List of TOL vintage speakers

Really? The AR3a was AR's TOTL model at that point? Wow...

I'm just surprised to hear that because my W60E's are comparable to the AR3a's (and are from the same era with a similar design), but the W60E was not Wharfedale's TOTL speaker at that point... They had two models that were even bigger. In the late '60's they had the W90, and then they had that W80 Variflex model in the early '70's. I think those were Wharfedale's two TOTL models.

So, when did AR introduce a model that was bigger than the AR3/AR3a? I have to think there was something bigger in between the introduction of the AR3a and the much-later AR9... (like maybe in the '70's or early '80's). I don't know a whole lot about AR's model-history, aside from knowing which ones were the most-popular in terms of sound-quality.

After the introduction of the AR3/AR3A, AR was focused on using the acoustic suspension principle to create relatively small but good sounding speakers in keeping with the idea that acoustic suspension allowed designers to get away from the huge ported speakers of the time, and make smaller but full range speakers possible, opening up a whole new market for music listeners with less space or WAF issues.

The AR3A was the flagship model till the introduction of the LST and other multidriver units after the development of newer dome drivers. I think this also coincided with the departure of Kloss, and the subsequent sale to Teledyne when more complex and larger designs like the AR9 and its variants took place, abandoning the "Bookshelf" sizes to floor standing towers.

Here's some more:

Rogers Reference System: Rogers LS3/5a with the L35B subwoofer, XA75 electronic crossover and amp, circa 1978-79.

Rogers LS5/8, LS5/9, Studio 1
Chartwell PM510
 
Marantz HD-88
Marantz HD-880
Marantz DS-940
Marantz Model 8 MKII
Marantz Imperial 9's

Im a Marantz fan =P
Definitely, but you missed one........

M16 :D Those are rare beauties to behold. I own the 10" versions to those, the Model 600's and they are so dynamic and sharp, flat, clear, balanced, you name it, they do it, deliver it, and more! I hope Tony chimes in with a pic of his M16's :)
 
I'm not even gonna say any words, read my Sig..................
ModelSevens001.jpg
 
C'mon, if Technics, Panasonic and Fisher are mentioned for building TOL vintage speakers, there are some Kenwoods of that era that deserve being mentioned, that's for damn sure! Can't forget the LS-1900's too.:yes:
 
Charlie, the post is about TOTL models from each brand. If you know the kenwood TOTL models through the years, by all means, mention them. You may want to rethink dismissing technics speakers, the models mentioned were very serious gear. One of the models was about 350 lbs each and around 45k a pair, IIRC. The type of speaker that would probably hold its own with the best ever made.
 
C'mon, if Technics, Panasonic and Fisher are mentioned for building TOL vintage speakers, there are some Kenwoods of that era that deserve being mentioned, that's for damn sure! Can't forget the LS-1900's too.:yes:
How 'bout my LS-X9's (ca 1989)?

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Dave
 

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David, my post mentioning Technics, Panasonic and Fisher was by no means a dissmissal. If it is implied as such, I will edit it. I didn't think It'd be taken that way. I know all about the Technics beasts and respect them immensely.
 
Charlie, the post is about TOTL models from each brand. If you know the kenwood TOTL models through the years, by all means, mention them. You may want to rethink dismissing technics speakers, the models mentioned were very serious gear. One of the models was about 350 lbs each and around 45k a pair, IIRC. The type of speaker that would probably hold its own with the best ever made.

Not that it really matters to me but the OP shouldn't really list three of the same series from a Manufactor when all three are just different models of the series. Only one of them can be TOTL, case in point I listed two Technics the SB 9500 and the SB 10000 and then someone posted an even higher model number that I was unaware of, only one of that model line should really be considered as TOTL if they were manufactored at the same time.

Same with the Infinity's QRS and QLS-1 both were made around the same time I beleive with the QRS actually being the TOTL, do you count them both, I guess its up to the OP but technically I would say only one could be the TOTL and that would be the QRS.

The Infinity RS-1a and RS-1b, were not made at the same time, the RS-1a was first and then later came out as a revision as the RS-1b, do you count them both because they are in the same model line but different revisions of the same series. The RS 4.5 still having the same Reference Series is not really the same model as the RS 1x's completely different model speaker yet with the same prefix, same with the RSIIa and RSIIb, those two are basically the same speaker and to this day I don't know if there is a difference between them to models, I know of no difference, but its an entirely different speaker than the RS-1's but in no way would it be TOTL over the RS-1's its pretty much a next down the ladder in the series.

But overall I like the list, the way its going it looks like Infinity was really a major manufactor of TOTL speakers over all the others. :D But honestly most of the speakers on the list would be a joy to own.
 
I'm just accepting nominations at the moment, and will only be updating about once a day from now on.

I expect there to be some debate about specific models. At some point it would be interesting to have a poll thread to rank them all.
 
The SB9500, 10000, and M10000 were all offered at slightly different times. I think they came in the order they are written, so all three are viable TOTL. I agree completely, about only one. For instance, when the Everest was introduced at JBL it was the ONLY model that could be considered TOTL. Where it gets tricky is knowing what was TOTL from year to year.

I'd say something like teh RS-1A/RS-1B would be considered 1.
 
I'm just accepting nominations at the moment, and will only be updating about once a day from now on.

I expect there to be some debate about specific models. At some point it would be interesting to have a poll thread to rank them all.

I understand the updating once a day, but a poll ranking them might get a bit more than interesting, and maybe not that good an idea. So far the thread has been quite civil, what could happen when you start trying to rank from the different manufactors as to which is better, you might start a revolution! Lets just say the one with the most TOTL models, wins!:D
 
The SB9500, 10000, and M10000 were all offered at slightly different times. I think they came in the order they are written, so all three are viable TOTL. I agree completely, about only one. For instance, when the Everest was introduced at JBL it was the ONLY model that could be considered TOTL. Where it gets tricky is knowing what was TOTL from year to year.

I'd say something like teh RS-1A/RS-1B would be considered 1.

I would agree on the RS-1's being the same model, just an updated version of the previous one but just as the SB series the RS-1a was offered at a different time it is the early version, has smaller bass drivers and different crossovers. I would also say think that the RSIIb's is really one model down from the RS-1's just my thinking. But I wouldn't think of the RS 4.5 as being the same model its a completely different looking speaker, while the RS 2.5 would be the next one down the ladder from the RS 4.5 so could not be a TOTL.
 
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