GD70
Lunatic Member
Which do you prefer?
The BEST AR speakers?
- Thread starter Cathead45
- Start date
I have yet to set either up in a good location for serious testing, but the LS's bass seems better so far.
McDee56
New Member
probably why I like them. Indeed sound very neutral and accurate. They like high volume and seem to perform better at. Little bit bass shy I think the M.2 had heaviest bass of them all but I could be wrong there. Of course the larger models pumping heavier in that dpt. Something about them though is just done right and I can't put my finger on it exactly haha.
StimpyWan
Addicted Member
THF2
Where we are going, there are no roads
And…how many pair do you own?
THF2
Where we are going, there are no roads
Let’s categorize them:
- LST’s are really special as they are beautiful. Need the right space and power. They are pretty awesome.
- AR 9’s LS are also terrific speakers (better high end a low end due to its relatively later design). If you have the horsepower and the right room, stand back!
- Looking for a really good sounding set of bookshelf speaker, 4’s would be my choice.
GD70
Lunatic Member
I’ve got a set of LST-2s, that sound fabulous! Incredible dimensionality and imaging.
Still waiting to hear a set of 9s.
Filip I
Active Member
Let's ressurect this thread. Have 17 as a main and spare 18 ( backup for the drivers if ever needed ) which I adore,sublime speakers. The other day I had a chance to listen the rest of the series:11,10pi,14,25( bigger 17 )...what surprised me is that all the models sounded similiar from top to bottom. Of course you can feel the difference in strenght, separation 2way vs 3 way and some minor details but basically the color of the sound remain constant so I decided to pass 11 which I came to buy( too pricey,also I found that someone was already inside the speaker and didn't restore them well ). Two days after that session, after a few years of search I managed to find unmolested 5 for a fair price.Gonna be a project but all the drivers ale healthy. Finding it is almost imposible,especially in Balkan. Can't wait for the restoration to begin, really curious to hear them. Driven by Sansui of course.So the best...the one I have Would love to hear LST,9 but for my space and needs they are just a wild dream...Gonna keep it simple and enjoy theese boys,dont' ask for more.
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TunerLanding
Active Member
I’m lucky enough to have AR90 in my listening room and AR10pi in my secondary dining room. They are very different speakers but similar quality, the 10 ones are easier to place and the 12” driver gives more feel even though they don’t reach as low. I’m a lucky man! AR!
Been a awhile since I wrote that. I've since found a set of 10pi. They've replaced my AR90s.
TunerLanding
Active Member
Small world! Looks like I’m on the same path as you. For 70s AR I’m thinking both models are near the TOTL. It’s a pleasure listening to either, lucky to find them both in mint condition as well. Got my set of AR10pi last weekend for 500$ from the original owner refurbished, I called right away and by the time I was off the phone with him he had 3 other messages. This type of gear is getting hard to find!
AR9s are what started me on this path. Hard to find around here. I prefer not to ship. 10pi were impossible to find. Lucked out on that one.
unga-unga
Active Member
So, I notice that nobody has said the AR-1. Lowest marks for affordability, to be sure. But being that the design was something of a benchmark in the history of loudspeakers... I mean I'd like to have a pair of ar-1 over any other model, personally.
I had the impression - but I probably picked this up from the cult of western electric - that the ar-2 were considered profoundly disappointing after the ar-1. The way I remember it being explained, the ar-1 was such an excellent product, and made such an intensely high reputation for the company, that it carried them as wind in the sails through the next decade of their business, regardless of the incremental decreases in quality...
*Raises shield*
Now, I'd gander that this is about a half-truth. There does seem to be consensus that the ar-2 is disappointing. But that's because both the ar-1 and ar-3 are spectacular. I feel like the company quickly recovered, but some people just won't forgive them for running out of 755a drivers. Which, by the way, has an interesting rumor surrounding it. I've heard the reason the 755a was used in the ar-1, was that they were available dirt-cheap through a military surplus contract. They'd been heavily over-produced in the post-wwii grind of the military industrial complex for use in just about every battleship mess hall to field station to office lobby, and came at an ultra low cost. Anybody know about this one?
I had the impression - but I probably picked this up from the cult of western electric - that the ar-2 were considered profoundly disappointing after the ar-1. The way I remember it being explained, the ar-1 was such an excellent product, and made such an intensely high reputation for the company, that it carried them as wind in the sails through the next decade of their business, regardless of the incremental decreases in quality...
*Raises shield*
Now, I'd gander that this is about a half-truth. There does seem to be consensus that the ar-2 is disappointing. But that's because both the ar-1 and ar-3 are spectacular. I feel like the company quickly recovered, but some people just won't forgive them for running out of 755a drivers. Which, by the way, has an interesting rumor surrounding it. I've heard the reason the 755a was used in the ar-1, was that they were available dirt-cheap through a military surplus contract. They'd been heavily over-produced in the post-wwii grind of the military industrial complex for use in just about every battleship mess hall to field station to office lobby, and came at an ultra low cost. Anybody know about this one?
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