Acoustic Research AR-1 Vintage Speaker w/ Altec 755a 755 a AR1 AR Walnut Laq. One Acoustic Research AR1 Speaker. Acoustic Research (AR) has perhaps been the number one contributor to the progression of the hi-fidelity loudspeaker as we know it today. The Bookshelf speaker, Acoustic Suspension Speaker system, Soft Dome Tweeter, and many other innovative technologies, which are still the standard today, are all the brainchild of ARs legendary originators, Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss. In the early 1950s the hi-fi market was starting to expand, with new sensitive pickups and amplifiers capable of reproducing the full dynamic range of the newly developed LP record, a true full-range loudspeaker was needed. In that day speaker designers were struggling with the problem of size versus dynamic range, in order to reproduce sufficient low frequencies, extraordinarily large speaker cabinets were required. Of course the average consumer could usually never fit these humongous boxes into their homes and because of the large amount of carpentry involved in their construction the prices for these systems were very high. This prompted Villchur to try a radically new approach. By decimating the springy stiffness of a woofer suspension and reducing the size of a sealed speaker enclosure, a sufficient amount of compression could be produced which in turn would reproduce extremely low frequencies. It created a completely linear air spring, thus the acoustic suspension loudspeaker was born. After creating prototypes Villchur proved that his acoustic suspension system was substantially superior in fullness of bass, and especially in lack of distortion. The acoustic suspension speaker of Edgar Villchur has been considered one of the five most important speaker designs of the last 50 years. Although this theory is widely accepted today, in the 50s it was a hard sale. After being turn down by two major speaker manufacturers Villchur teamed up with one of his former students, Henry Kloss, and started the AR speaker corporation. Their first product introduced in 1954 was the AR-1. It was extremely successful because of its amazing low frequency reproduction from such a small enclosure. The mid and high frequency range was also remarkable because of the inclusion of the famed Western Electric/Altec 755a driver. It really portrays the all-important mid to high frequency band with a completely natural and highly musical presentation. Sonically, the mono system is tremendous, even by todays standards.. It provides a smooth and highly musical sound picture, that covers a wide frequency range. With the AR1 you are not only get a great sounding speaker but a historically significant system that set the blueprint of high-end speaker design for they past 50+ years. Original 12 Alnico V. 14″ w x 11 1/2″ d x 25 h. Speaker has been tested and is operating nicely. All drivers are working and sound great. DCR measurement on the 755a is 2.8, which is normal range. Cosmetically cabinet has nicks dings and scratches. _gsrx_vers_577 GS 6.7.5 (577). The item “Acoustic Research AR-1 Vintage Speaker with Altec 755a 755 a AR1 AR Walnut Laq” is in sale since Saturday, November 28, 2015. This item is in the category “Consumer Electronics\Vintage Electronics\Vintage Audio & Video\Vintage Speakers”. The seller is “starsky10″ and is located in Cave Creek, Arizona. This item can be shipped worldwide.