Benny Blanco
Klipschorns, McIntosh tubes, Nakamichi cassette, and a Clearaudio turntable — the maximalist producer's listening room.
The Story
Benny Blanco has produced hits for Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and Halsey. His ear for pop hooks is almost supernaturally precise. So when Architectural Digest featured his Los Angeles home in May 2024, the listening room got as much attention as the kitchen.
The room is maximalist in every sense: massive Klipschorn speakers wedged into the corners (where they're designed to go), a McIntosh C70 preamplifier and MC2152 power amplifier glowing with tube light, a Nakamichi RX-202 cassette deck, and a Clearaudio Concept turntable. Gold records and colorful art cover the walls. The room is fun, loud, expensive, and exactly what you'd expect from someone who makes music for a living and listens to it for pleasure.
The Gear
The Klipschorn is the oldest continuously produced speaker in the world — first introduced by Paul W. Klipsch in 1946. It uses a massive corner-loaded horn design that produces extraordinary efficiency (105dB+) and dynamic range. Each Klipschorn is roughly 4.5 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide, and designed to be placed in room corners where the walls act as additional horn extensions. The sound is visceral, immediate, and unlike anything else in audio.
The McIntosh MC2152 is a 150-watt tube power amplifier — McIntosh's 70th anniversary model with eight KT88 output tubes visible through the glass top. The matching C70 preamplifier features a tube circuit with a retro-modern aesthetic. Together, they deliver the warm, three-dimensional sound that tube amplification is prized for.
The Nakamichi RX-202 handles cassette duties with Nakamichi's trademark precision, while the Clearaudio Concept turntable — a German-made belt-drive with magnetic bearing — plays vinyl with audiophile-grade clarity.
I collect things that make noise. That's basically my whole personality.
— Benny Blanco, Architectural Digest
Why It Matters
Blanco's system is significant because it represents the next generation of audiophiles — producers and musicians in their 30s who grew up digital but chose analog for their home listening. The Klipschorns, first built in 1946, sit alongside a modern Clearaudio turntable and a 2018 McIntosh anniversary amplifier. Old meets new, and both sound better for the company.
Klipschorns trade for $3,000 to $8,000 per pair on the vintage market, with newer production models commanding $12,000+. The McIntosh C70 preamp is $3,000 to $5,000, and the MC2152 power amp is $8,000 to $12,000. The Clearaudio Concept turntable, at around $1,500 new, is the most accessible component in the chain.
For aspiring audiophiles, Blanco's setup demonstrates that vintage and modern equipment can coexist beautifully. The 78-year-old speaker design and the brand-new turntable aren't competing. They're collaborating.
The Original Gear
Klipschorn
$3,000–$8,000/pair (vintage)Corner-loaded horn speaker, in production since 1946. 105dB+ efficiency, visceral dynamics, and a sound that has to be experienced in person.
McIntosh MC2152 Power Amp
$8,000–$12,000150W tube power amplifier. Eight KT88 tubes. Glass top. 70th anniversary model. The most beautiful amplifier McIntosh has ever made.
Modern Alternatives
Klipsch Cornwall IV
~$3,500/pairThe Klipschorn's sibling that doesn't need corner placement. Same horn-loaded DNA, more room-friendly. The gateway to the Klipsch Heritage line.
View on Amazon →Clearaudio Concept
~$1,500German-made turntable with magnetic bearing and friction-free design. The most accessible audiophile turntable in Blanco's system.
View on Amazon →
