Razor313 Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 I was able to restore my AR 5s with the information available on this site. I got them on ebay for $130 + shipping. I went for the AR 5 because the price of the AR 3a is all over the place on ebay. They are euro models with serial # 4814 and 5631, woofers are date stamped 3-16-72 and 11-11-72. I refoamed the woofers with surrounds from M_Sound, replaced the XO caps with Daytons from Parts Express. Refinished the cabs with Howard restor a finish and feed N wax. Cleaned the pots per the instructions from the AR 3a restoration library. Cleaned the grill cloths and purchased speaker stands from Larry's vintage AR parts. The mids and tweeters all tested OK. I had no trouble thanks to the many "how to" instructions from all the member posts here on the site. Next step, build a tube amp. Plenty of time since retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlspeak Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 That looks like what's called a 'filleted' surround of the type commonly found on Boston Acoustics and other brands.Hopdfully they will work out for you. They certainly are quite flexible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Nice job Razor! Enjoy!Carl--here's the story on those surrounds, from the M_Sound site:These are Special +1 Kits that use optional foams for Better than original performance!These kits feature the special Boston "Filled Fillet" 10" foamsAs recommended by Roy Champagne of "The Classic Speaker Pages," These surroundsOutperformed the Previous choice of MANY Forums and Users Groups, the: JBL 125a FoamsCapable of easily fitting the AR's original size cones and frames, the Bostons had better Fs, &bass, and with their superior edge provide better definition and the clarity AR owners expect.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razor313 Posted January 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Nice job Razor! Enjoy!Carl--here's the story on those surrounds, from the M_Sound site:Kent Kent, thanks for your kind words. As to Carl's inquiry, I asked M_Sounds for his recommendation and the Boston "Filled Fillet" 10" foams were what he supplied. He was most helpful as I had to email him with questions regarding the refoam process. I haven't had any problems with the foams and would recommend highly his products and site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyC Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 John (M_Sound) sent me several types of surrounds to test on AR and other acoustic suspension speakers last year. The "Boston/Filled Fillet" 10 inch proved to be absolutely perfect for AR speakers. It is very compliant and has a slightly larger roll, just as the original AR foam surrounds had. My previous favorite was the excellent JBL 125A replacement. Both the JBL and Boston/FF surrounds provide the high compliance required to produce the bass response AR speakers were known for.http://cgi.ebay.com/AR-2ax-AR-5-reFoam-Kit-10-Woofers-Speaker-Foam-/330517992218?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item4cf468531aMany sellers are offering unacceptable generic foam surrounds for AR speakers, and other acoustic suspension speakers. Even the surrounds "Vintage AR"/Larry Lagace was selling measured rather poorly, resulting in Fs 8hz to 10hz higher than the two types mentioned above (25+/-hz vs 35+/-hz). He switched over to the JBL surrounds a couple of months ago after I sent him test results. Recently, after selling Larry a pair of AR-5's with the Boston/FF surrounds, he told me he intends to use those when his stock of JBL surrounds is depleted.I have also experienced excellent results with the 6.5" Boston/FF surrounds on Baby Advents, another speaker which often falls victim to stiff replacement foam. My next recipient of this type of surround will be a pair of 8 inch AR-7 woofers.Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 How did the DBL surrounds measure up? I have a local guy here in Santa Cruz who says he'll refoam my woofers for a good price, but he uses "original" DBL surrounds. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380133908779&refid=store&ssPageName=STORE:HTMLBUILDER:SIMPLEITEMThanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlspeak Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 How did the DBL surrounds measure up? I have a local guy here in Santa Cruz who says he'll refoam my woofers for a good price, but he uses "original" DBL surrounds.http://cgi.ebay.com/...LDER:SIMPLEITEMThanks!Did you mean JBL? The surrounds at the ebay site you linked to are not the filleted type. So, buyer beware! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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