Acoustic Energy AE 1 classic

The AE1 Classic is modelled on the original AE1 from around 1990. our aim was, within the limitations of component supply and manufacturing, to make the AE1 Classic as close to identical as possible. That we didn't quite make it is only because, thanks to improved components and manufacturing consistency, the AE1 Classic is better.

The originsl AE! Introduced new techniques in almost every element of its design and construction, each one aimed at making a better nearfield monitor. It was, for example, the first professional monitor with a ceramic sandwich aluminium cone, the first to increase power handling by using the cone as a heat-sink, the first to incorporate a metal dome tweeter,, the first to feature a latex fibre/powder composite lined cabinet, and the first to demonstrate beyond doubt that a seriously small speaker could be a seriously capable monitor.

The AE 1 technical highlights feature in the Classic just as they did in the original. The bass/midrange driver is UK manufactured in house at Acoustic Energy using a spun aluminium cone only 0,2mm thick. The cone is hard anodised onn both side to create an immensely rigid sandwich component and then bonded to an aluminium voice-coil former. The intimate bond between metal former and cone means that the entire cone area is used for heat dissipation. As a result, and despite its small dimensions, the AE 1 driver offers generous power handling and suffers minmal compression.

Welcome though it is, power handling is not the primary reason for the choice of an aluminium cone. Aluminium's combination of light weight and rigidity means that cone break-up is delayed till well above the crossover frequency. And thanks to the aluminium cone, bass/mid driver and magnesium dome tweeter, the AE 1 Classic is one of very few speakers of any type that can genuinely claaim pistonic operation over the full audio bandwidth. The result is extraordinary tonal accuracy that reveals the shortcomings of most other monitors.

Near ideal drive unit performance however would mean little if the AE 1's cabinet panels sang along in sympathy. That they don't is thanks both to the inherent rigidity of the AE 1 construction and to the unique latex composite lining of the internal walls.

AE 1, First and Second

The E 1 was the first truly accurate, high power compact nearfield monitor. We believe 20 years later the AE 1 Classic is perhaps the only speaker to reach its predecessor's standards. The AE 1 Classic completes the award winning reference series, which features the AE 1 MkII and AE3 MkII.

Specifications

Driver:

Bass/Mid :  110 mm ceramic sandwich aluminium cone, 32 mm edge-wound voice-coil

Tweter :  32 mm magnnesium alloy dome

Crossover:  third order at 3 kHz

Power Handling:  compatible with amplifiers rated at up to 200 watts into 8 ohmm

Frequency Response:  70 Hz - 22 kHz ±3 dB

Sensitivity: 88 dB for 2,83 V at 1 m

Nominal Impedance:  8 Ω

Total Harmonic Distortion:  typically less than 0,3%, 200 Hz to 20 kHz

Power Compression:  less than 1 dB for 16 dB gain at 250 Hz

Dimensions (W x H x D):  295 x 180 x 255 mm

Weight:  8 kg (single speaker)

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