Acoustic Research? (1 Viewer)

[Brent_Sch]

I'm looking at some of these speakers and was wondering what is the better series between the Performance and Stature series. I know you should listen and decide for yourself but these are hard to find. I also would need the matching center to either of these tower speakers. Anybody that has heard both sets of these speakers or can comment on at least one of the sets please let me know your thoughts.

Specifically looking at AR S40 or PS2262. Then obviously the matching center (SC2 or PSC25 respectively)

Other speakers I'm looking at are Polk R40 and JBL N38. How would these AR speakers compare?

Thanks

 

[Brett DiMichele]

The Stature line from AR is a step above the Performance Series.

If you had to rate AR's line it would go (from most expensive

to lowest priced)

Phantom Series and High Res Series (Similar Prices)

High Output Series (Discontinued, Replaced by Hi-Res)

Stature Series

Performance Series

The Performance Series isn't "bad" but they are not "great"

IMHO. THe PS uses Polypropelene Tweeters and Poly Treated

Paper Cone Woofers with Foam Rubber Surrounds.

The Stature Series steps up to Silk Cloth Tweeters and full

Poly Woofers with Foam Surrounds.

The Performance Series steps up to pure Titanium Tweeters and

Magnesium/Aluminium Alloy Monocoque Mids with Butyl Rubber

Surrounds.

The Phantom series uses extruded aluminium encosures lined

with neoprene (to absorb vibration) and they run Illusion

Audio Reverse Motor Mids (Magnet on the outside) these are

for people who want THIN speakers.

I have Performance Series Bookshelfs for my L/R Surround and

a Performance Series Center Channel for Back Surround and

they work great. I run Hi Res Towers and a Hi Res center up

front and they sound worlds better (they ARE worlds better..)

 

[Brent_Sch]

Well these would be my first real HT speakers. I have a small HT Kenwood setup (not the 504 or any of that series) and want to upgrade those three speakers. My dad has some old Dante speakers that I will most likely use for the surrounds because matching a center to them would be tough and not something I want to do at this time. I enjoyed the Kenwood setup but quickly opted for an upgrade of the sub and now the 3 speakers.
Are the Performance series comparable to either the Polk or JBL? I have been able to hear those and liked them for the price but want to explore all options before the final purchase. I will use these for probably almost 50/50 HT and music.
Oh, I should mention the room I will use them in is small. I think it's about 12x12.
Thanks for your reply!

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Brent,

It all comes down to cold hard cash. How much do you want

to spend for a pair of mains? How much do you want to spend

for a center channel?

The Performance Series sounds good.. The Stature Series

sounds better and the Hi Res series sounds the best. And

of course the better you get, the more you have to spend to

get them.

My Performance Series works okay for surround duties, but I

plan on even replacing those with Hi Res components as I

plan to venture into true Multichannel Music and I will need

the best speakers all around the room.

 

[Jason Hammerly]

how much so you want to soend for the front soundstage Brent? At Etronics you can get the AR AR17's and the AR4c center (hi-res speakers) for a total of $300 I think. Check them out at Etronics.com. Later.

 

[Danny Tse]

Looks like AR is readying a new line to replace the Hi-Res line, which means a great time to pick them up. Interested in the AR 15 and the AR 17 bookshelf speakers. These will be eventually augmented by a powered sub. Any opinions on the 15 or the 17?

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Danny,
Yes I do beleive AR will be replacing the Hi Res series with
something new soon. Now is the time to buy!
I want to upgrade from PS216 Bookshelf's to a pair of AR15's
for my Rear and L/R Surround.. I guess I should take my own
advice and BUY BUY BUY!