Acoustic research ar-3a,ar-lst tweeter replacement
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spkrdtr
spkrfixer
HiVi Q1R tweeter has been found to be the best drop in for the AR3a. Visit www.classicspeakerpages.net discussion forum and do a search for more info.
With regard to using that tweeter in a LST, check out the posts at the link below.
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=6674&hl=hivi&fromsearch=1
With regard to using that tweeter in a LST, check out the posts at the link below.
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=6674&hl=hivi&fromsearch=1
Hi Carl,
I should update that thread. I've had an opportunity to try out the Q1R in the LST and LST 2 in the past few months. It turns out that the required parallel inductor for the Q1R will interfere with the crossovers of those models, and therefore will not work as a replacement. It can work if all of the tweeters are replaced, and the tweeter crossover cap value is changed.
I've also had a chance to work with the HiVi Q1R's 4 ohm sibling, the X1, and find it to be (subjectively) somewhat better in the 3a than the Q1R. The X1's faceplate can be replaced...See attached photo of the X1 sporting an AR friendly faceplate.
Roy
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reddog48
Active Member
AR Tweeters
Tough to do - the original tweeters were actually superb devices - each one individually tested at the factory (with a very high reject rate). Nobody has ever been able to rebuild one correctly - a very difficult to build device.
You might try AB Tech at http://abtechservices.com/arspeakers.html.
I have bought a mid-range from them - and while it didn't have the great tone of the original it was "fairly good". Reputedly AB Tech was started by some folks from the original AR factory who were - at least initially - building/providing replacement devices for AR.
also you may want to try;
http://www.simplyspeakers.com/acoustic-research-replacement-tweeter-12000840.html
Which is advertised as a "Acoustic Research Factory OEM Dome Tweeter".
I cannot vouch for their truthfulness or the tweeter's particular sound.
Most people look for replacements (OEM) on the 'bay - and these can be a hit and miss proposition.
good luck and tell us what you find and how it sounds.
Tough to do - the original tweeters were actually superb devices - each one individually tested at the factory (with a very high reject rate). Nobody has ever been able to rebuild one correctly - a very difficult to build device.
You might try AB Tech at http://abtechservices.com/arspeakers.html.
I have bought a mid-range from them - and while it didn't have the great tone of the original it was "fairly good". Reputedly AB Tech was started by some folks from the original AR factory who were - at least initially - building/providing replacement devices for AR.
also you may want to try;
http://www.simplyspeakers.com/acoustic-research-replacement-tweeter-12000840.html
Which is advertised as a "Acoustic Research Factory OEM Dome Tweeter".
I cannot vouch for their truthfulness or the tweeter's particular sound.
Most people look for replacements (OEM) on the 'bay - and these can be a hit and miss proposition.
good luck and tell us what you find and how it sounds.
Vintage AR, Simply Speakers, and others sell the AB Tech tweeter. It is very expensive and requires the same type of crossover modification as the the HiVi tweeters to even come close to the original sound. This is one reason Larry L. (Vintage AR) began to offer the Q1R as an alternative.
To clarify, none of the tweeters mentioned in this thread will work with the LST models as single drop in replacements....and the parallel inductor crossover modification cannot be used because it interferes with the proper behavior of the LST and LST 2 crossovers.
The HiVi Q1R, X1, and the ABT tweeters will function with the crossover modification in the single tweeter models such as the AR-3/3a/5/2a and 2ax.
This has been discussed in a number of Classic Speaker Pages forum threads and mentioned in the AR-3a restoration guide.
http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/...ginal_models_schematicss/restoring_the_ar-3a/
Roy
spkrdtr
spkrfixer
I presume you also installed a parallel wired inductor?
If yes, then you should be all set. Just adjust the rheostat to your listening pleasure. The hivi overall spectral properties won't be as good as the original 3/4 inch AR, but nothing else out there is. Consequently, listening on or slightly off axis will be your best bet to get the most out of your hivi.
I have to wonder Roy, why you've mainly come up with 1" replacements, did you try some of the available 3/4" models and did they not work well?
Change the tweeter crossover cap to 3.3uf, and the tonal balance will be closer (but not identical) to the original.
Roy
Hi Pete!
The initial reason was the HiVi Q1R has an AR cabinet friendly faceplate, and is a very good tweeter for the money (as is the X1). Simplicity and low cost have been high priorities.
The few 3/4" dome tweeters I've tried, including the discontinued HiVi T-20, and another discontinued Vifa model, did not sound better, and required the fabrication of faceplates. The dispersion issue and overall output above 5000hz seem to be real issues in matching the old AR "supertweeter", and I haven't run across any tweeter capable of being a precise sonic match.
Another reason I have not been too concerned about the dome size is that the 1+" AR dome tweeter (which the 3/4" dome tweeter replaced) is still found to be preferable by many people in the early AR-2ax, AR-2a, and AR-3. It was crossed over in the same way, at very high frequencies, as the 3/4" dome (compared to modern tweeters).
The AB Tech replacement tweeter has a 3/4" dome, and fits the cabinet at $80 each...and is always an option, as long as a crossover modification is used to cut off its response at lower frequencies. I have not found this tweeter to be any more satisfying than the far less expensive 1 inch tweeters. In fact, I find it to be rather harsh, likely requiring a more sophisticated crossover modification.
Roy
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