Acoustic Research 302 Speakers - Sounds GREAT.

[Bostown]

I believe that the midrange diver may have some tensile leads that are prone to oxidation which cause them to fail. Perhaps it was time in storage that ultimately affected the midrange driver. My first pair came with a bad driver and I started a thread to find a replacement ( before I know about Bill) I lucked out and found one. This set was totally fine and the only "abuse" it incurred was time sitting alone on a shelf not getting played. Hopefully the repair price wasn't too costly. I know that Allison mid and tweeter drivers have similar issues. I have a set that played flawlessly and then recently went to fire them up. No highs on one. so I painstakingly laid down a copper strand in place of the leads that were there and voila! still need to be redone with some shrink tubing to keep it from easily oxidizing but you get the idea.

 

[Mr. Cryalot]

I believe I'm second only to "Bostown" in my infatuation with the 302 in particular- but the 303 Series in general. Believe It or Not the Only set I don't own outside of the 303a, (I do own a 303) is the 208v... yeah I found everything except for the smallest, most insignificant one! I'm dying to buy it, however I think the purchase I just made ( see pics) might satiate me for a moment!!

I've came across this today and I'm literally as happy as I've been in sometime, which is kind of sad, but hey.

Go to aphenos and look at the specs of the 303 right next to the 302t.... the 302t goes just as low (32hz) as the 303! Only difference being approximately a cubic foot of internal volume int the 302t. Makes you wonder how low a 303 with another foot of cubic foot of volume could go. I know there's a diminishing returns w/ acoustic suspension volume...but damn!! I'm just excited to own this set of 302t, although I feel for Mr Kantor. Based on the information available, I understand he didn't have much say in the re-issue of the 303a, 302t, or 338t.

Between the re-issue's just mentioned above....( and Jensen completely dropping the ball on the entire series) plus the documented feelings of Mr. Kantor's that the MGC 1 have 2 AR 12's... how do you disrespect- in my opinion the greatest living speaker designer in America?!?!-by not allowing 2 12's..... but 2 8's instead?!? bullshit!

Ken's got the proper respect in spades, outside of those of us who know. He deserves RESPECT for the entire 303 series. Top to bottom, the series and its designer are pretty prophetic. How could he know.... the advent of Dolby Atmos audio ( which is the real deal and my opinion will jump start and reignite the entire home audio industry.). I got a feeling you knew how could you know I don't know but he knew.

I have an 11.2.4 atmos "AUDIO" setup using all 303 Series speakers...along with 4 nht1259 woofers (RIP Bill) w/ cabinets built to Bill and Ken's specs.

Here's to you Mr. Kantor! "AR" just keeps kind of screwing you don't they,? I know you seem to have a bit of an issue that they never let you put two 12s in the "magic speaker". It is my mission one day soon to build a replica with 2 12"s to "defend your honor" so to speak, haha.

(My "303 LST" which might never be finished as much as I tinker might see the light of day one day?)

It is a shame but based on the 3.3 and the 303 you're clearly a bass head and the mgc one might go down as the best speaker ever designed if they, as in AR, would have simply allowed the designer what he wanted and as I understand it...you def. wanted.

I am dead serious.. I'm building that replica mgc1 with 2 12s Mr. Kantor. If you got any advice on whether or not the crossover would allow it without any modifications...I'm all ears. I replicated many speakers in the past and I hope to do yours justice.

-Scottie

 

[tcdriver]

I believe I'm second only to "Bostown" in my infatuation with the 302 in particular- but the 303 Series in general....
-Scottie

Welcome to AudioKarma.

 

[yesshows77]

Wish I could find a pair of AR302's in working condition. I have a local buddy who owns a pair of AR303's and they sound fantastic. I would settle for a pair of AR12's, but they are just about as as difficult to find as the AR302's.

 

[RxDx]

I believe you'd be quite happy with the AR-3a.

 

[jon_s]

I have a pair of these that I bought ~2000 from AC4L on close-out. Absolutely a great deal at the time and still. I rotate between these and ADS 810 or 980 in my office system. They are a bit grittier sounding than ADS, but that's the case with the whole AR lineup dating back decades and definitely adds a bit of bonus punch. Currently running with Denon POA-6600as but they do great with tubes, too, at normal levels. Been a while that I've had them in routine rotation, but I definitely missed them.

 

[harry398]

Scuse me, but what is grittier?
I had a set....

303 is the real deal. Better than a Ar3a.

 

[jon_s]

Scuse me, but what is grittier?
I had a set....

303 is the real deal. Better than a Ar3a.

Subjectively, the ARs are slightly less-polite sounding speakers than ADS's big bookshelves. Fast bass and midrange but more likely to get up in your face. I think a similar comparison is AR 18b vs. ADS of similar size/era, if you've heard that. (And don't get me wrong, I love all these speakers -- lifetime keepers.)

 

[Beats4life]

Wish I could find a pair of AR302's in working condition. I have a local buddy who owns a pair of AR303's and they sound fantastic. I would settle for a pair of AR12's, but they are just about as as difficult to find as the AR302's.

Where are you located? Just got a pair that I may be selling

 

[Edroom]

Got myself a pair of 302’s yesterday… have been keeping my eyes open for the 302, 303’s ever since I first heard a pair a while back. Basically AR3a and AR5 reissue that are way cheaper and under the radar.
Googled and found this thread and had to add my name! Hello Friends!
They are Great speakers!

 

[Govany]

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[Edroom]

Funny thing about these speakers…the drivers are mirrored but the screens and badges are not… so you have to remove the screen to see if it’s the left or right speaker!