Полочная акустика — Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary

The AE1 40th Anniversary is a reissue of the AE1 stand-mount, the speaker with which Acoustic Energy was launched in the late 1980s and which quickly found favour in recording studios and home systems. Because none of the original parts remain in production, every component was redeveloped to recapture the original's character with modern improvements. The crossover was voiced for domestic listening rather than studio monitoring.

Key specs that matter

The two drivers are a 29 mm aluminium dome tweeter and a 125 mm spun aluminium mid/bass with a ceramic coating. The crossover sits at 2.8 kHz. Frequency range is 50 Hz to 45 kHz, sensitivity is 87 dB, impedance is 6 ohms and power handling is 150 W. The cabinet measures 295 x 180 x 255 mm tall, wide and deep, and weighs 7 kg.

Engineering and use context

The tweeter's 29 mm voice coil supports a slightly larger dome than the usual 25 mm, reducing distortion through greater radiating area. Its ultra-shallow dome profile extends bandwidth, and a large rear chamber lowers the fundamental resonance and absorbs rear energy. Like the original, it is ferrofluid cooled and damped. The mid/bass keeps the original's straight-sided aluminium cone, formed by spinning rather than the more usual pressing, and strengthens it with a thick hard-anodised ceramic layer on both sides, creating a stiff sandwich. The new cone is slightly larger than the original, conforming to modern 125 mm standards, giving more efficiency and air movement. A thermally conductive aluminium voice coil works in a powerful motor with an aluminium shorting ring, which reduces distortion caused by changes in coil inductance as it moves. The driver has a 5 ohm DC resistance, making the speaker easier to drive than the original's 7 ohm design, which needed muscular amplifiers. The crossover takes inspiration from the original Signature version, with low-order filters. The cabinet uses Acoustic Energy's RSC material to replicate the stiffness of the original's concrete-lined enclosures without their production drawbacks, and twin front ports have a subtle internal flare. Finishes are ten layers of gloss black or walnut veneer.

Pairing

The moderate sensitivity calls for a capable amplifier of 50 W or more and rigid stands. The front ports allow placement near a wall, suiting rooms of 12 to 25 m2.

Alternatives

Acoustic Energy's AE100 Mk2 is a compact bookshelf speaker from the brand's more affordable 100 Series.