My MODEST HT Rig
The vintage AR-9 loudspeaker. Manufactured in 1978, this milestone features two 12" side firing acoustic suspension woofers in their own enclosure, an 8" lower-mid, a 1 3/4" dome upper mid, and a 3/4" dome tweeter. Also, the AR "Acoustic Blanket". This is a very heavy felt/wool type material surrounding all the forward firing drivers, designed/installed to minimize the drivers tendency to bounce sound off the enclosures front baffle. It works. These things image like nobodys business. They are bi-ampable. They were designed to be placed within 2" of the back wall. There is no restriction on the inner woofer. In order to realize their full low end potential, they need to be within 2" of that back wall (they are), and the outer woofer needs 3' of clearance from the side walls (mine have 4').
About a month or so ago, on a different forum that I participate on, Ken Kantor, founder of NHT, designer of the groundbreaking AR MGC-1 (Magic 1) said, "The AR-9 set the standard for low end response, then, and to this day." It makes me wonder if he has heard a properly driven pair of Carver Amazing Platinum's.
My total investment in these 9's was about $600. I wouldn't part with them for $6,000.
