AR 9's and a "mystery" AR on Ebay

[Guest Sean]

Here's a set of 9's that appear to be in pretty good shape with some sensible upgrades performed to the crossovers. These would benefit from further upgrades / modifications, but if you can get them at the right price, they appear to present a solid foundation to build upon or even to use as is. Judging by the wording in the auction, i think that the seller knows what he has and may have set the reserve accordingly though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5708705035&rd=1

Here's a set of smaller AR bookshelf speakers of newer vintage that i'm unfamiliar with. Even the seller doesn't know what model these are. Anybody have any info on them?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5708711821&rd=1

Ran across a vintage pair of AR LST II's on Ebay. Evidently, these are getting quite rare or there are more than a few people who are avid collectors and are willing to pay top dollar for them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5707991339&rd=1

As a side note, i saw a set of AR 18's for sale with the bidding climbing to over $250+ on them. Needless to say, i wanted to see what was so special about these little two way bookshelf's, so i clicked on the link. Boy, was i surprised. These weren't exactly the 18's that i remember, but they really are "AR 18's".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5707701670&rd=1

One has to wonder why ANY manufacturer duplicates model names and numbers? While i can understand AR trying to take advantage of the reputation that the old 9's had and introducing a new model with that name*, why they would choose to "recycle" the model number 18 that was originally a very inexpensive model and come out with a large floorstander that was almost $2K 10 years ago is beyond me. On top of that, searching for "vintage" AR 3, 9, 18, etc... parts may turn up parts from the newer models that share the same model number. Needless to say, the newer parts don't work well on the classic models and vice-versa. Sean

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* Seeing vents on AR speakers makes me sick. The newer 9's are vented, which i find to be an abomination. Like Paul Klipsch would say, "this is heresy" : )

[johnieo]

>bookshelf's, so i clicked on the link. Boy, was i surprised.

>These weren't exactly the 18's that i remember, but they

>really are "AR 18's".

To be accurate, the seller should have called these "AR Classic 18" speakers to distinguish them from the AR-18 bookshelf speakers; the newer speakers are part of the AR Classic Series.

[ToastedAlmond]

The mystery speakers look like part of the "TSW" line. Guy doesn't know the model #'s but knows that the tweets are nitrogen fired titanium. What's up with that?

[Guest Sean]

If you look at the close-up of the tweeter, it says "nitrogen fired tweeter" right on the faceplate. I see that one of our illustrious regulars on this board is the high bidder for the 9's. I know of another person that was very interested in these, so let's see who walks away with them : )

As a side note, i drove to Jersey from Chicago to pick my 9's up. Then again, i snagged them with all new foam and in similar shape to these ( minus the crossover upgrades ) for $250. The funny thing is, after i had worked them into position at the sellers house and hearing how they sounded, he was somewhat reluctant to let them go. That's because they sounded better than his time-aligned monitors with dual sub system, even with FAR cheaper gear driving the AR's : ) Sean

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[rrcrain]

It will be a miracle if I win them given when the auction ends.

On another note, I'll be taking my 90s into the local audiophile shop for a comparison against new technology speakers, including a set of Canton Reference speakers.