Acoustic Research AR94s tower front speakers
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
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.
SOLD Sept 2008 on trademe to Nelson
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