Acoustic Research AR-12 Revisited; Vintage perspective against modern design 

For me, it is the “totality” of the speaker performance. The multiplicity of qualities that provide excellent dynamics, naturalness, low distortion, really low bass, accuracy etc. resulting in an overall satisfaction in many facets… I believe the AR9’s which I also own, fulfils this criteria, but also on a “budget”, as compared to many “high end”, exorbitant, and “exotic” speakers today. It’s not the best at any one quality, but does a damn good job at most.

I still have my AR11 speakers I bought new in 1977. They still sound amazing! Paid 750.00 a pair!

I'm a vintage audio enthusiast on a budget, and have the Klipsch forte II that you mentioned and I also have a pair of AR2ax speakers. The ARs I got at a garage sale for 40 bucks I refoamed them and recapped them myself and I was blown away by them. I didn't even know about the AR-12, now something new to look for, will it ever end? Fun stuff keep up the good work.

I had a pair of ar12 in 1977 ,excellent sound

Hi great video. David, London UK. I've always had AR speakers. Started with AR6 in 1973. Then the AR162 (top of the Spirit range) a fantastic speaker very forward and impressive. Great for classical and jazz. Then the AR91 and AR90 good all-rounders. Got a pair of AR12s made in UK at their factory here specially for one of the managers then with matching AR stands.. Mint cabinets but needed new grills. The original foam grills just perished. The tweeters fine. Mids are ferro-fluid which can dry up and be a problem. Both units are unique to this single model and are virtually impossible to replace. The mid can be rebuilt with a new surround but it is a very tricky job though I managed to do it! The original owner had changed the woofer to a non-AR woofer which is a BIG MINUS. I am looking for a pair of 10" AR woofers suitable for the AR12s. Presumably this was done when the surrounds crumbled. He should have restored them, but who did then? These produce a big sound with an exceptionally transparent midrange ideal for instrumental music or voice. I would say more suited to classical less suited to rock or pop. A good recording sings on these speakers - as with the AR162s. I must be one of thecfew people who own these AR12s in the UK. They had only one previous owner who was a manager at the AR factory. They came with all the original brochures, delivery notes, internal factory notes and memos invoices etc plus the matching stands. The midrange restoration kits and replacement grills (which are cloth not as nice or chic as the original crumbly black foam ones) I got from AR Vintage on Ebay in USA. There are mid and high switches on the back which work fine. I didn't do any work on the cross overs which is where an enthusiast would start. They sound OK to me. A failing capacitor usually dulls the sound or introduces hum in equipment and these speakers actually sparkle so no problem there! Mission objective - the legendary AR9s! But I'd need a new house with a concert room to put them in!😅 All best David, subscribed and carry on doing the great videos!

The 70's was the golden age of hifi and there tons of hi fi stores everywhere.

completely agree with you, it's difficult to describe the ARs sound, you just have to hear them

Have to agree. I'm very much taken with the vintage sound. And that's most of what I own. Some old Advents, KLH, ADS, Polk vintage Monitor series, Boston Acoustics A200s, Dynaco A25s and so on. Love the Kloss sound. Kloss and Villchur, legendary! Each with its own sound of course. I'm also dying to try out some newer pieces, especially some Tektons. Perhaps Zu audio also. Nice review!

Bought my AR12's in the '70's. Some years ago, I replaced some of the drivers when they were still available from AR. Just got an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB turntable in order to enjoy my old collection of vinyl. Paired with a Pioneer VSX-5600 receiver, the AR12's still sound amazing after nearly 50 years! When I bought the AR12's, they replaced a pair of LWE's (Louis W. Erath) that also sounded great from what I remember. Thank you for your great presentation & review.

I just got a pair of these and waiting for the foam kits to come to refoam the woofers and the midranges!

I bought the Sound Artist LS/35a speakers and they are fantastic. Less than a grand and close enough. I’ve settled on high efficiency and tubes for my main rig. Very happy

Right on. Have always loved the sound of AR Speakers. Been thinking about them in the back of my mind. Maybe it's time to look into them again. Great video. thank you. Subscribed Cheers.

Purchased a used pair of AR2ax speakers. Refoamed the woofers and rebuilt the crossovers with high quality parts. One tweeter was shot so I replaced both with a HiVi tweeters with an inductor. The results were superb. Nearly the best speakers I have heard. Took them to a high end hi fi shop and the manager said they were the best speakers he had ever heard. Total cost $500. Concur with your comments on the best vintage speakers and what a good value they are

Just picked up a set of AR-15. Need some foam but can’t wait to compare em to my AR-18

Liked and subscribed. Great post! I didn't know what I was buying at the time but by sheer luck i was at my local tip-shop and picked up a pair of AR12 speakers for $5! Hooked them up to a Pioneer amplifier i have and was blown away by the sound! Cranked the Zz Top La Grange album and it was like i was there in the room. It was then that I looked up what I had and considerd myself a very lucky man..

Growing up with AR2a these older speakers can sound different on different type of amps and you mentioned it as I was typing this out, maybe you might throw that in mixing amps also or not. But I do understand now that you realize amps can give them a different sound. I believe you have a good ear, Thanks

I really do appreciate the videos you make. You are reviewing stereo gear that the common stereo fanatic can or would buy. I do enjoy John Darko's channel but your channel is more useful to me. I'm not paying $4,000 for a DAC! Thanks!

I have a pair of the AR 12 but in the rare option of a dark cabinet, still works today.

Now this is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time! Made my day!

Hey music lovers, essentially what I was getting at here is that I found the AR-12 to walk a fine line between a the smoothness of an ADS L810 and the mid and upper treble energy of a Klipsch Forte II speaker. I'm attempting to us actual comparable speaker models that may be more relatable in place of using tired phrases and audio speak cliché. I see that the downside to such an approach would be limiting to those who have never heard of the comparable models. Thoughts?

Well done on the history of the AR. My preference is the RSL lineup up to before they were bought out in the 1990s. I still have their studio monitors 3800. RSL was the "Speakerlab" of California & made some fantastic rock speakers from the 1970's to early 90's. Rogersound Labs designed the 3600 to go head to head with the JBL Century L100. JBL actually sued RSL & won, due to the 3600 being so close to the L100. The 3600 could handle more power, sounded better & was 1/2 the price. I still have a pair of ess heil air motion speakers, from the 70s. Man, the quality was excellent on many of the unknown manufacturers.

Thanks for this. I have a pair of 1979 AR92s. I run big monoblocks into them and a subwoofer. I like them a lot. Very punchy and tight. Treble is powerful and detailed. Mid range amazing but a bit too prominent at high volume. I set the treble to -3dB to flatten out the sound.

Great review keep up the good work love your videos acoustic research is one of my personal top 5 speakers

good show man, thnx :-) everything you said about AR12 is true, had it for 7 years, a year ago completely refubrished, as natural sound you will not find for 1100 $, no way. replaced with big brother MR. AR9, end of the story.

This is the only look a REAL speaker should have and many speakers manufacturers are noticing since many models from JBL Klh Wharfedale Klipsch Tannoy etc....are rediscovering that looks and that sound....the sound and the look of the immortal era (60's 70's 80's).

Go up one in the AR line. The AR11 (or the AR10pi which is the same speakers with a bass control). With it's much superior dome midrange and larger woofer the AR11 easily justified it's higher cost. The AR 11 is the final evolution of the classic AR 3 & 3a and is superior to both in every way. The AR11/10pi was one of the most uncolored and natural speakers available at the time. It got named "the sound of a human voice in a box". That's how good it's dome midrange was.

I like your honest approach. i have to agree many speaker manufactures make a name for themselves and up goes the price. Still looking for that tower with good accuracy, great dynamics, soundstage and is musical. that hits well above it's price point if you have any suggestions. Not into the analytical sound to me that's not musical or engaging.

😎cool looking old school speakers and great review my friend💥👍🏼😁

I still have my AR M4s in my closet! ...need to set them up again!

I blew-up my AR-12's, blew-up my AR-11's. Ran Infinity Reference 6's for far too long. Found Vandersteen 2Ce Sig's in '2016. Vandersteens sound like AR's, but, with a midrange soul. Highly recommended.

Let me start off by saying, this is one of the most informative videos on speakers I've seen so far. Thanks for making this. I definitely liked and subscribed. Um, did you say $1075 a pair, or a piece? I now need to ask for insurance purposes. I bought a pair of these 3-4 years ago for $250 that seemed near mint condition, original grills and badges. These are not the prettiest to look at with the grills off, they have some age, but they sound amazing. I paired a set of vintage KLH, I believe "17"s with the AR12's. You cannot imagine the sound and how well they blend with just my old 70's Sansui stereo, no amp. They really pair well together.

Great video, Almost a chat about hifi, note just a empity feeling review... but... a nice chat about a nice speaker made in his due age and what this mean today. Tnx.

Great thinking. I appreciate your knowledge and stereo approach!

That's a hard-dome tweeter (pressed paper). Maybe try a pair of early AR-3a with alnico woofers and cloth surrounds. Enjoying the channel. Keep it up.

Nice video(s).! i remembered that brand Acoustic Research, sounded very nice (also Celestion, British brand). here in Amsterdam there was a shop called "RAF hifi" (today 'Klubben hifi, Danish i think) they sold AR in the ' 80 s/'90 s. I have a pair of Dali Oberon 5 together with a vintage ,total restored Sansui AU-505, sounds great for my ears at least. It's just 20 watt per channel. And a also vintage totaly restored (also the exterior) AU-4400 in silver (mostly it was black. Both sounds great, i love vintage audio,but most of the time it needs a restoration (elco's/transistors etc.). But i don't hate modern hifi. Live in a tiny apartment in Amsterdam, so not much space. Nice video's , all the hifi videos(Steve Guttenberg,Darko Audio etc), but there is one problem; it's a never ending story..haha But of course, you already knew that yourself.😜

A great history lesson for AR I have a set of the AR 10’s that Might interest you. Please let me know how to get in touch?

I grew up with the AR line of loudspeakers going back to my early days in New York City and visiting there satellite store at Grand Central Station. I appreciate your effort in reviewing vintage loudspeakers in this format and I only wish you were able to also play some music but I understand the potential copyright issues for you on this channel. What are your thoughts about the sound/build of the Allison One speaker as a brand and in comparison to the AR 11 or 12 if that's a fair?

Anyone have any experience with AR-18's and AR28's? Just asking, because Ive wanted AR-18's for awhile, and today I picked up some AR-28s', but they need new foam. Tweeters are fine. I'm just wondering how actually different the two sound, and what the main differences are, because I'm wondering if I should put the money in, and fix them, and go with these, or keep looking for AR-18's. I know I should fix them either way, and just listen to them, but wondering if I should try get some 18's also, and how different they sound? Also, if anyone wants to trade for a pair of AR18's, or would be willing to sell me a pair, let me know. I'm a recording/mixing Engineer, and would give them a loving home, and put them to good use, and I'm not just a picker/flipper.

When I first heard my friends pair of AR12's l wanted them. Too expensive at that time for me but always wanted them throughout my life. I became a sound engineer/producer and now could afford them. Even later AR speakers in my view are not as good. When the digital world erupted, they went too bright. Ar12's have the perfect sound.

My stupid ex wife sold my AR 11 s at a garage sale. We were moving...ugh. However I was able to retrieve the AR 12 s from my parents estate. I rehabbed them, refoamed the mids and woofers, the tweeters were blown (I still have them), installed some advent legacy tweeters. I have them in my garage... I have new large advents in utility cabinets in my studio, paired with my original Kenwood Kr 9400. They are sweet. I just love the tight bass response and clarity. I am thinking of bringing the AR 12 s in the house. Thoughts? Advice?

You are a wealth of audio knowledge

I really appreciate this video. Awesome work.

What did you find the best setting was for the attenuation switches on these? Did you find them a bit bright with everything set to 0?

What is a good place for searching out used preowned equipment

Thanks for this video! Very informative and helpful. I have a chance to purchase a set of AR 11's. I'm assuming they are similar sounding to the 12's?

Your cinematography ain't at no Werner Hertzog level but it's easily good enough to reckognise even the finer details on hi-fi gear, slightly misty llooking on plain white expanse areas is all. When I was a young teenager, my father had AR11's (i.e. Eleven or Roman numeral for 2, i know & remember not) & when he 'upgraded' or 'side graded' (some might say) to huge & wide 4-panneled Accustat 'Model X' e-stats, (I really liked) i was given the AR11's for my bedroom stereo at age 13 or 14, to the envy of my friends here in u.k. they looked very similar to the AR 12's on your video & I grew up with them until j left home age 19 where they came to my first flat with me. Had 4 or 5 others brands in between but none near as good as what i'm listening to now, i.e. 1969 made (according to the faded signed test-pass cardboard labels stuck to their rears) large sealed boxes of Tannoy 15" M.Golds, I recently had to have the cone to chassis terminations fixed (but changed to rubber edging as theyre not the easier replaced foam types) because of magnetic gap/ voice coil rubbing just on one of them & they're working fine again, not bad for a speaker 53 years old that cost me £100 in 1995'ish from a yard-sale. Now they fetch 2 to 3 thousand on eBay if fully working & depending on their cosmetic condition, I would never sell them as they are still the best speakers i'd ever personally owned. I still have the Accustat model X i inherited after my father passed away but their dedicated transformerless direct valve anode drive poweramps /energisers need a repair. I havent found anyone capable of doing it with their 5000 or 7500 volt combined energiser / power amps on each channel

Hey that was Bucket Head in the intro. Haven't seen him shred with a KFC bucket on his head in like 10 years.

Keep it coming bro

Right on dude,things like KLH model 5 started at 2k then they got greedy and bumped up 500,00 that to me is bullshit

I have a chance to buy the R12 for about 80euros is it worth buying?

Hi Jason, I'm enjoying your YT channel. Your content is A+, but the audio is C- (constructive criticism). Do you have access to a Lapel Mic you could try? If not, I'll be watching regardless. Tom

What do you think of Vandersteen 2ce Signature ii?

Hi I have ar2ax early mdl 64,I want to sell rush

Plug em in

You lost all credibility the second you mentioned you put on a Sia cd.

I did a video repairing the AR2 ax and was very impressed by them for their age. Been enjoying the channel, check mine out and sub if you can tolerate my long boring vids...lol.

Owned a pair of these for 5 years. Bought them new. Low mid bass was a bit muddy and bass was weak. Nothing special.

way late here - Yea, AR was a GREAT HIFI company, from acoustic suspension bass, dome tweets , they also had a top T'table for a low price (probably their best product , from price / perf. outlook ) and high quality amp / receivers. they were 50 w / ch. big for the time. But - I had for a while AR302 's probably the last legit AR product , a reproduction of the AR 5 , and with a 60 w/ ch NAD receiver I didn't like them. underpowered , I think. my Mom had original AR 6 , I had dynaco 25's both 1970 era. ( I'm 70+ original Jr High Beatlemania. ) KEF meta 50's now. with a 140 W /ch receiver which is what I think the inefficient AR's needed.