Acoustic Research AR-90 Speaker Pair

4-Way Acoustic-Suspension Floorstanding Speakers – Professionally Restored – 1-Year Warranty

Professionally Restored by HQaudios – Fully Tested – Backed by Our 1-Year Warranty.

About This Pair

Up for sale is a professionally restored pair of Acoustic Research AR-90 floorstanding loudspeakers. The AR-90 is a classic four-way, five-driver acoustic-suspension design from Acoustic Research’s late-1970s / early-1980s era.

The system uses dual side-mounted 10-inch woofers, an 8-inch mid-bass driver, a 1.5-inch dome midrange, and a 0.75-inch dome tweeter. This pair features Walnut veneer cabinets, black front baffles, and restored black grilles.

The speakers were restored, serviced, and tested by HQaudios with attention to driver condition, crossover performance, level-control operation, cabinet condition, internal wiring, and overall acoustic performance.

Key Highlights

• Acoustic Research AR-90 four-way, five-driver speaker pair
• Dual side-mounted 10-inch acoustic-suspension woofers
• 8-inch mid-bass driver, 1.5-inch dome midrange, and 0.75-inch dome tweeter
• Walnut veneer cabinets with black front baffles
• Woofers professionally re-foamed and re-centered
• Cabinet scratches and dented areas repaired and refinished
• Grilles restored with repaired frames, new cloth, and new mounting pegs
• Damaged terminal assemblies upgraded with new binding posts
• Level-control switches cleaned and serviced
• Drivers, crossover networks, wiring, and terminals inspected and tested
• RTA frequency-response and polarity checks completed
• 1-Year HQaudios Technical Warranty

Professional Restoration & Testing

Before Restoration

When this AR-90 pair arrived, we inspected its mechanical, electrical, acoustic, and cosmetic condition.

• Cabinets showed dirt, scuffs, scratches, and normal age-related wear
• Light scratches were present on the top and right-side panels of both cabinets
• One top panel had a small dent
• Foam surrounds had deteriorated and required replacement
• Grille cloth and mounting hardware required restoration
• Terminal assemblies were cracked and no longer provided a secure cable connection
• Mounting screws and hardware showed corrosion
• Drivers were checked for cone movement and voice-coil rub, and the DC resistance of every driver was checked against its nominal impedance
• Crossover networks, capacitors, internal wiring, and level-control switches were inspected

During Restoration

• Deteriorated foam surrounds replaced and cones carefully re-centered
• Cones and dust caps carefully cleaned and cosmetically refreshed
• Scratched and dented cabinet areas repaired and refinished
• Grille frames repaired where required
• New black grille cloth and mounting pegs installed
• Damaged terminal assemblies upgraded with new binding posts
• Corroded screws and mounting hardware replaced where required
• Reproduction logos and rear labels installed where original cosmetic pieces were damaged or missing
• Level-control switches cleaned and treated for quiet, reliable operation
• Crossover boards, accessible connections, terminals, and internal wiring cleaned and inspected

No driver replacement was required during our restoration. No crossover component replacement was required based on the inspection results.

After Restoration

• All driver sections confirmed operational on both speakers
• RTA frequency-response check performed for overall response and pair consistency
• Driver polarity verified
• Level-control switches checked through their available settings
• Left and right speaker output checked for balanced operation
• Extended listening test completed with multiple music styles

Sound Character

The AR-90 delivers the deep, controlled low-frequency response associated with Acoustic Research’s acoustic-suspension designs. Its dual side-mounted woofers provide substantial bass extension, while the dedicated mid-bass and dome mid/high drivers maintain clarity and smooth integration through the upper range. The result is a full-range, balanced presentation well suited to classical, jazz, rock, vocals, and other music where low-frequency extension and natural tonal balance are important.

Cosmetic Condition

This pair presents in Excellent restored vintage cosmetic condition. The Walnut veneer cabinets have been repaired, refinished, and detailed, while minor age-related marks remain as shown in the photos.

• Cabinets: Walnut veneer repaired, refinished, and detailed
• Front Baffles: Black baffles with the correct AR-90 driver layout
• Drivers: Original AR drivers retained, cleaned, inspected, and tested
• Grilles: Restored grille assemblies with repaired frames, new black cloth, and new mounting pegs
• Rear Panels: Level-control switches and speaker connections are clean and functional
• Terminals: Upgraded with new binding posts

Please review all listing photos carefully, as they show the actual pair and form an important part of the cosmetic description.

Specifications

Video Demo & Additional Photos

Additional close-up photos and a demonstration video of this exact pair are available on request.

Suggested Pairing

The AR-90 is best matched with a quality amplifier capable of stable operation into a 4-ohm nominal load and sufficient current delivery for its acoustic-suspension woofer system.

Contact us for amplifier, receiver, cable, and complete-system matching. Package pricing may be available when purchasing compatible components together.

What’s Included

This sale includes one pair of Acoustic Research AR-90 speakers and the restored black grilles shown in the listing photos.

Speaker stands, amplifiers, cables, furniture, and other accessories are not included unless specifically stated.

Professional Packing & Shipping

Each AR-90 weighs approximately 81.6 lbs. The side-mounted woofers, cabinets, grilles, corners, and rear terminals require careful protection during shipment.

The pair will be professionally packed using reinforced protective materials. Palletized or crated shipping may be used when required by destination or carrier service.

1-Year HQaudios Technical Warranty

This AR-90 pair is backed by our 1-Year HQaudios Technical Warranty for qualifying functional issues under normal intended use.

We also provide ongoing technical support for setup, amplifier matching, speaker placement, and future service questions.