McIntosh Connect
Effortless control for McIntosh’s premium audio systems. McIntosh Connect simplifies sound management for a seamless experience.
Client
McIntosh Labs
Contribution
Product Designer
Duration
6 Months
Year
2023-2024
The Brief
McIntosh has long set the standard in high-fidelity audio, known for its iconic design and unmatched performance. Our goal was to bring that legacy into the digital space by creating a modern, intuitive app for discovering, configuring, and controlling McIntosh systems. From multi-zone audio to firmware updates, every detail was designed to match the precision and quality of the hardware.
A Seamless Start to the McIntosh Experience
We designed a guided onboarding experience that detects nearby McIntosh devices and adapts to how each one connects – Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet. The result is a setup flow that feels effortless, polished, and reliable from the very first tap.
Setup flow adapts to product and connection type
Built-in error handling helps users recover smoothly
Visual guidance and straightforward language lead the way
0.1
User Flow
Onboarding
0.2
Splash Screen, Power On, Searching for Products
Onboarding
0.3
Select Your Product
Onboarding
0.4
Guided Illustrations
Onboarding
Designing the Home Control Experience
We designed the interface to feel immediate and purposeful. Everyday actions like adjusting volume or switching inputs are surfaced clearly, with an emphasis on speed, clarity, and visual familiarity.
Combines volume, input, output, tone, and zone controls in one view
Dial-based interactions mirror the look and feel of McIntosh components
Modular layout adapts to different devices and configurations
0.5
Input Trim Settings
Home Controls
0.6
Volume Dial
Home Controls
0.7
Home, Volume Slider, Zone Selection
Home Controls
Simplifying Audio Connections & Setup
Configuring sources through the hardware menus was slow and hard to navigate. We brought the back panel into the app with a touch-friendly layout that makes organizing, labeling, and adjusting inputs fast and intuitive.
Visual layout mirrors the physical rear panel of each device
Inputs grouped by type: balanced, unbalanced, and digital
Users can rename connections, toggle them on and off, and adjust trim levels
0.8
Back Panel Analysis
Audio Connection & Setup
0.9
Low-Fi Concepts
Audio Connection & Setup
1.0
Inputs, Configurations, Picker
Audio Connection & Setup
Project Outcomes
By merging McIntosh’s advanced audio features into a unified, visually striking app, users experienced fewer setup hurdles and support issues. The new design upheld McIntosh’s premium image, satisfying loyal audiophiles while attracting newcomers. This streamlined approach also paved the way for future products to be added to the ecosystem, ensuring McIntosh remains a leader in digital audio innovation.