Manhattanman

I just scavenged a single AR 4x tonight in the trash. I found two more a few years ago. Excellent sound. I believe these originally had walnut factory- veneered particle board cabinets.

Doubt if I have the tweeters rebuilt or replaced, at least for now. I may start with a simple woofer foam surround replacement, then based on results, replace the pots and/or caps, but maybe not. Frankly, I'm not crazy about replacing any original parts. I've always been a real stickler about keeping original components...original. I've had one minor tweeter issue with one of my four KLH Model Fives. It needs new caps, but it never bothered me enough to do the replacement. Incidentally, I've found all of my numerous KLH, Advent and AR speakers in the trash. Most still sound great without any serious restoration.

Thanks, Aadams: I haven't heard about the tweeter issues. I've seen a few YouTube tutorials and that problem isn't mentioned. I'll need to make the restoration as economically reasonable as possible.

I've done some research, but where do members of this site recommend purchasing the capacitors, pots and foam surrounds for this model? Based on other speakers I have of this age and older, I've noticed that the caps are often still functioning quite well. Besides replacement of the surrounds, what is absolutely necessary to replace? Is there one supplier that people recommend for all of the component parts? Seems like a complete replacement of parts can cost over $100.00 for each speaker. What are my best options?

Yeah. In fact, I mentioned them here, 3 1/2 years ago, when I found them. Not touched yet. Never re-foamed a pair.

Then why were they posted?

I just found two AR 3a speakers in the trash last Thursday (11/21/19), so I'm researching this model. In GD70's video, the AR 3s sound basier (thicker) than the 3a speakers. And in Liangshan Marsh's video the 3a speakers sound basier than the 3 speakers. I'm listening on smaller Advents (Don't remember the Advent model). Neither model, based on these two videos, demonstrate a truly balanced sound. Just my opinion. My AR 3a speakers are linked here: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2366803126965584&id=100009077608181

Might need new caps in the crossovers.

Yes, thanks: Mine DO have both labels shown. "CA" inspected mine, too. I found these in the trash last Tuesday and I'm doing a restoration. They appear to have original drivers. They need several front cabinet nose moldings reproduced. Also, it appears the moldings actually fit OVER the Masonite grill covers. How would the grills be removed without breaking-off the front nose moldings? Early KLH Model 6 speakers are virtually impossible to work on, too - for the same reason.

Can anyone tell me what date a pair of AR-2s were manufactured with the serial numbers B 61342 and B 61343? I know it would be between 1960 and 1964. I took pictures of the labels. They were too big to post. Thanks, Mike