Acoustic Energy has launched its AE100 series with a relaunch of the AE109 speaker. 20 years after its launch in 1996 AE aims to put a new and improved version of this popular floorstander back on the map. Developed entirely at AE’s Cirencester HQ, the new AE109 heads up the new 100 Series, the first range launched under the company’s recent return to British ownership and during its 30th Anniversary year. The new AE100 Series introduces a number of improvements and evolutionary changes all focused on refining the listening experience at the same time as providing a more room friendly loudspeaker.
At the rear, slot ports are located to reduce mid-range colouration and improve bass response. Another benchmark feature carried over from the original AE109 is mass loading material supplied in the base of the floor-standing cabinets which offers improved cabinet damping, bass control and a net speaker weight of 14kg. The external design has also been enhanced for a more elegant slim-line appearance with a smaller footprint for easy room integration. Cabinet finish options include walnut vinyl veneer and satin black with full length magnetic grilles.
The AE100 is a new compact bookshelf/stand-mount loudspeaker designed to achieve high sound pressure levels from an extremely small enclosure. This is obtained principally through using a 110m driver built around an “ultra-high force” motor system allowing for an extremely long throw under complete control. This is augmented by a slot shaped bass duct port designed to negate the issues of air becoming audible as it moves through the duct. A 28mm soft dome tweeter featuring our Wide Dispersion Technology completes the driver compliment.
The new AE109 is designed to offer “effortless room filling performance” from a slimline floor-standing loudspeaker. Two 110mm drivers utilising an “ultra-high force” motor system are used in partnership with a 28mm Wide Dispersion Technology soft dome tweeter. A bespoke design 2.5 way crossover system marries the drivers “perfectly by featuring a unique topology allowing integration and power handling previously unachievable from a speaker of this type and cost”. Particular attention has been paid to the phase and time alignment for “the most cohesive performance possible” with the driver and crossover mounted inside a substantial ready mass loaded 18mm MDF cabinet.