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AR2ax woofers

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Doyafeelit

RobRock
I recently bought a pair of these at a Thrift store.... Saw the grills from all the way across the store, was excited for sure. A pair of AR2ax's! I popped the fronts off and suspected the woofers had been replaced. $20 for the pair? Who is to complain! Got them home and sure enough they had been. Some chinese woofers. I pulled them out and juse happened to have a pair of AR92 woofers that fit perfectly, not really the purist choice, but still AR. Although they sound great and I really enjoy their sound, these woofers are never listed anywhere as a possible replacement. Is it worth the extra cost to get the exact replacement woofer? what are the specific differences? Anybody out there want to give an opinion on this and maybe an outpouring of info oe where I can get the specs of these two woofers?:D
 
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ya this should be moved. but to help the OP. i just got a couple pairs of those at a thrift a while back, nice little speakers :yes: the original woofers were designed specifically for the AR2ax cabinet while the AR92 was not. the bass extension might not be as good and the special "AR" bass would be lacking. the original woofers only cost downwards of $30 on fleabay last i checked though so it wouldnt be that big of a cost.
 
I will be watching for some, Gotta hear the difference. I'd like to find the cast frame versions I think, although the foam surround type of the later models will catch the lower frequencies, the cloth of the older never needs replaced. I'm applying more than 75 watts continuous thru these at times. Got any idea of their rating?
 
Doyafeelit said:
I will be watching for some, Gotta hear the difference. I'd like to find the cast frame versions I think, although the foam surround type of the later models will catch the lower frequencies, the cloth of the older never needs replaced. I'm applying more than 75 watts continuous thru these at times. Got any idea of their rating?
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They say 100 wpc, so 75 should be good. I only run about 60 through mine, which are the older version. nice speakers.
 
Get the woofers that match your crossover and midrange as the different versions had different frequency response, unless you are prepared to change the other parts to suit. The inductor value should help you to determine which to look for, as should the mid and tweeter.
 
I'd be inclined to find some correct woofers too.

Be aware that there are 6 hole and 4 hole version of foam AR-2AX woofers. The 6 hole frame has about half an inch larger frame diameter. I don't think any of them were cast frames. The smaller 4 hole version seems to be more common and came later.
 
poortom said:
I'd be inclined to find some correct woofers too.

Be aware that there are 6 hole and 4 hole version of foam AR-2AX woofers. The 6 hole frame has about half an inch larger frame diameter. I don't think any of them were cast frames. The smaller 4 hole version seems to be more common and came later.
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I had a pair of early 6 hole frame woofers and they did have a cast frame. Through their serial number I determined they were first year production..1964-5.

Here is an article I wrote early AR speakers.

Figure 4 in the article shows the cast frame woofer which was used until 1967....

http://www.antiqueradio.com/Oct06_Hayden_Acoustic.html
 
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the early 2ax's had a doped cloth, cast frame alcino woofer. those are about 10 3/4" OD and had 6 mounting holes. they came in the 2ax's with the orange phenolic dome tweet. the redesign with the 3/4" paper tweet came with at first, similar large OD stamped frame, foam surround 6 hole woofers, and was changed to the same woofer, but with a more conventional 4 hole, 10" OD woofer. if your cabinet is made for the newer woofer, the older won't fit without modification.

AR replacements for the early woofer started out as late woofers riveted to a masonite ring to fit the older, larger opening. later factory replacements were newer woofers, such as what was OEM on the 92 and later TSW's....

I doubt it'll sound much different with OEM 2ax vs. 92 woofers....
 
Doyafeelit said:
...Is it worth the extra cost to get the exact replacement woofer?
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I'd say so. You won't lose money getting them back to original condition... at least, not here in North Texas. AR2ax's consisitently bring $150-$200 on our local CL, and you currently have so little money wrapped up in such a classic pair of speakers. It's like finding a 1965 mustang for peanuts, but needing to put back on the proper wheels, carb, and intake to be all original. It'll cost you a bit of money, but it'll be worth it!
 
I guess what threw me on the earlier AR cast frames is that they look stamped when looking at pictures. When I think of cast frames I think of 60's Wharfdale drivers or other vintage English cast drivers with heavy thick bracing.

Learn something new everyday around here!
 
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