Connoisseur series suboofer?

[fast_eddie_72]

Hi All,

I've, for the most part, sworn off thrift stores since I've settled on my two vintage AR set ups. But I was out with my wife and kids today and we ended up in the Goodwill.

Some ADS with blow tweeters, some okay looking speakers from Radio Shack. Nothing tempted me. Oh. What's that?

I'd never seen one before. Looks like a coffee table. But that was a tiny AR badge. The bottom simply called it "Subwoofer" but did say Teledyne Acoustic Research.

I looked it up on here and it looks kind of neat. It was in decent shape too. Both drivers need foam, of course, but otherwise, pretty clean. They wanted too much money for it, so I left it. I'll get up early and see if I can get it at 50% off tomorrow.

Is it worth having? I could always do with a decent subwoofer.

Thanks,

Ed

[genek]

How much was "too much?"

[fast_eddie_72]

$75

[fast_eddie_72]

Well, I brought it home this morning, for better or worse!

I think it will work out well. It has two 10" AR woofers 1-2100330B. They both need foam, so I can't listen to it, but I'll test the drivers. I think it will clean up nicely and probably sound pretty good. I'll post a few pictures in a bit.

I ran into a couple who were out looking for old audio gear. They told me they had seen to small ARs that matched the sub at the Goodwill up the road. I made the trek out in hopes of completing the set, but they were gone. Just as well. I don't really need any more gear around, but I think this will work out well in my home theater set up downstairs.

Take care,

Ed

(edit) I have seen, in the little bit of research I've done, an external crossover for this subwoofer, so I thought there may be none internally. But there is. I'll have a better look at it later and get some pics.

[fast_eddie_72]

A few pics.

[Mar]

Very interesting. I didn't know AR made a passive subwoofer. I see their cheaper powered subs on the used but never something like this. What is the model of it called?

Heck, perhaps this is "sacralige" however, I'd probably visit the Parts Express website, order the subwoofer plate amplifer, matching cross over and port tubing...

That's must me thinking out loud... ;-)

[fast_eddie_72]

It's just called "Subwoofer".

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/acoustic_research/connoisseur_series/connoisseur_series_brochure/connoisseur_series_brochure/

[JKent]

Very interesting. I didn't know AR made a passive subwoofer. I see their cheaper powered subs on the used but never something like this. What is the model of it called?

Heck, perhaps this is "sacralige" however, I'd probably visit the Parts Express website, order the subwoofer plate amplifer, matching cross over and port tubing...

That's must me thinking out loud... ;-)

I see no problem adding a plate amp. And you would not need a crossover--it's in the amp. As for the port tubes.... yes, sacrilege.

I added an Apex Sr plate amp to my VMPS sub. He has other nice amps here: http://www.apexjr.com/amps.html

Kent

[fast_eddie_72]

I'm likely going to power it with an external amp. My HT set up has a dedicated subwoofer channel that's already crossed and ready to go. I may play around with it a bit in the mean time. I did, with considereable effort and cursing, get the crossover free. I may replace the electrolytic caps and get it back up to speed so I can audition it with some small speakers.

Even though I realize this thing isn't likely worth a lot an not really considered a collectible piece, I like to restore things as best I can back to what they were. I'll patch in a jumper from one set of binding posts directly to the drivers but I'll do it in a way that can easily be undone in the future. Just no reason not to and this thing is looking to me like it's going to be pretty nice when it's done.

I have some kind of cold or light bout of the flu so home from work today. I did decide to get out round one of cleaning off the old foam.

I'll do another round or two before the new foam gets here, but the bulk of it is done.

[fast_eddie_72]

Oh, that tool is a plexiglass cutting tool from Home Depot. I've found they're fantastic tools for cleaning up woofers! It's sharp enough to cut though foam bits and the curve on the blade is good for hooking on a cone to scrape the underside. Plus it has a nice big handle to get a good grip. I haven't done a foam project in a long time so thought it was time to spring for new supplies.

[genek]

Very interesting. I didn't know AR made a passive subwoofer. I see their cheaper powered subs on the used but never something like this. What is the model of it called?

Heck, perhaps this is "sacralige" however, I'd probably visit the Parts Express website, order the subwoofer plate amplifer, matching cross over and port tubing...

That's must me thinking out loud... ;-)

Adding a port to an acoustic suspension cabinet would require a huge amount of measuring and tuning. Otherwise, you'd just destroy your bass response.

[fast_eddie_72]

I've been looking for an excuse to get one of these:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-812

So I did a little Black Friday shopping and got what they say is a good deal on it. I think it will power this thing well enough. We'll see. I still think it will end up in the HT, but that will still leave me with an unpowered sub. Something will probably end up in my living room set up with my LST-2s. I didn't realize that they could benefit from a subwoofer until I got my 9s

Shoot, I was really hoping the foam would get here today. I have the drivers all cleaned up and ready to go so should be quick work once I get them.

[fast_eddie_72]

Well, would you look at that!

Nothing in the box, of course, but that kinda works!

Man, I need better stands for my LST-2s.

[fast_eddie_72]

Okay, foam came and they're together. My Dayton amp came as well. Listening to it now. It will take me a bit to dial it in enough to have any real opinion, but I can tell you now that it's not bad at all.

(edit) Two things. I remember now how much I hate trying to integrate a subwoofer. Ug. This Dayton amp performs beyond it's cost. It's not bad. Not the powerhouse it might lead you to believe it is, but substantial. Dead quite too. For the money it's a steal. (edit again!) Okay, one more thing. Man, I've done all my "critical listening" with my AR9s for a while. I'm falling back in love with my LST-2s. These are outstanding speakers by any measure. Interestingly, with the subwoofer, I have dialed in more high end than I've ever used before (yes, I use an equalizer). Caught a tear on the most clichéd test disk ever- Nora Jones - Come Away With Me. I've played this disk literally a few hundred times. While I haven't played it in probably a year, that's still saying something. We'll see if I still have an emotional response when I get around to Damien Rice.

[Robertciambrano]

On 11/26/2012 at 8:00 AM, Mar said:

Very interesting. I didn't know AR made a passive subwoofer. I see their cheaper powered subs on the used but never something like this. What is the model of it called?

Heck, perhaps this is "sacralige" however, I'd probably visit the Parts Express website, order the subwoofer plate amplifer, matching cross over and port tubing...

That's must me thinking out loud... ;-)

 

[Robertciambrano]

I didn’t know AR had a subwoofer either and I’ve had a pair of AR 11’s since 1977 I was 17. They cost me 750 back than which is equivalent 3400 in today’s money . So I came came across one of there subwoofers like the one pictured above in near mint condition for 150, and bought it. It rocks too. 

[Stimpy]

This same model of AR Subwoofer is up on eBay (not mine) too.  The seller is "only" asking $1089.00...!  I think the OP's $75 cost was the much better deal.  

[DavidR]

Stimpy is back !