Acoustic Research AR-3 Speaker Review and Specs

No loudspeaker by Acoustic Research has been more influential than the original Acoustic Research AR-3 acoustic suspension speaker. The AR-1 had set a new benchmark for loudspeaker technology, but the AR-3 was so outstandingly accurate that experts had trouble identifying whether a recording or a live concert was playing in front of them. Let´s note here, that this is not the AR-3a speaker from 1967, but its prior version from 1958. The AR-3 speaker had been designed by Edgar Villchur, whereas the newer AR-3a speaker was designed by Roy Allison. Even though both speakers are fairly similar, the AR-3 has been a landmark for the loudspeaker industry and had been recognized by the public significantly more than the later AR-3.

History of the AR-3

he AR-3 entered the market in 1958, 4 years after the first ever acoustic suspension loudspeaker, the AR-1 was introduced. Acoustic Research had by then tested a new tweeter design, developed by Villchur, called the hemispherical dome direct radiator tweeter, which was used in the new AR-3 models.
Besides the newly invented dome tweeter, Villchur´s loudspeaker also received the AR-1s woofer from 1954, which had been another speaker technology landmark, as it was the first ever commercial acoustic suspension speaker. The result was a speaker that produced music more accurately than any other speaker at its time and is until today one of the highest performing speakers available when measuring accuracy. This outstanding accuracy made the AR-3 speaker famous, and its reputation for being the “most accurate loudspeaker at any cost” led to its usage in many professional settings, such as concert halls or record studios.

 Acoustic Research Concerts

The reputation for unmet accuracy was underlined by a series of concerts during the 1960ies in which Acoustic Research directly compared a live string quartet with a recorded version of the same music played by the AR-3. Listeners were unable to detect the switch overs between recorded and live music, which supported the already established reputation of this loudspeaker and leaves a great impression as to how accurate this speaker has been. Even after the “improved” version of the AR-3, the newer AR-3a model was introduced to the market in the mid 60ies, Acoustic Research continued to manufacture the original AR-3, by then over 10 years old, until the 1970ies.

AR-3 and AR-3a Specs and Comparison

During the period in which both speakers, the AR-3 and the AR-3a, were available some alternations had been made to the AR-3 model, being more and more similar to the newer AR-3a. Some changes, as well as parts that did not change are listed below:

  • Originally the grille cloth of the AR-3 was different from the AR-3a, but changed in the later half of the 1960ies (approx. 1967) and became identical to the one of the AR-3a. 
  • Early AR-3a had the cloth-surround alnico magnet woofers identical to the AR-3, which were already used in the AR-1. Later the AR-3, as well as the AR-3a were equipped with foam-surround ceramic magnet woofers.
  • Crossovers of AR-3 and AR-3a are different: Mid / Tweeter: 1000 / 7500 Hz vs. 575 / 5000 Hz. The lower midrange of the AR-3a was better for dispersion. 

Overall it can be said that maintaining the original Acoustic Research AR-3 is more difficult than the newer AR-3a. Parts are not as easy to find and less AR-3s are on the market in general. However, a AR-3 restoration project is a well doable thing and many guides are available online to do so correctly.

Read our other Acoustic Research Reviews:

7 comments

  1. Iam a big fan of AR loudspeakers meanly the classic line. I have the AR2x. AR3aImproved, AR6,AR7 and AR38s.
    Hope someday the AR5, AR8 and the first model AR3 to have in my collection!!
    I live in Holland so i dont see a lot of vintage US beautys..

  2. Yea, finding the classic AR speakers is difficult in many european countries. By the way, I have just returned (about 15 minutes ago..) from the Netherlands (Medemblik, Alkmaar and many other places along the coast). Best Greets 🙂

  3. I am very surprised that you do not have the Marantz HD770/880 tested,yes they had a short life compared to the various versions of JBL L-100 ,L-112 and L-113.And I know consumer reports is not Julian Hirsh in the review dept. But the designer of the line was "enticed " by Marantz with a state of the art (at the time 1975) design facility.Dr. May had a free reign to make a line of speakers that solved the problems of the JBL-L line .A tuned port and an air suspension in one. did the Vari-q solve all the problems ,no but ,but I find the sound of the Marantz to be like there 1970 receiver's ,warm ,great for a female voice ,jazz ,classical. Was it the best out there .of course not ,but a review buy you folks would put a lot of rumors to rest

  4. I bought a couple of Ar3a:s for my student allowance in the 70:ies. I still have them, I play them (on Dynacco tube-amps) still. Nowdays I also have a pair of 10pie speakers. They sound even better than the 3a:s but they have no grilles.

  5. Hey guys … rather chuffed to have found a pair of great sounding AR3s in Germany recently. Advertised on a facebook yard sale site as Vintage Audio €12 each speaker. Snapped them up and though they hadnt been played for over ten years after a little contact cleaning and settling in they have pride of place in my (wacky) syste, (Rega, iMac/DAC and NAD amp)
    They seem to be unfinished…that is they are in ply and the cabinets are pretty clean. Im reluctant to refinish them as the wood neutral colour suits our furnishings. There is a tiny tear in the grill cloth, but no matter. I cannot believe how naturalistic and wide the soundscape is. I may well replace the grills in time….but hey at twenty dollars I am a very happy man.

  6. I have many AR3, 3a, et all, and was planning to set them up here in Yorktown, Texas. Now, I might have to put them in my huge garage! Many problems with amplifiers, turntables, et all.
    Hurricane Harvey caused a lot of damage, and I’ll have to get bigger wattage audio amplifiers to drive them with!

  7. To anyone may concern.

    I have a pair of AR-3a of year around 1977-80.
    I have to find two 12″ woofer drive units so as to restore and keep my vintage beauty as it was.

    The original woofer were stollen by a technician who promised to restore with new sorounds.

    Anybody may help

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