PT Doug
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Posts posted by PT Doug
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I used original drivers. Had all drivers tested and built the crossovers to match each speaker, with a flat +/-1.5 db response. Also took out the woofers and had them remounted to eliminate future rattle. Also remove the switches in the back and installed acoustic feet. In my opinion trying to keep old outdated parts isn't going to achieve the original sound of those speakers. The same speaker box with the same drivers matched with a flat crossover will give you the sound you are looking for. It worked for me. Built, installed, and tested professionally.
MY Opinion,I HAVE THE AR SOUND and they never sounded this good, NEVER!
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When we rebuilt the crossovers for my AR90 we noticed that the tweeter and the mid speakers where about -5db quieter then the mid base drivers.. we couldn't figure why? Maybe it was because of the inserts placed in the acoustic blanket. I took mine out. The inserts made those speakers very directional. We left those inserts out and compensated to make all speakers flat. +/_1.5 db.
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the tweeters on the AR90s, when testing just the drivers, are a few db lower then the mid and low mid drivers.Also found that the damping on the face of the speaker changes the effect of those tweeters and mid base .I removed that damping. Put everything together with the 40 year old caps there has to be some effect on the performance of the highs on my speakers. the tolerances from AR where +/-10 db. We are making everything flat to +/_ 2db.
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I found that I never used the crossover switches in the back of my AR 90s so I eliminated them. One less thing to worry about. I did install acoustic rubber feet on my AR90s which surprisingly made a big difference. I would move the switches around a lot at first because I didn't like the sound of some vinyl then moved them again for other recordings. When I left them all at zero (in the down position I was most happy so I left them that way. Another thing to consider are the way the woofers are attached to the speakers. We replaced all screws to eliminate rattle. This does happen.
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I want the sharpness of a steal gutter an the warmth of a cello in the same tweeter
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P.S. Warmth in a tweeter is that an oxymoron
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the tone of my text sounds harsh. I didn't mean it to be. I'm really a nice guy, but I balance between warm speakers with imagery (AR90) and clear highs . The Bass is taken care of by my SVS Sub. now I'm worried about the highs in my ARs. Can I have both warmth and clarity in a mid to mid high driver
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OK After my complete crossover rebuild I may have to replace some drivers (high end)I'm not a purist hell I'll even go Chinese if need be. I'm only interested in sound quality. I listen to vinyl and also use my AR90s for Home Theater. If one speaker is bad I will probably replace the drivers in the other cabinet for balance. I spent $495 on crossovers I'n not going to waste my money by not getting the most effective driver I can get. Help me please!
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Is there anyone that is rebuilding AR90 today. Most of these texts are from 2004
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On 3/26/2004 at 11:32 AM, r_laski said:
>>I am interested to hear about the results from the AR90s you are currently testing … And indicate what recordings you are using as the listening test.<<
After a couple of late nights, I finally finished the crossover rebuild on my brother’s AR-90s. The only way I can describe how they sounded before we started this project is “inconsistent.” Sometimes they sounded OK and sometimes they sounded awful. These were an eBay purchase, so we don’t know the history of this particular pair.
Originally, our intent was to keep the cost to a minimum. I reused the coils and resistors. I used a combination of mostly Dayton, with a few Solen, and North Creek Zen caps. I replaced the hook-up wire with the same type I used in my AR-11 project. The attenuation boards were removed. The 40uF Zen cap takes up most of the space where these boards were.
When I tested the first prototype against the “stock” AR-90, I was somewhat disappointed with the results. After I had already put the crossover together, Sean posted a message about not using inexpensive (Dayton) caps. Having used some Dayton caps and “hearing” them, I have to say that I agree. I discussed the results with my brother and we decided on a Zen / Solen combination.
The Dayton caps were removed and the prototype rebuilt. After a short listening test I was convinced we had the right caps.
With both crossovers rebuilt and installed, right away I can tell the sound was significantly improved. There is so much more detail and clarity. A larger sound stage in that the music seems to extend further back behind the speakers, what I call ambiance. The improved detail and clarity, dare I say accuracy, has been described as if a curtain has been removed from in front of the speakers. I believe that description fits here.
For listening tests I believe it really doesn’t matter so much what you listen to as it does listening to what you like and are familiar with.
I start with Cowboy Junkies’ “Trinity Sessions.” Mining for Gold - no instruments, only Margo Timmins singing. Listen for ambiance, timbre, and clarity. In 1 minute 34 seconds you can tell a lot about your speakers. “Misguided Angel” – right from the beginning of this track if you don’t feel the bass from the kick drum hitting you in the chest your speakers are not performing.
Linda Ronstadt’s “Greatest Hits Vol II.” The DCC Gold CD (remastered from original studio master tapes). You get Linda’s full range in “Blue Bayou.”
I recently added Nora Jones’ “Come Away with Me” CD to my listening tests. I’ve also added Allison Moorer’s, “Miss Fortune.”
For a change of pace, Pink Floyd, “Dark Side of the Moon.” For a quick test, I listen to select portions: Heart beat at beginning, alarm clocks in “Time,” cash registers in “Money.”
Fleetwood Mac, “Fleetwood Mac” album, “World Turning.” In the mid to late ‘70s this was THE track almost everyone used to test bass. The dealers just had to pull the grills off the and have you watch the woofer excursion with every beat of the kick drum.
Henry Mancini, “Symphonic Soul.” Some orchestral pop music. Listen to bass guitar solo at beginning of “Peter Gunn.” Must be able to hear both the bass guitar and the drum behind it.
Mannheim Steamroller, “Christmas Extraordinaire” Want a very quick test track? The first 30 seconds of this CD.
This is a representative list of what I used for my initial listening test. Additionally, some Sax/Jazz – Grover Washington Jr. “Winelight” and Male vocal - Marc Cohn, “Walking in Memphis”.
Rich
Blood Sweet and Tears is a good test in vinyl
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I need to add for my AR90s
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is $495 a reasonable price for all new crossovers installed, driver testing and damping as needed. then tweaked in a sound room
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39 minutes ago, johnfalc said:
Yes, 9's in the VB room were always my favorites then too. I now have 9's and 90's. What region of PS were you in?
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I worked as a salesman for Pacific stereo. I listened to a lot of speakers in the high end room. I loved the warmth of the AR90 above all those speakers. unlike almost all the salesmen I listened to drop off when a speaker was played at low volume and how harsh the highs and how muddy the lows where at high volume. to my listening ear within that $1200 price range there wasn't a speaker that came close. I liked my AR90 over the AR9 which where a power hungry animal. Today after almost 40 years I am rebuilding the low and high crossovers to bring back the mid highs.Speakers are subjective, let no one talk you out of the speaker you like regardless what the specs say. My opinion
AR-90 and AR-9 acoustic blanket
in Acoustic Research
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But when does that apply; to the insert or does that apply to the entire acoustic blanket ?