Description
The AR-6 is a two-way acoustic suspension design built around a 203mm (8-inch) woofer and a 32mm (1¼-inch) cone tweeter, crossed over at 1,800Hz. The acoustic suspension principle — a completely sealed enclosure with no port or vent — was developed by Edgar Villchur to eliminate the high harmonic distortion and parasitic cone motion that plagued conventional bass-reflex designs of the era. The result is a loudspeaker with remarkably clean, controlled low-frequency reproduction and a smooth, coherent overall presentation. A front-panel high-frequency level control allows the treble balance to be adjusted to suit room acoustics or personal preference.
The original foam surrounds on the bass units of this pair have been replaced — a positive and worthwhile restoration that ensures the woofers continue to perform as intended. The re-surrounding has been carried out to a good standard and the drivers are performing correctly.
With a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a sensitivity typical of acoustic suspension designs of this period, the AR-6 is best partnered with an amplifier capable of delivering 20 to 40 watts or more into 8-ohm loads. The compact proportions — roughly 12 inches wide by 19½ inches high by 7 inches deep — make the AR-6 a practical standmount or shelf speaker, though placement on dedicated stands is recommended for optimum performance.
Technical Specifications (Source: HiFi Engine / Audio Database / HiFi Wiki)
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Type: Two-way bookshelf loudspeaker
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Enclosure: Acoustic suspension (sealed)
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Driver Complement: 203mm (8″) acoustic suspension woofer, 32mm (1¼”) cone tweeter
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Crossover Frequency: 1,800Hz
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Frequency Response: 56Hz – 20kHz (woofer resonance 56Hz in enclosure)
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Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
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Recommended Amplifier Power: Up to 100W maximum; 20–40W typical
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Enclosure Volume: 18.5 litres (0.65 cu ft.)
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Controls: High-frequency level adjustment
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Dimensions (W x H x D): 305 x 495 x 178 mm (12 x 19½ x 7 inches)
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Weight: 9.1 kg per speaker
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Year of Production: c. 1971 – mid-1970s
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Country of Origin: USA
Why Buy From Us
With over 40 years of experience in the Hi-Fi industry, we are well placed to assess and test equipment of this type. Every item we list is fully inspected and tested before sale — this unit was checked by Andrew in our workshop.
When you buy from us you can expect:
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Full inspection and testing prior to listing — not simply a visual check
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A 3-month guarantee on every item we sell
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Transparent descriptions with no omissions
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Professional packaging to ensure safe delivery
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After-sales support available by phone or email should you have any questions
Summary
The Acoustic Research AR-6 is a historically significant and musically satisfying loudspeaker that represents the mature application of the acoustic suspension principle in a compact, affordable package. This matched pair benefits from re-surrounded bass units, ensuring continued performance for years to come. Stands are not included. This is a matched pair listed as a single lot. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions prior to purchase.
