wsill Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 Hello everyone, Happy New Year. Seller advertising as AR 3a original drivers. The tweeter does not look original to me. The midrange, woofer look original ? What are your thoughts? Thanks, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted January 3, 2022 Report Share Posted January 3, 2022 48 minutes ago, wsill said: What are your thoughts? Hi Bill, a single and small photo, but it shows an AR3a well: the first thing I notice is a nice cabinet, at least in the front view, this is a nice thing ... the woofer from various visual characteristics is certainly correct and with the foam that seems to have just been replaced, the mid appears original for its aesthetic aspect (attention that it is the same as the contemporary AR5 and AR LST2 which however have an impedance of 8 ohm; 4 ohm AR3a), finally the tweeter which is probably a subsequent replacement (from external appearance is the latest version supplied by AR for AR3a / AR3a improved, late '74, early '75), even if different for the rear wiring instead of the external one, it is substantially the same as the previous versions and apart from the different positioning of wiring is identical in performance and features to previous tweeters. In conclusion we are faced with an AR3a in good condition, with original and compliant speakers. The external wire wiring changes only the aesthetic impact (in my opinion irrelevant), not the original sound characteristics, Giorgio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsill Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 Giorgio, Thanks so much for your input. Helps quite a bit. Here is a picture I was able to get of the back, does this provide any more information on their vintage? Thanks again, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genek Posted January 10, 2022 Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 AR moved to Norwood in 1973. My 1975 2ax speakers are from the last Norwood run of that model, with MDF backs and labels like the one in the photo, and they had all backwired drivers. I've also seen 3as with the same back, label and backwired drivers. These 3as still have front wired terminals, so they're not from the last run. Maybe 1973-1974. The back wired tweeter with the front lead is either an AR replacement or a later repair. Hopefully, it's the proper driver and not an 8ohm, but there's no way to tell without checking impedance or looking for a P/N on the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio AR Posted January 10, 2022 Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 47 minutes ago, wsill said: does this provide any more information on their vintage? 73 50 Is date on back label: Year 1973 Week 50 Giorgio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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