AR (Acoustic Research) 18 monitor speakers

[Sonic Dreamer]

Hi, A sound engineer friend was round today and he was raving about this pair of AR (Acoustic Research) 18 monitor speakers he heard recently. To put this into context, my mate has heard tons of monitor speakers in his time. He said they were predominantly used in the Studios during the 1970s and early 1980s and a lot of the classic Island stuff was recorded and mixed using them in the desk booth. They apparently have a warm, rich timbre. Does anyone own a pair or have anything to share from experiencing them? Cheers, SonicD

 

[gregory]

Great speakers, still cut the mustard today, good with vinyl but would tame bright sounding CD's, not a bad thing, had a pair many moons ago and wished i kept hold of them, seem to have a bit of a cult following nowadays, like the gale 301's and 401's. Check out JPW 1 2 and 3's as well great speakers.

 

[John Duncan]

I chucked mine on the tip last weekend...

 

[gregory]

could you not have donated them to someone, bit of a waste really and not very green.

 

[John Duncan]

gregory:could you not have donated them to someone, bit of a waste really and not very green.

Not with the way the rubber surrounds had shredded and the consequent f-rting noises they made, no...

 

[Anonymous]

Comedy speakers, could be a new trend

 

[Sonic Dreamer]

JohnDuncan:I chucked mine on the tip last weekend...

John, you should not have committed that deed, said friend knows a company that could have refurbished them for comparatively minimal cost.....

Cheers,
SonicD

 

[MIKEMORAN121212]

I bought my AR18s speakers in December 1982 and still use them daily, had to re-foam them a few years back but its a simple job. I love the sound, had them so long my ears cant get used to other speakers. I have a NAD 3020 amp and use a Marantz CD 52 CD player which produce a really rich and detailed sound.

 

[Al ears]

I bought my AR18s speakers in December 1982 and still use them daily, had to re-foam them a few years back but its a simple job. I love the sound, had them so long my ears cant get used to other speakers. I have a NAD 3020 amp and use a Marantz CD 52 CD player which produce a really rich and detailed sound.

Good to know and good speakers but this thread is six years old.

 

[chebby]

.

 

[chebby]

.

 

[Edbo2]

Hi, A sound engineer friend was round today and he was raving about this pair of AR (Acoustic Research) 18 monitor speakers he heard recently. To put this into context, my mate has heard tons of monitor speakers in his time. He said they were predominantly used in the Studios during the 1970s and early 1980s and a lot of the classic Island stuff was recorded and mixed using them in the desk booth. They apparently have a warm, rich timbre. Does anyone own a pair or have anything to share from experiencing them? Cheers, SonicD

A work colleague had a pair with a Linn Sondeck turntable and Naim amplification. The sound was incredible with Gilbert O'Sullivan sounding as if he was with you in the room. Those were the days when it was recommended to spend the bulk of money on the front end.