Acoustic Research AR2ax, Beautiful Vintage Gems

Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss founded Acoustic Research in 1954 after validating their industry-changing acoustic suspension cabinet design.  The AR1 was followed, logically, by the AR2, and then the AR3 in 1958.  The AR2a was an amalgamation of the AR2 and AR3 designs, using the foundational 10" paper pulp cone and AlNiCo magnet woofer, and cross-firing midrange assembly of the AR2, and supplementing that design with the phenolic, suspended-dome tweeter of the AR3.  A year later, the AR2ax was introduced, replacing the cross-firing midrange with a much more efficient, and less directional, single midrange cone driver.  The system has been exemplary of the "classic New England Sound" for nearly 70 years and still sounds amazing today.

This pair of AR2ax look and play wonderfully for a speaker built in 1966. As with all of the AR speakers we restore, this set were gone through thoroughly. The drivers were all individually tested for performance.  Crossover capacitors and potentiometers were replaced with far superior modern components of the same values as the originals.  The original  medium walnut veneered wood finish is vibrant and matches the remarkable sound these speakers are able to produce.  

Bass extension is impressive, midrange is clean and realistic, and high frequencies are ever-present, but with a distinct "easiness" that allows these speakers to be enjoyed all day long, at any volume.  Original grille frames have been covered in acoustically transparent cloth, and a pair of OEM AR2ax badges complete the look. 

These are a mid-century gem.  Paired with an extremely rare, and fully-resurrected, Madison Fielding Model 440 tube receiver of the same era, this setup sounds simply terrific.

$449/pair (plus applicable MA sales tax)

* Local sale is preferred, but please inquire about potential shipping options.