Before Acoustic Research, deep, accurate bass required a speaker the size of a refrigerator. In 1954, Edgar Villchur and Henry Kloss changed everything by inventing the acoustic suspension loudspeaker. By sealing the cabinet, they used the trapped air as a spring to control the woofer. This allowed for stunningly deep and linear bass from a compact "bookshelf" speaker, a revolution that defined the sound of American hi-fi for a generation.

The AR "house sound" is one of honesty and control. The bass is not boomy or bloated; it is tight, tuneful, and astonishingly articulate. These speakers were designed for accuracy, not artificial warmth. The result is a neutral, natural presentation that is particularly kind to acoustic instruments and vocals. Listening to a classic AR speaker is a lesson in nuance, revealing the texture of a cello or the breath of a singer with a clarity that remains impressive to this day.