McIntosh AR-3a — A Note on Attribution
There's a problem with this entry. The research record has no evidence that McIntosh ever made a product called the "AR-3a." Every source that mentions the AR-3a, and there are several, attributes it to Acoustic Research, a different company. Anyone looking for a McIntosh-branded AR-3a hits a dead end right away. What follows is what the record shows about the AR-3a as an Acoustic Research product, so the page isn't empty. It should not be read as a McIntosh model.
The AR-3a was a bookshelf loudspeaker introduced in 1967 and produced until 1975. It sold for $175 each at launch. It was a more refined version of the earlier AR-3 (from 1958, the first speaker to use a dome tweeter). The new model swapped the cone midrange for a dome midrange and kept the 12-inch woofer in a sealed, acoustic-suspension enclosure. Externally it looked nearly identical to its predecessor. The crossover points were 1,200 Hz and 6,000 Hz, and impedance was 4 ohms.
Period reception was strong. Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review reportedly called it one of the most accurate speakers he had tested at the time, and it has since been described as one of the most famous loudspeakers ever made. The audio press noted that McIntosh hinted at new product announcements but gave no further details, as reported in High Fidelity (October 1971, p.56). Owners today note that the woofer's foam surround commonly deteriorates and needs replacement. Replacing the crossover capacitors is a routine restoration job.
Known specs, as documented:
- Type: Acoustic suspension bookshelf speaker
- Woofer: 12-inch
- Tweeter: Dome type; midrange: dome type
- Crossover: 1,200 Hz and 6,000 Hz
- Impedance: 4 ohms
- Introduced 1967 at $175 each; produced through 1975
No dimensions, weight, sensitivity, or production totals are documented in the available record. Nothing here connects the AR-3a to McIntosh. A unit with McIntosh branding would be an unusual find.
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