The Teledyne AR-12 is one of the rarest Acoustic Research model speakers, and so there isn’t a lot of information available on them. However, those that have a pair state over and over how wonderful they are, and some AR collectors assert that they are among the small handful of “best” Acoustic Research speakers ever produced. The AR-12 is a classic 3-way acoustic suspension design, and is basically the final iteration of the legendary AR-5. The AR-5 was identical to the flagship AR-3a with the exception of a slightly smaller cabinet and woofer. So the AR-12 has direct connections to both of those speakers. I have had AR-5s, AR3s, & AR11s, and I would say the AR12 absolutely belongs in that pantheon of AR speakers. It is an 8 ohm speaker which makes it easier to drive with a lower power amp than a lot of the other elite AR speakers. The 12 is renowned for its midrange, with a specially designed midrange driver deemed “magic” by AR collectors. This is the only AR Model this midrange was used in – no one really knows why. This specific set of AR-12 are in fantastic cosmetic condition. The woofer foams are strong. Tweeters and mids have steady output. Cabinets are excellent, with all corners and edges sharp and precise – and best of all the unobtainable sculptured foam grills are near mint. There are very minor water marks on top of one speaker that are barely noticeable (see photos), and one tweeter has a very very slight dimple in the dome. When I obtained them, I immediately removed the improper mids and waited patiently for a pair of the original one-of-a-kind midranges to become available. They are almost impossible to find, especially with good foams. I did and was very glad. So these are all original, proper AR drivers for this specific AR Model. Serial numbers are 4817 & 5256. And they do sound amazing. Tight controlled bass that lives up to classic AR standards, and mids/highs that are more detailed than a lot of AR speakers I have heard, yet retain that distinct AR quality that is never overly bright or shrill. Will be double boxed and carefully packed with extra protection on the corners. Thank you and enjoy these amazing loudspeakers. The item “Rare Acoustic Research AR-12 Loudspeakers. Teledyne Version Of AR5/AR3a” is in sale since Monday, December 26, 2016. This item is in the category “Consumer Electronics\Vintage Electronics\Vintage Audio & Video\Vintage Speakers”. The seller is “jaybee8421″ and is located in Plainfield, Vermont. This item can be shipped to United States, to Canada, to United Kingdom, DK, RO, SK, BG, CZ, FI, HU, LV, LT, MT, EE, to Australia, GR, PT, CY, SI, to Japan, to China, SE, KR, ID, to Taiwan, ZA, TH, to Belgium, to France, to Hong Kong, to Ireland, to Netherlands, PL, to Spain, to Italy, to Germany, to Austria, RU, IL, to Mexico, to New Zealand, PH, SG, to Switzerland, NO, SA, UA, AE, QA, KW, BH, HR, MY, BR, CL, CO, CR, PA, TT, GT, HN, JM, AG, AW, BZ, DM, GD, KN, LC, MS, TC, BB, BD, BM, BN, BO, EC, EG, GF, GG, GI, GP, IS, JE, JO, KH, KY, LI, LK, LU, MC, MO, MQ, MV, NI, OM, PE, PK, PY, RE.
- Brand: Acoustic Research
- Model: AR-12
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