Damage
Super Member
I had to think about that one :scratch2:
*runs out door screaming* CAR VERAMAZIngs rule!!!
How did AR's top dogs stack up?
- Thread starter winters860
- Start date
I had to think about that one :scratch2:
*runs out door screaming* CAR VERAMAZIngs rule!!!
While my old AR9's were fun speakers, they never really had the top-end I had wished for. I don't like alot of highs at all, but the AR9 was too warm, even with bright bryston amps. Now the Carver Amazings, well, they were very shy of amazing. All this is my opinion...
Toasted Almond
RIP 1952-2016
*runs out door screaming* CAR VERAMAZIngs rule!!![/QUOTE]
They sure do don't they!
Don't pay any attention to the troll on the fishing expedition.
They sure do don't they!
Don't pay any attention to the troll on the fishing expedition.
nitrous
96 dB freak!
grateful
Super Member
Showoff!
Yes but I don't have a pair of LSTs like someone I know.:drool:
winters860
Super Member
Tonight, I refoamed my AR-90 and my AR-3a project is finally moving. Looks like it won't be long before I'll actually have some experience with some of AR's greats. :thmbsp:
Interesting - I do have a pair of AR302s, but the only other AR speakers I've owned were 18bs (a bit dry and boring, but not bad - I gave 'em away). The 302s do have a bit of a "sound" to them - perhaps a slight midrange resonance? Fun speakers though; it is too bad that big, friendly 3-ways aren't common anymore. I have a pair of 65 lbs steel stands for them, and you'd think they were $$$ by the appearance. They are in my Citation I/II rig, playing Jimmie Rodgers as I write this 
I can understand why - these may be a polarizing speaker :yes:
They are hard to drive properly (woofer seems inertial, unless you have a pretty big amplifier behind them). Compared to my last 4 pairs of modern stand-mount speakers, they can make my system sound a bit like a gigantic transistor radio with really deep bass (...minus the bass if the amp isn't up to task). But with enough tube power behind them, they get "fun" and transcend any apparent limitations of fidelity. Unless a pair of similarly-sized Spendors show up on my porch some day, they won't be going anywhere
If you have Maggies I doubt you are missing much ... besides midrange dome breakup resonances, and diffuse imaging due to large box and baffle
winters860
Super Member
I thought I'd re-visit this thread after three and a half years. There's some good, relevant information in the OP, but I've also had a chance to listen to a lot of speakers in the meantime.
I worked out on a of AR-3a in an "ultimate restoration". The refoamed AR-90 were clearly superior, and soon led to me buying a pair of AR-9. A year later, in a tight spot, I sold them.
While I was never 100% satisfied with the treble from the 90 or 9, they trounced the early AR speakers I've owned and heard in every way. Combine that with my belief that the early AR paper dome tweeters are all suffering from materials failure, and the writing is on the wall for me.
While I admire the history of AR and think the original line are handsome mid-century artifacts, I couldn't see myself using anything earlier than Teledyne ARs as my mains.
That said, I'd gladly give another pair a try. I honestly wouldn't mind fining another pair of 90 or 91, and might commit the blasphemy of trying to re-engineer a different tweeter.
I worked out on a of AR-3a in an "ultimate restoration". The refoamed AR-90 were clearly superior, and soon led to me buying a pair of AR-9. A year later, in a tight spot, I sold them.
While I was never 100% satisfied with the treble from the 90 or 9, they trounced the early AR speakers I've owned and heard in every way. Combine that with my belief that the early AR paper dome tweeters are all suffering from materials failure, and the writing is on the wall for me.
While I admire the history of AR and think the original line are handsome mid-century artifacts, I couldn't see myself using anything earlier than Teledyne ARs as my mains.
That said, I'd gladly give another pair a try. I honestly wouldn't mind fining another pair of 90 or 91, and might commit the blasphemy of trying to re-engineer a different tweeter.
ssmith3046
Super Member
I have owned AR-3a speakers and prefer my KLH Model 5 speakers. I still own a pair of AR-2x and AR-6 speakers but they're not in use at this time.
michiganpat
Super Member
might want to try some 3's with the hivi Q1R tweeter mod/replacement....
I'm a bass player and like progressive rock and busy drum/bass combos, I have not heard a more palpable realistic bass than I hear with my ar91's or ar9lsi's....both restored. I have kef 107's that have really solid well defined bass, I like the highs and mids better on the kefs but the bass and lower mids on the AR's just do it for me.
ken kantor
Fowl Humor
There is plenty of things to like about electrostatics. However, their top end is not one of them. They rolloff, breakup, beam and ring. The magic is in the mids. The 9's had some issues with their tweeter, but it was still better than any ES I have heard or measured.
-k
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