Acoustic Research AR M22

The Acoustic Research AR M22 is a vintage bookshelf speaker with an 8-ohm impedance rating. This makes them relatively easy to drive using most modern, mid-range amplifiers or AV receivers. They were designed to deliver a warm and musical sound that remains highly sought after by audiophiles.

The AR M22 relies on a unique dome tweeter paired with a passive reflex design to deliver a balanced and engaging listening experience. This specific driver technology was a hallmark of Acoustic Research during their golden era. The soft dome design helps smooth out the high frequencies, preventing ear fatigue.

Over decades, the foam surrounds on the woofers of the AR M22 will inevitably rot and require a refoam kit. You must carefully peel away the old foam, clean the speaker cone and frame, and glue a new surround precisely in place. Proper alignment of the voice coil is critical, so a DIY speaker kit with shims is highly recommended.

No, vintage speakers manufactured in this era are not magnetically shielded. Placing them directly next to an older CRT monitor will distort the colors and damage the screen. While this is a non-issue for modern flat-panel PC monitors, you should still avoid placing them directly against hard drives or magnetic media.