The AR- 2ax is a vintage three-driver, acoustic suspension bookshelf speaker known for its impressive sound for its size, featuring a 10-inch woofer, 3.5-inch midrange, and 3/4-inch dome tweeter. Introduced in 1964, the AR2ax has solid cabinets, often with an oiled walnut finish, and adjustable mid-range and height controls on the rear. While the cabinets are designed to be sealed, they contain fiberglass, and the potentiometers on the rear may require cleaning or replacement for optimal performance.
Current Condition: These are bone stock unit, Tested by DALAUDIO and are working. The cabinet are in remarkable condition. They do have the typical pots, but if left alone and not adjusted, do not create a problem. We will be happy to have you listen to them to see they are all working. To replace the pots requires the removal and replacement of the grill and grill cloth, and the low frequency driver. These are packed with fiberglass that should be removed as well. If you go that far, it makes sense to change capacitors in the crossovers. The parts (caps, pots, grill cloth, polyfill) about $150 and the labor is about $250 to remove and reinstall grills, drivers, caps, potentiometers, wire and polyfill. As a result the price we would ask would roughly double. or more. Essentially it would be a rebuilt speaker. If the grill were not as presentable as they are, we would have done this. If you want to buy them and listen to them for a while and then have DALAUDIO do the work above let us know. If you want to do the work to save labor costs, this is one of the best original pairs we have ever seen to start with. We will assist you with acquiring the right stuff to do the job.
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Key Features
Type: Three-way, three-driver acoustic suspension speaker.
Drivers: 10-inch woofer, 3.5-inch midrange, and 3/4-inch dome tweeter.
Design: Acoustic suspension (sealed cabinet).
Controls: Rear-mounted, adjustable potentiometers for mid-range and tweeter levels.
Cabinet: Solid, sealed, and often with an oiled walnut finish.
Performance
Sound: Praised for smooth highs, a nice mid-range, and decent low-frequency response, offering a clear and detailed sound stage.
Placement: Flexible for placement, as it's an acoustic suspension design without ports.
Value: Widely considered a great value for its performance level in its time.
Considerations for Restoration
Potentiometers: Rear control potentiometers are prone to corrosion and often need cleaning or replacement.
Cabinets: Cabinets are sealed with a clay-like material and filled with fiberglass, requiring gloves when opening. This can be replaced with more current Polyfill.
Grille Cloth: Grille cloth was originally glued on and can be difficult to remove without damage.
In Summary
The AR2ax is a respected and classic bookshelf speaker from Acoustic Research. Despite its age and potential need for restoration, a well-maintained or refurbished pair can provide excellent sound quality, making them a popular choice for vintage audio enthusiasts.