Полочная акустика — Acoustic Energy AE300²

The AE300² is the smallest box speaker for stands or shelves in the redesigned 300 Series from Acoustic Energy, intended for small to medium sized rooms. The maker states that no single component is shared with the previous 300 Series, and that the new range draws on research from its Corinium project while keeping the same pricing as the model it replaces. The series also includes the AE309² and AE320² floorstanders and the AE307² LCR speaker.

Key specs that matter

Its two-way layout pairs a 120 mm paper cone bass/mid driver and a 29 mm fabric dome tweeter, divided at 3.5 kHz. Published figures give 42 Hz to 29 kHz, a sensitivity of 86 dB, a peak output of 112 dB SPL, power handling of 120 watts and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Each cabinet measures 320 x 170 x 270 mm (height, width, depth) and weighs 7 kg. Walnut veneer and two silk-touch matte colours, black or white, are offered, with slim cloth grilles that fit magnetically.

Engineering and use context

The woofer diaphragm blends paper with coconut husk fibre, which Acoustic Energy says adds stiffness and reduces breakup modes. Its motor has an extended copper pole shield to lower midrange distortion and a non-conducting voice coil former. The soft dome tweeter uses a neodymium ring magnet, leaving room for a large vent through a copper-shielded pole that leads into graded absorption material in a contoured rear chamber, and it sits in a WDT waveguide to reduce baffle diffraction around the crossover. The 18 mm cabinet uses constrained-layer RSC material of MDF and bitumen, a construction the company first used in its Reference Series nearly 15 years ago. Reflex loading comes from a rear slot whose profile was developed to cut air turbulence. The 300 Series drops the high gloss finishes of the previous range, and its cabinets were made slimmer without adding depth. The tweeter was derived from the Corinium project, and the crossover was designed with a lighter touch intended to minimise phase distortion. Logos are screen printed, and trims and grilles follow the colour of the cabinet.

Pairing

The modest sensitivity and 6 ohm load call for an amplifier comfortable with moderate impedance and able to supply enough voltage, while the power handling rating sets the ceiling. Acoustic Energy offers the speaker for use on stands or bookshelves, and the matching AE309², AE320² and AE307² allow a tonally consistent multichannel set.

Alternatives

The Acoustic Energy AE100² is the stand-mount from the entry 100 Series, with a 130 mm paper cone driver and a 25 mm fabric dome tweeter.