Has anyone heard of these?
https://holthill.com/collections/vi...ustic-research-ar3a-japan-re-issue-rare-model
https://holthill.com/collections/vi...ustic-research-ar3a-japan-re-issue-rare-model
AR 3A "Japan Re-Issue"
- Thread starter gggvan
- Start date
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is that good?
Lavane
Lunatic Member
It could be, or it may not. A prototype is a working model before production. After testing, a prototype may need simple tweeking to a complete overhaul of the design. Those speakers could be really good sounding, or not. Changes could have been made to the prototype to make the production models better, or that prototype is what they were shooting for and they went into production as is. IMO its a crap shoot.
Without knowing what drivers were used and a good look at the crossover. You just don't know. Who knows, they could be better than the production model, having to change things a bit to the production models to hit a certain price point. You just don't know. There may be interest for some collectors too I guess.
Without knowing what drivers were used and a good look at the crossover. You just don't know. Who knows, they could be better than the production model, having to change things a bit to the production models to hit a certain price point. You just don't know. There may be interest for some collectors too I guess.
Looks like Teledyne did indeed do a limited run of “new” AR3A’s back in the late 80s and early 90’s for the JP/EU market. They look identical to the originals, save for Teledyne drivers, more modern pots and biamp posts, and a plainer 80’s-style wood grain as opposed to the richer walnut of the originals. Nice speakers, but $2000 is pretty dang steep.
https://reverb.com/item/38834956-acoustic-research-ar3a-1989-1991-blonde-walnut
https://reverb.com/item/38834956-acoustic-research-ar3a-1989-1991-blonde-walnut
alteclipsch
Super Member
Unless they're really good at end-matching veneer, those look like vinyl wrap to me. IMO.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
In the middle of all the blah, blah, they state those are prototypes for them though. I wonder if they really are. I agree either way though, the price is a bit steep. And looking closer at them they do look vinyl wrapped.
I wonder how it compares to the 303a. The Japanese prototype is a bit closer in form to the original. Though midrange looks like that used in 303a, and crossover is similarly bi-ampable -- even if 303a doesn't have mid and tweeter controls.
Teledyne might have been exploring how aggressively they could exploit Japanese enthusiasm for vintage gear. I'm guessing they found the Japanese market demands vintage gear be genuinely vintage.
Teledyne might have been exploring how aggressively they could exploit Japanese enthusiasm for vintage gear. I'm guessing they found the Japanese market demands vintage gear be genuinely vintage.
jure29
New Member
These are AR3a reissue in Italy, circa 1990, with Tonegen speakers, paper dome tweeter and fabric suspension, beautiful cabinets with real walnut veneers.
The tweeter with paper dome is clearly visible
These instead are my AR10 TT "replica" always produced and sold in Italy on Teledyne approval and also with Tonegen speakers, completely fabric dome tweeter!
Also in this pair, beautiful Italian walnut veneer
The tweeter with paper dome is clearly visible
These instead are my AR10 TT "replica" always produced and sold in Italy on Teledyne approval and also with Tonegen speakers, completely fabric dome tweeter!
Also in this pair, beautiful Italian walnut veneer
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alteclipsch
Super Member
Wow those are nice!
jure29
New Member
As you have seen, these are not prototypes, but re-editions made in the 90s, requested by the market and carried out to probe the same both in Asia, but certainly also in Bologna in Italy. Concerning Italy (no documentation received to date, not even from AR), can we estimate a few hundred units or a little more? Maybe somewhere buried in a warehouse some forgotten cabinets or spare parts that will pop up sooner or later?
Rare speakers ... but original and born with the blessing of AR.
jure29
New Member
Personally, I love this non-specular arrangement and respect the original project followed by years of study and testing ... the AR vertical series also satisfies the need for symmetry!
alteclipsch
Super Member
I don't think mirror arrangement is a big deal, esp if the speakers are positioned appropriately.
homebrew
Super Member
Ever notice how many speakers designed in the last 25 years or so arrange their drivers that way? With new measurement techniques and a better understanding of diffraction effects and baffle step loss, speakers aren't done that way anymore.
GD70
Lunatic Member
Being the prototype, I can see why they would not spend the money for walnut veneer on test mules. Because it's the prototype, I'd think that would be why they are priced as they are.
I'm sure Brian would supply more photos of the crossovers, drivers, cab interiors etc if requested.
I'm sure Brian would supply more photos of the crossovers, drivers, cab interiors etc if requested.
GD70
Lunatic Member
They are, it's stated in the ad listing.
jure29
New Member
Hi GD70, honestly I don't think it's a prototype, there were multiple versions identified by other Acoustic Research enthusiasts that differed both in the vinyl or wood veneer and in the width of the frame (those indicated as "prototype" have a narrow frame), the ones I have published io has a wide frame as originally, I also point out that the woofer does not even look like the original (as used by Acoustic Research) Tonegen, this looks more like a replica like those that are recently sold as spare parts (a couple of days they have disappeared from the web) visible in the photo below, unfortunately I only have this side.
Check the paper type of the cone and the length and radiality of the cables coming out of the dust cover of the "prototype" well and compare with the certainly original ones and what you see in the Italian replica, always a Tonegen ... it seems strange to me that tweeter and midrange are undeniably Tonegen but not the woofer !!
I add that the Tonegen woofer of the Italian "Reissue" or "Limited" or "Replica" AR3a has a non-original rubber surround added by the previous owner and is now waiting for a new corrected foam surround, not even corrected the aesthetic foam ring to cover the basket, correct and original in AR10TT.
jure29
New Member
My last statement was due to the fact that little or nothing is known about the Italian production ... I learned a part of the history of my AR10TTs from the seller at the time of purchase and from what was written by the CSP forumer FedeleLuigi, but I think that currently the Italian replicas do not have a name.
Among other things that little or nothing is known about, I own 2 pairs of empty cabinets, new from AR7 with the original boxes bearing the words "Made in Italy" on the front baffle, another mystery photo below of the two pairs, the latter compares with a pair of AR7 England!
