Acoustic Research research-tsw-110 (1987)
Acoustic Research TSW-110 (1987)
The Acoustic Research TSW-110 is a floorstanding loudspeaker that came out in 1987 as part of AR's TSW (Total Spectrum Wave) series. AR was trying to hold onto its acoustic suspension roots while giving the market the bigger, louder speakers it wanted. The TSW-110 is the result, a compromise made by engineers. It has more kick than an AR-3a, but it hasn't yet gone to the boom-and-tizz of the '90s. It's one of the most usable and honest speakers AR made in this era.
Specifications
| Model | TSW-110 |
| Years Produced | 1987–1990 |
| Type | 2-way, bass reflex (rear port) |
| Woofer | 10-inch polypropylene cone with butyl rubber surround |
| Tweeter | 1-inch ferrofluid-cooled soft dome, polyester film diaphragm |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Power Handling | 150 watts program (75 watts RMS) |
| Frequency Response | 38 Hz – 22 kHz (±3 dB) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.2 kHz |
| Bi-Wiring | Yes (dual binding posts) |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 24" × 10" × 13.5" (610 × 254 × 343 mm) |
| Weight | 38 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Finishes | Oak, black ash, walnut vinyl veneer |
Historical Context
The TSW-110 arrived when Acoustic Research was at a crossroads. The classic sealed-box "New England sound" was seen as too polite and inefficient for the rock and home theater crowd. The TSW series was AR's answer - a full move to bass reflex design for more output and deeper extension. That was a big deal for a company whose identity was built on acoustic suspension. The TSW-110 has a rear-firing port and a 10-inch driver, and it's AR saying, "Okay, fine, you want bass? Here's your bass." But they did it their way. The cabinet is still solid and dead, the drivers were newly developed with a carbon-loaded polypropylene cone, and the crossover was designed for precise phase alignment.
Sound Signature
The TSW-110 is not a warm, pillowy vintage AR-2ax. It's articulate, punchy and agile. The 10-inch woofer, freed by the port, delivers bass that is tight and goes deep, though it can get a bit one-note if you really crank it. The midrange is where the AR DNA shows up. Vocals and acoustic guitars sound natural and present, not hyped or recessed. The tweeter is a 1-inch soft dome cooled with ferrofluid. It's smooth and detailed without being etched, and it never gets spitty or harsh, even on bad recordings. The overall presentation is balanced and neutral with a slight warmth. It images well and throws a decent soundstage. It works with practically any amplifier from a 30-watt receiver to a 150-watt power amp. It's not the last word in resolution, but it's musical and forgiving, and you can listen for hours without fatigue.
Maintenance and Restoration Tips
On to keeping these old speakers running. The TSW-110 is generally sturdy, but it has a couple of classic failure points. First, a correction to a common myth: the woofer surrounds are not foam. They're butyl rubber, the same long-lived stuff AR was known for. So if the bass sounds off, don't automatically order a refoam kit. Check for a torn surround or a stuck voice coil first. A re-foam on these is usually someone "fixing" what wasn't broken.
The real weak point is the tweeter ferrofluid. After 35+ years, it turns into a sticky gunk that dampens the tweeter and kills the high end. Cleaning and replacing the fluid is a delicate job, but the speaker sounds new when you're done. If a tweeter is silent, check this before you assume the coil is blown. Nine times out of ten, it's just gummed up.
The cabinets are well built. The vinyl veneers (usually oak or black ash) can be cleaned up with a damp cloth, and Howard's Restor-a-Finish handles scratches. The dual binding posts allow bi-wiring, but make sure they're clean and tight. Inside, the crossover capacitors are probably drifting out of spec by now. Replacing the old electrolytics with new poly films is an upgrade that tightens up the sound, especially midrange clarity. It's not mandatory.
Collectibility and Market Value
Nobody buys TSW-110s to flip for a retirement fund. They're "working-class collector" speakers. You find them cheap because people take them for just another 80s black box. A simple restoration - cleaning the tweeters, maybe new caps - might cost $50 in parts and elbow grease, and gives you a pair worth maybe $250-$400 on a good day. They're not the coveted classic AR, but they're a more practical daily driver in many ways. For a first vintage system, or an honest, amp-friendly speaker that won't break the bank, the TSW-110 is a good choice.
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