Does everyone remember the seats of mid-to-late ’90s Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs as fondly as I do? I believe it was Road & Track or possibly several auto-mags of the day that deemed those seats to be the most comfortable of the automotive century.
As for the audio systems that came stock in those mid-to-late ’90s GC’s, they left plenty to be desired. Myself installing a few aftermarket systems in them for friends and friends-of-friends around that time. But times change, and industry catches up with culture. Music matters, and is now more than ever considered a hallmark trait of the luxury auto experience. With that, McIntosh Labs has become the new music source for that ultimate comfort Jeep GC’s are known for. More in the press release below.
Press Release Below
2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Ushers in Luxury Sound by McIntosh®
An Exclusive World-Class Audio System for the World’s Most Awarded SUV
BINGHAMTON, NY (January 7, 2021) – The new 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, now with three rows of seating, will debut with the auto industry’s only sound system made by the legends in luxury home audio, McIntosh Laboratory. Available first in the 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L, the MX950 McIntosh Entertainment System is available in Overland and Summit models and comes standard when equipped with the Summit Reserve Package.
The collaboration between McIntosh and the Jeep® brand has been a match made in America. The Jeep® brand understands McIntosh’s goal is to carry its exceedingly high standards for sound into vehicles in an authentic way. That said, this partnership didn’t happen overnight.
Seeds for MX950 McIntosh Entertainment System for the Jeep® Grand Cherokee were planted four years ago when engineers from both organizations collaborated on the Grand Wagoneer concept vehicle revealed this past September. And now with the Jeep® Grand Cherokee L, customers will soon be able to experience what it is like having a McIntosh Entertainment System with them on-the-go. It is sure to be “Legendary Performance in Motion.”
For over seven decades, McIntosh has been on the leading edge of high-end home audio and popular culture with sound systems handcrafted in their factory in Binghamton, NY. The company’s amplifiers were used to power the original Woodstock and the Grateful Dead’s groundbreaking “Wall of Sound” which cemented McIntosh’s reputation as a true American icon.
But McIntosh is no stranger to car audio, having delved into both OEM and aftermarket fitments in the 1990s. In the new millennium, McIntosh developed custom solutions for Harley Davidson special editions, and the 100th anniversary edition of the Ford GT. The MX950 McIntosh Entertainment System for the Jeep® Grand Cherokee will take sound quality to the next level, much the same way Jeep® Grand Cherokee has repeatedly reset the bar in sport utility vehicles.
“We understand that customers don’t just want great sound,” said Charlie Randall, President of McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. “They want to get a full sensory experience. And that’s why it was so important that we left no stone unturned to deliver a true McIntosh Entertainment System for the Jeep® Grand Cherokee L. We’re thrilled to bring our brand to a whole new group of people who may never have experienced McIntosh before.”
To ensure McIntosh luxury home audio experience was replicated in the vehicle, engineers from both companies worked hand-in-hand to fuse form and function into the system architecture. Engineers constantly went back and forth between the test vehicle and the McIntosh Reference Room itself to ensure a truly authentic McIntosh experience, even in a car. The resulting system is so revolutionary, it doesn’t just bring the performance to you, it brings you to the performance.
The MX950 McIntosh Entertainment System boasts 19 speakers in 12 optimal locations to deliver precision sound through every inch of the vehicle and a 17-channel amplifier delivers up to 950Watts of power. The system has LD/HP® speaker design to lower distortion and McIntosh Power Guard® for unrivaled clarity even at very high-volume levels. The most advanced materials technologies were used to make components lighter, yet stronger, so speakers respond faster in delivering timely sonic reproduction. The occupants are enveloped in a massive sweet spot to hear music with zero coloration, just as the artist intended.
The shared vision between Jeep® and McIntosh was to integrate the same level of authenticity and design language from the McIntosh home audio products into the Jeep® Grand Cherokee. The system incorporates McIntosh’s iconic styling cues such as the metal ridged control knobs, in the look and feel that have made McIntosh instantly recognizable to fans around the world. Backlit logos on the door speaker grilles accent the vehicle’s interior lighting with McIntosh’s signature blue. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee L’s subwoofer grille is emblazoned with the McIntosh “Mc” logo as it appears in McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™. It is truly a treat for the eyes as well as the ears!
The 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L is equipped with the MX950 McIntosh Entertainment System and will arrive in Jeep dealerships in the second quarter of 2021.
About McIntosh
Founded in 1949, McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is known for offering distinguished quality audio products, superior customer service and the ultimate experience in music and film. All McIntosh products are handcrafted at the Binghamton, NY factory by over 150 employees with a passion for music and the McIntosh heritage. McIntosh continues to define the ultimate home entertainment experience for discriminating consumers around the world, with the iconic “McIntosh Blue” Watt Meters globally recognized as a symbol of quality audio. Since its inception, McIntosh has been powering some of the most important moments in music history and pop culture. From President Lyndon Johnson’s inauguration speech to Woodstock to the famous Grateful Dead “Wall of Sound,” McIntosh has not only witnessed history, it has shaped it. With McIntosh, customers have the ability to create their own premium audio experience – and truly live their music. For more information please visit http://www.McIntoshLabs.com.
About Jeep® Brand
Built on 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence. The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Jeep is part of the portfolio of brands offered by global automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. For more information regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit http://www.fcagroup.com
