Should I Tell My Wife I Bought Acoustic Research AR 2ax Loudspeakers? 

LOL! This cracks me up! You have no idea how many times I've done this when my husband isn't around. You get the exhilaration of buying new speakers or components with the added adrenaline boost of the challenge of working the new equipment into the house without being noticed. 😂

I bought these at the Navy Exchange in Taiwan in 1969. They were the best sounding speakers in the barracks, by far!

Q: “Are these new speakers?” A: ”No, they’re decades old, I promise!”

I was lucky enough to come across a pair of AR 2ax speakers at a garage sale recently for $40.00. the wood was in very good shape a few scratches, grill cloth still looks good, missing one badge, and woofers needed to be reformed as that is what they used on the later models, in the early '70s, not cloth. So, after doing my first refoam job I was very pleased with the result, deoxed the Reostats that are known to corrode, these were very clean, and rubbing down the cabinets with lemon oil and Old English light scratch cover and finding another badge on eBay these speakers look great, they will get a recap soon. What was the big surprise is at how good these AR2ax speakers sound, very very pleased with my $40 purchase. And I must say this video cracked me up I did the same thing with a recent receiver purchase LOL. I am a big vintage audio fan so keep up the good work Dave.

Acoustic Research was an amazing company the likes of which we will NEVER EVER see again! Not only did they manufacture some of the FINEST sounding speakers, but they PROVIDED REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE! If you had a problem with one of their products, they would PAY SHIPPING BOTH WAYS and would even provided shipping boxes ( at nominal cost, that would be refunded when you returned them). AR (along with KLH) would even go so far as to honor the warranties , even if they had expired SIX MONTHS AGO! Try that TODAY and see what you get!! I experienced their customer service when I purchased a pair of AR-3a's in the mid-'60s. Of course ALL of this went away when AR was purchased by Teledyne! SOOOO SAD!

I've become in love with vintage AR speakers recently, they are hard to find here in Denmark at reasonable prices. Looking forward to seeing part 2!

I worked for one of the east coast sound loudspeaker companies in the late 70’s. There was AR, Kloss, Advent, KLH, Bose and the one I worked for Avid. I got a tour of the anechoic chamber that had 15 feet of fiberglass insulation on the ceiling, walls and floor. You had to stand on a catwalk. Awesome times.

This video speaks well to many of us who love audio stuff. That year AR 2ax had a nice sound to them. I had a pair the older tweeters sounded nice to me. Thanks for sharing your find. I just walked into the house with a pair of Whafedale W60e. My next project. She is used to me now.

I’ve had my AR-2ax’s for possibly 20 years now. Any music i play sounds amazing through them.

I found a pair of these in what looks like white oak in great working condition at a thrift store for $10 for the pair ! The guy was bringing them out on the cart to put them on the shelf and I told him yeah you can can just go ahead and take them to my car !

Just found your channel and subscribed. I had these in the 60s, and later, AR-3as. Vilchur was a genius, as per his turntable design.

My speaker finds tend to live in the garage under moving blankets or other clutter until they get snuck into the basement never to be seen by the other members of the household!!

very well done. leaving them in the car til the right moment.

Hey, I really enjoyed this and all your videos , thanks !

Omg how much I can relate to the beginning of this video! Hiding my speakers 🤣🤣🤣

I used to sneak things in the house with my first wife. My second, and current wife don't care that I buy electronics. She feels it's better than what her friends husbands are doing.

Yup. Did it myself many times over the decades. Always an exciting adventure.

I can relate to this in being secretive in purchasing audio equipment, especially buying items that are not essentially needed and sneaking them into the house from my car when everyone is out.

I have an extremely beat up set of these that I bought in 1978. I still like the way they sound. Yes they do look a bit primitive underneath the grill cloth. Your set looks beautiful.

Hi! A happ wife is a Happy family! lol. You make me laugh. I could relate to this experience. Keep it up; the good reviews & videos. Stay safe & Happy. Thank you.

I literally just got home with a yamaha DSP A1 it's upstairs right now and I managed to sneekit in without the Wife seeing me 😅 We are living in strange times everything is awful in some ways but otheres ways it's unimaginably good 👍 When did anybody but us have access to so much wonderful vintage stuff at such low prices tha ks to the Internet That's why I love this channel and watch every video as it comes out Keep it up

I've done my share sneaking speakers into the house while my wife was away. She once caught me red handed at the Goodwill as I was loaded a set of Paradigm speakers in the car. My plan was to scoot them home, store in the garage then inconspicuously integrate them in the living space. When discovered then questioned, I'd say "Those, they've been there for a long time" (wink, wink). Foiled and caught in the act!

You used the tecnique I used to use with my parents. "No, I've had 'em for ages. Didn't you notice them?" Never worked but you've got to say something...

You should be a comedian. Thank you for the smile you put on my face, cheers!

Haha! That last bit is all too real, “ I’ve had these for months!...”

So glad to see I'm not alone, ha, ha. Same Rav4 as well... Exactly my experience, oh those? I've had for a long time! 😁

I had the AE 3's then modified to 3a's. I miss them. Nohing reproduces bass like the acoustic suspension loading.

Thank you for this man I have a pair of AR3 speakers I really need to repair I've had them for years

My wife would appreciate the vintage aesthetic.

Yeah, you had them for months hidden away from pryiing eyes! LOL

From the same era as 2ax or a bit later I had AR LST-2. I stopped using them because the tweeters kept blowing and the woofer foam was degrading. I eventually took them to the tip in the 2000s! Wish I had held on to them, worth a bit now.

hi. i´ve got a pair of these speakers (early 70 model), can I ask you some questions? I mainly restore the woofer but I think I probably replace some other stuff. - How can I clean the cloth of the grill? - Which potentiometers are in the back of the speaker for mid and high freqs? It seems a bit rusty and induce some distortion, - which midrange driver do you recommend?

All the time brother. With all kinds of stuff.

ending was hilarious been there

Yep, been there. Oh, here comes the FedEx truck! Open the garage door and grab the box from the driver.... later sneak the box to my home office.

Such great memories. My entire youth was spent listening to my father's 2ax's. 1967-77. I don't think early AR speakers were very efficient (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), so they benefit from a more powerful amp/receiver. Dad's 35-watt Kenwood was borderline sufficient.

I had a Marantz 2270 receiver and a 698 Empire turntable like yours. Not sure of the model of your Empire. I always thought they were a beautiful looking turntable.

love the ending with wife, but so many husbands go through this 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Excellent. In my garage man cave I have been sneaking in vintage speakers for years. I am addicted to to Advent 70's speakers (Large 1 & 3) Dynaco A25 - A35, (all restored inside & out) and now I have the AR bug. Yikes. Is there a vaccine or therapy? There is nothing more satisficing - especially during Covid than listening to my vintage speakers via my other addiction Marantz vintage (and restored) receivers.

Nice. I have a pair of AR12s I bought used in '83. Got the foam surrounds for the woofers replaced about 20yrs ago. They were sitting idle for many years and I just took the grills off. The midrange's are now separated from their outer ring. not sure what that material is. I've always loved these speakers, any thoughts on how I can repair or get them repaired?

I was wondering if you might be able help me out with some information regarding a pair of 2ax's that appear to have been manufactured very early on with serial numbers AX 00575 and AX 00577. Their overall condition is good and still produce sound last I checked in 2010. All photos I have found of the 2ax resemble your set with a solid front speaker baffle whereas my set has mid driver mounted to what looks like a separate baffle, like the model shown in the old AR catalog that is included in your video at 2:40. The cloth grilles have the script style "AR" logo. Any info would be greatly appreciated since I would like to have these little guys restored.

Sorry to read you've lost interest in the AR (Acoustic Research) speakers. I really liked hearing about the company's history and would be interested in learning more about it. I guess I'll have to fire up Google. I've got two pairs of the AR LST-2 speakers that I bought new back in the 1970s and am now considering having restored.

Grew up with these. They are currently at my parents home. They are no longer being used.

That's funny do it all the time. Have them ups to work leave them in the trunk lol

Hi I've got a pair of these how do you connect the wire to the back for sound

I ve got 2 Pairs of AR 1 Serial N. 15530 made in 1954, also the first Product of the company. Can someone Tell me please what they Coast?!

I have AR-11's and 14's. This morning I'm going to pick up a pair of AR-2ax's. Your video is helpful as I'm sure there's going to be a restoration involved. Of note on your video was the jumper to the "T" terminal which I assume stands for tweeter? Is this the standard way to run them and I'm curious if you know why they were designed this way.

Had these liked them at first , at 300 there priced right the mission lx 3 mk2 , wharfedale diamond 225 (270 now) and the definitive demand 9 all out performed them to my ears.

I've got a pair of 2ax'es, with a pair of Microstatic tweeters enclosed in their original 'boxes' which sit on top of the 2ax's, with wires going behind the cabinets to connect to the 'pots' wiring hook-up(s). I have the original tweeters and mid-range speakers, though the OEM tweeters tweet no more, hence the Microstatics. I love these and have had them since college. I plan to restore them soon, going through the entire process. Will need new pots too, I suspect due to them being noisy when adjusting them, even yearssss ago. I did have the AR turntable you showed for some time then I bought something else to pair with the axes. where do you get your pots from; and where did you have your speakers restored, if you don't mind sharing?... Thanks for the video- I think your wife may suspect, and you may pay later!! :)

Just rebuilt my 2ax’s. Kept all original parts, except caps. I rebuilt the orange dome tweeters myself. I have yet to hear a better sounding pair of 2ax’s anywhere.

Don’t know the real oldies, but I do know my AR66BX are fantastic! Second half eighties, bought them 2nd hand in 1992, still my main speakers. They’re re-rubbered, foam was gone. Rubber maybe slightly different in sound, maybe not, they were ‘open’ already with the partly disintegrated foam, which must have altered the sound anyway. Original or not, still cracking Driven by a Quad 306, and Akai PR-A04 pre. Weird combination, but I had the Akai and while not the best, the whole set sounds very very good. Blows away almost any other system you’ll find in a living room. You really need to spend a lot if you want to better it with new equipment!

I had a pair of AR925 floor standing monitors, they were brilliant. A friend of mine son wanted to set up a disco so borrowed them. He said that they got damaged so he threw them away. Very sad.

You don’t tell her…you get her a chair, turn them on and say: “listen” 🎶 🍯

I felt the same when I go buy more used speakers!! 😂 😅

Can anyone recommend a appropriate replacement (woofer) for my AR5, it looks to be a 10" driver. The cones are shot and finding a replacement is easier than finding someone to repair them. Thanks!

ARs were great speakers in their day. My recollection of the 2ax is that it was neutral and accurate but a little lacking in highs compared to more modern designs. Its sins were of omission rather than commission. I am still partial to the acoustic suspension design. I remember going to the AR showroom in Grand Central Station. Too bad I was a teenager and couldn't afford any of their products.

I see turntables placed directly over amplifiers. Heat causes the silicone damping to thin and drain in the cueing mechanism, allowing the arm to drop rather than glide down

Legend!

Question since you have one my guys are on here? (Audio Novice). I wonder have you guys tried different drivers in any of the old school speakers? I wonder how many of my favs would fare with drivers that could handle much more than the drivers were designed with?

I’m on my third wife, I tell her less than I did my second and first wife.

The color of speakers , even if they were made in the same month were different. I have 2 ar11 different color but the serial number are 16+ apart

hey i have i really nice goodwill type store in my neighborhood. they have these giant kappas like in your last video i think it was 4 way with the crazy edges and those domes were in good condition, right now there asking like 700 and some. thought you would think thats cool. they also had some jbl 3 way that say pure titanium and big warfdales among other newer infinity floor standers

Also their floating suspension turntables were the best. Only Thorens copied it.

Lmao i just did the same thing tonight lol too funny

Just got some for CA$350. very happy with them ! Would you say the ar3a are a big difference ?

Investoren got 2 AR1 SERIAL N. 15530 can someone Tell me what they Coast please?!

How are they compared to AR2?

That all looks very familiar!

Hahahaha. Great speakers for sure.

I have passed up a few really good deals , only because i didn't feel like hearing , what you bought more speakers ? Or you bought another one of those stereo thingies...anyway im not passing on anything worthwhile anymore. Is that an empire turn table? Don't see many of those around, not here in Houston anyway.

The good thing about vintage gear, you don't have to tell your wife what you paid, it is just some old thing to her.

This is like i do with guitars and amps!

At the very end...you should've done the "Dr. Evil" thing...hold the little finger aside to your mouth!?😂🤣

That was a Hi Fi Li.

I vynil wrapped a projector black once so I could delay telling my wife I bought it since the previous one was black and looked the same otherwise. I alwayts eventually tell her but I just like to do it at a good time like after much wine and or edibles.

Had a pair for a couple years and found them ok at best.

I'm a single guy, but if you like stereo equipment, motorcycles, or anything to do with guns, be VERY careful about getting married :)

No don't say nothing until she ask you about them. But, if she does ask you, just say what most women say when you ask them when did you get those shoes, clothes, or jewelry. ( I BEEN HAD THESE FOR A LONG TIME).😀

Buy her some really nice, expensive jewelry

Every husband be like. Get er done.

Yes because she'll find out anyway ;)

I bought braun vintage receiver. to my friends : Look at this. Old but like new! So, Expensive I'm so proud myself. to my wife : Really cheap, 50 years age from a garbage thing - From south Korea. every single country husbands are...

Solution: Marry a women who respects your decisions, and control your environment at all times. I have the only checkbook in the house. No questions, no answers, no problems.

Love your content and pro tip you should really blur out your license plate

This guy reminds me of Brent Butt so much, not that that is a bad thing.

No No No, you’re best never discussing HiFi with your wife, first of all their eyes glaze over when you talk about watts per channel , and two they don’t care…talk about a new purse, then your in business..All my wife cares about is how to turn it on and play a CD.. AR and Advent are on my radar to add to my menagerie..

HAHAHAHAHAHA....

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do I blame you .

Ah-hem! My "home-made" speakers never looked as bad as those ARs, as well as far too many other "classics" from that era. photos.app.goo.gl/17u1RwXa7jXZTx3u5 Thanks to current design tools and the ready availability of excellent, yet affordable drivers and crossover components, the sound quality of home-mades can be outstanding not just by 1960-70s standards, but by modern ones, too. So, yes, let's honor and appreciate the classics. But, then, why not get adventurous and design and build your dream speakers instead of pining away over half-rotted 50-year-old relics?

does not worth it if you see a ar3a maybe but bot ar2ax

What are you talking about? Lol