I think the AR4 is the best of the old ARs and it's the only one I like. I think it's considerably tighter and livelier than the 3 and 3a, which sounded muffled and opaque to me.
Why is the AR 3A so desirable?
- Thread starter Onebean
- Start date
I think the AR4 is the best of the old ARs and it's the only one I like. I think it's considerably tighter and livelier than the 3 and 3a, which sounded muffled and opaque to me.
GD70
Lunatic Member
Now it's possible to restore the 3/3as to nearly new specs. Two gents are rebuilding mid and tweeter drivers once thought as paper weights when they were fried, or barely producing sound.
I've restored both AR models, and had the tweeters and mids rebuilt by these gents.
Both are outstanding when properly restored. I have a decent speaker collection, and my 3's are right there with all of them. Most are setup in my basement/cave. The 3's are in my family room 18 X 22 with 12 foot vaulted ceilings. They have no problem filling the room with sound. They look great and sound great. A few weeks ago, a neighbor was over for a demo and was extremely impressed. He has a set of Dynaudios, forgot the model, he thought the 3's sounded better! I have to say, this was a surprising comment.
The 3/3a sound is dimensional, wide sound stage, the highs are delicate and clear. Bass is deep, smooth, punchy, what they are known for. The 3a to my ears is more forward in the mids. The 3, has a more natural sound presentation, great balance.
Are there better sounding speakers, sure, but these are historic, iconic, industry standard setting speakers.
Every audio enthusiast should hear the 3/3a, driven by a good high power amp.
Glenn
I've restored both AR models, and had the tweeters and mids rebuilt by these gents.
Both are outstanding when properly restored. I have a decent speaker collection, and my 3's are right there with all of them. Most are setup in my basement/cave. The 3's are in my family room 18 X 22 with 12 foot vaulted ceilings. They have no problem filling the room with sound. They look great and sound great. A few weeks ago, a neighbor was over for a demo and was extremely impressed. He has a set of Dynaudios, forgot the model, he thought the 3's sounded better! I have to say, this was a surprising comment.
The 3/3a sound is dimensional, wide sound stage, the highs are delicate and clear. Bass is deep, smooth, punchy, what they are known for. The 3a to my ears is more forward in the mids. The 3, has a more natural sound presentation, great balance.
Are there better sounding speakers, sure, but these are historic, iconic, industry standard setting speakers.
Every audio enthusiast should hear the 3/3a, driven by a good high power amp.
Glenn
Pio1980
AK Member
I have a 4, passed 7s onto a good friend, and use the RPs as test speakers.
Teradacto58
Super Member
I have a pair of AR3a's and a pair of AR2's....found them at a GW about 15 years back for $12/pair. Sound good! Seen a pair on Ebay Japan restored...about 6 years..They were asking $2200 U.S.
centsless
Super Member
I am an AR guy who has been thru dozens of 3a's and 3's...not to mention many other AR series. I have kept some 3a's and 3's for the mid and wonderful bass.
One other reason....no depreciation because of collectability. One mentions new speakers that might outperform...but the depreciation is horrible for new. I can get wonderful sound without throwing away thousands of dollars....
One other reason....no depreciation because of collectability. One mentions new speakers that might outperform...but the depreciation is horrible for new. I can get wonderful sound without throwing away thousands of dollars....
alteclipsch
Super Member
I was never able to do an A-B comparison between the AR3A and KLH Model Five, but for the tiny investment I've got in my Fives, I love what they do in every respect. And without those terrible pots.
pauldrewry
Super Member
I wonder if anyone's ever decided to build nicer cabs for the 3/3a?
StimpyWan
Addicted Member
Now, not quite what you're asking, but here are two different modded AR speakers. Both are at least cosmetic updates to the originals. Both mods from "ar_pro", at CSP. One is an AR-3a using AR-91 drivers, and the other, a refinished AR-91.
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GD70
Lunatic Member
I have both, and the Fives are very close to the 3/3as in performance.
Same applies to the Fives as the 3/3a's, they will most likely need restoration work, but are easier to restore and cheaper. A major bargain for the performance they give you!
Glenn
GD70
Lunatic Member
Do you not like the look of the original cabs?
StimpyWan
Addicted Member
I recently found a pair of AR-5's at a local antique store. I had 1st noticed the speakers on eBay, and was surprised that they were local to me. But, they didn't stay up long, so I figured they had sold?
Well, not too long afterwards, I stopped on the way home, to pick up take out for supper. The restaurant was just across the street from the same antique shop, and I went in to look around, while I waited on my food order. Inside, I struck up a conversation with the shop owner, and asked about the AR's, and mentioned I was glad that they had sold so fast. It turns out, the owner had pulled the add, due to being spammed and harassed about pricing. The speakers were still in the shop, and he asked if I was interested in them? I said "yes", but I figured he would have wanted too much money for them. I was truly shocked when he asked a double-figure amount! Cheap, wow, and I now I have another set of speakers to restore!
pauldrewry
Super Member
Maybe a nicer baffle, so you could leave grills off.
XplicitActs
Super Member
I agree with the look. I'm a grill off kinda guy. They are fugly but in a cute kinda way. Lol. For me I picked them up as a gift and insisted the original owner take some cash for them knowingbtheir current market. Speakers are the early version and included were the original stands.Was always a speaker that I wanted to experience.
My complaint besides the pots needing work and wanting to refresh the crossovers is the tweeter. I think a modern tweeter would add to them but I'm afraid to modify them incase I want to move them and run into a purist.
I also own a pair of AR4x that I saved from the trash that need a good clean.
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Nice Dyna 400. I think that for awhile it was the best sounding SS out there and a ST 400 and PAT 5 combo was absolutely first rate.
StimpyWan
Addicted Member
One of Bongiorno's early amps.
GD70
Lunatic Member
Like I mentioned earlier, the tweeters can be rebuilt to pretty much new specs. Both the 3/3a when restored sound great, the highs are not reticent as many hear because they were not performing as new.
I was fortunate be given a almost blank check to buy and set up a stereo for a friend/ roommate ....I purchased him a pair of AR LST and as the AR literature at the time showed the addition of more but the same midrange and tweeter drivers really changes the frequency balance resulting in a much more balanced/ flatter frequency response. If you get to hear the LST and like it you probably will not like the 3s.
XplicitActs
Super Member
Thanks!
I've enjoyed it and.bought it from the original owner/builder. Came with all the original directions for the step by step build.