Acoustic Research AR-93 (1980–1982)

Floor-standing 3-way acoustic suspension loudspeaker with dual side-firing 8-inch woofers, introduced as part of AR's High Tech series.

Overview

The Acoustic Research AR-93 is a floor-standing loudspeaker built from 1980 to 1982. It was introduced in late 1979 as part of AR's "High Tech" series, which put performance ahead of cosmetic embellishment. It uses the same acoustic suspension design concept as the flagship AR-9 and AR-90, with dual side-facing 8-inch woofers, and it has been called the "little brother to the legendary AR-9." It belongs to the "Advanced Reference Series" and is listed among Acoustic Research's "Classic Models Reference." A forward-facing 8-inch cone midrange sits in a separate sealed compartment, next to a one-inch dome tweeter, with a complex crossover network.

Specifications

Type	3-way speaker
Driver complement	Dual side-facing 8-inch woofers, one forward-facing 8-inch cone midrange, one-inch dome tweeter
Frequency response	44 Hz - 22 kHz +/- 3dB
Sensitivity	87 dB
Crossover frequencies	350 Hz and 2000 Hz
Power handling	15 - 125 watts
Impedance	6 ohms
Dimensions	31" H x 14" W x 11" D
Weight	50 lbs
Original price	$520.00 (pair)

Design

The AR-93 uses an acoustic suspension (sealed box) enclosure with two chambers. The midrange driver gets its own sealed compartment. The crossover is complex, and the wrap-around sock-style grille has top caps. The tweeter is a known weak point. Users report a significant improvement in sound after swapping in high-quality 3/4” Vifa units. The woofers are prone to foam degradation and may need refoaming, which is a common and straightforward repair.

Context

The AR-93 was positioned as the "little brother" to the AR-9, and the AR-94 was described as the "lesser brother of the AR-93." The model was part of the performance-focused "High Tech" series, where engineering took precedence over cosmetic features.

Market

A used pair was listed for CAD $350.00 as of July 10, 2016, and another for CAD $280.00 as of April 12, 2009. Common problems are dried ferrofluid in the tweeters and foam rot in the woofers, and both can be repaired. Some units have upgraded binding posts, and the fabric grilles may need repair. One listing said the speakers were re-foamed ten years earlier and saw little use since, with no signs of cracking.