Speakers are the bread and butter of the hi-fi industry, and are arguably one of the most important elements of a hi-fi system. After all – how else would you hear it all? It may be slight oversimplification, but it’s true. An investment in a pair of loudspeakers will shape your system in a number of ways – especially in the sound department. With all of this considered, an investment in a brand which understands what makes a speaker right is one of the the keys to full satisfaction with both your speakers, and your set-up as a whole.
There are many quality brands to chose from – all of whom have a huge range of speakers under their belts. So, why are we recommending Acoustic Energy? For two simple reasons: the AE1 Classic and Neo ranges. Two lines of speakers which have been immensely popular during their run – and have remained virtually unchanged throughout. If that doesn’t scream confidence – we don’t know what does!
1. Acoustic Energy Aego M Active Desktop Speakers – £179
First up, we have the delightful Aego Ms, desktop speakers consisting of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer, in a teeny tiny package. No, they’re not exactly hi-fidelity, but they’re a very good place to start regardless. Highly versatile in terms of placement, and perfect for a bedroom, an office/study or anywhere else that could benefit from some compact, borderline hi-fi sound. They’re so good, AE have felt no need to replace them. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Right?
Why do we like it?
This is a very good starting point for a compact 2:1 system. These three tiny units will be at home on any desk or shelf, and will pump out a pleasing, balanced sound. And they come with our highest recommendation – we’ve used them in our customer service office for the last three years!
Why do they like it?
This system sounds so much bigger than is look. The dinky satellites are just 10cm tall, and can easily fill your room with superb sound’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
2. Acoustic Energy AE 101 Bookshelf Speakers – £275
When it comes to the AE 101s, you have to take a look at their lineage. From their hi-end bookshelf speakers the AE1 Classics and their current Reference 1 and extraordinary Reference 2 speakers, there is a great deal of experience proceeding these. The 101 is their most accomplished small speaker yet, replacing the Neo 1 V2 and Neo bookshelf speakers before it. The technology, the knowledge and the passion has been distilled into something that is still affordable, and will put a smile on the face of the most discerning audiophile.
Why do we like them?
They sound almost as hi-end as their older brothers, and their traditional wood styling makes them stand out quite nicely on their list. A beautiful looking and sounding speaker, and a definite step-up for most systems – and very versatile when it comes to placement too.
3. Acoustic Energy AE 103 Floorstanding Speakers – £549
True high end with a budget price tag? Count us in. These beautiful speakers are the most affordable floorstanders in the current range – and offer an impressively deep and powerful sound that far surpasses their price. The 103 is a replacement for the Acoustic Energy Neo 3 V2 and is essentially a larger Acoustic Energy Neo 4 V2 – which is a massively improved speaker, and defintiely worth your ear.
Why do we like them?
Aside from a much improved sound – these speakers are incredibly versatile in terms of placement. They feature a front ported design, which means they can be placed against walls without any effect of performance. Handy, particularly if your room isn’t as versatile as they are…
Why do they like them?
‘A compact, practical design. Articulate, precise stereo imaging.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
4. Acoustic Energy 301 Bookshelf Speakers – £425
They’re compact, they’re punchy and they’re proud! The 301s are our favourite of the new range, mostly due to their sleek look and clear, verbose sound. They have a particularly impressive mid-range and can be brought together with the rest of the 300 family for a enviable (yet affordable!) 5.1 system – but they also function as a full speaker beautifully.
Why do we like them?
They’re a huge improvement on the original Acoustic Energy Aelite bookshelf speaker, which is what it essentially replaces. And that wasn’t a bad speaker – not by a long shot! The 301s are very capable and flexible, all the while maintaining a level of affordability.
5. Acoustic Energy AE1 Classic Speakers – £1250
Classic by name and classic by nature. Also, heritage. These beautiful speakers are the latest incarnations of the AE1 which were first launched in the 1980s. Aside from a few improvements to the drivers over time, these speakers are pretty much exactly the same as they were when they were first launched – and still remain hugely popular. Any good brand knows when they have something good. These are fantastic monitoring speakers with flat frequency response and a relatively small footprint which makes them perfect for many spaces.
Why do we like them?
Once again, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. These beauties are just highly evolved versions of something that needed no improvement.
Why do they like them?
‘Classics, certainly. Substantial build, an open and informative sound… they seem set to endure for a while longer yet.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
A BRIEF HISTORY
Hailing from West London, Acoustic Energy were founded in 1987 with a very simple, but very effective philosophy: ‘To create innovative audio design solutions which employ the latest technology wisely, thoroughly and elegantly‘, which they have maintained throughout their long and successful run of designing and building high quality loudspeakers which hold their own throughout the years.
Their history centres almost entirely around the quality (and subsequent success) of one speaker: the AE1. Released in 1988, this extraordinary speaker won award after award and propelled Acoustic Energy Ltd to the top of the British hi-fi manufacturers list, a success which saw them uproot from London in 1995 and move to a 15,000 square foot facility in the Cotswolds, where they operate to this very day.
This move to a bigger home enabled them to produce in grater volumes, which enabled them to aim at more mainstream markets and expand their range, including the release of the world’s first Wi-Fi Internet Radio in 2005. 2012 saw the release of the 300 series which redrew critical appraisal from every end of the market – including the higher end!
It’s fair to say that, if you want a guarantee of quality, it’s sometimes fair to chase experience. And AE have experience (and the accolades to match) going spare. We like that they’ve remained true to themselves despite their mainstream success, and that their philosophy has held up for as many years as it has. Their virtually unchanged (bar some slight improvements to the drivers) AE1s still hold their own against the competition, despite being decades old, and their new releases are showing similar signs of timelessness. That being said, they’re still not afraid to push the boat out and try something new. You could say they embody the best of both worlds in the hi-fi realm. Loyalty to the tried and tested methods that work with a keen edge of curiosity and adventure and an ultimate desire to grow.
Hey, we wouldn’t have had their speakers in our office for so long if they didn’t do what they did so well. We’re audiophiles too, you know.