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AR-2ax Tweeter replacements

fsjonsey

fsjonsey

Born in the wrong decade.
Help Please! Modern AR-2ax replacement tweeters

Both of the tweeters in my pair of AR-2ax are beginning to rattle and crackle. I was wondering what modern replacement would best fit the opening in the speaker and still remain faithful to the original sound? My pair are the early version, with the massive ten pound hard dome alinco tweeters.
 
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check with the guys @ "classic speaker pages. net", I believe the site is down right now for updating / improvements, but ask them also.
 
MoparMan said:
I'm not sure that this will fit your existing hole or not. May have to make an adaptor for it to fit properly but will be worth it. I've used several pairs of these with exeptional results; especially for the LOW price. Very airy but smooth sounding. Not harsh at all.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=275-070
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I bought several sets of those and like them well too. But, I have AR2AX's and am not sure these would be a good fit sound wise. In my AR94's they are great but in the AR2ax the top end sounds much different to me. Might be an improvement, might not.
 
How would i go about adapting the smaller tweeter to fit the mounting holes? The mounting plates on the stock tweeters are 4-3/4" in diameter, much larger than anything currently available.
 
I have a pair with Radio Shack silk dome replacements - they fit perfectly, and sound very balanced. Nice "fit" for the AR. The mod was done before I owned them, I have no idea which model tweet it is, or how old.
 
ozmoid said:
I have a pair with Radio Shack silk dome replacements - they fit perfectly, and sound very balanced. Nice "fit" for the AR. The mod was done before I owned them, I have no idea which model tweet it is, or how old.
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RS hasnt sold raw drivers for at least ten years...
 
fsjonsey said:
RS hasnt sold raw drivers for at least ten years...
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:) Yeah, I know I'm a big help. My point was, don't be discouraged, there should be good options out there.

Do check in at classicspeakerpages.net (as mentioned above), you should at least find enough info on the tweeter to get an idea of what to look for, if not an actual recommendation.

If you do end up with a smaller modern tweeter, I would make the mounting adapter out of masonite.
 
Are those not just soft dome tweeters in a round plastic fitting? I think AR used the same tweeter in everything - including the big LSTs.

Oct06-Hayden-Fig5.jpg


They are easy to repair and I have done so many times. Rattle and crackle? What do you mean? Usually they sort of begin buzzing or quit all together. If you are interested, PM me and I'll send you the details

fsjonsey said:
Both of the tweeters in my pair of AR-2ax are beginning to rattle and crackle. I was wondering what modern replacement would best fit the opening in the speaker and still remain faithful to the original sound? My pair are the early version, with the massive ten pound hard dome alinco tweeters.
Click to expand...
 
whsh93a said:
Are those not just soft dome tweeters in a round plastic fitting?
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Nope, that's a hard resin dome, in a steel body. (The mounting ring is 1/4" plate steel, IIRC. :D They are massive little things.) AR did use that driver in several models, but some were 8ohm and some 4ohm, so be sure to get the right version. Later iterations of the speakers used a smaller paper dome version in a plastic body.

The OP specifically asked for modern replacements, but you can find the originals all over the place. The 2ax seem to be plentiful and cheap right now, you might score a complete 2nd pair as "spares" for not much more than a pair of modern tweets would cost. :scratch2:
 
fsjonsey said:
How would i go about adapting the smaller tweeter to fit the mounting holes? The mounting plates on the stock tweeters are 4-3/4" in diameter, much larger than anything currently available.
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Well the Daytons might work then as they are large. I'll measure one tonight.

K
 
there are some NOS Seas 25TF H456 Silk Domes for sale on that auction site. Technical PDF link given. About 4" dia. Don't know how suitable it is but worth a look.
 
Let me put it this way: It seems kind of, well, "silly" to be choosing a tweeter based upon flange size rather than performance when it's relatively easy to make flange adapters for just about any tweeters to make them fit.

I recall reading about tweeter replacements on the Classicspeakerpages website where an appropriate replacement for AR3, I believe it was, had been found, and everybody was whining about the flange size. Ultimately, the distributor had to get a bunch of them stamped out in order to sell tweeters. You can make them out of virtually anything from a vinyl floor tile to 1/4" steel. I did mine in aluminum with a couple of hole saws.

While the motivation to upgrade to a "modern" tweeter is reasonable, it's virtually a given that the sound will not be the same as the originals. Not that that's a bad thing, but where does one begin to make a rational selection based upon performance?

http://www.zaphaudio.com/tweetermishmash/

More importantly, where does one stop? You're going to make a selection of the basis of someone on some forum saying they stuck something in there and it sounded good? It's a bag of snakes, and the bottom line for "upgrade" of AR and other vintage acoustic suspension speakers is, ultimately, all you have left is the logo. Let them be. Restore using original drivers, or follow the recommendations of AR enthusiasts who have done a comprehensive evaluation of alternatives. :yes:

[Not some vendor, either, unless it's "Satisfaction Guaranteed...." :nono: ]
 
whsh93a said:
Are those not just soft dome tweeters in a round plastic fitting? I think AR used the same tweeter in everything - including the big LSTs.

Oct06-Hayden-Fig5.jpg


They are easy to repair and I have done so many times. Rattle and crackle? What do you mean? Usually they sort of begin buzzing or quit all together. If you are interested, PM me and I'll send you the details
Click to expand...

I think that tweeter is for a AR-3 or 3a.(large orange dome, 4 attachment "dots"), 2ax's were small domed, black in color, 3 attachment "dots"
 
AR tweeters........

Howdy,RS hasnt sold raw drivers for at least ten years...
However, if you can determine what model you need, have a pair of
'old' new stock RS "super dome" 40-1276b tweeters, 4 3/8ths", in
original boxes...........Cheers!
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