AR3A vs AR2AX 어떤게 더 좋아요? - 해외포럼

국내 포럼에선 AR3A 와 AR2AX 호불호가 비슷한데.... 해외 포럼에서는 AR3a 가 압도적 지지를 받고 있다.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ar3a-vs-ar2ax.388731/

AR3A vs AR2ax

        I have a pair of really nice AR2ax speakers but have never been able to get into their sound. To my ears they're very neutral but just don't sound very open or have a very dynamic soundstage like my KLH Model 5's do.( AR2ax 를 보유중인데, KLH 모델5에 비해, 소리가 개방적이지 않고, 다이나믹이 떨어진다.) I have driven them with a Marantz 2265, Yamaha 1020, Marantz 2250, and Fisher 500C. I have a line on a pair of restored AR3a's but the tech who is selling them lives out of sate so I can't listen to them. I'm just wondering if I don't care that much for the AR2ax speakers would I like the AR3a speakers?
 
    ssmith3046, Aug 21, 2011
        were your 2ax's recapped and Lpad refurbished?   anyways, the 3a's are definitely more capable speakers than the 2ax's. deeper bass and overall wider coverage. 3a is a lot bigger too. i'd definitely go get them. AR3a 는 2ax 보다 훨씬 뛰어난 스피커다. 더 깊은 저음과 대역이 훨씬 넓다. 그리고, 3a가 훨씬 크다.
        

    gogofast, Aug 21, 2011
        I own and love both. The 3As go deeper in the bass and have several other small improvements, but if you dislike the overall sound of your 2AXs, you won't be impressed with the 3As. The difference in sound quality is subtle not transformational. 둘 다 보유중이고, 둘 다 좋아한다. 3a는 저음이 더 깊이 내려가고, 개선된 사항이 있다. 하지만, 2ax 의 사운드가 전혀 마음에 들지 않는다면, 3A 역시 감흥이 없을 것이다. 그 둘의 음질차이는 크지 않다.

        Ray

        The KLH model 5s you have competed with the AR-3a and were voiced brighter than the ARs. If you like the sound of the 5s and not the 2ax, the 3a likely won't do it for you. KLH 는 AR보다 밝은 성향이다. 만약 2ax 는 싫고, KLH 5 를 좋아한다면, 3a 역시 마음에 안들 수 있다.
       

    pabs911, Aug 22, 2011

        I agree the Ar2Ax's are laid back- the 3a's are noticably more robust sounding. Given the choice of the two I would go with the 3a's over the 2Ax's.
        

    dc270, Aug 22, 2011
    #6
    audiojones
    audiojones
    Jonesin' for audio
    Subscriber

        The AR3a has a more wide open midrange and extended bass response, but if you don't care for the sound of the 2ax chances are that you won't care for the 3a either.
        

    audiojones, Aug 22, 2011
    #7
    ssmith3046
    ssmith3046
    Super Member

        Thanks for all of your feedback. I appreciate it.
        

    ssmith3046, Aug 22, 2011
    #8
    sstring
    sstring
    Active Member

        Hi

        I agree with the above.

        I have a pair of AR11(C), the replacements for the AR3A and I love them! By far the best speakers I have ever owned. I also have a nice pair od AR2AX and 2 pair of Dynaco A25's which are very warm and musical but limited on extreme lows.

        I find the AR2AX very neutral but very clear on the bass end, a little thin on the midrange with the L-Pads at 75% volume. Good quality but not quite warm enough on some music, very good on Jazz and classical music. Not so great on Pop music.

        On the AR3's be careful buying them, be sure that they don't need a lot of work on the mid and high controls or crossover cap's. This can get expensive to bring up to spec!
        

    sstring, Aug 22, 2011
    #9
    ssmith3046
    ssmith3046
    Super Member

        The AR3a speakers I'm thinking about have been totally restored. I always thought that my AR2ax speaker were great for jazz.
        

    ssmith3046, Aug 22, 2011
    #10
    davidro
    davidro
    Lunatic Member

        I'd get them having enjoyed my new 3a in a not restored state last night. They did wonders with jazz too. Very realistic live sound. Surprisingly revealing too.
        

    davidro, Aug 22, 2011
    #11
    gogofast
    gogofast
    AK Subscriber
    Subscriber

        whether you liked the 2ax's or not, 3a is definitely worth getting. i was into AR all along, but when i first heard the 3a properly restored, i was shocked at how good they sounded.
        

 
        I agree. The 2ax is laid back.
        But seem to really open up nicely when powered by large-ish "high current" amplification..they sound like crud with tubes.
        

    tubed, Aug 23, 2011
    #13
    ssmith3046
    ssmith3046
    Super Member

        Great feedback and thanks. I decided not to buy the AR3a speakers. I really enjoy my KLH Model 5's and they sound fantastic with my old Fisher 500C. They just fill the whole room with music and the speakers disappear. Maybe one day I'll buy a pair of AR3a speakers but not today.
        

    ssmith3046, Aug 24, 2011
    #14
    DON73
    DON73
    MSGT USAF 1955-1976

        Most of the "fully restored" AR3a speakers have had an asking price that was way too high for me. I really like the AR2ax for classical and jazz. I have a nice pair of AR11s that I've played with a 30 watt tube amp. They sounded very good but I need to hook them up to my 300watt power amp.
        If you really like your 5s forget speaker shopping and just listen:thmbsp:

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http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ar3a-vs-ar2ax.559668/

1. Other than the expected bass improvement for the larger speaker, is there any difference in the sound of the two siblings?
   Any difference in power-handling abilities?

    

   timsclips, Dec 2, 2013

   #1
2. 

   pabs911 Well-Known Member

   timsclips said: ↑

   Other than the expected bass improvement for the larger speaker, is there any difference in the sound of the two siblings?
   Any difference in power-handling abilities?

   AR3a is an Aston Martin DB5, and an AR-2ax is a Chevy Impala.

    

   pabs911, Dec 2, 2013

   #2
3. 

   artbrewer Active Member

   Many prefer the 2AX its far from being a chevy impala

    

   artbrewer, Dec 2, 2013

   #3
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   Guest105 Super Member

   AR3a is an Aston Martin DB5, and an AR-2ax is a Chevy Impala.

   
   I've restored and owned both (along with most of the other classic AR speakers). Neither are Aston Martins, nor Impalas. They are actually quite similar in character, although the 3a does go a bit lower and, to me, is a bit more dynamic.
   
   For their era, they were outstanding...and still hold up quite well today, but are not comparable to high-quality modern speakers.
   
   Peak power handling for the 2ax was specified at 100 watts....150 for the 3a.
   
   For what it's worth, I sold my LST-2's, 3a's and 2ax's...kept my 2a's, 5's, 4x's and 6's. The only one I have some regrets about is the LST-2's, but I just didn't have a place for them.

    

   Guest105, Dec 2, 2013

   #4
5. 

   pabs911 Well-Known Member

   artbrewer said: ↑

   Many prefer the 2AX its far from being a chevy impala

   I've owned 5 pair of AR-3As, 3 pair of AR-2AXs, 6 pair of AR-4Xs, 1 pair of AR-2s and refurbished them all... new caps, polished pots, completely redone cabinets. I know what I'm talking about from first hand experience. The AR-2AX is significantly inferior to the AR-3A to my ears. The AR-3A is one of my favorite vintage speakers, thus the DB5 reference. The AR-2AX is most certainly NOT, thus the Impala reference! I had in mind a 1965 Impala, not an altogether bad automobile, but no DB5.
   
   Here are the specifics to my mind...
   
   The midrange in the AR-2AX is rather a poor one. The domed mid in the AR-3A is excellent in every way.
   
   The tweeters in the two speakers are very similar and are quite good.
   
   The woofer in the AR-2AX is less than ordinary. The woofer in the AR-3/AR-3A is simply outstanding! The two woofers may look alike, but they are light years distant from each other in the quality of their music reproduction.
   
   BTW, the AR-3A is capable of being taken to an all new level of performance by simply replacing the tweeter with a better more modern one. I've found that a nice vintage Dynaudio soft dome tweeter balances the speaker beautifully while also increasing dynamics and detail. However, I would never suggest anyone do such a thing to an AR-2AX because I don't think the speaker is worthy of it... ie. too small a payoff.
   
   Look, there are very good reasons why a nice pair of AR-2AXs sell for roughly $250.00 while a nice pair of AR-3As commonly sell for north of $1000.00. To my ears, they are nothing like "similar" in any way, shape, or form.

    

   Last edited: Dec 2, 2013

   pabs911, Dec 2, 2013

   #5
6. 

   Guest105 Super Member

   Opinions vary. pabs911, think about becoming a subscriber and helping to support this great community, where audio opinions can be shared and discussed.

    

   Guest105, Dec 3, 2013

   #6
7. 

   Fairlane AK Subscriber Subscriber

   Having owned 2AX's and currently owning a set of 3's (I know they are different from 3A's) I can say that I thought the AX's were great for everyday listening, background music etc. They do a lot of things right.
   
   Seemed to do well with solid state or tubes and are easier to drive.
   
   But for critical serious evaluation of material, gear or pure enjoyment; the 3A's all the way.
   
   Just my .02 cents worth.

    

   Fairlane, Dec 3, 2013

   #7
8. 

   pabs911 Well-Known Member

   kcbluesman said: ↑

   Opinions vary. pabs911, think about becoming a subscriber and helping to support this great community, where audio opinions can be shared and discussed.

   I've actually thought about becoming a subscriber many times, but have yet to do it. I'm not sure why you would bring such a suggestion to a thread about speakers though. This forum allows me to post free of charge, so I don't think your suggestion has any relevance to this discussion.
   
   As to how or why anyone would prefer an AR-2AX to an AR-3A pair, I'm completely at a loss. I also don't understand how some people prefer dull tasteless food over spicy interesting food, but some actually do. As you say, opinions vary. I gave mine which is based on first hand knowledge. What you do with it is up to you.
   
   

   artbrewer said: ↑

   Many prefer the 2AX its far from being a chevy impala

   A 1965 Impala is a nice enough car. I'd prefer the DB5 though.

    

   Last edited: Dec 3, 2013

   pabs911, Dec 3, 2013

   #8
9. 

   Guest105 Super Member

   Wow...your response is very rude. You gave your opinion, and I gave mine. Seems like the fact that mine - which is also based on quite a bit of experience - differs from yours has made you angry.
   
   I certainly didn't couple my opinion with a personalization, or imply that your opinion is less valid than mine. But if it makes you feel better, you are certainly free to be a jerk...at least until the moderators reign you in.
   
   As for the suggestion to become a subscriber; I saw by your number of posts that you seem to get quite a bit of use out of this forum, and wanted to remind you that helping to support it will assure its continued operation.
   
   By the way, I do not prefer the AR-2ax to the 3a, nor did I make any statement to that effect. I did, however, keep my 2a's (among others) and sell the AR-3a's (among others).

    

   Last edited: Dec 3, 2013

   Guest105, Dec 3, 2013

   #9
10. 

    pabs911 Well-Known Member

    kcbluesman said: ↑

    Wow...your response is very rude. You gave your opinion, and I gave mine. Seems like the fact that mine - which is also based on quite a bit of experience - differs from yours has made you angry.
    
    I certainly didn't couple my opinion with a personalization, or imply that your opinion is less valid than mine. But if it makes you feel better, you are certainly free to be a jerk...at least until the moderators reign you in.
    
    As for the suggestion to become a subscriber; I saw by your number of posts that you seem to get a bit of use out of this forum, and wanted to remind you that helping to support it will assure its continued operation.

    I'm not angry at all, and to be honest, I have no idea how you came to that conclusion. Look, I don't come here to get into it with anyone. I'm very comfortable with everything I've written here because it is my honest opinion. That it doesn't coincide with yours seems to have upset you somehow. That is unfortunate, but ultimately, I come here to discuss hi fi. I can leave the personal stuff for the moderators to deal with.

     

    pabs911, Dec 3, 2013

    #10
11. 

    Guest105 Super Member

    As to how or why anyone would prefer an AR-2AX to an AR-3A pair, I'm completely at a loss. I also don't understand how some people prefer dull tasteless food over spicy interesting food, but some actually do. As you say, opinions vary. I gave mine which is based on first hand knowledge. What you do with it is up to you.

    Uh-huh.

     

    Guest105, Dec 3, 2013

    #11
12. 

    hionfi Well-Known Member

    AR 3A Fan
    
    At HIONFI we're big fans of all AR speakers, they can fit the budget minded buyer or the collector. We're big fans of the 3A, please see the attached rehab work done on one of our pairs.
    
    PS: Our LST-2's, 3's 3A's, 2AX's and 4ax's all get equal playing time in the store.

     

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    hionfi, Dec 3, 2013

    #12
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    pabs911 Well-Known Member

    kcbluesman said: ↑

    Uh-huh.

    I probably should have spoken directly about what I was referring to...
    
    I once went to a dinner in Kansas City with a business associate from Ireland who loved BBQ. After about 5 minutes of eating his food, I noticed he was beginning to flop sweat pretty badly. I asked him what was the matter, and he said the BBQ was very spicy. Well, I was eating the very same BBQ as he was, and I thought it was no more than mildly spicy. As it turns out, Irish food is generally considered bland by US standards, and no doubt US food is considered rather spicy to the Irish. So I learned something that day and have never forgotten it.
    
    I see now that you thought that comment was aimed at you when it really was meant as a generalization about varying tastes. I blame the nature of conversing on the net. No inflection or tone assistance. Only context, which often isn't enough.

     

    pabs911, Dec 3, 2013

    #13
14. 

    pabs911 Well-Known Member

    hionfi said: ↑

    At HIONFI we're big fans of all AR speakers, they can fit the budget minded buyer or the collector. We're big fans of the 3A, please see the attached rehab work done on one of our pairs.
    
    PS: Our LST-2's, 3's 3A's, 2AX's and 4ax's all get equal playing time in the store.

    I did my AR-3A restorations very similar to yours. I used good quality film caps for the midrange and tweeter, and a NPE cap for the woofer. I also replaced the rock wool filled AR-3As with Owens pink fiberglass. I used a dremel to polish the pots back to near new. I used Duct Seal to reseal the drivers to the baffle. I then completely refinished the cabinets. Done! Not new, but in some ways better than new because of the superior caps. Here are a couple of my restorations...
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

     

    Last edited: Dec 3, 2013

    pabs911, Dec 3, 2013

    #14
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    hionfi Well-Known Member

    That's a great looking pair of 3A's, nice work!

     

    hionfi, Dec 3, 2013

    #15
16. 

    pabs911 Well-Known Member

    Here is some more of my work...
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    hionfi said: ↑

    That's a great looking pair of 3A's, nice work!

    Thank you very much. I feel that the AR-3/3A is one of the most beautiful bookshelf speakers ever made. That wide inward sloping frame around the baffle is the key.

     

    Last edited: Dec 3, 2013

    pabs911, Dec 3, 2013

    #16
17. 

    davidro Lunatic Member

    kcbluesman said: ↑

    For their era, they were outstanding...and still hold up quite well today, but are not comparable to high-quality modern speakers.

    I like my modern speakers.
    Have had a few pairs and will have more.
    Another pair on its way as we speak.
    Having said that, AR3a is a pair of speakers that I will not get rid of.
    They're not inferior. They're just different.
    But I do see why some would think of them to be inferior.

     

    davidro, Dec 3, 2013

    #17
18. 

    davidro Lunatic Member

    Great looking restoration job pabs. Well-done.

     

    davidro, Dec 3, 2013

    #18
19. 

    pabs911 Well-Known Member

    davidro said: ↑

    Great looking restoration job pabs. Well-done.

    Thanks davidro.
    
    I can see how some might not prefer the sound of AR-3As to modern speakers. My current speakers in my main 2 channel system are ESB 7/07 towers from the early 1980s, but I hope to someday be able to afford to keep a pair of AR-3As. I always end up selling them because they are worth too much on the open market! :-(
    
    

     

    pabs911, Dec 3, 2013

    #19
20. 

    Guest105 Super Member

    I see now that you thought that comment was aimed at you when it really was meant as a generalization about varying tastes. I blame the nature of conversing on the net. No inflection or tone assistance. Only context, which often isn't enough.

    Agreed.
    
    
    It also helps to carefully read people's posts. As noted above, I did not say that I prefer the AR2ax to the 3a. Posting your comment under a quote from my earlier post implies that I did.
    
    The 3a's are fine speakers. The 2ax's are quite good as well, but less so. It is my opinion that they are much more alike than they are different. I prefer the AR-5 over the AR-3a for most types of music and at mid to lower volumes...the transition from the woofer to the dome midrange is better because of the smaller woofer. And, I find the AR-5 woofer to be tighter/faster sounding...the big 12" driver can get muddy, to my ears.
    
    As for my 2a's...they are the earliest version, with the 10" woofer with cast aluminum frame, six mounting bolts, cloth surrounds, felt/foam damping rings and cylindrical alnico magnet. I like these woofers even more than those in the 5's.
    
    I often run the 2a's and 5's together, sometimes with the 2a's running full range and the 5's running mids/tweets only. Very nice.