McIntosh MX124 A/V Processor Debuts With 13-Channel Dolby Atmos, Four-Subwoofer Support and 8K Video

McIntosh does not replace its home theater processors every time HDMI acquires another acronym, but the MX123 has been anchoring the company’s multichannel lineup since 2019. Although it received an important 8K hardware update in 2021, nearly seven years is a long time in a category where video standards, immersive-audio formats, room-correction platforms, and bass-management capabilities continue to evolve at an exhausting pace.

The newly announced McIntosh MX124 A/V Processor is therefore less an impulsive refresh than an overdue response to a much more competitive high-end home theater market. Marantz continues to apply pressure with the AV 10, while Trinnov and StormAudio offer highly configurable processors with more channels, sophisticated bass management, and upgrade paths aimed directly at demanding custom installations. A bank of blue meters and a substantial glass faceplate still carry considerable weight, but at this level, heritage alone will not prevent the competition from eating your popcorn.

Building on the MX123, the MX124 supports 13 main audio channels and four independent subwoofer outputs for configurations including 7.4.6 and 9.4.4. It also adds Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control alongside Audyssey MultEQ XT32, expands 8K connectivity across all seven HDMI inputs, and introduces updated streaming, configuration, and installation features designed to keep McIntosh relevant in theaters where both the expectations and equipment budgets are substantial. 

The McIntosh MX124 is an A/V preamplifier/processor designed to function as the central command center of a high-end home theater system. It handles source switching, surround decoding, room correction, bass management, video routing, and system control, but it does not include onboard amplification.

That distinction matters. The MX124 must be connected to one or more external power amplifiers, or to active loudspeakers, before it can produce any sound. A television or projector is also required to display the video signals it processes and routes. In other words, the MX124 may run the theater, but it still needs the rest of the cast before the lights go down.

McIntosh has engineered the MX124 for sophisticated home theater installations where flexibility, long-term integration, and installer support are just as important as raw specifications. Its expanded connectivity, configurable speaker layouts, room-correction options, and control features are intended to let a system evolve over time without forcing owners to replace the processor every time the theater grows or another component joins the rack.

Related Reviews: Marantz AV 30 Home Theater Preamp/Processor Review: Power Of Separation

Speaker Configurations & Physical Connectivity

The MX124 A/V Processor supports speaker configurations of up to 7.4.6 or 9.4.4 through 13 audio channels and four independent subwoofer outputs. Compared with its predecessor, the MX123, the MX124 doubles the number of subwoofer outputs from two to four, enabling more advanced system configurations, greater bass-management flexibility, and improved performance in larger, more sophisticated home theater environments.

Additional connectivity includes seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, along with four digital audio inputs, one balanced and eight unbalanced analog stereo inputs, component and composite video inputs, and dual analog stereo outputs for two additional listening zones, plus Bluetooth headphone support.

Immersive Audio

The MX124 supports Dolby Atmos, DTS Pro, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H Audio. It also employs nine premium 32-bit digital-to-analog converters designed to deliver greater detail, wider dynamic range, and improved sonic accuracy.

Bass and treble controls provide additional tuning flexibility, allowing the system to be adjusted for personal preferences, room acoustics, and specific installation requirements.

Room Calibration

To help deliver optimal performance in a wide range of listening environments, the MX124 A/V Processor incorporates multiple room-calibration options. Licenses for Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control are included, while Audyssey MultEQ XT32 is available without an additional license.

These options allow installers and owners to select the calibration platform best suited to their system, room, and level of setup complexity. Both technologies are designed to improve speaker integration, bass performance, imaging, tonal balance, and overall clarity while preserving the natural musicality and sonic character associated with McIntosh.

Video

For video, the MX124 provides seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs, including one with eARC. Two HDMI outputs support the primary video zone, while a third provides independent video playback in a second zone. All HDMI inputs and the primary outputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video and are compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced. 

Additional HDMI support includes HDCP 2.3, Rec. 2020, 4:4:4 Color Spacing, Dynamic Lip-sync, 3D Video Passthrough, and gaming features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). 

Wireless Connectivity

Beyond home theater, the MX124 A/V Processor can also serve as the centerpiece of a premium whole-home entertainment system, with support for high-resolution streaming at up to 32-bit/192 kHz.

Integrated streaming options include Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL. The MX124 is also Roon Ready, providing additional flexibility for managing and distributing music throughout the home.

Custom Control

To further support professional custom integration, the MX124 supports web-based configuration, pre-configuration and file upload capabilities, backup and restore support, RS232 and IP control, and certification for Control4 Simple Device Discovery Protocol (SDDP) integration. 

Comparison

The Bottom Line 

The McIntosh MX124 does not try to beat Trinnov or StormAudio in a channel-count arms race. Instead, it targets McIntosh owners and custom installations that want modern connectivity, sophisticated room correction, and support for serious 7.4.6 or 9.4.4 home theater systems.

Its most significant upgrades are four independent subwoofer outputs, Dirac Live Room Correction and Bass Control, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and seven HDMI inputs with support for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video. Offering both Dirac and Audyssey gives installers more flexibility, while doubling the MX123’s subwoofer outputs should improve bass integration in larger rooms.

There are some notable limitations. Auro-3D, which was supported by the MX123, is absent from the MX124 specifications and owner’s manual. McIntosh has not explained the omission, so claims about licensing costs or changes at Auro parent company Goer Dynamics would be speculation.

The phono input supports moving-magnet cartridges only, which means owners using a moving-coil cartridge will need an external phono preamplifier. More importantly, the MX124 provides 15.4 RCA outputs but only 11.4 balanced XLR outputs. A full 13-speaker system therefore cannot be connected entirely through balanced outputs.

The MX124 also requires external amplification. Owners can use 13 monoblocks, six stereo amplifiers plus one monoblock, two five-channel amplifiers plus one three-channel amplifier, or another suitable combination. Add speakers, subwoofers, a television or projector, cabling, networking, and rack space, and the final system cost will rise considerably.

Buyers who want McIntosh home theater without a rack full of power amplifiers can consider the MHT300 receiver, while the MX200 offers a lower-priced path into McIntosh separates.

The MX124 is not the most expandable processor in the high-end market, but it combines four-subwoofer management, two respected calibration platforms, extensive HDMI connectivity, broad streaming support, and enough processing power for nearly any residential theater that does not require its own ZIP code.

Price & Availability

Built to remain the center of a luxury home entertainment system for years to come, the MX124 A/V Processor will be available through authorized McIntosh dealers at a reported price of $15,000.

For more information: mcintoshlabs.com

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