Acoustic Energy AE1 Active (Piano Black) is rated
out of
5 by
7.
Acoustic Energy AE1 Active (Piano Black)
Active Speakers Per Pair
£1,049
Disabled assistance
All products that are available to purchase on the Richer Sounds website can be delivered free to blind, partially sighted or those with a disability. Find out more
Please contact web after sales for more info.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
Disabled assistance
All products that are available to purchase on the Richer Sounds website can be delivered free to blind, partially sighted or those with a disability. Find out more
Please contact web after sales for more info.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
For delivery of in-store only deals, please contact your local store for more details.
Ts&Cs apply - see our delivery page.
”If you’re looking for active speakers, you owe it to yourself to audition these.”– ‘What Hi-Fi’ 2018 award winner.
Legendary speakers – made active
Famous for their sound for over three decades, the AE1s are truly legendary speakers. Now available in active form, you’re not only saving space but also guaranteed amps that are perfectly matched to the speakers.
Hear the sound – precisely as it should be
Pioneering metal cone technology has meant these speakers did, and still do, sound incredibly precise and neutral. Dynamic and low in distortion, these speakers let you hear every last drop of detail – just as the artist intended.
Smooth, Class A/B amp
Each speaker is fitted with a dedicated, 50-watt Class A/B amplifier. This gives perfect balance and soundstaging between the speakers. The powerful amps also mean that room-filling, party pumping volumes are easy to achieve – even from these compact speakers. Individual bass and treble controls let you trim the sound to suit.
Studio compatible
Acoustic Energy’s studio heritage makes these speakers just as happy in a small studio as a home environment. Featuring pro-standard XLR balanced inputs and typically precise sound quality, the AE1 Active speakers make ideal monitors in small or travel studios.
Choice of luxury finishes
Available in Piano gloss black, white or real cherry wood veneer, the AE1 Active speakers look every bit as good as they sound. Slim profile, magnetically attached grilles are also included for a more discreet style.
For home or home studio, the Acoustic Energy AE1 Active speakers are simply the best active speakers in their class.
Legendary speakers – made active
Famous for their sound for over three decades, the AE1s are truly legendary speakers. Now available in active form, you’re not only saving space but also guaranteed amps that are perfectly matched to the speakers.
Hear the sound – precisely as it should be
Pioneering metal cone technology has meant these speakers did, and still do, sound incredibly precise and neutral. Dynamic and low in distortion, these speakers let you hear every last drop of detail – just as the artist intended.
Smooth, Class A/B amp
Each speaker is fitted with a dedicated, 50-watt Class A/B amplifier. This gives perfect balance and soundstaging between the speakers. The powerful amps also mean that room-filling, party pumping volumes are easy to achieve – even from these compact speakers. Individual bass and treble controls let you trim the sound to suit.
Studio compatible
Acoustic Energy’s studio heritage makes these speakers just as happy in a small studio as a home environment. Featuring pro-standard XLR balanced inputs and typically precise sound quality, the AE1 Active speakers make ideal monitors in small or travel studios.
Choice of luxury finishes
Available in Piano gloss black, white or real cherry wood veneer, the AE1 Active speakers look every bit as good as they sound. Slim profile, magnetically attached grilles are also included for a more discreet style.
For home or home studio, the Acoustic Energy AE1 Active speakers are simply the best active speakers in their class.
Overview
Speaker Enclosure Type
Bass Reflex
Speaker Type Enclosure - Filter
Bass reflex - rear port
Connectivity
XLR Inputs
Yes
General
Manufacturer's Warranty
2 years
Audio
Frequency Response (Hz)
42 - 28,000
Power Rating (Watts)
100
Dimensions
Dimensions WxHxD (mm)
185 x 300 x 250
Weight
Weight (KG)
18 (Pair)
Make the most of your active speakers. View our hottest deals on speaker stands.
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Classy active speaker suitable for smaller rooms.
I grew disenchanted with my existing kitchen speakers (Q3020) mostly because a low levels they were lifeless, so I changed to Ruark MR1 Mk2 which were much better, less obtrusive and great on input connections - but low on bass (I know, I know). I'm trying to approach the sound of my vintage Meridian M30 active speakers which sound alive, but balanced, at all volumes and have amazing bass for the size. (But they definitely don't suit the kitchen.)
So, fingers crossed I decided to try the AE1's. They are active, with seperate class A/B amps, one for each of the two drivers and, like the M30's and they have a split power supply with the drive units DC coupled to the amplifiers - said to give better bass from a small box.
Did it work? Yes mostly. The AE1's sound alive and balanced at low and high volumes and are very pleasant to listen to. Low bass is not as good as the M30's, but it's there and it's ok. They fit reasonably unobtrusively into the kitchen where the Q3020's were and I think I'm happy now.
Date published: 2022-03-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Pelterrie from
Just awesome !
I had to wait few weeks for delivery as stock for these speakers was erratic, but it has been well worth the wait! These are active speakers so they will connect straight off a pre-amp, and after a couple of weeks running in the sound is really amazing. These are physically quite small speakers but there is ample deep base on offer which is both tight and detailed with plenty of bite to it. The mid range and treble are equally impressive with a wide sound stage and good imaging. Being an active design they have excellent timing and impressive levels of detail. They will go really loud if desired without showing any sign of distress. They work best when placed at least half a metre away from the wall, but if space is limited, there is a fine adjustment for both base and treble at the rear of each speaker which is very effective. Overall an excellent product at a very reasonable price and capable of producing some awesome sound when connected to a decent quality pre-amp.
Date published: 2022-03-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
davibleo22 from
AE1 Active Speakers
Bought to replace much loved original 1990s AE1, very precise, but maybe not as involving as the originals, ( early days?) overall very pleased.
I think, I would to spend twice as much, to get to this level
Date published: 2022-03-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
DBarnard from
Superb sounds.
Two weeks in and they keep getting better and better. I use Cambridge Audio Azur 851 CD player through the balanced outputs with Chord 3 metre cables to these beautifully made and finished speakers on Hi Fi Racks Oak speaker stands. I am very happy with this very simple unobtrusive system. Took a little while to work out how to make the cd remote operate the volume but once sorted it is lovely. At all (reasonable) volumes the sound is clear and transparent highs with tight punchy bass. I am very impressed. Dave Awde at RS could not have been more helpful, delivery was, as always very quick and efficient, with even the outsourced order by RS for the Chord cables arriving only a day after the main system. Sounds like more than a £2,000 - £2,500 set up.
Date published: 2021-01-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Thetimk from
Superb higher frequency sound and realistic bass
Just got the cables today so I’m taking it easy on levels for a few weeks
Date published: 2020-02-11
Rated 5 out of
5
by
CreaseyBear from
Clarity and bass in a bookshelf speaker
After listening to various different bookshelf speakers, including Kef LS50s and Q Acoustics Concept 20s, I decided they were all lacking bass. Sure they aren’t going to have the bass of floor standing speakers but I was expecting a little more.
I then tried a pair of AE1s - instantly I knew these were the ones. Clear, bass where required and great build quality.
Date published: 2019-12-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Yorkieboy from
At last, affordable, good active speakers!
I auditioned these in store two weeks ago and knew immediately I had to buy them. I already had a good passive system but the difference is chalk and cheese. They are so smooth and give so much detail to my classical SACDs. My old amplifier has a preamp output so I only had to buy a couple of new phono cables. Do it - you know you have to!
Date published: 2019-10-13
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