Sound quality:Arx A1b vs A3 vs A5 ??

7921 Views 25 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Blacklightning, Feb 18, 2014

gdstupak

Discussion Starter · Dec 24, 2013

1) Other than bass extension, is there any difference in sound quality between the Arx A1b, A3, A5 (i.e. sound clarity, soundstage depth, imaging, etc.)?

2) If crossing over to outboard subs at 80hz, is there any advantage to using either of the bigger towers instead of the smaller bookshelf (i.e. amount of SPL, etc.)?

I've read many discussions on the general advantages and disadvantages between bookshelf and tower design (...tower speakers can put out more SPL because of bigger enclosures and of course they play more/lower frequencies, but if not properly designed they have other sonic drawbacks due to bigger baffles and more complex driver systems). Of course this thread can open into more generalities but I would like a comparison between these specific Arx models.

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kingnoob

· #2 · Dec 24, 2013 (Edited)

gdstupak said:
1) Other than bass extension, is there any difference in sound quality between the Arx A1b, A3, A5 (i.e. sound clarity, soundstage depth, imaging, etc.)?

2) If crossing over to outboard subs at 80hz, is there any advantage to using either of the bigger towers instead of the smaller bookshelf (i.e. amount of SPL, etc.)?

I've read many discussions on the general advantages and disadvantages between bookshelf and tower design (...tower speakers can put out more SPL because of bigger enclosures and of course they play more/lower frequencies, but if not properly designed they have other sonic drawbacks due to bigger baffles and more complex driver systems). Of course this thread can open into more generalities but I would like a comparison between these specific Arx models.

ARX A5s would be the Best or "king of those models", bigger sound-stage is a great reason to pick floor-standers. A3s would just have a little less bass extension.
A large sub-woofer eats all towers for breakfeast even def tech super towers.
Large floor-standers are best for 2ch listening without a Music based sub-woofer. ARX A'5s are best at this.

I guess it depends on your room size if you need Bigger A5s but I have a small room and still want to buy a pair

Someday in the future.

AudiocRaver

· #3 · Dec 25, 2013

The a A5 has a mid-range driver. That has to change the game significantly. The A5 sounds fantastic. I have heard neither of the other models.

gdstupak

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 25, 2013

Yes. Another difference that I wonder about is the A3 has a 3rd gen tweeter, the A5 has a 2nd gen tweeter. Is the A3's 3rd gen tweeter a newer updated model that has noticeable sound difference?

AudiocRaver

· #5 · Dec 25, 2013

All I can say is the A5's tweeters sound and measure amazing. There is nothing even remotely second rate about them.

kingnoob

· #6 · Dec 25, 2013

AudiocRaver said:
The a A5 has a mid-range driver. That has to change the game significantly. The A5 sounds fantastic. I have heard neither of the other models.

Yeah Sadly my KLipsch Icon have no mid-range driver, but I also see no midrange on the flagship reference speakers so maybe they work like an Econowave or something.

I plan on buying ARX A5's eventually. For music listening probably.

AudiocRaver

· #7 · Dec 25, 2013

You will not be disappointed!:T

padgman1

· #8 · Dec 25, 2013

I can give some commentary here, as I started out with A1b's as L/R last Christmas and "upgraded" to A5's this Labor Day..........

I love the A1b's in my middle-sized room ( 15 x 15 x 8 ft., open to kitchen) but had some difficulty with movie and TV dialogue comprehension/intelligibility at moderate volumes( which is what the wife prefers). I know my hearing is NOT THE BEST, but wanted to see if going to the A5's would be an improvement. I HAVE noticed some positive difference in doing so - dialogue is now easier to pick up without "concentrating" so much. Of course, bass extension and volume has been extended going from the A1b's to the A5's. ( I have not obtained a center channel speaker yet as I cannot fit a vertical A1/A2/A5 in the system - space limitations - and am debating the merits of the A2 placed horizontally as it is a MTM configuration). Music from both speakers sound sublime.......

Of course, the PSA XV-15 makes the A5's work less hard

( Would like to add another, but again, no good space.........).

Hope this helps...........

Addendum: My understanding is both the second AND third generation planar magnetic ribbons are voiced-matched THE SAME....the 3rd geneartion can handle more power through it. Otherwise, no difference, especially in SQ.

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Tonto

· #9 · Dec 25, 2013

I agree with Wayne that the A5's are just an amazing speaker. But like him I have not heard the A1'b's. I have spoken to Jon about his speakers for my a HT arrangement. There are some new models that are soon to debut that really have my attention. Supposed to preform better "near boundry" which is crucial in HT.

Are you going to use them for HT or 2 Channel Stereo?

gdstupak

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 25, 2013

Padgman1, thank you for the direct comparison, that is exactly the kind of input I was hoping to hear.

Tonto, I would be using them for both HT and stereo music. Presently I have JBL towers and run them full range + subs (the subs are always in service for both surround sound and stereo use). If I were to replace with Arx towers the set up would more than likely remain the same.

Tonto

· #11 · Dec 25, 2013

The A5's are rear ported, for Music they will need to be pulled away from the wall to sound their best. Not so important with HT since you have a center which helps with soundstage. There will be an A6 soon that is supposed to work better as a surround. I may also use it as a center, not sure yet. And of course the A7 which I can hardly wait to hear!!!

As for running full range + the sub, you can experiment & see what sounds better. I would measure both ways, I suspect you'll get better result crossing @ 80 hz, but you never know (depends on the sub). Do you have the ability to measure your room?

gdstupak

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 26, 2013

I don't use REW yet, but I do measure the old fashioned way with test tones, analog SPL meter, and paper and pencil.

Tonto

· #13 · Dec 26, 2013

I haven't used REW yet either, and now I have no excuse (just won the XTZ Room Analyzer Pro). So I'll be experimenting.

With REW, you should be able to map your frequency responce with & without the speakers playing full range. You'll see how crosing them over at different frequencies affect your "in room" responce & which is better.

kingnoob

· #14 · Dec 26, 2013

Tonto said:
The A5's are rear ported, for Music they will need to be pulled away from the wall to sound their best. Not so important with HT since you have a center which helps with soundstage. There will be an A6 soon that is supposed to work better as a surround. I may also use it as a center, not sure yet. And of course the A7 which I can hardly wait to hear!!!

As for running full range + the sub, you can experiment & see what sounds better. I would measure both ways, I suspect you'll get better result crossing @ 80 hz, but you never know (depends on the sub). Do you have the ability to measure your room?

There is going to be a A6?? is it good for music & Movies?? Is it going to be a bigger tower speaker about the same price??:bigsmile:

Tonto

· #15 · Dec 26, 2013

If I remember correctly, Jon told me it was 14" tall & would make a good surround speaker (close mounting, as in "on-wall").

The A7 will be a slightly larger tower (if I remember correctly).

When they launch, he is planning another "group buy." I hope I'm not letting the cat out of the bag, but he did not tell me it was a secret or anything. He is careful about talking about his speakers before they are ready. I personally think he has earned some bragging rights.

bkeeler10

· #16 · Dec 30, 2013

So does anyone have any information on the timing of these new Arx products? Specifically, the A6 (a more purpose-built surround) and the A7?

Do we know anything about the A7? I presume it would remain a three-way like the A5. If it's slightly larger, I would assume it will have three 6.5" woofers instead of 5.25" perhaps? Maybe even a four-way? That's not likely I guess . . .

Tonto

· #17 · Dec 30, 2013

All Jon told me was "1st qtr 2014." There will be an A4 as well, if memory serves me correctly he recommended this for rear channels.

Jon Lane

· #18 · Jan 14, 2014

We'll have news to report within the next few weeks. The new Chane site will go live about the same time.

bkeeler10

· #19 · Jan 15, 2014

Sweet, looking forward to it. Thanks for letting us know. It's nice to have a manufacturer active on the forums and maintaining communication with current and potential customers.

Architect7

· #20 · Jan 17, 2014

Wow, new A6 and A7 will be big news, can't wait!

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