9 replies to this topic

[je.osterberg]

Hi!

I am new to this forum and those great loudspeakers from AR.

I have a pair of ar3a improved with one bad tweeter. I would like to replace the AR tweeters with new ones. The most common recommendation at this forum is the HIVI tweeter. Maybe I would like something more refined. I saw one thread where one member had used the SEAS Excel T25CF-001.

Have somebody else used this tweeter? Is this a good choice? Does it need modifications?

Thanks for answers!

Jesper

 

 

[rjr513]

Hi Jesper, Welcome to CSP take look at this link http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=7684&hl=%2Bar3a+%2Bimproved#entry96170  several post concerning tweeter for the AR3a Improved, hope this helps

[fred]

Do you have AR3a improveds with the hard dome, or the soft dome /fluidcooled tweeters?

I own 2 never used soft dome tweeters (black) which i don"t use at the moment....

[je.osterberg]

Thanks for the response!
I post a picture. I think it is the hard dome.
Will the soft dome work?
I suppose it's hard to beat the real stuff

[fred]

This a hard dome tweeter; i think later soft dome tweeters have better efficiency.

[je.osterberg]

It´s a bit complicated with the improved speakers.

Some of the models, maybe the later have higher efficiency tweeter.

I will consider that the crossover in my improved are the same as AR3a.

If I use the soft dome I have to modify the crossover?

[RoyC]

It´s a bit complicated with the improved speakers.

Some of the models, maybe the later have higher efficiency tweeter.

I will consider that the crossover in my improved are the same as AR3a.

If I use the soft dome I have to modify the crossover?

 

The AR-3a Improved has a different crossover than the 3a, and there is little evidence to support the notion that the Improved was ever equipped with anything but the original AR-3a 3/4" hard dome tweeter.

 

When AR sold the AR-11/10pi type soft dome as a replacement for the AR-3a tweeter, it had a 3.3uf series capacitor attached to it, so it is unlikely the soft dome is a drop-in replacement. I recommend considering the use of any AR-9 series (9/91/92) dome tweeter if the AR-11 tweeter cannot be found.  In any case the addition of the 3.3 capacitor may be helpful.

 

Roy

[je.osterberg]

Thank you Roy for that clarifying comment!
It's hard to get detailed info about the improved speakers.
Just one more question. If I decide to go with the Hivi q1r that you recommends,
How shall I do?
Is it the same recommendation as with ar3a with one 0.15 mH parallel inductor?
I have read many different opinions and starting to get confused.
Jesper

[RoyC]

Thank you Roy for that clarifying comment!
It's hard to get detailed info about the improved speakers.
Just one more question. If I decide to go with the Hivi q1r that you recommends,
How shall I do?
Is it the same recommendation as with ar3a with one 0.15 mH parallel inductor?
I have read many different opinions and starting to get confused.
Jesper

 

Hi Jesper,

 

Replacing the AR-3a Improved tweeter is difficult primarily because the switch arrangement does not provide enough settings to adjust  the response of the new tweeter. This will be a problem with any modern tweeter used in the Improved. There is also a small parallel inductor already in the Improved's tweeter crossover circuit (unlike the AR-3a), which must be taken into consideration. (By the way, the small inductor most often used with the HiVi Q1R in the 3a is .05mh, not .15mh.)

 

Not long ago I communciated at length with a forum member who was experimenting with a number of  tweeters in his pair of Improveds. He decided the best replacement tweeters were the AR-11 tweeter and its close cousin used in the AR-9 series. His second choice was the AB Tech 3/4" replacement tweeter. The one he liked the least was the HiVi Q1R. For this reason I'm hesitant to recommend the Q1R for use in the 3a Improved. I have no personal experience with which to compare his findings, but I have much respect for his opinion.

 

Roy

[KlausDK]

 

The AR-3a Improved has a different crossover than the 3a, and there is little evidence to support the notion that the Improved was ever equipped with anything but the original AR-3a 3/4" hard dome tweeter.

 

 

I completely agree with Roy, here is a link to the AR-3a Improved crossover (curtesy oh M Luong and John O'Hanlon):

 

http://www.classicsp...-1204644282.jpg

 

Being in Schweden, you are welcome to call me for a discussion on the AR-3a Improved, send me a PM for telephone number.

 

BRgds Klaus