frankmarsi

Comb filtering can be altered/corrected by using 'traps'. In my travels I felt my LSTs were affected by many reflections 'pressurizing' the room so, I used two large foam traps that to my ears substantially cleaned-up what I felt needed to be corrected. One trap was placed in each corner and to my ears the result was pleasing and certainly a solution. I might add that a parametric-equalizer would be a beneficial component. Aadams your equalizer appears to be what the same inexpensive one I purchased from R.S. in 1983. For the money it was acceptable to me however, presently it's not being used. When I installed the parametric equalizer I finally realized how much more it did to assist in getting the sound I was looking for whereas the 'graphic-equalizer' didn't add as much flexibility and I come from the 1970's school of thought that any equalizer was taboo and relegated my ears to enjoy the purity of AR's voicing. Ten years ago I purchased a TOTL mint 'Rotel' graphic and it's a beautiful piece but after using the parametrics I don't see any need for it although, in a flight of fantasy, I might in the future combined with the graphic-equalizer. Pardon this awful foto as it was cropped from a video I made while listening but, it shows what I'm speaking about.

Hi Aadams, I guess the only true opinion I could have would be if I actually heard your system to make my own determinations first hand. I'm presently struggling with the idea of stacking another set of LSTs on top of my set of four. A year ago I purchased another amp to match what I already have driving my four speakers but, lifting the additional set of speakers over six feet to place them on top of the existing set that sits on two foot stands is causing the delay. Thirty or 40 years ago I would've not hesitated but, these days doubt has set in. Other than that, I question if such a set-up is actually worth the attempt. My set-up sounds very big as it is, do I really want more? Oh, please I'm a hog for big-sound though, I must temper my fantasies with reason. On another note, I'm a dedicated fan of the AR mid-range speaker as much I am of the AR-3a 12" woofer causing me to wonder if the sound quality you're speaking of with your stacking dissimilar brand speakers is of good quality. In any event I think that you're having fun doing what you're doing so, ultimately it's appreciated. FM

I appreciate the effort and with all respects but, I don't buy it! Reminds me of when I was a kid haunting the streets of "Flatbush, Brooklyn" and "Staten Island" in the years 1957 to 1967 always looking for speakers from TV's and record players in the trash. In fact 7 years ago, I found a pair of water stained EPI V100's. I was always hoping and scheming to find something to cobble together to sound even remotely like the stuff I saw in magazines and newspapers. My only concern was to find a speaker that would be the biggest and best than I ever found before.. Although your creation may distantly resemble a Wilson TOTL monster-speaker, I doubt it'll ever come close to it. Oh, and the AR-LST comparison; I doubt your monster will ever come close to dual LST's driven by dual high-power amplifiers! In parting, again I feel that your efforts are a near noble attempt, especially in this day and age but, I still don't buy it. And, I'm not even an expert, I'm just an individual that's been playing with speakers and amps for over fifty+ years. FM

2-19-17 When I purchased my AR-9's about two years ago, the tweeters were burnt. I found this out after I had already re-foamed all of the speakers. I was fortunate as I contacted the seller and we agreed upon a $200. refund and this was done two weeks after the sale. This was done on the auction-site and I almost could tell in his dialog that he may have been aware of the tweeters being burnt but, he quickly made the refund just the same. Price I paid was $700. minus the two hundred so, overall a great deal. They're in excellent condition cosmetically, only waiting for a 're-cap'. I have many HV and ABTech spares so in essence, I was satisfied in the end. I tried 'bi-amping' them with two Phase Linear PL400's, but presently I'm using a single Phase Linear PL700 Series II. I tend to prefer the single bigger amplifier's control over them. How do I like them? Personally, I prefer my LST's as I've gotten use to them in the past 20+ years of listening to an almost non-direct speaker's output radiation of sound. I find the AR-9's still portray the AR sound, and bigger as the LST's do compared to lesser models, not louder, simply, bigger. I find the AR-9's can produce more potential volume units as they absorb wattage easily but don't absorb as much as the LST's. That is what was build into them by design, or so I've read because AR made AR-9's more 'amp-friendly'. Good luck and rest assured, they're probably AR's last top quality speaker, hands down and worth doing whatever's necessary to bring them around. They're in another class compared to previous AR models, no doubting that as I feel they have a more 'up-dated' sound, whatever that means to most of the world. Late afternoon today, I ran into a guy at B&N record dept. who claims to have custom built amps, a custom cd player and big 'Martin-Logans'. He spoke of huge Aragon amps, the last and biggest they made and expensive AC cords. I thought whooped-dee-freaking-doo. We became talkative, dropping names, etc. and we planned on hearing each other's systems. Though, it was clear that he, a CD guy and that I was 'Vinyl-guy'. He was clearly at least 10 years younger than I and I felt I shouldn't have excused his lack of not knowing certain 'vintage' stuff, because he seemed to draw a facial blank when I mentioned some of my components name's and especially their ages. He spoke of going to 'his-guy' and his 'dealer' to do his 'mods' and repairs. I also made it clear that I do my own 'mods', 'set-ups' and repairs and have so since at least 1967. Correct, 1967 and before that with my car's radios and before that with father's radios the had from the '30s and '40s that I played with as a pubescent kid before that! I almost sheepishly warned him that my system is total and completely 'vintage' except for my phono cartridges which considered 'high-end' and new. His refrain was; "don't worry", and that he claimed he understood where I was coming from. Again, whooped-dee-freaking-doo! Maybe I conceded and humbled too quickly, then again this could turn into the 'Battle of the Systems", old and new? Sorry to drop and butt-in on this post. Although, I do predict, he'll flip-out when he sees the AR-9's compared to his ML's. Not to mention my little 'LST' fest I might overwhelm him with. Either way, I plan to hear his system first and then we'll enjoy mine. FM

2-9-16 Back in 2014, when I first hooked up my newly re-foamed AR-9s, I had plenty (6) PL400s to try the ‘bi-amp’ configuration. Having never heard AR-9s in my home before, I was very excited that I could actually ‘bi-amp’, something I had read about often but never tried before. I didn’t get the pleasure I was seeking because one of the aging amps failed in a few days, then another failed, then another. Consequently, I have given up until I get those old amps rebuilt, which will probably happen later this year. But, I did a few days of listening. Obvious to me, I did not receive the effect I was expecting while the amp was running just before it gave out. What I did notice first off was that the speakers were not properly set up in the room as the speakers were sitting one third in the room when they should have been against the front wall for best bass output and balance. As it was, I found, and I could be entirely incorrect here but, the AR-9s seemed to be focused on the mid-range while lacking in the bass. At the time I felt due to improper placement . But to the point here, I felt there was an off-balance in the speakers output while using identical amps. Was it the amps at fault, the need for new capacitors in the speakers? I was feeling, that perhaps if I had a lower power amp for the mids and tweeters, it may have been the better way to go? I didn’t have any smaller amps besides a Dyna ST-35 so, I never got the chance to try it that way. It’s been sitting ever since as shown in the foto. As with the LSTs, I felt the PL400s ran out of steam when attempting realistic sound levels trying to power all of those drivers. At some point later this year I will make a better attempt and report back. fm

Thanks to everyone, I can't believe I've not seen this before, I've printed it to always refer to. Now I'm thinking that maybe there's a similar piece of greatness hiding some where on "How To Refurbish AR-LST's" This AR-3a piece is truly a beneficial piece that everyone will benefit from with-out a doubt. My sincerest praise and appreciation to all who have generously given their time. Thank you. Frank Marsi

I second what Dyna-Dan says here! Also, I'll have what ever he's drinking! FM P.S. A great report! Where'd you get the patience?

> > Dear CSP members, I just read for about an hour or more some of the threads on this site about the differences of the AR 12" woofer through out its history that I never read before, I had to stop reading as it was overwhelming. I am almost completely drained to read the vast amount of knowledge and expertise from such site notables as Pete B., Tom Tyson, Vern and countless others(respects to all) that I feel like a child commenting about world affairs in the UN General Assembly when I post. I can't believe the amount of knowledge and experience that some of this site's members have. I had to stop as I was being drained and getting a headache! Although I'm beyond impressed, I also feel belittled by such a range of helpful and interesting people on this site. I also feel if nothing else, maybe I'll just try to be the court jester here and painfully try to slightly amuse some people here if nothing else, if that's at all be possible. Or probably a better suggestion would be to just sit back quitely and learn from people who know so much more than I do. I'll listen to my system and stay away from the site as being liable of making a complete ass of myself sounds like a better idea. I want thank all of the wonderful contributors for sharing your vast individual experiences and 'know-how'. Reading this page has made me feel that I am very grateful and lucky to have found this site in the first place less than 2 years ago. I feel secure in knowing that I have the privilege of being in such powerful company. May I extend my deepest thanks and personal happiness I feel to read all of your opinions. Respectfully and thankfully, frankmarsi@verizon.net