McIntosh and Sonus Faber announce car audio partnership

McIntosh and Sonus Faber to branch out into car audio systems
(Image credit: McIntosh)

Hi-fi manufacturers teaming up with automotive brands has become more and more common over the years. We've had the likes of Bowers & Wilkins (BMW, McLaren), Meridian (Jaguar, Land Rover) Burmester (Porsche, Mercedes-Benz) and Naim Audio (Bentley, Pininfarina), all make inroads into the automotive industry.

And you can now add McIntosh and Sonus Faber to that list. Part of the McIntosh Group Inc, they've both announced partnerships with Alps Alpine, an OEM supplier of components and complete systems with more than 50 years of experience in the field. It's not actually the first time McIntosh has dabbled with the in-car audio market - the brand introduced a line of automotive products back in 1994 which led to custom solutions being built for Harley Davidson, Ford and Subaru.

Alps Alpine will design and develop speakers and amplifiers using patented technologies from both brands, with engineers on all sides working together to tune the systems.

“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.

There's no word on which cars will be getting McIntosh or Sonus Faber systems, but it's expected the first models will arrive in 2021.

MORE:

McIntosh C22 Mk V and MC1502 valve amplifiers replace anniversary designs

Marantz announces 12 Series Special Edition amplifier and SACD player

Burmester High-End 3D Surround Soundsystem (2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class) review

Best stereo amplifiers

Andy Madden

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.