The BEST AR speakers?

[GD70]

Just in case you haven't seen this. AR3 history.
http://www.vintage-speaker-review.com/2014/03/Acoustic-Research-AR-3-Speaker-Review-Specs.html?m=1

 

[Cathead45]

Just in case you haven't seen this. AR3 history.
http://www.vintage-speaker-review.com/2014/03/Acoustic-Research-AR-3-Speaker-Review-Specs.html?m=1

Thanks, very good info.

 

[Ds2000]

I’d say the Limited 3 or the MGC1.

 

[swamppirate]

The AR TSW-910’s...

 

[Cathead45]

OMG those look amazing.

 

[StimpyWan]

OMG those look amazing.

Even better, dual 12's on the 910's. One front and one rear!

And how about stacked 910's...!!!

 

[Grenadeslio]

Even better, dual 12's on the 910's. One front and one rear!

And how about stacked 910's...!!!

The whole is not necessarily as good as the sum of the parts would seem. Dynamics certainly increase, but usually at the expense of soundstage and imaging.

 

[centsless]

Just in case you haven't seen this. AR3 history.
http://www.vintage-speaker-review.com/2014/03/Acoustic-Research-AR-3-Speaker-Review-Specs.html?m=1

Thanks for link as I hadn't read this one. The one thing stated in review that I have never seen is the ceramic woofer in the supposedly later model AR3. Never knew it even existed. I wonder if Roy has even seen a pair as I have never seen it mentioned in CSP.

 

[StimpyWan]

Thanks for link as I hadn't read this one. The one thing stated in review that I have never seen is the ceramic woofer in the supposedly later model AR3. Never knew it even existed. I wonder if Roy has even seen a pair as I have never seen it mentioned in CSP.

Did all AR3's use the mass loaded woofers? And were all the AR3 woofers built with the alnico magnets? It seems eventually the ceramic magnet woofers might show up in 3's. Especially, at the end of the AR3 run, and to the transition of the AR3a's.

 

[kirk57]

I got extremely lucky. My AR58S speakers were only $120. One of my best deals ever. All drivers in great shape. I still did a ClarityCap ESA poly recap, and they sound awesome.

I recently restored some AR48s for a friend of mine, including new capacitors.

The cheesy vinyl cabinets had me expecting not much, so I was quite surprised to find they sounded quite good. In fact I’d say they sounded as good as my faded memory of the AR3a I once had, with a superior top end.

But the heart wants what the heart wants, and everybody seems to want AR3a.

 

[GD70]

Did all AR3's use the mass loaded woofers? And were all the AR3 woofers built with the alnico magnets? It seems eventually the ceramic magnet woofers might show up in 3's. Especially, at the end of the AR3 run, and to the transition of the AR3a's.

As far as I know, all AR3’s had the alnico cloth surround mass loaded woofers. It’s entirely possible a few 3’s had the ceramic woofers at the end of their run, but, early 3a’s also had the alnico woofers.
Glenn

 

[GD70]

Thanks for link as I hadn't read this one. The one thing stated in review that I have never seen is the ceramic woofer in the supposedly later model AR3. Never knew it even existed. I wonder if Roy has even seen a pair as I have never seen it mentioned in CSP.

If I remember correctly, Roy told me no 3’s had ceramic woofers.

 

[Cathead45]

Even better, dual 12's on the 910's. One front and one rear!

And how about stacked 910's...!!!

 

[dj82501]

I’d say the Limited 3 View attachment 1316005or the MGC1.
View attachment 1316006

I would have to agree on the limited 3, I have owned mine for 16 years now and I have been on a quest to find a better sounding speaker with no avail unless you get up into the $30,000 dollar range. But that's just my opinion.

 

[tubed]

 

[mccarty350]

Everyone has opinions. My personal one based on what I have owned in order of preference first to last:

1. AR11B. Shocked at the end of the day to prefer them over the big boys.
2. AR 9LSI
3. AR 9
4. AR98LS

 

[newzealand]

i dont use old AR speakers but very happy with my AR 310 HO units ,very good for small rooms

 

[RS Steve]

Everyone has opinions. My personal one based on what I have owned in order of preference first to last:

1. AR11B. Shocked at the end of the day to prefer them over the big boys.
2. AR 9LSI
3. AR 9
4. AR48S

I have owned way more AR models than I can find time to list, but AR-11's set up with the right amp and room placement take the prize in my opinion. I hooked two pair up to my Soundcraftsmen MA-5002 doing DJ work for a wedding reception, words can't explain that experience! AR-9's, 12's, and 3a's are up there too.

 

[mccarty350]

Interesting to hear that I am not the only one with this controversial opinion. The 11's don't give up much on bass at all and just sound more balanced and better in general. Bass I just so tight and accurate and it plays crunchy distortion based rock as good as a JBL product but with a smoother less fatiguing presentation. Plays all material regardless of recording values with aplomb.

 

[Snade]

A restored AR3a for a larger space.

AR4x for a small space.

I prefer the AR4x in unfinished pine cabinets - so retro looking to my eye. Here is one I sanded back to original (they had been painted gray).

Cheers,

Snade