This is for a new, replacement Fabric Dome Highrange Driver (Tweeter) for the AR-3a speaker. New original tweeters for these speakers have not been available for many years. Additionally, even when we can locate an original, used AR tweeter, in many cases the performance is very subdued. Both the internal and external suspensions have deteriorated substantially over the years. We are no longer installing used AR Tweeters in our restorations. The performance of these replacements is far superior. These have been tested extensively by several extremely knowledgeable and experienced AR-3a collectors. We are now installing these is our AR-3a restorations where the original tweeter performance falls short of it’s ideal. I’m confident that you will be extremely pleased with these. This tweeter is a direct drop in to the existing tweeter opening, using the original tweeter screws. A special crossover has been added to the rear of the tweeter so that the performance closely matches the original and not penetrate into the midrange. We are offering this in two configurations, the front panel direct wired and the rear terminal. This listing is for the front terminal configuration. The rear wired version may be found in Dept. Since you are going to be removing the grille to get at the tweeter, now will be a good time to replace the original, troublesome Level Controls. Replacements are available in Dept. Although, it is not necessary, we suggest that you install these as a pair. Once you have listened to this tweeter, you may very well conclude that you have been missing some of those violin strings or the brushes on the cymbals. If your other tweeter has lost volume but you are otherwise satisfied with it, you may balance it with this tweeter using the rear volume controls. New gray cabinet sealer is available in Dept. OTHER SPEAKER SERVICE PARTS. You will find the original to be dried out and hard to reform. AR speakers require sealed cabinets to achieve those low bass notes they are famous for. Don’t short change your speaker by trying to use the old sealer. Here is a comment from on of our knowledgeable AR-3a customers. Larry, I installed the new tweeters in my AR-3as this past weekend. Previously, I had installed L-pad level controls, the previous replacement tweeters, and new grills and badges, all from Vintage AR. The sound is much improved. While the sound with the prior tweeters and L-pads was not bad and may well make the AR-3as sound more like modern speakers in terms of upper range balance, that overall balance is not the smooth totally non-aggressive balance for which the classic AR speakers are valued today. Yes, by careful adjustment of the L-pads I could get my AR-3as to sound good and not aggressive. But comparing their sound in the high end to that of a carefully restored pair of AR-5s left no doubt that the AR-3as with L-pads and prior tweeters were significantly brighter in a way which live orchestral sound is not. The 5s sound like an orchestra from mid-hall, the 3as did not. The new tweeters instantly corrected this problem and restored enough of the classic AR high frequency balance to allow me to breathe a sigh of relief. This is very much more like the sound I remember and love. Comfortable, relaxed, but with just enough top octave in evidence to give sufficient air to the sound and thus not sound dull or severely rolled off. I have not yet fiddled with the L-pads again, but even adjusted as I had them for the other tweeters, this is a major move in the right direction. Thanks, Larry, for making these new tweeters available! Please browse our entire store. We are continuing to add new items. This item is in the category “Consumer Electronics\Vintage Electronics\Vintage Audio & Video\Vintage Speakers”. The seller is “vintage-ar” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Brand: Acoustic Research
- Model: AR-3A
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Modification Description: NEW LEADS, DOME, VOICE COIL AND MOUNTING FLANGE
- Modified Item: No