rfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES) (04/30/85)
[] Well, Mr. Pearse, (is it Mr.?), I have a pair of AR-9's. When they came out they were raved about by just about everyone including Julian Hirsch. I can think of two possible exceptions: there was a review in the Boston Audio Society rag that was so recondite that noone could be sure if he was praising or damning. Then, too, I wasn't reading the golden ear journals in those days (The Assolute Sound, etc). I'm still not. On the other hand, you have to understand that these are not really esoteric speakers. They incorporate two of the genuine advances in loudspeakers made in the last 40 years or so: acoustic suspension and ferrofluid tweeters. Both by Ed Vilchur. Now you know about acoustic suspension. that was the invention that was so good everyone had to have it. So everyone pile on little Ed in court and the judge said it really wasn't a new idea. I'M not really sure about Vilchur and ferrofluid. Maybe AR used it after he left. Anyhow you have a damn fine set of speakers. they should be slightly better than mine on imaging and maybe not quite as powerful below 30 hz. They are also considerably smaller (not so deep). You willfind that the imaging depends a lot on where they are located in the room and the room itself. Keep them out of corners. Install them the way AR says in their booklet- they know what they are talking about. I'd say the "sweet spot" is maybe the same in my room.as yours.h Because of the minimal changes in the "LS" from the 9, because it is an expensive speaker, because it is not exotic but just plain good, I would not expect it to get much magazine "play". Magazine space also seems related to number of new models and AR doesn't change their models that often. I have followed the fortunes of AR since the '50s. They have had their ups and downs. Every few years they start building sh**ty speakers to attract folks who like peaky reproduction (most do, you know). But they always seem to come back. The 9 was such a comeback. The 14 (my son has a pair and loves 'em) had a midrange peak. I have now in use a pair of 1's, 3's, 4's and 9's. If I had a pair of LST's, I would have a complete set of AR's top of the line models since 1954. There has been steady improvement. I'm happy. I hope you are too. Stop worrying, let the other guys do that. Dick -- "It's the thought, if any, that counts!" Dick Grantges hound!rfg