Acoustic research ar3a
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Green eggs and ham.
fmueller
Super Member
Assuming that you meant to write: 'do you know any other speakers that sound similar to AR-3a', well, there are similar AR speakers from the same period that are also highly respected. You might find this thread interesting. However, if you really like AR-3a, why not use AR-3a? 
Spaten
Active Member
They're very much the epitome of the "New England" school of loudspeakers. Advent, KLH, Avid, other ARs, EPI and Genesis Physics, Boston Acoutics to some degree share the sound. I also think that many Polk Audio speakers live in similar sonic territory (even including my Polk-engineered Sony SS-m7s). A lot of people think that it was done the best with the AR-3a. I personally find them a little too laid back sounding but they really do have a captivating sound on certain types of music.
:thmbsp: thank
i work with small, wattage SS amps!!!in a small room
so i cant use ar3a in
TerryO
Super Member
With those factors in mind, the AR3a is probably not a good choice. I've own a pair from 1969 and the pots need to be flushed out (for the first time!) and I'll probably install new caps while I'm at it.
I believe that the 3a's need about 60 watts to really come alive and should be distanced a little further back (about 12 feet) from the listening position, further than seems normal for many speakers today. One added thing, that I think helps, is to cant or lean the AR's back at about a 5-7 degree angle as it seems to add clarity.
These are merely my impression/opinions, YMMV.
Best Regards,
TerryO
Many British speakers have a similar sound to the AR-3a and would work ok with lower wattage in a small room. Spendor, Kef, Rogers, Celestion, Harbeth, early B&W and the like. They're smaller speakers typically (though not all of them are) and will not have the bass of the AR-3a but the midrange and high end is really nice and in general they're very musical speakers. I went from speakers like the AR-3a to these.
Flammaster
DrumCorpsZappaFreak
If you are using low wattage SS I would suggest CSW model Six. I have some of the model 17's and am blown away at how nice they sound. I have them paired with some ARXP62 speakers from about 2002. I think they were the last good speakers AR made and really do sound nice together.
There is of course AR4x and I'll die before I ever give mine up!
There is of course AR4x and I'll die before I ever give mine up!
tmad40blue
"I can hear forever!"
If you're not going to use the AR-3a's, make sure they go to someone who will appreciate them.
I would go with the Polk Audio Monitor series, or some of the smaller vintage KLH speakers (models 23, 24, etc.).
I would go with the Polk Audio Monitor series, or some of the smaller vintage KLH speakers (models 23, 24, etc.).
michiganpat
Super Member
could look at the AR4's, AR17/18, smaller advents, all will fill a smaller room nicely, and the 18's and SA's get loud running on a meager marantz 2230....
The KLH Model Five sounds close, plus it's a little easier to drive being and 8 ohm system. The AR5 is the next best thing to an AR3a, also the first generation AR2ax (with cloth surround woofers and orange dome tweeters).
Modern speakers, don't really know of anything with that sound. I love the AR3a too!
