AR-6 Review + Comparison Pics: AR-3a, AR-4x, AR-6, AR-7

I have been astounded with my recent score.

I finally sourced a pair of walnut AR-6 speakers. These were the missing link in my vintage AR collection. I'd been looking for a pair for a lonnnng time.

In general, my go-to speakers are the mighty AR-3a.

Often times, I find myself listening to AR-4x when loud playback volume is an issue since there is less bass than the AR-3a. I am amazed at how great the little AR-4x speakers are. They really are tiny.

Another very underrated speaker in the vintage AR line is the infamous AR-7. Sure, most of the time, the tiny AR-7 is clad in vinyl. But, every now and then, you can score a pair in walnut veneer. Anyhow, the AR-7 has more bass than the AR-4x. Very surprising since it is smaller.


But, hey, this thread is about the AR-6. So let's have a look at this weirdo speaker:

The AR-6 was produced from 1971 to 1975-6 with an oiled walnut cab for $81 each. In 1975, the price rose to $99 each. It used a low-resonance (free-air 25Hz, mounted 56Hz) 8" woofer crossed over at 1500Hz into a wide-dispersion 1-1/2" tweeter. The speaker also had excellent power response due to its wide-dispersion tweeter. But the real marvel is the unique 8" woofer that was created solely for this this model. This woofer had way more bass frequency range than the AR-4x or AR-7 despite the fact that all 3 speakers utilize 8" woofers. In fact, uhhh you might wanna sit down for this, it had more bass response than the 10" AR woofer-equipped series! Yes, it had more bass than the AR-2ax and, guuuulp, the AR-5! This makes the AR-6 speaker quite a strange entity.

The AR-6 is larger than the AR-7 and AR-4x but a tad bit smaller than the AR-2ax. Pricewise, it was slotted between the AR-4x and the AR-2ax. So it had serious competition from the buyer's point of view. This is perhaps the reason why it was offered only for a short period of time.

The AR-5 and the AR-6 had something in common: Why get an AR-6 when you can spend a little more and get a bigger AR-2ax for $128 each? Alternatively, you can buck up and get the king of them all, the AR-3a for $250 each instead of the AR-5 for $175 each. The 5 & 6 were loners, and they were underestimated.

But the true champ of the two oddball loners was the cheaper & smaller AR-6. You get the same, if not better, bass response than the AR-5 in a much smaller and less expensive package. The 6 honestly portrays bass, very much like an amplifer. Throw some real bass at it, and you'll be rattling your roof off of your house. Never underestimate the little guy. He might look small, but he could kick your ass! :thmbsp:


Here are some comparison pics of the 3a, 6, 4x and 7. The pics will show the scale of the speakers relative to one another. Notice not just the overall sizes, but the differing shapes of the speakers.

You'd be very hard pressed to get deeper bass out of a 6 than a 5. If you did, your 5's are broken.

Beautiful collection.
I have never really looked for AR but your post certaiinly has peaked my interest

Great pictures.

You have some good looking speakers and a good looking home for them. :thmbsp:

Great looking collection and pics. :thmbsp:

excellent collection. I've never heard the 6s, but I remember my 7s and 4x well. Great small speakers. Overall its hard to beat those 4x. I Agree with TA on bass response with the 6s vs. the 5s. I really think the 5s were the best of the classic series. The 3a may have had a lower overall response, but the 5s had alot more punch because of the smaller lighter, quicker 10" wooofer. Just another man's opinion

Don't get me wrong, I love em all and would love to have a collection like yours. Did those 6s come looking that beautiful, or did you restore them?

Thanks for the post, Eunomians. Very nice array there in the listening room! I have been very curious about the AR-7 in particular, never having seen one. (Dang it! Now I have more AR's to scout... )

Thanks very much for the review and the pictures. I have the 4x and it is everything folks say it is. I have a space problem up in my living room and right now I have the tiny AR 215sp speakers in the cabinets. Only the AR-7 can fit there since the opening is 17" high. I might try getting a pair of them and seeing how they do.

Great pictures and write-up. So which speaker is the smallest, the 4 or 7? I have the specs on all the speakers you mention except the 7.

The 7s are the smallest of the bunch. if you want an idea of how small they are, look at the AR-18 series. This was a later reincarnation of the 7s after Teledyne took over.

Here is some more info for your viewing pleasure... Hopefully the printed specs will be of interest.


Sizes are consecutively as follows: the 7 is the smallest of the lot, then the 4x, 6, 2ax, AR-5, Ar3a...


Lots has been said already about the incredible 4x. All the posts I have read seem to extoll its virtues (for good reason). If you don't have a pair, you're missing out on thee classic AR entry-level unit. It embraces all the great things about all of the classic Acoustic Research speakers. It's a great place to start if you're curious about AR's unique sound/craftmanship and the acoustic suspension enigma.


If folks are curious about the 7, by all means, pick up a pair. You will be amazed. Dispersion, bass and overall soundstage is remarkable. Its physical size is freakishly diminuitive considering its thunderous bass output.


I can understand why some folks would say that the AR-5 has better bass response than the AR-6. Indeed it is debatable, but the original reviews for the AR-6 will let you guys in on the fact that the bass response is essentially almost the same! The 6 seems to be more natural and punchy/taut in the bass department than the 5. But again, that is one man's opinion


I won't even get into the debate between the AR-5 and AR-3a. Suffice it to say, I love them both.


Cheers!

I've been on the lookout for some 4's on my local CL for a while now, especially since you posted the pictures or yours a while back. I'd like to compare them to my ADS L710's since they are similar in size.

I absolutely love my AR-7s. I keep shifting off to one of my other 8" bookshelves (in a too large collection) for percieved benefits. Then I come back and can't figure out why I took them out of rotation. I like them enough that I sold off my 4xa's and 18b's, which are remarkably similar AR 8"ers. The only complaint I have is the vinyl - and I'd like to replace with wood veneer someday soon.
(Streckfu - I assume you're enjoying this read and your 4xa's?)
Really nice collection eunomians. I've wanted some 5s for a while, and especially some of those gorgeous walnut or teak cabinets, but I'll just wait and make do with my early 3s in pine.

Here's a slanted comment, but the Nova 8B is the same size as the AR-3 & AR-3a. The 8b's sound is also similar as I remember hearing the AR-3a.
Radio Shack had many models that emulated mainline manufacturers models.

Thank you, Eunomians!

The spec chart and info on the AR-7s was just great to see. I'll be keeping my eye out for the 7s.

Much appreciated!

Great review and great collection. I have the 7's and am keeping my eyes out for more from the family. :thmbsp:

Thanks

Nice collection, great condition, and a perfect compliment to a gorgeous home. I hope your cats are declawed!

Luckily, the cats could care less about the speaker grills. Somehow this has always been the case. They are not your typical run-of-the-mill cats :screwy:

I would like to do a Nova 8B + 3/3a comparison. I happen to believe that Radio Shack did make some great speakers. I gotta pick up a pair of those Nova's one day.

Cheers

Eunomians,

both you, my friend, and your speakers are Class-act!

Those ARs look like absolutely beautiful furniture pieces, just stunning, with the light cloth grills.

And I can only imagine how wonderful they sound!

Eunomians,

Great stuff (but you're going to get me in trouble if you don't stop)! Love the flash-free pics. I feel the warmth!

For a "heretic", you seem mighty orthodox. ;-)