{"product_id":"acoustic-energy-ae1-40-bookshelf-loudspeaker","title":"Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary Standmount Loudspeaker","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"module-title\"\u003eAE1 40th Anniversary Edition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn 1987, the loudspeaker world was shaken by the arrival of the Acoustic Energy AE1 – a compact monitor that defied the norms of that time. The AE1 was a revelation: a small speaker that delivered the kind of dynamic range, clarity, and bass extension typically reserved for much larger enclosures.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original AE1 was born from the vision of a compact speaker that could deliver studio-grade performance without compromise. It was a bold departure from the boxy, inefficient designs of the time – and it worked. The AE1 became a staple in studios and audiophile systems alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow, decades later to celebrate 40 years of this ground-breaking loudspeaker, Acoustic Energy released the \u003cstrong\u003eAE1 40th Anniversary Edition\u003c\/strong\u003e bringing that legacy into the modern era – with cutting-edge engineering and timeless design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the sound of this speaker and its reputation for very high performance already well established, there was no room for wild variation from the original design. Each element had to be crafted to sound the same as the old, and while they smoothed off some of the rougher edges, it was with a very light touch so as not to destroy what was great about the original design.  This speaker also had to meet the approval of the many AE1 fans around the globe whilst also appealing to a new customer who may not be steeped in the tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo Acoustic Energy allowed themselves a few modernisations weighed carefully to be at no detriment to the original.  The fundamentals of the high mass, high stiffness, straight sided cone driven by high BL motor, housed in a small, strong, heavy cabinet with classic twin front ports, paired to a metal dome tweeter, are the defining elements of this speaker.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA completely new tweeter design was developed specifically to match the performance of the original, which has been long out of production. Featuring a larger 29mm voice coil, it supports a slightly larger aluminium dome to lower distortion through a greater radiating area when compared to the more usual 25mm dome. Whilst the dome profile is ultra-shallow to provide excellent bandwidth, it also features a large rear chamber to keep the fundamental resonance low and help absorb rear energy.  Plus, like the original, this tweeter is ferrofluid cooled and damped to give greater power handling, dynamics and lower thermal compression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new woofer was also developed to specifically match the characteristic sound of the original. The new cone is slightly larger, conforming to modern 125mm woofer standards, whilst the greater radiating area offers slightly higher efficiency, lower distortion and the ability to move more air.  The cone design was the key element to the original woofer and fundamental to the original speaker’s success, producing a very natural midrange, great power handling and dynamics for its size.  So they retained the straight sided aluminium profile and a little used forming process known as ‘spinning’ as opposed to the more usual pressing method.  The cone itself is then further strengthened by a thick, hard anodised ceramic layer coating on both sides… effectively forming a sandwich. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeneath the trademark aluminium ‘pointy’ dust cap, the new woofer further features a thermally conductive aluminium voice coil with a very powerful motor structure.  However, one modern improvement Acoustic Energy allowed themselves was the addition of an aluminium shorting ring in the motor structure.  This dramatically reduces the distortion caused by motional variation in the voice coil’s inductance.  They designed this woofer around a 5ohm DCR instead of the original 7ohms which was partly responsible for its reputation to require higher power amplification to drive it. Therefore, the new AE1s are easy to drive and require less power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing inspiration from the luxury ‘Signature’ version of the original speaker, the crossover uses low order filters and high-quality components to achieve a very natural ‘live’ dynamic sound. They balanced this latest version to be enjoyed more within a typical home audio, domestic environment rather than the studio monitor original.  So it has a warm natural midrange, good bass weight for its size, forgiving high frequencies and exceptional punch throughout its operating range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll these drive unit and crossover enhancements are housed inside a luxuriously finished cabinet. Coated in ten layers of high gloss black paint or walnut wood veneer, the cabinet has been tuned to match the characteristic sound of the original AE1. The cabinet has been upgraded to include the RSC material which has been successfully applied in all of Acoustic Energy's high-performance models from Corinium down to the 300 series. By increasing the cabinet stiffness compared to their usual formula, they've captured the sound of the original concrete lined cabinets without any of the production drawbacks.  Finally, since the original ports were no longer available, they’ve re-tooled them with some subtle tweaks, including the addition of an internal flare to reduce the distortion and allow more bass output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffering unparalleled levels of performance, quality and value the AE1 will sit equally comfortable in the home or the recording studio. The result is a loudspeaker with clean, uncluttered lines delivering a thrilling and powerful presentation worthy of the AE1 mark that discerning Acoustic Energy owners have come to expect for 40 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AE1 – The Legend Continues\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_2925429 tf_w\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_mo0d429 first\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"module module-text tb_9qia429\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"module-title\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_tgfe397 tf_w\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_0utr397 first\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"module module-text tb_5w6b397\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tb_text_wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTweeter: 29mm anodised aluminium dome\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMid \/ Bass Driver: 125mm spun \/ hard anodised aluminium cone\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrequency Range: 50Hz – 45kHz (+\/- 6dB)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSensitivity: 87dB\/m\/2.83v\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePower Handling: 150w\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrossover Frequency: 2.8kHz\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eImpedance: 6 Ohms\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDesign: 2-way\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCabinet: 18-22mm RSC™ constrained layer HDF\/bitumen construction, braced, twin reflex-ported\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrilles: Cloth, magnetic fit\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDimensions: 295 x 180 x 240 mm (HWD)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWeight: 7kg (each)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFinishes: High Gloss Walnut and High Gloss Black\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Acoustic Energy","offers":[{"title":"High Gloss Black","offer_id":64967170261369,"sku":"15041","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"High Gloss Walnut","offer_id":64967170294137,"sku":"15043","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0358\/8852\/9541\/files\/AE1-40th-Anniversary-Black-White-Background-scaled.jpg?v=1792676255","url":"https:\/\/shop.loud-clear.co.uk\/products\/acoustic-energy-ae1-40-bookshelf-loudspeaker","provider":"Loud \u0026 Clear Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}