• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Acoustic Research: AR-5 vs. AR-2ax vs. AR-12 vs. AR-48

C

crunkarelli

Active Member
I'm looking to purchase either a set of AR-2ax or AR-48 speakers.
Are the AR-48s better sounding than the older 2ax or do they sound quite similar? The 48s are cheaper but my guess is that part of that is due to their lack of "classic" status.

Are the AR-5s or AR-12s better than those models? Which of these models are best?
I know the "classic" status of the 2ax and 5s make them more prone to internet discussions, but how do they stack up against their more modern counterparts (12, 48, 48B)?
 
Register to hide this ad
Good question. I have always liked AR 5's since I got a chance to hear them at Pacific Stereo in Walnut Creek many many years ago. AR 2's are pretty interesting speakers and I would love to hear them.
 
crunkarelli said:
I'm looking to purchase either a set of AR-2ax or AR-48 speakers.
Are the AR-48s better sounding than the older 2ax or do they sound quite similar? The 48s are cheaper but my guess is that part of that is due to their lack of "classic" status.

Are the AR-5s or AR-12s better than those models? Which of these models are best?
I know the "classic" status of the 2ax and 5s make them more prone to internet discussions, but how do they stack up against their more modern counterparts (12, 48, 48B)?
Click to expand...
I bought AR-2ax's new in 1975. The difference between the 2ax and the 5 were not very substantial, which was one reason why the less expensive 2ax was sold in large numbers and the 5 was not terribly successful. For the ADD series, the AR-12 was the replacement for both, and differed in sound primarily in its slightly brighter voicing. I've not heard the 48's and can't comment on them, but my expectation is that they would sound even brighter than the 12 and have highs that are more "beamy" in spread than the earlier models.
 
All I can say is I grew up with AR 4's and now own some ARXP62 speakers. Those little suckers are amazing for their size and were reviewed by an audiophile and beat out his B&W 601's. I love these little black beauties with the phase plug and aluminum woofer.
 
I owned AR-5 and AR-48 at the same time. When it was time to cull the herd, AR-48 left. There is a "sweetness" to AR-5 that is not there with AR-48.
 
gkimeng said:
I bought AR-2ax's new in 1975. The difference between the 2ax and the 5 were not very substantial, which was one reason why the less expensive 2ax was sold in large numbers and the 5 was not terribly successful. For the ADD series, the AR-12 was the replacement for both, and differed in sound primarily in its slightly brighter voicing. I've not heard the 48's and can't comment on them, but my expectation is that they would sound even brighter than the 12 and have highs that are more "beamy" in spread than the earlier models.
Click to expand...

Assuming all of these comments are accurate :-) I would think that the AR-12 would be the way to go! Indeed, the Teledyne-era ARs aren't particularly 'collectible' and the 12 is sort of in the middle of the pack. Thus if you can manage to find a pair, they'll probably be cheap. You will get decent to good drivers, a stout, real wood-veneer cabinet, and the AR house sound. If it's indeed "a little brighter", so much the better!

I haven't heard the 12s since they were new. I have a pair of 14s (well, OK, I have three of them; the odd one considerably older than the pair) and they actually sound quite good to me (astonishingly so when fed with the "right" amplifier).
 
AR5 for sure...

The AR5, IMHO, will outperform the AR2ax and the AR48. The AR5 features the intricate and well thought out crossover network of the AR3a and a similar midrange driver (although different impedance). The result is a wide open detailed mid/high response and deep but controlled bass that the AR2ax doesn't quite have. I do own a pair of AR5's and several pairs of AR2ax's and I have done side by side comparisons before and after recapping both models, so this is an opinion formed by some research (still just an opinion, though). The AR2ax would be the next choice in that line up - an excellent sounding and time tested speaker. I never cared for the 48's, they just seem like an ordinary vinyl covered "Tech Hi-Fi" type house brand speaker with an AR badge. Never tried the 12, can't really comment on that one, but the 5 is somewhat rare and worth grabbing if you can. Some people actually prefer the AR5 over the AR3a for it's tighter and more controlled bass - personally I love 'em both and would have a hard time choosing one over the other.:music:
 
audiojones said:
The AR5, IMHO, will outperform the AR2ax and the AR48.
Click to expand...
The problem for the 5 when it was new was that even though its performance was better than the 2ax, its price after discounting was sufficiently higher than the 2ax that you might as well have gone a few bucks higher and gotten the 3a, which is what most people looking for something better than the 2ax in the AR line did.

Today, there probably isn't much of a spread in price between used 2ax's and 5's. The biggest issue to consider about used 5's is probably that the 8 ohm dome midrange is even harder to find than a 3a tweeter if you need one.
 
The 12 is the rarest and hardest to find of the ones you've mentioned. It is also the best AR speaker ever made, IMO, with the possible exception of the 3a. The biggest "sleeper" in this famous brand's lineup. I think this model would be valued more highly if more people heard it, but it didn't sell widely or for long, and so not many people have heard it.
The 2ax is nearly as good, but has a slightly more rolled off, "vintage" sound. Both share a deep bass (for the size) and rich midrange.
Not sure where the 5 ranks, but I'm thinking second or third place here. I'm less familiar with the sound of this model (never owned one).
The 48 is the "low man on the totem pole", of the ones you listed, I'm pretty sure.

This is all just my own opinion; of course, what gear you are using it with, your listening environment, and your own listening preferences may dictate a different ranking from mine. All of the speakers you've listed are GOOD, and you shouldn't be really disappointed with any of them.

Let us know which you choose, and what you think of it. Good luck! :thmbsp:
 
Arkay said:
Not sure where the 5 ranks, but I'm thinking second or third place here. I'm less familiar with the sound of this model (never owned one).
Click to expand...
Think AR-3a highs and mids with 2ax bass and you're there.

I dug out the notes (scribbled on an AR cutsheet) from my 1975 speaker shopping expedition, and I think they will explain why the AR-5 didn't sell so well when new:

Model List Discounted
2ax $165 each $115 each
5: $215 each $175 each
3a: $295 each $210 each

AR was in the process of clearing out the classic models and introducing the ADD series at the time, so maybe they had more 2ax's and 3a's in the warehouse and set dealer pricing on them accordingly.
 
According to a 1976 price list, the recommended price for AR-12 was $225 each. I have a pair of AR-12 speakers, and I think they sound very good.
 
As I remember the history, the AR5 was meant for those people who thought the AR3a was a little too bass heavy, as it was in some rooms. It's mid and tweet were basically the same as the AR3a, which was clearly better in those departments than the 2ax--that was certainly a good speaker, but side-by-side the choice was not difficult. So the reason for the existence of the AR5 was not to compare favorably to the AR3a on price, but rather to give people an option that would not mean having to choose between the AR2ax and the AR3a.

A later answer to the question of bass weight in some rooms was the 10pi, a successful one in my book.

I have owned and listened to the AR3a, the AR3, the 10pi and the 11. I have heard but not owned the 2ax and the 5. A lot of good listening there.

Blifil.
 
I had a set of AR48s that I bought new back in the day (Circa 1983). I thought it was pretty good, a bit brighter than the 2axs my older brother had, but not quite as refined. And there is the aesthetic issue, to this day I cringe when I see woodgrain vinyl. These were followed by a set of ESS, then I moved on to Vandersteen.

At any rate, of the two I've had experience with, I'd have to say the 2ax would be the better. If you want more top end---add a supertweeter.

Dave
 
OK so where does the 4x come in the picture here? I compare every speaker to this as it was my first experience in Hi Fi and I think I was pretty darn lucky to have grown up with such a great stereo system. I do remember hearing the 5's at the listening room a few years later. (and many more albums later)

what about the AR8 was there such a thing or am I remembering it wrong? I have never seen anything written about them so maybe they didn't exist or did they?
 
Another consideration is that the AR-48s midrange has a latex rubber (IIRC)
surround that will surely be hardened and cracked, or ready to crack, if
not already replaced. There do seem to be some foam replacements that
will work, but it is more work to consider if they're not already replaced.
 
Flammaster said:
OK so where does the 4x come in the picture here? I compare every speaker to this as it was my first experience in Hi Fi and I think I was pretty darn lucky to have grown up with such a great stereo system. I do remember hearing the 5's at the listening room a few years later. (and many more albums later)

what about the AR8 was there such a thing or am I remembering it wrong? I have never seen anything written about them so maybe they didn't exist or did they?
Click to expand...
The AR-4 series were AR's "starter" speakers, marketed to people with limited budgets and/or small spaces (students, new grads, small apartment dwellers, etc.). It was later joined by the AR-6, similar configuration in a wider, shallower cabinet better suited to most peoples' real-world bookshelves.

In the mid-70's, the 4 and 6 were phased out by the 7 and 8. The 7 was a small 8" two-way closer in design to the 6 than the 4, the 8 a larger 10" 2-way whose tonal balance was skewed from the traditional AR sound toward an exaggerated high end for rock music. Both were primarily made with woodgrain vinyl to keep their prices down. They lasted only a couple of years before being replaced by models in the restyled ADD series.
 
The AR 4x is a two way speaker with an 8" woofer. I still own my original AR4x speakers. They were the "entry level" ARs but had an excellent balance of sound, although the low bass of the AR2ax and AR3a's was not there. I have a pair of KLH 6's and when the tweeter controls are balanced out, they sound amazingly similar on most material.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom