Best speaker for the price!!

Take sometime to burn-in.

I used this pair as my rear speakers. After burning in, it's rock!!!

Sound Quality, Size, Price

none

I'm more than happy with this purchase. Cost me $160 per pair + shipping costs (which was $30 per pair)


My Speakers
6- Acoustic Research AR17's
1- ARC4
1- Sony WM40 subwoofer

AVR-
Dennon 3802 AVR.

Interconnects -
Acoustic Research Performance Series

Similar Products Used:

none

compact, very good on mids and highs

if you like base this speaker is not for you.

I am not really into bassy music and live in a small apartment so these speakers were ideal for me. The detail of music reproduced through these speakers is amazing.

Similar Products Used:

bose 201, yamaha

Great imaging, good soundstage depth, respectable low-end

There are better speakers out there, but not for the price

This is a great speaker for the price. I compared them to the AR-2C when matched up for home theater use (see review), but I'm now refering to these in an audio only set-up. My audio gear is a much better than my theater gear, consisting of a Jolida 60 watt integrated tube amp, NAD CD player, KEF RDM one's, and NHT SWP sub. Interconnects are Audioquest Ruby and speaker wires are Audioquest Indigo.

Compared to more expensive speakers like my KEF's and my dads B&W 805's, the AR-17's will show their limitations. They don't have the huge soundstage depth of the others, but it is pretty good considering the price. They also aren't as transparent. They image very well though, and do a good job of dissapearing. Bass is very good for the size but I augment the low end with a sub, so it's not that much of a concern to me. When I compare them to my AR-15's, I think that the AR-17's do a better job of presenting the music with less color. The AR-15's have much fuller bass but it makes the midrange muddy. They're also much less clear and less open than my KEF's. On the other hand the cheaper AR-17's give you a more open window to the music.

No they aren't in the same league as the other speakers mentioned (except for the zeroes - I prefer the AR's) but then again it's the law of diminishing returns. The KEF's list for $900, the B&W 805's are $1600, and the Epos are around $1100. I think the AR-17's are tremendous and give you about 80% of the performance of the KEF's for only $189 mail-order. They sound more accurate than the AR-15's and work very well in a home theater environment. So save the money and get the AR-17's, they almost approach hi-end mini monitor performance and for $189 you can save up for other equipment that does make a difference - in fact, I'm selling my KEF's. to upgrade to a Hsu Research TN1220 sub.

I'm giving 5 stars for value because you can't go wrong for the price and you can actually get a lot worse with other brands.

I'm also giving 5 stars as an overall rating, but only in the context of price. You can obviously do better for 3-4 times the price.

Hope this helps

Similar Products Used:

AR-15, KEF RDM one, NHT super zero, B&W 805, Epos ES-11

Good speakers for their size

The AR17 bookshelf speakers are designed for listeners who are aching for space. For $380/pair these offspring from Acoustic Research carry on the Hi-RES philosophy of detailed resolution in an unobtrusive, elegant package. The MagAlloy drivers feature a monocoque concave cone constructed of aluminum/magnesium metal alloy; AR says this damps unwanted cone vibration and distortion. The 5-1/4 woofer and AR's proprietary plasma transferred tweeter give this speaker the footing to perform on par with its three-way brothers and sisters. Certainly, the mid and treble ranges should sound quite similar thoughout the line.

If $165/pair is a bit too reasonable of an investment, step up to the $205/pair AR15 speakers. You'll get the AR proprietaries and the same feature lineup, plus about 1 inch more on the woofer size. Both the AR15 and the AR17 have magnetically shielded drivers.

Acoustic Research AR17 Bookshelf ($164.99 pair)

Sounds wonderful and my wallet is still fat.

Too heavy for some mounting brackets, but i like heavy products more than cheap light ones, so it's cool. Grills are very hard to remove, and it's such a pretty speaker to look at with them off.

These speakers sound terrific with my Onkyo TS-DX676. No distortion at high volumes, decent bass for a 5.25" woofer, amazing clarity. To all those people who spend over 500 for similar speakers, let these speakers teach you that just because a product cost more doesn't mean it's better. I started to think i was an audiophile for a while, but then i found that stick up my ass and yanked it out. There are to many variables to have that "perfect" sound. Save your money. Get a nice car. Feed the homeless. Buy these speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Trojan Sensitive, Monistat 7

Looks, Green Tweeter, No dustcap, Soft clean highs, surprising low end, crisp smooth midrange

None at this price, what more can you ask for, seriously!

Wow....I love these speakers, even fresh out of the box they rocked. I have never heard such strange tweeters before. They do not sound bright, they sound high, yet soft, it's almost ridiculous how good these speakers are for how much they cost. I've heard way higher end speakers costing around $500-700 that don't sound as good.

I just sold my AX-6 Technics so I had to listen to them on top of my Mom's Wharfedale Monitor128 speakers connected to the much appraised Technics TX-30 120 watt amp.

I can't tell you how much more accurate they sound than the Infinity's I was using for my front main speakers. The Sterling Series really bites chunks. I'g give them about 1 star for clarity and 4 for bass cause that's all they are good for.
I compared the Infinity's side by side to the KLH 911B speakers that are also on this site and they shine next to the Infinitys...What does that say about Infinity....I don't think I'll ever go infinity ever again after that pair. They cost me $100 plus tax and the AR17 Cost $161 plus shipping. This is a deal in the making.

After I get my new setup...the Denon 2802 I'll have to review the amp, then include how these sound will that amp in plain old stereo. I have no clue on how they will match up to my Boston 555x THX center channel, but I can't force myself to sell my only THX certified speaker. If I did, I'd sell it, then buy the matching Acoustic Research AR-4C just to be finicky.

As far as these goes, I am completely satisfied with the Acoustic Research AR17 speakers. I thought they were bi-wireable but maybe that was the AR15 speakers.

No really big deal since the Denon doesn't have a direct option to bi-amp speakers.

I decided to stick with the budget KLH 911B speakers for the rears since they also have excellent clarity and are very directional as the Boston 555x is. For surrounds only they are a great speaker but I wouldn't choose the KLH for mains because they lack low end. I run a huge sub anyways for bass but I like to know they can handle some low end, which they do not. Some claim that the AR17 do not have bass but if your room acoustics are good and allow bass to penetrate easily, they perform far better than I could expect.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity Sterling Series, KLH 911B, Boston 555x THX, Boston Acoustic HD5, Wharfedale monitor 128

great highs and mids, decent bass for their size, good soundstage and imaging, very well built (very heavy little speakers) nice looking overall and an awesome looking tweeter.

port noise with loud bass

i have been looking at these speakers for rear channels for a while. i just recently got the chance to buy a pair. as i am on a budget and have not completed my system, i am currently using them for the main channels.

when i received the speakers, i had a friend bring his PSB Alpha A/V speakers over for comparison and this is what i have found

- the AR-17s have wonderful mids and highs. this is where the Alphas were week.

- they have good bass for a 5.25" equiped speaker. the Alphas (6.5") had much more. when there is a lot of port activity, there is noticable port noise.

- as for build quality, i used the knocking test (where i knocked on the top of the speaker with my knuckle and observed the sound). the AR-17s are extrememly solid. sounds like you are knocking on a cement floor. this pushes me to believe that the speakers are very well built. when knocking on the the Alphas, they sound much less solid and hollow but still leaves you with the feeling of quality.

i guess in the end, i am very impressed with AR speakers in general. i believe that i have made a good choice.

-- to comment on the other people having problems getting the grill off. i use a pocket knife, sliding the sharp end between the grill and the wood on the verticle side, and carefully prying the grill out. this works very well and i have yet to damage anything.

my current setup:
receiver: Denon AVR-1802
fronts: AR-17

my setup in the end:
receiver: Denon AVR-1802
fronts: AR-15
rears: AR-17
center: AR-4C
sub: ARS112PS

Similar Products Used:

Bose 201 series II, PSB Alpha A/V

Bandwidth vs. Size

At $170/pair, none

I'm using the AR17s as surround speakers and they are excellent. I would not use them as mains, except perhaps in a second/bedroom system, but for much less money than Bose they are much higher quality. There are certainly better speakers available, but not at this price.

Similar Products Used:

KLH, Pioneer, Def Tech