciate. To maintain this standard of excellence and sustain our operations effectively, accurately reflecting the value of the components and craftsmanship in our pricing has become necessary.
Factors Behind the Price Change:
- Increased Costs of Parts and Components: We have experienced rising prices from our vendors and suppliers, which have impacted our overall production costs. Additionally, new features have been added to enhance the performance of our speakers, which we initially absorbed.
- Increased Rent Costs: Our operating expenses have risen, particularly for the space required for storage and assembly.
- Labor-Intensive Production: The manual assembly of each speaker requires skilled labor, and as labor costs have increased, we remain committed to maintaining the high quality you expect.
We remain committed to producing high-quality speakers, and the price adjustment will help us continue delivering the exceptional craftsmanship and performance that our customers value.
Where can I hear the MACARIAS?
If you are in the Toronto area, we have a Listening Room in downtown and are always open to visitors.
For our friends in the continental USA, we will be exhibiting next at Capital AudioFest 2024. Visit us and hear the MACARIAS in person!
We are also starting to build Listening Rooms with MACO® Ambassadors across the country, beginning with Portland, OR. As more information becomes available, we will post it on our website. Stay tuned!
Where do you ship?
The MACARIA will ship worldwide; customers are responsible for all shipping costs. For orders outside of Canada and continental USA, email us at hello@macosound.com for a shipping/freight quote. International shipping, customs fees, country taxes, and other import duties may apply according to your country's regulations. We recommend that you check with your local customs office for more information on these charges before placing your order.
For more information, see our Shipping Policy.
When can I expect to receive my MACARIAS?
Custom Craftsmanship Takes Time
Each piece in our collection is crafted to your specifications, truly made to order. This bespoke process ensures your item is uniquely yours, reflecting the high-quality materials and craftsmanship that go into every order.
Estimated Delivery Timeline
Due to the personalized nature of our craftsmanship, please allow a creation period of approximately two months for wood and ply and thee to four months for stone models from the time of order for your exclusive piece. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as this time allows us to ensure the utmost quality and customization of your product.
Thank you for choosing our artisanal approach, where quality and individuality are worth the wait
What is your return policy?
Please see our Return, Cancellation and Refund Policy.
What is the warranty on the MACARIAS?
A five year warranty is provided to the original owner of the MACARIA. Please see our Warranty Policy for more information.
Customer map provided by Map My Customers
MACARIA Owner's Manual
Available HERE