Nothing to do with cars, but tonight I brought home something I've been wanting for a very long time. But I will, if you'll indulge me, tell in the form of an anecdote.
Several years ago I popped on craigslist and looked in electronics. I'd been trying to stay away. As a recovering vintage stereo hoarder, I'm not supposed to look there. But, there they were. First post, so they had just gone up. It said "Acoustic Research Speakers". They were, in fact, AR LST2s. They were in, well, horrible condition. One midrange dead and the cabinets were a mess. Two of the six grills had significant water damage. But they were really cheap. I was on them like the addict I am. It took a lot of work, but today those LST2s sit in my living room. The look and sound phenomenal. I became an AR junkie in a big way. But I told myself "no more speakers- unless you find a pair of AR9s".
The 9s are considered by more than a few people to be among the finest speakers ever made. They're big. Really big. Like more than four feet tall, and 120 lbs. each. Two 12" woofers mounted on the side and designed to work with your wall, rather than have your wall work against them. A revolutionary design to be sure. Difficult to power, difficult to place, but oh so nice when it is all right.
You can see where this is going. Me, late night, can't sleep. I look on ebay as I so often do for a pair of AR9s. They have to be local. They rarely are available for shipping and when they are, it costs a fortune. Nothing. I decide to search "AR9 site:craigslist.org" just to see what they're going for. Hum. There's a pair of 9LS. They're the speaker that replaced the original 9. Not quite the same, but very, very close. Man, I'd settle for that. No pics, and sound very rough. Just the kind of pair I'd like to find. Get a good price and fix them up. Oh, crap! They're here in Denver!
I waited until the next evening to email the seller, sure that they would be gone. But his price was high for LSs. They're nice, but don't get the money the original 9s command. Shoot. They're still available. Okay. I'll look. But I'm not paying that much for LSs. Especially rough ones. Tonight, I went to look.
Met the seller, very nice guy. He's sitting outside his garage waiting for me, just on time. I walk in the garage, and what do I see? No, those aren't AR9LSs. Those are the original Teledyne Acoustic Research AR9: the greatest speaker in the wooooorrrrlllllddddd!!!!!
I manage to hide my excitement, but I know those are coming home with me. But, man. They are in tough shape. Both tweeters blown. One mid dome partially pushed in. The cabinets look like they've seen Armageddon, and almost survived. There is a special place in Hell for people who put plants on speakers. A bad place.
The seller was unaware that the tweeters were toast. I pointed out the other areas of concern, including the tops that will never come back with any amount of sanding and oiling. But we had a great time. He has a lot of neat gear that he has found where I usually find my gear- the thrift store. He is very honest about the 9s. He found them at a thrift store for a lot less than they are worth. No problem. I have found and flipped my share of thrift store deals. I honestly had a fine time hanging out with him. I checked out his speakers, he checked out my E Stock MR2.
Okay. Deal time. I'm going in hard. I offer him $100 less than he's asking. Oh man. Hope he's not one of those guys who hates offers. I have visions of him saying "get the hell out of my garage" and me saying "Okay, Okay!! I'll pay double!!" But he immediately says "sounds good!". Shoot. Probably could have gotten them for less. But I really and honestly don't care. I got them for what I thought they were worth in that shape.
Then I look over at the MR2. Uh. These things are more than four feet tall and weight 120 lbs. each. The MR2 is good, but not that good. So the seller offers to drive them over to my house in his truck!!! Now that's the kind of deal I like. What a great night.
Oooohhhh yeah. Was my wife ever excited to see two HUGE, ugly boxes in the house when she got home. Yeah. Not so good. But she didn't leave me. Just said "they're going in the basement!" I'll talk her into letting them upstairs after I clean them up.
I'm ecstatic! I've wanted these for years! I can't wait to spend countless hours and untold dollars getting them up to snuff! They're going to be awesome!
Take care,
Ed
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