acoustic research ar9

Manual Library / Acoustic Research

Acoustic Research AR-9

4-Way Floor-Standing Loudspeaker System (1979)

Description

In the Acoustic Research AR-9, for the first time we have a system that is virtually flat down to 28Hz, comes in with a more than acceptably low Q of 5, and reproduces bass frequencies with startling power and clarity.

How have AR engineers managed to bend the laws of physics?

First, the AR9 uses two 300mm (12 inch) woofers connected in parallel. At any volume setting each of them moves only half the distance a single driver would have to move to produce the same volume level. Thus the woofers are able to handle more power without distortion or break-up.

Second, a large enclosure (120 litres) is used to create a system with a low resonant frequency.

Third, and the real secret weapon, is a sophisticated new crossover network - an important step ahead in speaker design. This crossover is designed with special circuitry that acts like an automatic transmission and helps control bass response. It allows the system to have maximum damping at the resonant frequency (thus low Q) while maintaining bass output. Above the resonant frequency it shifts electronically to maintain flat response across the bass spectrum.

Specifications

Type: 4 way, 5 driver loudspeaker system

Frequency Response: 18Hz to 30kHz

Power Handling: 175W

Recommended Amplifier: 400W (maximum)

Crossover Frequency: 200, 1200, 7000Hz

Impedance: 4Ω

Sensitivity: 87dB

Bass: 2 x 300mm acoustic suspension

Midbass: 1 x 200mm acoustic suspension

Midrange: 1 x 38mm dome

Tweeter: 1 x 19mm dome

Dimensions: 1340 x 381 x 402mm

Weight: 59kg

Related Catalogues

Truth in Listening

If you have any problems opening files please read the download FAQ . All files are provided under strict licence and reproduction without prior permission or for financial gain is strictly prohibited.

If you have additional documentation please consider donating a copy to our free archive.

Acoustic Research Loudspeakers

SOUND GREAT BUT VERY HEAVY

re: AR-9 over 40 years and still going strong!

Bought my AR-9s in 1982 after previously owning some quite good large 3 way speakers. I auditioned them for about 8hrs after spending weeks listening to many speakers. It seemed to me that I preferred the other speakers on some music, but nothing handled all music as well. AR-9s could be described as boring because they don't have a sound signature to grab your attention, they only present the music as it is. Sometimes they sound heavy on bass, sometimes light, depending on how the music was mastered. If the recording has a low frequency problem the AR-9s won't hide it. During my 8hrs auditioning the AR-9s I noted that they sounded very nice when played quietly as well as full volume, most other speakers needed volume to sound interesting. I have allways driven my AR-9s with 2 or 3 Yamaha M2 power amplifiers and I still love them at full noise. Telegraph Road, Comfortably Numb and 1812 are pure joy. I replaced the driver surrounds at 15 years and replaced the woofers 5 years ago with Peerless 831857s, (requiring some retuning). It has taken me many years to find a suitable replacement. It took 7 x Genelec 8361As, 6 x JBL 305P IIs, 2 x Perlisten D212s and 4 x SVS SB3000s in a surround system with days of trials, adjustments and measurement to replacement them for all music both subtle and spectacular. But the 9s still sound damn good!

It has two Bass: 2 x 300mm acoustic suspension on the sides

Have AR9 40 years. Still a dream.

• Create new account
• Request new password

Latest Comments

• Re: Sa-5060
• Re: Aiwa Sd-l22 And...
• Re: Sansui Qrx-3500
• Re: Azur 740a

Gallery Images

Latest Reviews

• Micromega Ia-180
• Panasonic Sa-5700
• Hitachi Hca-6500
• Realistic Sta-7
• Teac A-3300s

Design and Content © HiFi Engine 2006-2024

Vinyl Engine | FAQ | Site Policy | Contact

• Search forums
• Home Theater Hardware Hangout
• Loudspeakers

Revisiting the Legendary Acoustic Research AR9 4-Way Loudspeakers

• Thread starter gene
• Start date Jan 22, 2023

Audioholics Master Chief

DigitalDawn

Senior audioholic.

Great article Gene. Remember the NHT 3.3? I think Kenny used some of the AR9 design on that speaker.  

I had the follow up model, the AR9ls. Loved that speaker, ultimately taken by foam rot. The changes were moving the woofers to the front, a 12" forward facing driver with a 10" down facing driver that fired into a " bass contour chamber", whatever that really is. The other improvement was mounting the upper midrange and tweeter on a common plate, significantly reducing the center to center spacing which helps with vertical polar response. Never heard then side by side, so hard to assess which was "better", but my in room response extended to 20Hz easily. I think one of the things the new design did was perform better when freestanding. Like the Allison speakers, the original AR9 was designed to work up against the wall for best performance. AR was a great company, I am still using my "The AR Turntable" with Grace 714 unipivot Tonearm today when I pull out the vynil......  

Audioholic Spartan

nice walk down memory lane, thanks Gene !  

For a moment I thought about Cyberdyne but clearly I was wrong.  

I have a pair and a pair if AR90 and "more cowbell" with KEF II .. older Onkyo amps still make them sparkle...4 subs for annoying neighbors.  

Audioholic Jedi

Very good article Mr Tyson....  

Junior Audioholic

If you took this design and updated it with components from today, this would still be a fantastic speaker. I remember this box. The AR9 reminds me of what Legacy and, in a newer design paradigm, RBH makes now. Fantastically engineered big speakers that offer performance for much less money than their direct competition. Thanks for the flashback.  

jeffca said: If you took this design and updated it with components from today, this would still be a fantastic speaker. I remember this box. The AR9 reminds me of what Legacy and, in a newer design paradigm, RBH makes now. Fantastically engineered big speakers that offer performance for much less money than their direct competition. Thanks for the flashback. Click to expand...

I have loved my pair of AR9s for over 40 years. They started bi-amped with the passive crossovers for the first 10 years before being converted to tri-amped with active crossovers, now using DEQX HDP5. They have always been powered by Yamaha M2 amps, originally two, now 4 of them. I have tried to upgrade many times but have only recently been able build what I feel is a better sounding system. I still listen to the AR9s and still love their sound.  

It would be nice to see some measurements, something like the NRC measurements done by Soundstage, or even your own. Just how good were the AR-9s? I remember hearing them a long time ago, but I did not find the differences were worth the extra money compared to my old Kef 104s. As well, I would have needed a different amplifier to drive them, which would also cost money. Bryston 4B? I now know that the audition conditions in the store were not very good, and that the more even off axis dispersion of the AR-9 were very significant in a listening room. But I didn't know of Dr. Floyd Toole's research at the NRC very well in those days.  

Missing from this article was any mention of the role that the introduction and popularity of separate powered subwoofers played in the decline of this sort of loudspeaker - largely driven by the introduction of Low Frequency Effects (.1) soundtracks in home theater systems. It was a short step from there to redirecting the low bass from other channels to the subwoofer(s), reducing the need for as much amplifier power and deep bass speaker output from the many more than two main channels - probably a large part of the reason for the scorn of older hifi fans for listening to music with home theater setups.  

My first very good longtime stereo was a pair of just-released original (later dubbed "Larger") Advents in 1970 powered by a Dynaco SCA-80 integrated amp assembled from a kit. When I set up my first 5.1 home theater and shopped for the audio part of the setup, I looked for front main speakers that sounded like my thirty-five year-old (and several-times re-foamed) Advents. Before subs became popular, I built into my SCA-80 a "bottom-octave boost" circuit from a schematic in a magazine. This sort of hack led to a cottage industry of replacing the foam surrounds on Advent woofers shredded by this sort of long-term abuse: "Bring in your old Advent woofers - for us to refoam for someone else - and you can buy someone else's re-foamed woofers." The hifi sales guy I was asking for speakers that sounded like the Advents thought I was crazy for wanting speakers that had woofers and sounded like my Advents. "Those were junk!" He was pushing what were essentially expensive satellite speakers and a sub. I bought a set of Paradigm Studio 40s for the front, Studio 20s for the sides, and their center channel speaker that was essentially the 40 in black with its footpads on one of the long sides. In the early two-thousands, Paradigm speakers hadn't yet become stratospherically expensive. They are still the core of my 7.2.4 theater setup, supplemented by less expensive rears and overheads and a second sub, driven by a Yamaha RX-A3070 and an old Denon AVR-2370CI for the four overheads. The Advents now live in my living room stereo, powered by my old Yamaha RX-A1030 5.1 receiver. And I play the low bass both from the subs and the mains.  

Floyd Toole

Acoustician and wine connoisseur.

Figure 18.3 (h) in the 3rd edition of my book "Sound Reproduction" shows 0, 30 and 60 deg curves for the AR-9, and it was very well behaved. It got high scores in double-blind listening tests and the anechoic curves show why: flattish on-axis response, uniform flattish off-axis behavior - both characteristics that were lacking in many (most?) loudspeakers of the time. The extended bass and optimized room coupling helped - this is shown in Figure 9.12 which includes in-room measurements. Chapter 18 in the book shows anechoic data on many other loudspeakers of the period; it is called "Fifty Years of Progress in Loudspeaker Design".  

Pat D said: It would be nice to see some measurements, something like the NRC measurements done by Soundstage, or even your own . Just how good were the AR-9s? Click to expand...

I had a pair of AR9 that I purchased new in 1980.They were driven by an Akai PS-200M that I bought at the same time.They sounded amazing in my apartment but couldn’t really push them without getting complaints from neighbour. I think my interest in audio was one of the primary drivers for purchasing a house in 1982. They were the source of much critical listening pleasure and dance party enthusiasm. I kept them until 2008 when I finally caved to pressure from my wife. They didn’t fit with her sense of room esthetics. I did keep the Akai system and today the amp powers the left and right speakers of my 7.2.6 home theatre. I had the amp tested by a local repair shop recently and it is still close to the original published specs.  

AudioLover73

I love that you brought attention to the AR9s! My father had a pair of these as I was growing up, so I went out and bought a set of AR9LSs thinking they'd be better (I was heavily influenced by the marketing brochure). They were not (at least not to me). I promptly sold them and bought a set of AR9s. We still have both pairs to this day. I need to set them up and take a proper picture! My dad's are paired with a Sansui G22000.  

kracer said: They did remake it in the early 2000s Click to expand...

Latest posts

• Latest: Tankini
• Today at 4:06 AM
• Latest: Dude#1279435
• Today at 3:59 AM
• Today at 3:54 AM
• Today at 2:15 AM
• Today at 2:03 AM

• Audio Forums
• Product Reviews
• AV Research
• Home Theater Setup

Site Information

• About Audioholics
• Advertising
• Author Pages
• Terms and Rules
• Privacy Policy

Acoustic Research AR9

Last truly visible Acoustic Research from the beginning of the Teledyne ownership and before the subsequent various ownerships and fortunes. Not that AR had been as successful in the 1970s as it had been throughout the 1960s but at least it had been present . The 1980s and 1990s turned out to be more of a disappearing act improvised in several steps... even seeing an attempt at an AR3a reissue in Japan. The AR9 is a very vertical 59 kg four-way loudspeaker with five drivers. The two 30 cm drivers are placed on the sides of the enclosure to keep reflected sound-cancelling waves above 200 Hz - big room necessary because that makes four 30 cm drivers outputting long waves of sound ! The goal of this was to avoid the " wall dip " : where walls' reflections cancel out some of the bass output, making the transition between low mid and top of the bass range difficult and straining the amplifier's output. The filter was also designed accordingly with two ranges taken into account. Neutral above the resonant frequency , it kicks in actively (so to say) below that frequency to keep damping as efficient as possble while maintaining output. Nominal impedance is spec'ed at 4 Ohm with a big dip down to 3,2 Ohm . It is naturally there, with the 'two way' filter, the acoustic suspension and the moderate 87 dB efficiency that some amplifiers will scream " I can't do this ! " and some won't mind at all. The other three drivers are placed vertically, all surrounded by a big (and patented) " acoustic blanket " to keep enclosure reflections to a minimum. The high-mid and high drivers are liquid-cooled and three 3-position switches (resistor networks) allow to fine-tune response of the front drivers. In-house made drivers, of course. The AR9 's stringent engineering made it and still makes it somewhat difficult to drive, a perfect loudspeaker to some and nothing special to others... We all have different ears. And different amplifiers. And different rooms. The 1978 AR9 engineering in Tim Holl 's own writing here , complete with complete measurements and graphs.

• TVK Talk Forum

• Contact Form
• Privacy Policy
• Service Agreement

Acoustic Research AR-9 4-Way Floor-Standing Loudspeaker System (1979) One Owner

• Brand: Teledyne Acoustic Research
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Country of Manufacture: United States

Comments are closed.

• Search for:

Recent Posts

• Vintage AR ACOUSTIC RESEARCH AR3 AR-3A LST MIDRANGE SPEAKER Tested Works #1
• NOS AR Acoustic Research 1210132-1A 8 Inch Speaker
• Acoustic Research Ar-2ax 1 Pair Vintage Speakers Working Condition Stand
• Vintage Acoustic Research AR3A (Later) Speakers Crossovers Pair Original 3 Ways
• Acoustic Research Speakers AR-2ax Nice Sounds Vintage Rare
• October 2024
• September 2024
• August 2024
• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• February 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• September 2018
• August 2018
• February 2018
• January 2018
• December 2017
• November 2017
• October 2017
• September 2017
• August 2017
• February 2017
• January 2017
• December 2016
• November 2016
• October 2016
• September 2016
• August 2016
• February 2016
• January 2016
• December 2015
• November 2015
• October 2015
• September 2015
• August 2015
• 1950's
• 1990's
• acoustic-research
• acoustic-research-ar-2-speaker1
• ar-xa-turntable-acoustic-research
• audiophiles
• audiosphere
• cinematography
• connoisseur
• electrovoice
• exceptionally
• glocalising
• hificollector
• loudspeaker
• loudspeakers
• malcontents
• newithsealed
• professional
• re-foamed-ar
• refinishing
• refurbished
• replacement
• spectacular
• stock-acoustic
• synergistic
• tchaikovsky
• teledyneacoustic
• Uncategorized
• understanding
• vintageteledyne

• EDITORIAL REVIEWS
• CLASSIFIEDS
• FLOORSTANDERS $1K
• FLOORSTANDERS $2K
• BOOKSHELF $1K
• BUDGET AUDIO
• BUYERS GUIDES
• FLOORSTANDING
• INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS
• A/V RECEIVERS
• GENERAL AUDIO
• AMPS AND PRE-AMPS
• RAVE RECORDINGS

Acoustic Research AR9 Floorstanding Speakers

Acoustic Research AR9 Floorstanding Speakers 

User reviews.

Extremely smooth mids

Bass not as strong as expected

I just finish auditioning the Infinity IL40s, AR9s, and NHT SuperTwo. Out of the three, the AR9's mids could not be matched. I tested my own created CD with almost every kind of music and soundtrack. This was the only speaker that played "Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame soundtrack properly. All speakers I have tested have failed because this track has quite a varity of instruments on the midrange. This was the only speaker that played this songs mids BEAUTIFULLY! The bass is not as tight as the Infinity IL40s, but they do play highs and mids very well.

Solid performer for it's price range!

The black is much harder to find than the Cherry

The AR9 is a basic model in the Hi-RES series...well, it's basically loaded. For $1300/pair list, these 43-inch towers offer most of the perks of higher-end speakers, with only slight compromises made to keep the price down. The entire line of Hi-RES speakers follows a specific feature protocol that luckily the AR9 doesn't miss out on. Consider the standards included in each system's package: plasma-transferred, diamond-hardened 1-inch titanium dome tweeter; 5-1/4-inch MagAlloy Monocoque midrange drivers (two per speaker, in the AR9's case); magnetically shielded transducers; and side-firing woofers for big bass from a slim cabinet. What sets this particular system apart from the rest is just a matter of overall size, frequency response (32 Hz to 23 kHz), and woofer size (10 inches). Acoustic Research AR9 3- WAY TOWER($274.99 Each)!!

It leaves the essence of beauty in the air. Nice sub freq. and mid mix, sturdy faceplate, hevenly design for beautiful rooms(cherry), Bi-Wiring / Bi-Amplifying, internal acoustic treatment, In your face Home Theater. Large noiseless porthole.

You must have some knowledge about Bi-wiring to get best preformance (or read the owners manual!). The faceplate/grill very hard to get off. In your face Tweeter. ultimately nice equipment required for good sound.

Out of the Speakers I have previewed and tested, I like the AR9's I dont know why. They sound the best to me, and fit in my house Beautifuly, well I guess Perfect ears deserve perfect sound. I needed all new equipment, what I had wasent working for me. But I say, try befor buy, some people May not like these speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Def Tech BP2002, Atlantic Technology, Acoustic Research Stature, Jamo, M&K, JBL, Paradigm, Klipsch, psb, Infinity. And many more.

These speakers flat out sound great, look great and for the price ($600/pr from Net Market--like 1/2 of retail) are a HUGE bargain. These AR's really rock and also sound great for home theater... and in a smaller room the ported 10's even really nullify the need for a sub.

Nice mids,and highs

low end a little weak..could be amp

I used them with my little Pioneer,when I first started.They sounded great.Used them with my Carver C-4000,and an old Marantz amp,they sounded great.Got a new amp on the way,and guess what,They'll sound great.Twenty years later.Amazing....

Awe inspiring sound. Superb soundstage. Incredibly balanced sound.

Maybe a weakness: their size and weight. BIG and HEAVY!

I bought these great speakers back in 1980 and have never, ever found anything near their price that can compare ( I tried when I could afford it). The dynamic range, the soundstage, and the power handling capability of these monsters is unbelievable. I listen to classical, rock and country music played LOUD and the AR-9's never break a sweat. You can throw anything at them and they just coast along, sounding great. They now reside in my home theater setup as the mains, with AR-94's anchoring the rear corners. The room is setup "Live-end-Dead-end" with much accoustic material in the front. The kicker is that I NEVER use surround when listening to music only since the 9's give me such a great soundstage. Many times I have switched from two channel to surround only to be amused by the reduced quality. I can't imagine how much I would have to spend to exceed this sound! Frankly, writing a review on a 20 year old speaker seems ridiculous but the AR-9's deserve the tribute!

I can't find affordable speakers that can produce the glorious sound of the AR-9's! Not in my price range anyway.

Fabulous sound, narrow footprint, high sensitivity, great appearance

After much research,these puppies kept popping up as a recommendation. Admittedly, I am currently powering these guys with a Denon 60 watt/channel recevier, so that is one reason they have been recommended so often, again due to sensitivity. Great sound, fine finish, and again, because of side firing woofer, nice narrow profile. Plus, although not small (about 36" tall) the wife accepted due to nice sound and profile. Just make sure that you don't pay anywhere near list price!! Saw them numerous times for $1,000-1,400 per pair. Available through numerous Web sites for about $600-$650 per pair. A fine value at $1,000, a superb value at around $600!!

Mushy highs, rolling base

I auditioned these speakers today and was very disapointed in the quality of sound. I had naively purchased a set of AR 328s on clearance which lasted one evening in my living room before going back to the store. It was suggested that I give the AR 9s a listen as they are the elite series speakers vs. the performance series 328s. While these speakers were a great improvement over the 328s, they did not fare well against other speakers I auditioned in the same environment. After reading several reviews posted here, I had narrowed my possible selections for fronts to the AR9s and the BA Lynfield 950s. I immediately did not like the muffled base output by the AR9s. We tried repositioning the speakers in relation to the wall to optimize the sound but I still could not get away from the lack of precision. The salesperson suggested I try the Klipsch RF3 which I did and it was like night and day. I realize that sound preference varies by individual but I really found that the Klipsch produced a cleaner range throughout. I ended up at another dealer auditioning the Klipsch against the BA and have decided on the Klipsch. Moral of this rambling is that for the money, I would recommend shopping around before purchasing the AR-9s. If you are partial to the type of sound output by the AR-9s, you might like the Mirage series as the low end is close to the AR-9s but they seemed to produce a cleaner mid and high range.

AR-328, BA L950, Klipsch RF-3

Build quality, appearance

Did not buy these in the '70's so let's get that cleared up right away. Originally purchased one pair of the AR9s to replace my rear channel that was formerly a pair of JBL Control Monitor 5 (JBL L7 as the Front). What an amazing difference having full frequency tower speakers in the rear! Have always wanted identical speakers in front and rear but, alas, my search for another pair of L7s has proved fruitless. Adhering to the current wisdom of matching all drivers I decided to purchase another pair of AR9s for the front . . . Now these are handsome and hefty little performers for the price. Nice build quality, bi-wireable, etc. However (uh oh) they did not fulfill my expectations. Admittedly, I auditioned them for only two evenings using various CD's and DVD's that I consider reference material (Music: Dave Grusin - Two For The Road, Diana Krall - Love Scenes, Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms; Movies: The Professional, The Bone Collector, Crimson Tide, James Bond - Tomorrow Never Dies). I experimented with positioning them in my HT room which is 35' by 15' (pretty damn big I know). With the side-firing subwoofers facing outward and more than two feet from side and rear walls the bass was very overpowering and unfocused. Turned in was a great improvement but still sounded boxy and booming at the lower frequencies. Imaging was good with female vocal and cymbals sounded crisp enough but midrange sounded laid back. I think that if you were not accustomed to a more highend sound these speakers would work quite well for the average enthusiast. I consider myself an audiophile not because I spend an inordinate amount of money on equipment, or because I scour the thesaurus for new words to describe what I want people to think I hear . . . I consider myself an audiophile because as a wretched and suffering human being (as we all are) I feel my spirits soar and my soul cleansed through the joy of listening to the highest quality reproduced sound that I can cause to be manifested in an environment I have created. Whoa, heavy words for a mid-fi speaker review, huh? The AR9s are great for the rear channel. They really are, but as main speakers they lack the "presence" that I have become accustomed to. I am giving the AR9s four stars for value and four stars overall as a rear channel configuration. Home Theater System: Acurus A100 X 2 Acurus A100 X 3 Acurus ACT III Processor Sony DVD 7700 Energy ES12 Sub JBL L7 Front AR9 Rear Infinity Video One Center Sony 35" Monster Cable Interconnects Monster Cable Sub Interconnect Monster Cable Speaker Cable Listening System: Platinum Quatro Aragon 8008BB Amp Aragon 28K Pre Acurus CD Esoteric Audio Accupath Speaker Cables Phoenix Gold Reference Interconnects

Platinum Audio "Quatro"; JBL "L7"

Good Lord BASS. They get better with age.

Everything in my room jumps around like a mad man at high volume!

I purchased these speakers along time ago, man they just keep sound better and better. I am using a Onkyo TX-DS575X which I think is a perfect match for these speakers. I listen to lots of Hiphop and Techno, some rock, but mostly Classical, they really fill the room with music. If your are going to get these speakers go online and get them its cheeper. I was looking around for about 2 years befor I got The AR9's I checked out Infinity, Canton, paradigm, Jamo, and I just thought it sound better than all thoes.

infinit- Canton 'karat'- Paradigm- Jamo.

Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

• Acoustic Research

AR9, 9LS, 9LSi which do you prefer...

By Scoup June 21, 2019 in Acoustic Research

• Reply to this topic
• Start new topic

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

My friends aunt had those but I always prefer the original 9s

fedeleluigi

6 hours ago, Scoup said:  Listening to the LS vs the LSI, I preferred the LSI.        

 Hello Scoup,

Did the LS and LSI have new crossover capacitors?

If both of them had, did their crossovers use the same type and brand of capacitors? 

Did you test each of their driver before comparing the loudspeakers?

During the comparison test,  were the LS and LSI alternately  placed in the same room position?

Thank you for any clarification about your comparison test.

2 hours ago, fedeleluigi said:  Hello Scoup, Did the LS and LSI have new crossover capacitors? If both of them had, did their crossovers use the same type and brand of capacitors?  Did you test each of their driver before comparing the loudspeakers? During the comparison test,  were the LS and LSI alternately  placed in the same room position? Thank you for any clarification about your comparison test.   Luigi    

Hey Luigi.  In my comparison the same amp/pre source was used for both speakers. (Nikko Alpha I, Beta II, Sansui SR838).  The LS had been re-capped two years ago, the LSI were original.  All drivers in all speakers metered well and functioned perfectly.  They were placed beside each other for the test but I did not swap positions.  

Thank you for answering my questions.

I think that It's rather difficult to make accurate comparisons among speakers, especially if they are old, because there are many variables that can "distort" the perceived results. That's why I asked you some questions in my previous post. For example, in vintage speakers capacitors are often out of specs randomly . Different types and brands of caps may rapresent other unpredictable variables. Beyond capacitors, the drivers can also age differently depending on many factors.  In other words, with aging, even speakers of the same model often sound differently from each other. 

Similar speakers like AR9 LS and AR9 LSI should be placed in an identical   position if you want to make a correct comparison because speaker placement does affect the sound a lot. So, in this regard, I think you should have swapped the speakers position to get more objective results during your comparison.

Different model of speakers often require different placements and/or amplifiers to get the best they can give. 

The SPL at the listeng point should be as similar as possible for all the speakers under test.

Obviously our subjectivity is another variable but it's very difficult to eliminate it without resorting to a double blind experiment.

Scoup, the picture of your AR9LSi  demonstrates the beautiful wood finish AR went to after the experimentation with plastic in the early 80's.  My humble opinion is the drivers appear on the surface to be nearly identical between the AR9LS and AR9LSi, but as you can read in this forum, there was a harshness in the original design many found to be unpleasant.

I'm not an audio engineer, and have never heard the AR-LST, but can tell you when I listen to the AR9, I just smile.  They disappear in the music.

I do have a pair of AR9LSi sitting in the garage, waiting for a spot in the house.  I like to believe I'm one of many who requires more rooms in my house VS having too many AR speakers.

No matter what, the LSi's are a spectacular work of art simply from the wood finish perspective.

Yes, I love my LSIs!

• 3 weeks later...

The AR9 is great.  Great Lows, clear mids and brilliant highs. Smoooth speaker---smooth sound.    Sometimes a PIA to place, and dependant on placement and room size.   This placement and room dynamics can make this speaker seem mediocre, but they arent mediocre.  It shines in big wide rooms.  Great on Classical and acoustic music.

There is NO 3 way that can compete with the ar9...in terms of detail and things you miss in the 3 ways.  I own and enjoy the ar3a, had 11's, have 58s, they just miss things.   The ar98ls gets close, but not enough Meat on lows.

The AR9LSI is Greater.  Better Lows , More detail everywhere , EASY to place in any room, and a Unbeatable soundstage.   For me, it needed some shuffling of the stuffing.  Also, be careful choosing caps, too fancy and polys?  ruin them.   Plain ole dayton NPE caps Baby.................  It takes the Gold.   I still let them prove themselves to me, LSI wins nearly everytime.

The AR9LS is the same as the LSI, without the upgraded resistors in the circuits , mostly to calm down the midrange.   No switches, so they wired in the changes.

all this can be found with a few searches.

All three are winners and benefit with large amps........200 w @ 4 ohms and up.......

you asked, so I gave my Opinion

• 4 weeks later...

I asked indeed.  I suspected that the 9LSI was better, but that’s what I have.  Truly wanted opinions.  I like my LSI better than the LS but cannot comment on the 9s because I’ve never heard them.  

Thank you for your opinion...

One of the best threads here in quite some time.

AR surround

On 7/14/2019 at 5:54 PM, harry398 said: The AR9LS is the same as the LSI, without the upgraded resistors in the circuits , mostly to calm down the midrange.   No switches, so they wired in the changes.

A question for you Harry...Do you ever find the lack of attenuation switches (0dB, -3dB, -6dB for Tweeter, UMR and LMR) on the AR9LSi problematic?  I ask because I've dragged my AR9's around for the last 41 years and have found that I've preferred different attenuation switch settings at each location.   I guess that since I've used AR5's, AR3a's, AR9's and AR90's, I find the inability to make adjustments a bit unnerving.

4 hours ago, AR surround said: A question........for the last 41 years and have found that I've preferred different attenuation switch settings at each location.

This is a great question/comment, and exactly why I typically defend or advocate for the inclusion of built-in HF controls: different interior room environments.

I own the 9Lsi, but I never had the opportunity to listen to the 9LS.   I can say with some certainty, though, that the 9LSi is the better speaker.   This is based on comparative listening of the 98LS and 98LSi, which has the same crossover upgrade as the 9LSi.   You can hear a slight harshness/brightness in the upper midrange of the 98LS that is not present in the 98LSi or the 9LSi.

Now the bigger question.   Is the 9LSi a better speaker than the 9?   Hard to say.   I’ve never directly compared the two.     I listened to the 9 in a dealer’s showroom years ago and felt at that time it was the best speaker on the market.   Of course I wanted it, but I was a college kid and naturally I couldn’t afford it.   Years later I luckily acquired a pair of 9LSi’s from a guy’s uncle that was downsizing.   To me its sound is on par with my memories of the 9 and is more forgiving in its placement.  

I have never felt that my 9LSi’s needed tweeter or midrange controls.   My listening room seems to be well suited for the speakers.  That said , even though my hearing still reaches 12,000 hertz it’s down more than a few db at the high end, so last year I did what some would deem sacrilege.    I boosted the treble control on my preamp 4db.   It sounds right to me, but my 32 year old daughter, who owns my original 98LS’, thinks that they are way too bright now.   I probably would when I was 32 also.  

On 8/12/2019 at 8:25 AM, AR surround said: A question for you Harry...Do you ever find the lack of attenuation switches (0dB, -3dB, -6dB for Tweeter, UMR and LMR) on the AR9LSi problematic?  I ask because I've dragged my AR9's around for the last 41 years and have found that I've preferred different attenuation switch settings at each location.   I guess that since I've used AR5's, AR3a's, AR9's and AR90's, I find the inability to make adjustments a bit unnerving.

Hi AR Surround

The only switch I ever adj is the Midrange on the ar9.

that depends on the recording Mostly.....I go from -3db to 0db.

As for the ar9lsi....it took a while for me to get it where I think its perfect.   It was a long struggle fighting the previous owners cap selection, and I added a touch more resistor to the Mid dome.   I also played with the stuffing...

There are occasions the ar9 is better, due to its smoothness and better balance, However the ar9lsi is the superior speaker for me.   Its more versatile, has more clarity, better soundstage, adapts to nearly all music well.   Its Not perfect, but the best I have heard.   The tweeter is slightly warmer, yet the 9's tweeter is also great, but more neutral. 

This does not mean the ar9 is substandard by any stretch.  It was my favorite until I got the LSI where I like it best.   However, I cannot tell a lie.....I prefer the 9LS/LSI.  It wasnt always the case, and certainly AR did not release the speaker to market ready for an audiophile.  It would be better With switches on the upper drivers.  The LS is really off....tooo much midrange..but easily fixed.

Also, of note, is the difference in Bass....the 9 is more engulfing of sound into the room, whereas the ar9lsi is more coming at you and very much more detailed.   I have many hours distinguishing the differences on many different music types.

These are ELITE speakers.    I am listening to my ar3a's in my office right now, spectacular, nice.....but the 9 series is superior in big rooms in every way, except the larger footprint.  They are highly undervalued.

On 8/11/2019 at 11:45 AM, frankmarsi said: One of the best threads here in a quite some time. FM  

The only 12 inch woofer AR speaker I haven't had the pleasure of hearing and taking in is the LST.  

On 6/21/2019 at 2:46 AM, Scoup said: Just curious...  I recently had the opportunity to A/B my set or AR9LSi speakers with a set of AR9LS speakers.  I’m wondering if others have had a chance to hear these three titans of the AR lineup.  I read a lot on the original 9s, but not much on their successors.  Listening to the LS vs the LSI, I preferred the LSI.  The sound, to my ears, was more refined, better detail.  Vocals were clearer, strings and sax better.  I have never heard a set of the original 9s.  I wonder how they would compare...  

put a 2.5 to 3.0 ohm resistor on the mid dome....and the 9LS will sound just like the LSI.

that HOT input on the MID dome on the LS sounds aweful.   easy fix.

• 3 months later...

On 8/16/2019 at 9:43 PM, harry398 said: There are occasions the ar9 is better, due to its smoothness and better balance, However the ar9lsi is the superior speaker for me.   Its more versatile, has more clarity, better soundstage, adapts to nearly all music well.   Its Not perfect, but the best I have heard.   The tweeter is slightly warmer, yet the 9's tweeter is also great, but more neutral. 

This place has been quiet for a while so I have been reviewing threads from the beginning of the AR  forum in the year 2000.  Among other noteworthy topics there have been many statements about the superiority of the AR9 over the years but this is the only thread I can find that claims the LSI version is superior.  I agree.  Out of the box, the LSi is the best 10 octave speaker AR ever made.  Surely, someone makes something as good now but a far superior speaker, as perceived by the human ear, would be hard to imagine and I would be skeptical without a side by side comparison.  Feel free to convince me otherwise.  

PS:  It doesn't need switches just mild equalization.

On 11/23/2019 at 6:50 PM, Aadams said: This place has been quiet for a while so I have been reviewing threads from the beginning of the AR  forum in the year 2000.  Among other noteworthy topics there a have been many statements about the superiority of the AR9 over the years but this is only thread I can find that claims the LSI version is superior.  I agree.  Out of the box, the LSi is the best 10 octave speaker AR ever made.  Surely, someone makes something as good now but a far superior speaker, as perceived by the human ear, would be hard to imagine and I would be skeptical without a side by side comparison.  Feel free to convince me otherwise.   PS:  It doesn't need switches just mild equalization. Adams

Yes equalization can help.

Ive got my 9lsi about perfect, and overall...they are the best AR I have heard.

There are times when the ar9 beats the ar9lsi.....some acoustics..certain string music...but the AR9 really shines when its got 300 -400 watts going to it.   It shines in its balance and the Thunder comes out.   Its DAMN good.....but low volume the lsi wins due to fuller sound(at least in my set) and very easy placement.   Soundstange?  Lsi....until the 9s get the "juice"

2 super elite speakers.

Carver tfm42.    Top lights lit many times.    Ive run both at once too....both ar9s handle it all......no sweat.   Blown tweeters?   You dont have enough "juice".

I inherited a pair of LS9's from my dad who had a relationship with AR through his job at Columbia Masterworks, he was given also one of the very first quadrophonic systems by the company, a tall cabinet with AR turntable, the 2nd Advent cassette player and a reel-to-reel deck and 4 AR3a speakers. I also have 2 pairs of the little AR Powered Partner speakers of which I am inordinately fond, used hard, put away wet and still going strong 40 years later!

   I found a set of foam surrounds specifically for the LS9 online (all these years later!) and replaced the rotted ones, I also found the instructions for the mod to go from LS9 to LS9i (the i stands for improved) on the wonderful internet, bought some rather expensive non-inductive 1 Ohm power resistors and did the mod. In my 20X25 high-ceiling living/dining room these speakers breath life, excitement and soul-stirring drama into the listening experience! With my PS Audio 200C power amp (also an antique but awesome!) grabbing the ARs by the cojones,  listening is a visceral, emotional experience of the first order.  I have heard many fine and much more modern speakers - acoustic suspension has fallen into disfavor - but I connect with the deep effortless sonority of these beauties like no other - never giving them up!

1 hour ago, ShaughtUp said: I inherited a pair of LS9's from my dad who had a relationship with AR through his job at Columbia Masterworks, he was given also one of the very first quadrophonic systems by the company, a tall cabinet with AR turntable, the 2nd Advent cassette player and a reel-to-reel deck and 4 AR3a speakers. I also have 2 pairs of the little AR Powered Partner speakers of which I am inordinately fond, used hard, put away wet and still going strong 40 years later!

AR really liked your Dad.  What great gifts!   Oh and the quad system with four AR3a's has me drooling.

3 hours ago, ShaughtUp said: I inherited a pair of LS9's from my dad who had a relationship with AR....... listening is a visceral, emotional experience of the first order.  

That's a great first post and wonderful testimonial. Welcome to the forum.

• 1 month later...

Man I wish I could find a nice pair of those AR's  9LSi's    I have the old 98LS and had them re-foamed about 3 years ago but I now desire the wood front 9LSi.

I never was very attracted to the newer type of AR speakers, but WOW those nice wood 9LSi's really keeps me drooling.. ?

Great topic IMO.  I own both and have a strong preference for the original 9, but wonder if it has more to do with crossover design than driver and orientation.  The ARLSi upper MR is just too hot in current design.  I've been messaging with Harry about his resistor change for that driver along with other enhancements and then realized the original AR9 crossover offers flexibility in adjusting drivers to the listener's taste.  The AR9LSi requires external electronics to do the same. 

Has anyone taken to the time to design a AR9-like 3 switch resistor network for the AR9LSi?  I can't find anything such an animal in the forum, but may not be searching correctly.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

×   Pasted as rich text.    Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.    Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.    Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

• Insert image from URL
• Submit Reply
• Existing user? Sign In
• Online Users
• The Classic Speaker Pages
• All Activity
• My Activity Streams
• Unread Content
• Content I Started
• Leaderboard
• Create New...