Acoustic Research AR-5 for $80?

[TheNickSmith]

I come across a pair of ar-5s in a semi working order on fbm. I have a single ar-2ax and I love it. It’s in rough shape but sounds great. They have aftermarket woofers and cabinets have seen better days. Is it worth the fun restoring project or should I pass? Or maybe offer them a different amount.

 

[ivandezande]

At $80 worst case you part them out and make some money while saving other speakers.

 

[frankmarsi]

That’s a steal even if the woofers are not the correct ones and as they are not producing the bass-response these speakers were made to offer. See if the 'new' finds operate at all first. In the past, I've paid more for AR-3a empty cabinets.

Sourcing these woofers might not be that hard as the AR-2ax has the same woofer. Check to see if the tweeters and mids are operational also.
If it were me, I’d disable your 2ax’s woofers and tweeters and put them in the 5’s. These will need a fair amount of wattage to sound their best. Also, if the tweeters are blown, use the inexpensive ones suggested on the site I refer to. AR-5's are not that common and deserve all and any efforts you make and they're one of AR's finer models.
The crossover is an easy fix if you are adept to such things.
The AR-5’s will easily sound better than the AR-2a’s due the midrange contained in the 5’s.
I’ve been an AR nut since before 1971 and solely own and operate AR’s in my systems. If you heard my system in person, you'd understand.
Go see the link I've included, it's where I generally reside and ask questions or better yet, do the research there where they speak AR language.
Doing research of the correct posts will be of great importance. Compile your opinions after doing the proper research is your only real companion.
FM

https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/

Here's a slight sample of LST: https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/10649-do-ar-speakers-really-sound-that-good-more-new-video/

Below is my ultimate and years in the making system that features dual AR-LST's and 700 watts RMS at 4 ohms per speaker.

FM




53

 

[TheNickSmith]

That’s a steal even if the woofers are not the correct ones and as they are not producing the bass-response these speakers were made to offer. See if the 'new' finds operate at all first. In the past, I've paid more for AR-3a empty cabinets.

Sourcing these woofers might not be that hard as the AR-2ax has the same woofer. Check to see if the tweeters and mids are operational also.
If it were me, I’d disable your 2ax’s woofers and tweeters and put them in the 5’s. These will need a fair amount of wattage to sound their best. Also, if the tweeters are blown, use the inexpensive ones suggested on the site I refer to. AR-5's are not that common and deserve all and any efforts you make and they're one of AR's finer models.
The crossover is an easy fix if you are adept to such things.
The AR-5’s will easily sound better than the AR-2a’s due the midrange contained in the 5’s.
I’ve been an AR nut since before 1971 and solely own and operate AR’s in my systems. If you heard my system in person, you'd understand.
Go see the link I've included, it's where I generally reside and ask questions or better yet, do the research there where they speak AR language.
Doing research of the correct posts will be of great importance. Compile your opinions after doing the proper research is your only real companion.
FM

https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/

Here's a slight sample of LST: https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/10649-do-ar-speakers-really-sound-that-good-more-new-video/

Below is my ultimate and years in the making system that features dual AR-LST's and 700 watts RMS at 4 ohms per speaker.
View attachment 3748184
FM




53

The seller said they were able to get sound out of one mid and tweeter by moving the controls on the back which I also had to do the same and clean out the contacts on mine. I’m thinking about getting them sometime soon hopefully if I’m able to gather up the cash. But my room is kinda small so these may be too big for me

 

[Blue Shadow]

But my room is kinda small so these may be too big for me

The AR-5 was my first real speaker and I had them in the kids bedroom as I was one of the kids and then dorm room. They worked just fine and I didn’t mind having a speaker that size in the room. I’d put a nice fully functioning pair in the second bedroom today if a pair dropped here for short money. I’d like to hear how they compare tote boxes I’m using today.