Alps Alpine, maker of Alpine car audio and McIntosh Group, maker of McIntosh and Sonus faber brands, have teamed up to deliver OEM car audio to select vehicles.
The collaboration marks the return of McIntosh to car audio. It is a technical alliance between the companies to create car audio amplifiers and speakers “truly worthy of the McIntosh Laboratory and Sonus faber home listening experience.” The deal does not include head units.
Alps Alpine will lead the integration end of the deal while recreating McIntosh and Sonus faber patented technologies.
The systems will be branded either as McIntosh or Sonus faber.
Vehicles equipped with McIntosh Laboratory and Sonus faber sound systems as original equipment will be available in 2021.
McIntosh originally entered the car audio market in 1992 and it offered both OEM and aftermarket products including head units, amplifiers and speakers. It exited car audio in the mid 2000s.
A McIntosh spokesman said the company has no plans to offer aftermarket products in the near future.
“We felt this was a perfect partnership since Alps Alpine and McIntosh Laboratory share the same values regarding in-cabin sound reproduction. Our strategic teaming with Alps Alpine is the perfect avenue for McIntosh to take for making its long-awaited return to car audio,” said Charlie Randall, McIntosh Group CEO and President of McIntosh Laboratory. “We are ready to transform your car into your next great sounding listening room.”
Alps is a class act company, i am sure it will be a very nice offering for the general customer.