Acoustic Research AR-8

The Acoustic Research AR‑8 is a punchy little time capsule from the early ’70s—built with a 10-inch woofer, AR’s classic acoustic‑suspension design, and a walnut cabinet that looks as good as it sounds. Marketed as “the first accurate speaker for rock music,” it was AR’s attempt to shake things up and bring hi‑fi accuracy to louder, modern listening. It didn’t sell as well as its siblings, but that just makes it cooler today—a quirky, underrated gem with the warm, tight bass and vintage charm only AR could deliver.