Полочная акустика — Acoustic Energy AE100

The AE100 is the compact stand-mount of Acoustic Energy's 100 Series, the British brand's entry-level loudspeaker range. This is the second-generation version, the AE100², in which Acoustic Energy fitted a larger mid/bass driver, a new cabinet, a new crossover and a new tweeter-to-woofer transition compared with the original AE100. It was designed to reach high sound pressure levels from a small enclosure suited to stands or bookshelves.

Key specs that matter

The AE100² is a ported two-way that pairs a 25mm fabric dome tweeter with a 130mm doped-paper-cone mid/bass unit, with the handover set at 2.9kHz. Frequency range is 51Hz to 26kHz, sensitivity is 87dB, nominal impedance is 6 ohms, power handling is 120W and peak output is 112dB. Each speaker measures 290 x 165 x 250mm, and the pair weighs 9.2kg. Finishes are black, satin white and walnut vinyl veneer, with slim magnetic cloth grilles.

Engineering and use context

The mid/bass driver uses a high-power, long-excursion motor so a small cone can move enough air for useful volume and bass from a compact box. Doping the paper cone adds internal damping and stiffness, which allows the driver to work cleanly up to a higher crossover point, while the move from a 110mm cone in the first-generation AE100 to 130mm in the AE100² adds radiating area for more output and extension. The tweeter uses Acoustic Energy's Wide Dispersion Technology waveguide, which shapes its dispersion to match the mid/bass driver's through the crossover region, keeping the off-axis response more consistent. The cabinet is built from 15mm high-density fibreboard (HDF) with tuned internal bracing to control panel resonances, and takes styling cues from Acoustic Energy's 500 Series. Bass is vented through a rear slot port - a slot-shaped duct offers a large cross-sectional area that reduces air turbulence and port noise compared with a small round port, and tuning it this way limits the effect of nearby walls on the bass. The crossover was redesigned from its components to its layout for the second generation.

Pairing

The moderate impedance and sensitivity suit most integrated amplifiers and AV receivers within its power handling. In small to medium rooms, the AE100² can sit on a shelf or on stands with some space behind for the rear port, and in larger rooms or home cinema systems a subwoofer adds the lowest octave below its bass limit.

Alternatives

Acoustic Energy's own AE500 is the stand-mount of the higher 500 Series, with a larger cabinet and upgraded drivers.