parisphoto
Active Member
I never heard them, but I am familiar w/AR-2ax's.
What's your opinion on the Ar-12's?
What's your opinion on the Ar-12's?
Opinions On AR-12 Speakers
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lab
Well-Known Member
I had a pair in the late 70's. They were third in line from the top, the upper two models being AR 10pi and AR 11. Both of the upper models used 12" woofers (okay, AR trimmed them and called them 11") and the AR 12 uses a 10 inch woofer. Sound between them was very similar which is to say very accurate and neutral. And the AR 12 is much easier to drive than the upper two models as it's impedance doesn't dip down to uncomfortable low numbers.
They have well built cabinets, heavy magnet woofers and unfortunately mine had pure foam grill covers which must have disintegrated by now. If you have to build your own grill covers out of wood, try to taper the edges to maintain the excellent dispersion characteristics of the tweeters. Worth the effort.
They have well built cabinets, heavy magnet woofers and unfortunately mine had pure foam grill covers which must have disintegrated by now. If you have to build your own grill covers out of wood, try to taper the edges to maintain the excellent dispersion characteristics of the tweeters. Worth the effort.
joelongwood
No more room at the inn
In comparison to the AR 2ax, the AR 12s exhibit quite a bit more presence. While maintaining the classic AR sound, they tend to put more emphasis on the upper midrange, yielding a more "exciting" sound. AR advertised them as speakers for Rock, and, while they aren't JBLs by any means, they are quite a bit ahead of the older AR classics in that regard. All in all, they are excellent speakers.
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I'd say they are as good or better than any other AR speakers I've heard. I think if they weren't so rare, and more people had heard them, you'd see them mentioned frequently alongside the 3as and 2axs, as the "best" vintage AR speakers. They are almost completely "under the radar" because of their rarity, not because of sonic shortcomings compared to other ARs. If I were you and had a chance to get them, I'd grab them.
I have a pair that I found in a neighbor's garage. I was there to admire his '65 Corvette he had just acquired. He gave them to me for free. I was very happy.
Turns out three of the drivers were dead. By the time I bought replacements and cleaned up the cabinets, they are among the costliest speakers I own. But man do they sound great and they look just fine. I washed the foam covers in a large tube and they did not fall apart. You will like them!
Turns out three of the drivers were dead. By the time I bought replacements and cleaned up the cabinets, they are among the costliest speakers I own. But man do they sound great and they look just fine. I washed the foam covers in a large tube and they did not fall apart. You will like them!
parisphoto
Active Member
Sonically, how would they compare to the Ar 2ax?
avguytx
Lunatic Member
Hmmmm.....never heard the AR-12's but I own a pair of the AR-11's which are one of my top 3 fave pairs that I own, or have owned. I also have a pair of AR-2ax's but they haven't seen play time on about 10 months or so. I can't give an opinion on the AR-12's as far as sound goes but I would have to think in working order, they aren't bad at all.
Ar10 vs ar11 vs ar12
I have owned all three of these AR models as well has ar90's and AR3a's (no longer have the AR11's or the 90's) and prefer the AR12 to any other AR speaker I have owned or heard. The only time they fall short is in a very large to massive room (500 sq ft or more) where the 10/11/AR3A/90 may have the edge when it comes to bass repsonse. Sonically IMO they easily outperform the AR3A and AR10 as well as any of the JBLs and HPM's I have owned. That mid range driver in the AR12 is simply outstanding and in my opinion, one of the best ever made. It is truly magical. Too bad and very odd that it was only used in that single speaker model. The 12 just got everything right. You can play Miles Davis, Ted Nugent, Pink Floyd or Bob Marley at any volume and still get the correct experience. I am 62 and have been heavily into quality audio since I was 16 and the AR12's are my "deserted island" speakers hands down
I have owned all three of these AR models as well has ar90's and AR3a's (no longer have the AR11's or the 90's) and prefer the AR12 to any other AR speaker I have owned or heard. The only time they fall short is in a very large to massive room (500 sq ft or more) where the 10/11/AR3A/90 may have the edge when it comes to bass repsonse. Sonically IMO they easily outperform the AR3A and AR10 as well as any of the JBLs and HPM's I have owned. That mid range driver in the AR12 is simply outstanding and in my opinion, one of the best ever made. It is truly magical. Too bad and very odd that it was only used in that single speaker model. The 12 just got everything right. You can play Miles Davis, Ted Nugent, Pink Floyd or Bob Marley at any volume and still get the correct experience. I am 62 and have been heavily into quality audio since I was 16 and the AR12's are my "deserted island" speakers hands down
SFBayArch
Super Member
The AR-12 are much easier to drive than the 10pi or even the 11, that's why they probably sounded better to you. The 10pi is one of my favorite vintage speakers, their only shortcoming is their demand for lots of high current power. They won't sound their best if not matched properly. The AR-12 is more forgiving. I let a pair pass thru my hands a while back. I'd pick up another if they came my way.
Regarding the comparison to the AR-2ax, it's a bit of apples / oranges. I always preferred the AR-2ax to the AR-3 (earlier version) because of the tonal balance. Not enough high frequency energy coming from the TOTL AR-3 for my taste. I always felt like I had to crank the treble with the 3's - to a lesser extent the 2ax's. I think the AR-12 continues that trend. With the newer Teledyne era ARs (versus the classic period AR-3/AR-2ax), I never felt a need to adjust the tone. They sound balanced to me with tone controls defeated. Anyhow, that's my 2 cents...
As a follow up on the AR12's I highly recommend you remove and replace the ferro-fluid on the mid range every 10-15 years as its true performance depends on it. The mid range cone has NO spider mechanism whatsoever and floats in the ferro-fluid providing true linear movement. I can get dried and "gunked up" over time but it is relatively easy to r&r.
GD70
Lunatic Member
I have a set of 12's, and agree with all the previous comments, they are fantastic.
I don't think there's ferro fluid in the tweeters. The mids have a unique surround that is flat, but often dried and cracked. If so, you'll need a small surround for replacement it it will have the traditional roll. Original style are not available. When I refoamed mine, the ferro fluid was very good, allowing the cone to move easily. Sometimes it requires replacing, luckily mine didn't.
turnitup
No, the stereo won’t break the crystal...Oh CRAP!
Hi Taineasy,
I have a 12 mid that requires the ferrofluid be replaced (it’s gummed up by old fluid), but can’t find any method to do this outside of reconing the driver. It sounds like you have experience in doing this. Can you let me know the steps and process you used to do this? Thanks in advance...
Pat Bateman
New Member
I'd also love to know the process for this... I have a set of AR12s and one mid seems slightly sticky.
vintagerocks
Active Member
PICTURES!
GD70
Lunatic Member
Link to my resto thread, lots of pics.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ar-12-restoration-pics.698197/
Pat Bateman
New Member
As far as I can see you never had to actually disassemble the mids and never attempted to redo the ferrofluid?
GD70
Lunatic Member
No, the ferrofluid was good, the dome/VC moved easily and easy to center when replacing the surround.
