owlsplace Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 These heavily water damaged AR-4x's cleared the auction site this morning for over $170. Serial number unknown.Can anyone explain that to me. The seller thought the woofers were not original but I think we covered this recently. They appear to be dated 1968 which I always remember as the year of the "Tet offensive" -- the fulcrum point of the Vietnam War.Back to the topic, here are some photos.Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 That is about 150,- Euro.Looking at the images that is al lot, to much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dxho Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I think it's 'a rising tide lifts all boats' kind of thing. AR3 prices started to soar, then AR1 prices blew past those,and all the original models started to increase in price. Even the AR2 is increasing. Just check the auction(asking) prices: $520 (reduced) for AR2as? A pair of 2axs went for $495 last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Could be a general overall rise in prices but it seems that those early hot-looking cloth surround woofers with cast baskets are a bit rare A pair with decent cabs sold recently for $368 on the auction site while other 4x's are still selling under $100.edit: informed they are not cast baskets...see below... fooled by the apparent quality of the stamping in the above photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 No comment from me on recent prices, but that particular pair of 4x's appears to be the oddball variant that RoyC and Kent helped me identify maybe a year or two ago. This version used the woofer from the AR-4, and the crossover included a second cap. The woofer basket is stamped metal, not cast. Great speakers, but those cabinets are pretty beat.See thread below for more info:http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=7798 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidDru Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Yeah, I saw those the other day on there.Was looking at 4x's to determine what I should do with this lone one I have. Any ideas what I should do with one 4x? It works but has a messed up finish. Does not appear anyone has ever gotten past the grilles on it as they are fully intact and adhered. Part it out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar_pro Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 I think DXHO has it right - we've been seeing a surge in prices for all speakers from AR's Classic period, including the ubiquitous AR-2 variants, and the AR-4.The AR-1 has been pricey for years, due to the desirability of its Altec mid/tweeter, and the LST has never really been cheap, at least during the eBay era.The AR-3 and 3a hit the fat part of the curve, with a great vintage appearance, and excellent performance for a not-unreasonable price; and the universe of replacement parts for these systems makes it possible to keep them going indefinitely.Their smallish dimensions gives them a fighting chance at being shipped safely, too - try boxing up an LST or an AR-9, sometime! But this increase in valuation doesn't seem to be across the board; it's still possible to get excellent deals on the AR-9 family and later-series speakers.AR-9 parts do seem to be going up in price, especially the vulnerable tweeters & mids, and the very hard-to-find foam inserts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 No comment from me on recent prices, but that particular pair of 4x's appears to be the oddball variant that RoyC and Kent helped me identify maybe a year or two ago. This version used the woofer from the AR-4, and the crossover included a second cap. The woofer basket is stamped metal, not cast. Great speakers, but those cabinets are pretty beat.See thread below for more info:http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=7798 Robert,I read that post a while back. What did you end up doing with those cabs?As far as price on the classic small AR's, obviously people aren't buying because of the price. Here is a modern day equivalent for AR's former small speaker niche at $59/pair: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-air-6-1-2-bookshelf-speaker-pair-with-amt-tweeter--300-651Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra.ra Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Even though all of my other AR cabinets are oiled walnut, I am going to leave these nearly naked as a jaybird - - - raw pine, for now at least - - - since I have already gone to such lengths to strip the heavy painted finish. I may eventually apply some type of simple, thin, topical finish that is largely reversible (paste wax? thinned shellac? matte lacquer?), but only if they prove to be difficult to keep clean in this raw state condition. While I am not particularly enamored with the wide grain of utilitarian pine plywood (yep, not particleboard), I do enjoy owning these speakers that have the combination of the odd woofer (and x-o) with this rare finish. This is one reason, Roger, I was interested to learn more about your first pair of AR-6's, the unfinished ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Decisions, decisions ... The ply-6s have a color mismatch in the lamination on one side so I'm planning on a multi-coat shellac base with an aniline dye on top. I haven't had time to get back into it and I need to perfect the technique first. If I change my mind about the dye I'll just go with an orange shellac.Of course, on a book shelve you wouldn't notice the sides anyway.The other two pairs of 6s are currently in transit somewhere in the mid-West. I must say I am enjoying the 6s. I didn't think I would. Missed a pair of 18s on CL today for $20 The ply-5s were to scarred after removing the Formica so I'm planning on a shellac base coat with white pickling finish on top to hide the blemishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I think DXHO has it right - we've been seeing a surge in prices for all speakers from AR's Classic period, including the ubiquitous AR-2 variants, and the AR-4.The AR-1 has been pricey for years, due to the desirability of its Altec mid/tweeter, and the LST has never really been cheap, at least during the eBay era.The AR-3 and 3a hit the fat part of the curve, with a great vintage appearance, and excellent performance for a not-unreasonable price; and the universe of replacement parts for these systems makes it possible to keep them going indefinitely.Their smallish dimensions gives them a fighting chance at being shipped safely, too - try boxing up an LST or an AR-9, sometime! But this increase in valuation doesn't seem to be across the board; it's still possible to get excellent deals on the AR-9 family and later-series speakers.AR-9 parts do seem to be going up in price, especially the vulnerable tweeters & mids, and the very hard-to-find foam inserts.I think you are right... expect a sharp rise in 4 prices... sounds like the stock market Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar_pro Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I really like the look of those bare plywood cabinets - their austere appearance is such a change from oiled walnut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Birch veneer maybe... actually the front of the plywood is trimmed out with birch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.