AR4x vs KLH 17

[Robie]

Nice work. They look almost new!!!!!

 

[GD70]

Thanks Robie!
I'm quite happy with the results. I may work a bit more on the one with the faint plant pot stain ring. Shows up more in the pic than in person.
I only wish my 6's were wood instead of vinyl.

I'll also pull the woofers and check the cross overs. As of now they sound great, so I may hold off on that for a while.

The AR4x's need the pots cleaned with some Deoxit. I need to read more about which is the best value cap to get as a replacement. Some bypass the pot altogether, but since these are in such pristine original condition I'd rather have the pots working.

Cheers, Glenn

 

[GD70]

I think you're going to be a very happy camper, Glenn! Wish someone around here was offering something like that!

John

This was a CL listing in Manhattan. I was able to drive down during my lunch hour and pick them up. As with any listings, it's always hit or miss. I usually don't check CL often so I really lucked out here, and will start checking them more often. $65 a pair is a great deal, especially in the condition they are in, and no shipping costs.

 

[Robie]

I know opinions vary on what to use to restore the woodwork on cabinets. I've had great results with Howard Restor-A-Finish (and Howard Feed-N-Wax). Applied with a very fine steel wool, Restor-A-Finish has gotten rid of water rings I've had on various pieces.

I know there are competitors that probably work very well too, but my experience has been with this product. It is designed for restoring the finish, rather than a complete strip and reapplication of a finish product. The key is finding the color that best matches the veneer on your cabinets. The pictures in my 4x thread probably show the Cherry finish applied to Walnut but they still look great IMO.

 

[Robie]

GD70, still waiting to hear your impressions on which you like better.:thmbsp:

 

[GD70]

GD70, still waiting to hear your impressions on which you like better.:thmbsp:

I ordered the woofer surround sealer from vintage-ar yesterday.
Once I seal the AR's woofers and can listen to them properly I'll have a better evaluation. My initial impression was they were very good but I didn't push them to hard. I can't wait to give them a serious listen at volume.
The KLH 17's sound very nice but need a second dope application to the woofers. They don't go as deep as the 6's but I think stacked, they will be incredible.

Glenn

 

[GD70]

Little update

I stacked my KLH 6's & 17's and had a great listening session for about an hour.
I was enveloped in music! Wow is all I can say.
The 17's do need another coat of sealer on the woofers to tighten the base a bit better. One cone had an audible vibration sound at high volume with heavy bass, the other did not. They were not popping so I know they weren't bottoming out.

 

[GD70]

GD70, still waiting to hear your impressions on which you like better.:thmbsp:

I doped the woofers on the AR's and finally giving them a good listen right now. Holy Chit!! Crazy sound that blows me away for their size! I've got my amp to almost 1/2 volume and they don't distort at all! Great bass for their size. The 17's are a bit brighter in the mids & highs, bass ever so slightly deeper, but not by much. Playing the AR's with the KLH 6's is also quite impressive! Great sound depth. I'd say to me it's pretty even between the 4x's & 17's in overall performance. If you can grab a pair for either of these you won't be disappointed. Amazing little 45 year old speakers.

Cheers