Very cheap price for a powered tower

Very poor construction,from substandard materials

Well judging by the reviews on this site, I went out and bought a pair of these speakers, and I must admit, I can't believe that anyone could find the sound pleasing. There is really nothing about this speaker that is of any quality. The soundstage was better on the Cerwin Vega's, and that is not the strong point of a Vega speaker! The midrange was very weak, treble sounds like it comes from the cheap speakers that are producing it. The only thing these speakers have going for them is a strong bass that comes from the powered subwoofer, and its really not quality low bass, rather more boomy bass.And then there is the matter of the specifications. They claim 28 to 20khz response +/- 3db on the website, with a 120 watt sub-amp. The spec sheet that comes in the box paints a more realistic 38 to 20khz, with a 100 watt amp.And the speaker doesn't weigh 65 lbs! It weighs 50 lbs! And the claim of "Recommended amplifier power 20-350 watts R.M.S." ? Are they serious? I was driving them with a clean 160W per channel R.M.S.amp at flat response, and the woofer looked as if it would jump out of the basket! Whoever is marketing these speakers at $599. each needs to have there temperature taken. I have read the reviews on these pages for a long time, but until now haven't felt the need to comment, but for anyone out there who wants a quality speaker, spend a little more money and get a Cerwin Vega. I realize that Klipsch costs more, but I would work 2 jobs before I would by from a company that decieves its customers the way AR is doing. I wouldn't even place these speakers in the same room with a Klipsch speaker. Oh, by the way, I paid $199. ea. for them and they are going back to Sears where they belong!

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch RF-3 ,KLF-10, Cerwin Vega VS-150, Infinity, Polk

powered sub, excellent price ($400 a pair at J&R), attractive styling

Powered sub indicator light is off on one of the speakers.

These speakers are magnificent. When I tried the powered subs, at an incredible low of 28 Hz, they dropped a couple of pictures from my front wall. This model essentially eliminated the need for a powered sub. I won't need it.

I have my home theater set up in my basement and when these babies are on - coupled with a good scene on a DVD through a dolby digital system - it feels like an undergroung train is coming through.

Similar Products Used:

JBL HLS820, Bose AM7

Price / Performance

Slightly muddy mid's and thick bass

Honestly, I was this close to buying these speakers but decided to go listed to the Paradigm Monitor 9's. I can only say WOW. The Paradigms are that much better, BUT, you also pay about $300 more. Priced at $199 or $169 per speaker, the 428's are a worthy pair of speakers. They will provide you all of the sonic quality you'd expect a speaker at this price range to supply.

They beat the hell out of the Infinity RS line. Won't even mention JBL or Cerwin Vega. But when comparing them to the Paradigm, there is a world of difference. If you can listen to them both, then do so. If price is truly not an option, grab the 428's while you can (they may be discontinuing the line soon).

BTW my surrond speakers ar AR 226, I couldn't be happier with them. This reveiw is not a slam, but just an honest comparison. I think the AR Performance line of speakers are the best (i've heard) at this price point.

Just my 2 cents worth....

Similar Products Used:

Monitor 9, Boston vr965, Infinity, JAMO

Very low cost. Good sound overall.

Midrange is a bit weak, You get what you pay for.

In buying these speakers I was looking to pay well under $1,000/pair (budget's a bit tight) but wanting to find an open and well-balanced range of audio reproduction. I auditioned many speakers in the $400-$1,000 price range. But I was quickly impressed with the spacious and powerful quality of the AR 428's. I served as a producer for some CD's and a DVD recently and have a pretty decent ear for true high fidelity audio.

Similarly to many of the earlier reviews, I bought through J@R ($399/pair). The price is really excellent for a speaker of this quality. For powered subwoofer speakers like these I would have expected to pay somewhere between $500-$800. I upgraded from an old pair of Ohm L's (wonderful speakers). I've had the AR's in my living room (15x15, pretty bright room) for about 2 months. They've burned in reasonably (60-80 hours of playing time). Playing them through: Marantz 870 receiver, Marantz 67se CD player, basic Monster cable, gold-tipped wiring(AR's).

The AR's have a very good tweeter but do sound just a bit bright on the top end. Midrange is little shallow and vocals sound slightly distant. Bass, while strong, is a touch muddied and boomy (more placement experiments to come). But overall these speakers produce quite good sound. Excellent really for the price.

I just added the AR C225PS center speaker (J&R matched a price I found on the Web, $78) this weekend as part of upgrading to a complete 5.1 surround system for home theater. What a difference. The midrange has really come forth on DVD's and Prologic audio.

I'm quite happy with these speakers for now. I suspect that I'll be looking to upgrade one day to a more highly accurate (and undoubtedly much more expensive) set of speakers but these do a great job, and an excellent value overall.

Similar Products Used:

Ohm, AR

Good price for a powered tower. Good bass.

Midrange

When I first hooked them up and started listening to them I liked them, until I started doing an a/b comparison with my klipsch. That's when I really noticed the weak midrange. Other than that not a bad sounding speaker at all. $1100 is a joke (AR's website price) but $400 is a good price for them. I give them 5 stars for value and 3 for overall/sound quality.

Similar Products Used:

Polk, Infinity, Klipsch

Bass, Clarity, Price, Price, Price, oh yeah and Price

Packaging pretty much gets no stars from me, so expect to have problems, but J&R are pretty good about replacing them

OK. This is not a $1200 pair of speakers, but for $400 there are a steal. Musically, with enough pop of tight bass, these speakers are worth the investment. I was a little uneasy on buying these speakers without hearing them first, but they sound wonderful. I've heard that these speakers can be bright, but not with my Marantz SR7000 receiver. Music (which is what I use them for the most) is next to perfect (unless I forked up three times as much). I can listen to it all day and not get tired. The soundstage isn't as good as the two speakers above, but I'm in 5ch stereo mode almost all of time, so it really doesn't matter.

As far a movies go? Oh yeah baby! They kick butt. They don't have room shaking abilities, but real close. Add a sub, and heaven is near by. They add just the right amount of bass that one should want from the mains.

If you're looking for a good $1200 pair of speakers then maybe there's something better out there, but for under $600 they are 5 stars all around. Try them for yourself. It will be some money well spent.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch R3, Phase Tech Tetro 7.5

Strong bass, excellent styling, and a very reasonable price.

The midrange is a bit thin. The packing was ummmmmmmm - This was packing?

I recently purchased a pair from J&R Music and was pleased with their service and attention to me as a customer. I just wish I would have read the posting regarding shipping! Dang, I paid the $66.00! Okay folks, now the review: The speakers are beautiful. Stand tall and seem to say: Turn me on! The powered sub provides ample bass. They truly shine in the home theatre Digital Dolby AC-3 mode! On music - they are a bit thin in the midrange. Bass is strong and the highs are sweet (I wish they had silk dome tweeters). Still, what do you expect from a $400.00 a pair speaker? I am very pleased. No - they are not the best speaker you can buy - but they are the best speaker you can buy for $400.00 a pair! One other caveat - The sub section does not power up in the dolby surround mode (this could be just my pair) Not a problem - I have a powered sub!