I looked at a pair of all original AR9’s for sale. Of course they need refoaming but the main concern is NO SOUND from either high tweeter. (meaning the high tweeter on each speaker is not sounding) The speakers have had 2 mature owners and reportedly have not been abused (and show no signs of it). Is this more likely to be the tweeter itself , the attenuation switch, or something else? The switches for the low mids and the mid range dome function properly. This would not be a result of missing jumpers on the back panel speaker wire connections could it. (the jumpers were in place but possibly may not have been making contact- but I’m thinking since the low mid and the mid dome were working that all circuits were getting a signal) I was unable to do any diagnostics at the sellers house and an agreed price could not be settled on so I passed on them. Looks like used tweeters run about 100.00 each give or take. Did not find any used attenuation switches for sale. I would rate cabinet (1 chip) and grill (some light pilling) condition a 7 or 8 out of 10. Opinions on likely culprit? What is a fair price to pay for these in this state? Thanks!
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Hey Tuskman79,
I bought a pair of these that I couldn't listen to first, they were missing a woofer and needed refoaming, but the price was so good I bought them anyway. Got them home and found that one of the tweeters was blown. I thought about all of those things you mentioned, but I took the tweeter out and tested it with an ohm meter and it was open. If you have access to a meter, I would ask the seller if you could remove the tweeters and test them, easier than trying to get to the switches. If the tweeters are good, it could be a dirty switch or bad capacitor. They are great speakers once you get them working correctly.
Good luck!
Paul
I bought a pair of these that I couldn't listen to first, they were missing a woofer and needed refoaming, but the price was so good I bought them anyway. Got them home and found that one of the tweeters was blown. I thought about all of those things you mentioned, but I took the tweeter out and tested it with an ohm meter and it was open. If you have access to a meter, I would ask the seller if you could remove the tweeters and test them, easier than trying to get to the switches. If the tweeters are good, it could be a dirty switch or bad capacitor. They are great speakers once you get them working correctly.
Good luck!
Paul
Thanks for the replys. I tried 4 different CD’s of different styles of Music- classical, classic Rock, newer Pop, Soul. Absolutely not the slightest sound came out of either tweeter on any recording and I jiggled the attenuation switches while listening with my ear up to them. I don’t think the seller will permit any disassembly and diagnostics prior to purchase. Unfortunately I would have to roll the dice and buy them and then proceed with the diagnostics once I got them home. Just don’t want to have more into them than they are worth.
You couldn't buy a new speaker today for under $5K (probably closer to $10K) that would even come close to a properly functioning pair of AR-9s. However, if you don't have the technical skills necessary to fix them and get them going, then you are right to pass on them.
reddog48
Active Member
I would go Tarior one better - my take is that it would require about $15,000 to $20,000 in today's market to realize sound quality the equal of an AR-9. I know this - the $50,000 Wilson Alexia cannot track the low C (organ) as well as the AR-9. Fantastic speaker well worth an investment.
Can't hurt to ask. I would agree to a price first, but with the contingency that they do not test open. If they test open, then you can negotiate that number down and I would still do it if you can get him down maybe $100 at that point. If he feels has a deal I think he will be willing to let you unscrew the two tweeters and put a meter on them. Only take 5 minutes.
What price is he at BTW?
What price is he at BTW?
Damage
Super Member
It's more than likely the ferrofluid has seized up the tweeters. It's also just as likely they are blown considering what a pain it is to drive the woofers.
$800 is probably a fair price. I don't think I'd pay more than $400.
Then you have to buy an amp, a good one. Or more correctly, one that can handle the 3.2 ohms load continuously. Because again, those woofers are a pain to drive.
$800 is probably a fair price. I don't think I'd pay more than $400.
Then you have to buy an amp, a good one. Or more correctly, one that can handle the 3.2 ohms load continuously. Because again, those woofers are a pain to drive.
winters860
Super Member
As a former owner (and prospective future owner) of AR-9, I believe that if a pair came to me without working tweeters, I should want to pay no more than $500, and before I paid $100 each for used tweeters, I'd probably fool around with a pair of Peerless ring radiator-type tweeters. If the Teledyne AR Veritcal Series (AR-9 included) has a glaring weakness, it's probably the slightly reticent top end - a remnant of the tweeter-shy house voicing of the original AR speakers.
Ditto on the need to find a good amp to drive them. You could always buy an inexpensive used pro amp, and then move up the ladder as you have the opportunity. Mine sounded best when they were vertically bi-amped with two Parsound HCA-1500A, but the single BGW 250C I used for a couple of months didn't give up as much ground as you might think.
Ditto on the need to find a good amp to drive them. You could always buy an inexpensive used pro amp, and then move up the ladder as you have the opportunity. Mine sounded best when they were vertically bi-amped with two Parsound HCA-1500A, but the single BGW 250C I used for a couple of months didn't give up as much ground as you might think.
bshorey
Super Member
Personally, I wouldn't want to diagnose those in front of the seller and potentially find an easy fix. The price just went up.
Assume the tweeters are blown, and negotiate accordingly. If the foams haven't been done then you're going to need to budget time and/or money for those as well. But as others have said, if the price is remotely reasonable then it's probably still worth it if you've got to spring for a pair of replacement tweeters. They are a highly regarded speaker.
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