I have a set of AR-7 speakers with kaput tweeters. Someone told me that this tweeter is a drop-in replacement. Is this the case? Has anyone tried this replacement? The catalogue indicates that this replaces the AR-4x tweeter, which I believe is a different creature. https://www.simplyspeakers.com/mara...i49IkYOKT2CesrckF3rBbbRgbl9-GSEdLH-Otj-8vDmGw
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AR-7 tweeter replacement
- Thread starter Fleischer
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I have a set of 7's that I use in my bedroom. I do not believe they share the same tweeter with the 4x. I also think the 4x is more efficient than the 7. IMO they will not sound the same with replacement tweeters. AFAIK Roy Allison designed a specific tweeter for the AR-7. If you are a member of Bartertiwn, yu might want to post a WTB for the originals and also keep an eye on the bay for them. The tweeter makes that speaker special IMO.
That simply speakers phenolic ring tweeter will fit the AR-4x cut-out, but it is too big for the cabinet prep on an AR-7. Meaudio is correct - - the proper tweeter in the AR-7 is essential for its performance. Would be curious to know if your tweeter is front or rear-wired, and if it has a part number or date code on the backside (...post pics?). I believe the original part number for the AR-7 was 200005, but might have been noted as 200014. Any of the 1-1/4" tweeters from AR models from that era should be suitable replacements and will be perfect drop-in fit as long as the magnet fits thru the hole cut-out (these tweets had two different magnet diameters). If seeking a used tweeter, the more common part numbers ending in 034 or 038 (each had the larger magnet) are nearly identical and should work fine but might be a tad more efficient than the original. If you need pics of these variations, let me know.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
An excellent opportunity to trade it for a dome. 
2 db more sensitive as well. BTW, you can remove the 1/4" plastic cover (which operates as a slight horn) to make it flatter.
I bought four of these for the blown tweeters in my mini advents and small polks. It took some woodwork to get it in both but it's worth it. And check out the price:
https://www.newark.com/mcm-audio-select/53-1080/1-soft-dome-tweeter-30w-rms/dp/80R6970?st=tweeter
Of course, if keeping them vintage is the whole point, never mind...
2 db more sensitive as well. BTW, you can remove the 1/4" plastic cover (which operates as a slight horn) to make it flatter.
I bought four of these for the blown tweeters in my mini advents and small polks. It took some woodwork to get it in both but it's worth it. And check out the price:
https://www.newark.com/mcm-audio-select/53-1080/1-soft-dome-tweeter-30w-rms/dp/80R6970?st=tweeter
Of course, if keeping them vintage is the whole point, never mind...
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
Those look like what was in the JBL L-100's I wasn't against them, but was very happy to see the soft domes come out in other speakers.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
This may help regarding the need to replace with the exact same tweeter: http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/phenolic-ring-tweeters.74029/
Holy Mackeral! That is one cheap tweeter. I am not wed to absolute authenticity, but want something that will sound good and not require extensive surgery to fit. I think that I am most likely to achieve this goal with an authentic AR replacement. But if one is not available, I would like to find a simple option.An excellent opportunity to trade it for a dome.
2 db more sensitive as well. BTW, you can remove the 1/4" plastic cover (which operates as a slight horn) to make it flatter.
I bought four of these for the blown tweeters in my mini advents and small polks. It took some woodwork to get it in both but it's worth it. And check out the price:
https://www.newark.com/mcm-audio-select/53-1080/1-soft-dome-tweeter-30w-rms/dp/80R6970?st=tweeter
Of course, if keeping them vintage is the whole point, never mind...
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
The magnet is huge on that tweeter, which is why it's possible you may have to enlarge the hole. Then again, the CTS tweeter has a fairly large magnet too...
Yeah, that's definitely an original AR-7 front-wired tweeter, circa 1973 - - - replete with original electrical tape! One odd thing - - - I've never seen an AR driver that did not use Phillips (or hex socket) head screws.
Either of these 1-1/4" tweeters should work well - - they each have the 2-3/8" diameter magnet and are excellent drivers.
Either of these 1-1/4" tweeters should work well - - they each have the 2-3/8" diameter magnet and are excellent drivers.
What are these tweeters you've posted here and where might I obtain them?
The pics I've shown are two slightly more recent varieties of AR's 1-1/4" tweeter that should work as a replacement in your AR-7.
First, are you positive that your original tweeters are dead? What happened? Have you hooked them up to a meter or tested them out of the speaker cabinet? Is it possible that the exposed exterior tinsel wire has become disconnected somewhere?
If they are in fact dead, then next thing is to measure diameter of magnet or more importantly, diameter of cabinet cut-out. If they can accept the tweeters with 2-3/8" dia, magnet, then any of the more recent drivers will work, although it will take a minor wiring modification. In this case, you'd need to disconnect the green and yellow wires inside the cabinet that connect to these front-mounted terminals, and simply connect those wires directly to the rear terminals of the replacement tweeter, now inside the cabinet - - and preferably to use a female crimp-on spade connector like shown here.
As far as obtaining replacements, if you become a subscriber you can have access to the Barter section of the AK site, which is a great resource. And then there are online auction sites - - for instance, I found this tweeter shown (second pic) currently for sale online. BTW, do you need a single or a pair?
Third pic shows original tweeter backside of my AR-7's - - these magnets are the smaller 2-1/8" diameter, but without digging into my speakers I cannot confirm the diameter size of the cabinet cut-out. You should first confirm exactly what you've got before making any decisions so that you are at least partially prepared to make any modifications which might be necessary to accommodate a replacement tweeter.
First, are you positive that your original tweeters are dead? What happened? Have you hooked them up to a meter or tested them out of the speaker cabinet? Is it possible that the exposed exterior tinsel wire has become disconnected somewhere?
If they are in fact dead, then next thing is to measure diameter of magnet or more importantly, diameter of cabinet cut-out. If they can accept the tweeters with 2-3/8" dia, magnet, then any of the more recent drivers will work, although it will take a minor wiring modification. In this case, you'd need to disconnect the green and yellow wires inside the cabinet that connect to these front-mounted terminals, and simply connect those wires directly to the rear terminals of the replacement tweeter, now inside the cabinet - - and preferably to use a female crimp-on spade connector like shown here.
As far as obtaining replacements, if you become a subscriber you can have access to the Barter section of the AK site, which is a great resource. And then there are online auction sites - - for instance, I found this tweeter shown (second pic) currently for sale online. BTW, do you need a single or a pair?
Third pic shows original tweeter backside of my AR-7's - - these magnets are the smaller 2-1/8" diameter, but without digging into my speakers I cannot confirm the diameter size of the cabinet cut-out. You should first confirm exactly what you've got before making any decisions so that you are at least partially prepared to make any modifications which might be necessary to accommodate a replacement tweeter.
Am providing this pic just FYI. The pic shows an AR-6 speaker that used the same tweeter as AR-7, and this shows the process of modifying the cabinet cut-out in order to be able to fit the rear terminals of a newer AR replacement tweeter, which then no longer required use of the original front-mounted terminals.
michiganpat
Super Member
AR6,7 &8 use the same front wired tweets. the back wired version can be found in the AR17, 18, & 25. a slightly different version, which should also work, can be found in the 18S, 18B, 93, 94, rock partners and others....the part number on those ends in 038