teknofossil

Hey Pete. Those two cabinets on the far right ar AR-2a cabinets. Some dolt cut out the upper baffles and screwed a piece of MDF in place with cut outs for some other type pf mid and HF units. There would have been all sorts of leaks around the MDF as there was no sealant and were small gaps. -T

This is the not all that informative review of the AR-1. Please note the image they present is of the AR-1W. -T

Since it seems the library of the Classic Speaker pages can't be added to I thought I'd post some of what I found to be good reading about the design of the AR-1W. -T

I was amused at how seemingly complex the ESW is for what is basically and LF EQ and high pass filter. If one can't be found the late S Linkwitz offered a circuit with use info and a spread sheet to construct your own. Of course measurements of the AR or Allison design would be required to accurately compensate for the system characteristics. Below are photos of one I repaired about 8 years ago. High quality assembly (unless you don't agree with the chosen op amps.)

My uncle Ben, Ben Tongue, hadn't mentioned the bird in his last few years. I suspect the parrot had passed or was rehomed after my aunts passing a few years prior to my uncles passing. My uncle inspired me to become involved in electronics and my dad with DIY audio. I miss them both... -T http://web.archive.org/web/20161126141316/http://www.bentongue.com/

I have a pair of later series 12" woofers, probably 1979 vintage, and a set of 1972 vintage 10" for the AR5. Surrounds replaced over the last year. I also have the AR2 / 2a woofers read to go in the cabinets. Only the HF drivers need to be found. I do have a set of those tweeters recommended as replacements. Those AR2a cabinets have dates stamped inside, two were made by the same carpenter(!). Those AR3a cabinets which I believe in late production have been painted black. I hope it can be removed. My uncles AR 1W has gnaw marks from my aunts enormous parrot. GOD my uncle disliked that bird. Besides shitting on things it was preferred it didn't that bird also chewed on the large number of acoustic and hybrid Edison record players my uncle had restored.

This winter I hope to get moving along restoring my collection of AR systems. All except my uncles AR-1W (which needs resealing of the surround) were acquired as partially assembled, mutilated (IE: modified for non AR parts) or as gutted cabinets. . Others are a pairs of AR-3a, AR-5 and three AR2a cabinets. Two of the 3 were mutilated by someone cutting out the upper baffle and attaching pieces of MDF to mount some type of other drivers. My uncles AR-1W baffle had chisel marks above the woofer. I suspect the original grill was removed for some reason, possible woofer replacement. Unfortunately my uncle is not available to ask...

Personally I can't understand why AR-1 systems compands such a high price. As "J" points out the AR3a is superior, certainly above the mid crossover point. I have seen comments that people are looking pirate the 755a driver to use with their single ended, direct heated class A tube amp. There are also few sets of AR1 on Ebay for a substantial amount of dollars. https://www.ebay.com/itm/185061843278?hash=item2b168ba14e:g:LCkAAOSwXRhhSOeF https://www.ebay.com/itm/333285933994?hash=item4d9963c3aa:g:DaMAAOSwVXZdRH3D https://www.ebay.com/itm/203530500722?hash=item2f635cfa72:g:CgsAAOSwwWRg9kYz https://www.ebay.com/itm/324437069657?hash=item4b89f4cf59:g:A8IAAOSw~t5ehePv

I know there were discussions / disputes about various mixtures that were claimed to be "right". However, I don't recall reading any of the conclussions from these debates. -T

Hello all. Has anyone compared the results of the suggested treatment of the cloth roll surrounds of the AR woofers (AR1 and AR2) with Permatex 80062 (High Tack)that was suggested in the AR3a restoration guide? I suspect air leakage through the surround. I am curious as to this as a treatment versus a compound sold by an Ebay seller of parts to restore Acoustic Research systems. I have a old AR1w that was owned by my uncle since the late 1950's which he had paired with a Janzen 130 ES unit. Thanks! -T (and yes, I'd like to get a companion for AR1w for it but asking prices are in my opinion..... excessively high)

I tried to find suitable replacement grill cloth for a set of very early 901's that I restored. Originals were badly stained from whatever. I ended up using a product called Blue Coral upholstery cleaner. Worked very well. If the fabric is just stained you might want to try this product. It came well recommended by auto restoration people. I couldn't find it in places like Home Depot or hardware stores. I did find it at a Advance Auto Parts store in the cleaning supplies section. -Tom

Yes, when compared to drivers from other manufacturers they looked poorly made. But, that said they performed better than many if not most of their contemporaries. Objective performance wise that is... (I add this because there are many that find the whizzer cone goodness of single driver systems to be the subjective best) -T

I thought this would be a nice follow up to Edgar Villchur's new HF driver article. -T

I thought this would be of interest. (from 1958)

Thank you JKent. My dad in the late 50's built DIY audio. One was the Karlson (I still have the EV 15TRX that was in it) As I recall it was wrapped in Mellotone. FYI: Dear old dad got me into this hobby....

Thank you for posting this information. I don't believe I have seen it. -Tom

Thank you for posting the images of the various woofer evolution. What one of my posted questions was about is how since the beginning did the performance change? Of course the aging process will have an effect. I am curious because there appear to be many options for woofer replacement. But how will they affect the performance of the overall system, all other things in the given speaker (assumed) to be correctly operating. -Tom

Does anyone know how the original woofers preformed compared to later woofer evolution as used in other systems (AR3, 3a, AR10, 11, LST, 91?). I am curious how they varied. Later systems used different crossover frequencies and order(s). Thx, Tom

Hello all, does anyone know the OEM manufacturer of the grill material originally used on AR products? It appears to be the woven plastic (?) fiber type popular in the 50's and early 1960's? Antique Electronic supply sells some products that look similar in weave/material to what is one the single AR1-W that originally was owned by my uncle. Thanks! -Tom

Got it! Of course...

The AR3a restoration guide composed by members of this forum should be helpful: http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/acoustic_research/original_models_1954-1974/original_models_schematicss/restoring_the_ar-3a/restoring_the_ar-3a_full_pd.pdf

Good eyes. I didn't notice the hacked frame. -Tom

Why is it people ravage complete AR1 systems for the WE755a so called tweeters and then still expect these now incomplete systems to be very valuable? Anyway, the point of this posting isn't to debate that issue. My question is I was looking at some AR1 systems for sale (yes, no "tweeters") and noticed 2 very different mounting wells for the WE 755a. All units I have seen photos of have the well with a recess for the tweeter machined into the front baffle where mounting screws are located to hold the driver in place. (please note the AR-1 close up on the right) On the left is a AR-1 that has a plate with a circular cut out and mounting screws attached to it. So my question is was this a early configuration later changed or some ones modification to the cabinet? Altering an AR-1W possibly comes to mind. If you look at the tweeter well on the left hand image the well is noticeably closer to the top trim piece. For future reference does anyone know the depth of the well for mounting the WE driver? Thx, Tom

Perhaps a driver had its voice coil changed with a incorrect part. -T

Parasound HCA 1000 Wonderful amplifier, available at a reasonable price. Designed by one of the "greats" of modern amplifier design.