davidro
Lunatic Member
In some Asian AR communities those plain unfinished cabinets attract premium prices so that some dealers peel off the walnut etc cabinets to make them look like unfinished. You may have been very advanced
Acoustic Research AR-2A Rebuild
- Thread starter 1ADSarge
- Start date
In some Asian AR communities those plain unfinished cabinets attract premium prices so that some dealers peel off the walnut etc cabinets to make them look like unfinished. You may have been very advanced
Good info...I love hearing all the old facts and info on these cool speakers. I'm just waiting for another payday to get all the stain and clear coat supplies along with some calk to finish up this first cabinet. I have decided since everything worked fine when I tested them, even the potentiometers, I am not going to replace anything until its needed. I am still going to pull out the pots and clean them up just to make sure the don't stop working on me, but like you have all suggested, original is the best way to go. I think this weekend, I'll tackle the other cabinet. I will post up more pics when I get started on them again.
davidro
Lunatic Member
Cool stuff.
While I'd advise against replacing drivers and cabinets, I'd always support replacing caps and pots. I feel those pots are prone to go bad and caps can fail thereby damaging the drivers. This is why I replaced the pots with L-pads and all the caps in my 3a. Replacing pots may not be necessary but I enjoy crystal clear attenuation I have now with the 3a.
While I'd advise against replacing drivers and cabinets, I'd always support replacing caps and pots. I feel those pots are prone to go bad and caps can fail thereby damaging the drivers. This is why I replaced the pots with L-pads and all the caps in my 3a. Replacing pots may not be necessary but I enjoy crystal clear attenuation I have now with the 3a.
JohnMac
Addicted Member
Wow bro. Nice work!
I've been through quite a few different varieties of ARs and can appreciate your efforts.
That looks like the more rare birch cabs. I have an empty pair myself.
As to the mids, they are stuffed with insulation similar to what the cabs are stuffed with. It tends to expand and warp the cones but doesn't seem to affect performance.
Don't mess with those woofers! They're the best part. The tweets, well they are what they are but part of the package.
Cheers!
John
I've been through quite a few different varieties of ARs and can appreciate your efforts.
That looks like the more rare birch cabs. I have an empty pair myself.
As to the mids, they are stuffed with insulation similar to what the cabs are stuffed with. It tends to expand and warp the cones but doesn't seem to affect performance.
Don't mess with those woofers! They're the best part. The tweets, well they are what they are but part of the package.
Cheers!
John
Frank_Black
Active Member
I might pop out to an estate sale tomorrow where a pair of AR2AX's are listed. No word on condition. I know the 3's are desirable, can I expect these to be priced rather steeply? I'm teaching myself to restore speakers but I'm not sure I'm up to tackling these yet.
davidro
Lunatic Member
2ax also is highly regarded among AR fanatics. I haven't owned a pair but I can tell you restoration isn't all that difficult. If a complete DIY noob like myself could do it anyone can. It is very rewarding.
shacky
Addicted Member
Very nice work. I have 2AX with the same woofer and tweeter and love them.
That tweeter is the same as used on AR 3. Midrange was the shortcoming as far as drivers but I'll bet those will sound great once you get them straightened out.
If those can type caps are oil I'g leave them. Is that a wax block cap in there too? I'd replace that one.
That tweeter is the same as used on AR 3. Midrange was the shortcoming as far as drivers but I'll bet those will sound great once you get them straightened out.
If those can type caps are oil I'g leave them. Is that a wax block cap in there too? I'd replace that one.
JohnMac
Addicted Member
In the past four months I picked up three pairs of different AR2 varieties at g-sales for $15-$40. Mostly with rough cabs. Parting out the drivers of two of them brought $200-$250 per pair on AK and Ebay. Still have the third and some nice empty birch cabs to put them in.
I also sold The drivers from a single nasty AR3 ($1.00 at a g-sale) for $120. Gives an idea what you might want to pay for a pair, assuming that the drivers are good.
I would much rather see them restored than parted out but the ones I found were beyond redemption. And parting out means some others will be saved.
John
Don't worry kgbman, I am keeping the woofer along with all the other components.
Frank, if you have a chance to get a deal on a set of old AR's, don't pass it up! Like davidro was saying, it is quite easy to restore these. I am also a noob at restoring speakers. If I can do it, anyone should be able to.
Shacky, I'm not sure what cap you are talking about.
Frank, if you have a chance to get a deal on a set of old AR's, don't pass it up! Like davidro was saying, it is quite easy to restore these. I am also a noob at restoring speakers. If I can do it, anyone should be able to.
Shacky, I'm not sure what cap you are talking about.
68custom
Addicted Member
So back in the 80s I picked up a set of those, only my set were in blondwood finish and sold by Heathkit. I did not know anything about them other than the mid and tweeter in both speakers did not work, plus I thought they were ugly. I do remember pulling that woofer and seeing a cast frame and AR cast in to the basket. Anyway I paired them with a couple of those Motorola tweeters and sold them for 50 bucks. wish I still had them now seems like a trend setter in retrospect.