Heathkit AS-103A (1973)

They were built to the same blueprint as the AR-3A, down to the last capacitor.

Overview

Flip through a 1970s Heathkit catalog and the AS-103A looks like an Acoustic Research AR-3A. That's no accident. In 1973, Acoustic Research granted Heathkit a license to produce the AS-103A to the exact specifications of the AR-3A. It was one of the few times a major speaker design was officially cloned for the DIY market. This wasn't a knockoff. It was the real thing in kit form. Builders could solder and assemble their own version of the speaker that defined high-fidelity for a generation, and save a few bucks doing it.

Most speaker kits at the time were modest two-ways aimed at beginners. The AS-103A was a full three-way acoustic suspension design. It put the AR-3A's neutral sound and deep bass extension within reach of the hobbyist, at least on paper. Owners report that once built, the speakers were often just called AR-3s, because they matched the original so closely in both appearance and performance.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Heathkit
Model	AS-103A
Year Introduced	1973
Type	3-way acoustic suspension speaker system
Woofer	12"
Midrange	5"
Tweeter	3" cone
Crossover Frequencies	800 Hz and 3500 Hz
Frequency Response	30 to 20,000 Hz
Power Handling	35 watts
Impedance	8 ohms
Dimensions	25" H x 14-1/2" W x 11-1/2" D
Weight	50 lbs each

Key Features

Built to AR-3A Specs, with a Few Upgrades

The AS-103A was a licensed reproduction. Heathkit built the speakers to the exact specifications of the AR-3A under official permission from Acoustic Research, so the acoustic performance and component layout are identical. Some owners note that Heathkit quietly improved a few things. The cabinets, made from 3/4" veneered particle board, are described as “fancier and of better quality than the AR speaker.” The rear-panel controls, those level-adjustment pots for the midrange and tweeter, are reportedly of higher quality than the ones on the original AR-3A.

Acoustic Suspension and Driver Layout

The AS-103A uses an acoustic suspension (sealed box) design, which gives tight, accurate bass without the port noise or resonance of vented enclosures. The 12" woofer rolls off smoothly down to 30 Hz, which is remarkable for a home speaker of its era. Above it, the 5" midrange and 3" cone tweeter are time-aligned within the baffle to keep the phase response coherent across the crossover points at 800 Hz and 3,500 Hz. That driver integration is a big part of why the speaker sounds so natural, especially with vocals and acoustic instruments.

Adjustable Front Panel Controls

Like the AR-3A, the AS-103A has front-panel level controls for the midrange and tweeter. These aren't tone controls in the traditional sense. Longtime users clarify that their purpose is to “balance the energy going to the more sensitive drivers (mid and tweeters) in relationship to the energy going to the woofers.” In practice, this lets owners tailor the voicing to their room and listening preferences. Some purists later removed the pots from the circuit, arguing they degrade signal quality.

Classic Aesthetic and Grille Design

The AS-103A looks like the 1970s. It has a walnut-finished hardwood grille frame and brown woven fabric, the “retro grill cloth” look that audiophiles either love or love to restore. Each cabinet is 25 inches tall and weighs nearly 50 pounds.

Historical Context

The AS-103A arrived in 1973. Component systems were replacing console stereos, and speaker design was shifting toward scientific precision. The AR-3A, designed by Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss, had already set a benchmark for accuracy and bass response in a compact sealed cabinet. By licensing the design to Heathkit, Acoustic Research opened one of the best speakers of its time to kit builders. For $189.95 in 1974, buyers could assemble a speaker that closely matched the $300+ AR-3A. Within Heathkit's own lineup it sat in the middle: it was cheaper than the AS-102 ($239.95) and AS-101 ($269.95), so it was a high-performance option but not the top of the range.

Collectibility & Value

A pair of AS-103As is hard to find today. It's “pretty rare to find a pair of these,” as one seller put it. Part of the appeal is the link to the AR-3A, and part is that this was a licensed, high-end kit in an era when most DIY speakers were budget designs. Condition is everything. Common issues include deteriorated woofer surrounds and damaged tweeter diaphragms. One listing noted a missing tweeter diaphragm, and another that the woofers had been refoamed. Refoaming or reconing is often necessary, and replacement parts can be a hunt.

Market prices reflect the scarcity. One listing asked $349 O.B.O., while another on Reverb showed a price of $479.99. Owners consistently report that “they sound amazing,” especially when properly maintained. For a restorer, the AS-103A is a chance to rebuild a speaker that was, by design, indistinguishable from one of the most respected models in hi-fi history.