Acoustic Research Classic Series

[Rich Bradley]

Just acquired a pristine pair of AR Classic Model 30's and I am having trouble finding a lot of detail about them on line. Seems there were not many produced, and never reviewed that I can find, so documentation and supporting info is scarce. Looking for comments on power handling, crossover design/re-cap needs or feedback and opinions from other owners would be great.

I have not moved them up to my 3rd floor listening room...they weigh a ton, and don't come with handles! So all my listening has been a quick set up in the living room, but a quick listening session has got me pretty excited about the potential. My best imaging speakers to date have been Monitor Audio 952MD's, but they had a weaker low end. The 30's sound at least as good, but with great bass response and definition.

Incredibly smooth full range and broad sound stage, great detail and dynamics. I am using a 300wpc @ 8 ohm/500wpc @ 4ohm Perreaux amp and it seem to match up really well with this speaker.

Love to hear comments and feedback!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/acoustic_research/classic_limited_series/classic_limited_series_broc/ar_classic_brochure/

 

[Rich Bradley]

Thanks for the link, I had seen some bits and pieces of this, but not the whole brochure I one place.

 

[Swerd]

A few years ago, someone posted on this forum: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/acoustic-research-ar-classic-reference-manual.64979/

The brochure that BSA posted said crossover points are at 200 Hz and 2000 Hz, but gave no other details.

Based on your own comments about how good they sound, I'd say they work well. So for recapping… If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Enjoy them (once you've moved them up those stairs ).

 

[Rich Bradley]

Great info, always nice to have a manual. It will help with the final install.

Considering bi-amping with a B&K 202+ on top and the Perreaux for bass. I see months of fun ahead tweaking a great system!

I have recapped some older, less expensive speakers and it has made a noticeable difference. My Rectilinear III's really came alive, but they were 45+ years old and nowhere near the build quality of the 30"s. With the sound quality as good as it is I can't imagine needing to refresh anything at this point.

 

[Sebastian Napoli]

Just acquired a pristine pair of AR Classic Model 30's and I am having trouble finding a lot of detail about them on line. Seems there were not many produced, and never reviewed that I can find, so documentation and supporting info is scarce. Looking for comments on power handling, crossover design/re-cap needs or feedback and opinions from other owners would be great.

I have not moved them up to my 3rd floor listening room...they weigh a ton, and don't come with handles! So all my listening has been a quick set up in the living room, but a quick listening session has got me pretty excited about the potential. My best imaging speakers to date have been Monitor Audio 952MD's, but they had a weaker low end. The 30's sound at least as good, but with great bass response and definition.

Incredibly smooth full range and broad sound stage, great detail and dynamics. I am using a 300wpc @ 8 ohm/500wpc @ 4ohm Perreaux amp and it seem to match up really well with this speaker.

Love to hear comments and feedback!View attachment 16122

I cant find much about them either - just picked up a pair of the ARC 26's... great condition and man they sound amazing. Really really good. Great highs clear mids and the bass is circa-centric clean but not overly punchy. I did however buy some backup liquid cooling tweeters though - just in case. Congrats on the buy - they are beautiful.

 

[Rich Bradley]

AR Classic 30 Update...
The speakers are moved up into the listening room, turns out they weigh 150lbs+ each, but not too bad with two people. I am bi-wiring using the Perreaux 300WPC amp, after trying bi-amping with the B&K 202, but not hearing any difference. Running thru an Apt/Holman preamp.

The speakers continue to sound wonderful and as I started to do more listening it highlighted the need to improve my source equipment. I have added an Meridian Director DAC running out of a Mac Book Pro using Bitperfect on top of iTunes and the more I listen, and it all breaks in, the better everything sounds. Bass is very clean and punchy, and mid range/treble is smooth and clean with great imaging and broad soundstage. I wish my listening room was a bit larger as I would like to move the speakers a bit further from the back wall, but overall they have turned out to be a great find.

I am amazed at how flexible the speakers are in playing a variety of music. They handle classic rock, acoustic-female vocals, Broadway musicals and classical music equally well with no real weak spots.

The previous owner was using a sub woofer with them, so I may play with that at some point in the future, especially if they move into a bigger space, but for now I don't hear the need.

I have bought and sold many vintage speakers looking for a perfect fit at a low cost, and it has been a great hobby. I think I am done looking for better speakers.

I would love to know how many of these were built in the one year of production before closing the Canton plant, with how expensive they were back then I can't imagine they sold too many!

 

[Seth=L]

I had a pair of Classic 18s, in fact Swerd directed you to my thread.

I was impressed with those, I can only imagine how much bigger those must sound.