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
