 | Sold items 2008 archive product details :
AR94
front speakers
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| Acoustic Research AR94 restored drivers | AR94s new cover cloth |
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AR94 original crossover : smaller 4uF capacitor,
black & red binding posts removed, tweeter wires : blue & yellow | AR94 improved crossover : two yellow caps = 3.8uF,
new 6mm gold binding posts, tweeter wires : new silver twisted red/black |
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| Acoustic Research AR94 original speaker binding posts | New gold speaker wire binding posts |
| SOLD April 2008 by email request from Oldies but Goodies, to Hastings | S/Ns: AR94ER07711 / 07712 |
Acoustic Research AR94 front speakers specifications Back to NRPavs Home
Acoustic Research AR94
Acoustic Research invented many of the standard features that are used in all speakers today such as the acoustic suspension(sealed cabinet), bass reflex(air-ported type), passive bass radiator as used in this 94 model, and dome tweeters. This design was the first to use the method of 2.5 speakers – meaning that the lower bass driver is matched to take over from the mid / bass driver and radiate more energy at lower frequencies : now standard for home theatre fronts
These AR94 tweeters have been upgraded to an Axent ferrofluid tweeter with new dust cap.
The AR94s are tall at 80cm and so are suitable for home theatre fronts. The sound characteristic is detailed, open and transparent and at only 87 dB / 1W / 1m they are not very efficient. There is also a low impedance dip down to 2.9 ohms which makes these speakers require an amplifier with a tolerant output impedance and a decent power supply to drive them.
By this, we mean that you will still get reasonable sound volume from 20 – 30W amps but for parties or a large room we are talking 80 – 150W for full range. A caveat here is that these speakers are better suited to Jazz, instrumental or classical music than for high power rock. Just as valve amplifiers seem to have deep reserves of power and scale the perceived volume gently, these speakers will handle a fair range of the volume knob and get louder gradually. This has the advantage of giving you finer control of the volume suited to a given music type.
The grille cloth design and speaker termination methods are also unique. The wooden top screws off to reveal that the cloth is fixed as a bag. Removing the plastic speaker foot reveals also that the speaker wire has a small slot to enter so that the unit sits flat and the wire hides neatly behind the speaker – a nice feature. The grille cloth is done up like a bag with a securing cord – you simply loosen this and roll the cloth toward the top for cleaning or replacement or to inspect the drivers.
The crossover design is very basic which also means that there are gentle phase transitions between the drivers and that the designers have selected the driver electrical and mechanical characteristics carefully.
Specifications :
-:®:- System : 3 way, 3 driver
-:®:- Drivers : 8" woofer, 8" midrange/woofer, 1.25" cone tweeter
-:®:- Efficiency : 87dB @ 1W / 1m
-:®:- Nominal impedance : 6 ohms
-:®:- Power rating : 15W - 125W
-:®:- Frequency response : 44Hz - 22kHz
-:®:- Dimensions - [ H x W x D ]: 778 x 356 x 273mm
-:®:- Weight : unpacked 20kg
-:®:- Cosmetic : black acoustic cloth all sides, wooden removable tops
-:®:- Convenient speaker connection via grey plastic footer with speaker input groove as shown.
Drivers have been fully restored : A complete driver overhaul at Axent audio restores the correct midrange balance and we now have both bass extenders working nicely due to the correct mechanical load of restored midrange drivers. The surround cloth was in this first stage cleaned, tweeters custom restored, mid / bass foam renewed, deep bass woofer replaced, midrange / bass driver re-foamed by Axent, mahogany tops sanded and polished.
Final restoration stage now underway : another teak oil polish of the tops, new crossover capacitors, new high speed silver wire in the tweeter circuit shown as twisted red / black, new gold speaker binding posts underneath - these will take banana plugs or heavy duty speaker wire, new black grille cloth.
Now completely restored, wonderful sound quality :
After the drivers restoration, these AR94s have excellent bass detail and a pleasant vocal tone, but now with the additional crossover improvements, they have really come alive. The treble is crisp, dynamics are quick and exciting. In fact, I struggle to get them off our #1 test system as they have such a unique and satisfying sound quality : any new owner can enjoy a lifetime of stunningly realistic audio imagery.
SOLD April 2008 by email request from Oldies but Goodies, to Hastings
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