Author Topic: Acoustic Energy Speakers (Read 95217 times)

avshop · « **Reply #660 on:** Oct 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM »

Quote from: sientobente on Oct 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM

Hi, what are those speakers next to the compact1? was that in piano finish? thanks

the AE Refererence 1.

compact 1 is gloss black finish. Reference 1 is glossy wood finish.

musika · « **Reply #661 on:** Oct 21, 2011 at 02:52 PM »

nice ring radiator tweeter.

kemozavi · « **Reply #662 on:** Oct 22, 2011 at 09:56 AM »

Quote from: sientobente on Oct 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM

Hi, what are those speakers next to the compact1? was that in piano finish? thanks

AE Reference1 if i'm not mistaken,

cnn · « **Reply #663 on:** Oct 22, 2011 at 10:25 AM »

Quote from: kemozavi on Oct 21, 2011 at 08:24 AM

I dropped by AVshop last saturday to listen to the compact1, they sounded pretty good most specially if you'd consider how big they are... cant help but admire how sexy they look too.

heres a pic from my mobile phone.

I was lucky enough to meet marc while testing the AE reference speakers sa shop nya... Grabe... ibang klase / level ang SQ... One word describes the AE reference speakers....

AMAZZZZING!!!!

Marc's right... once you listen to the "GOOD STUFF"... you will get addicted... heheheh buti umalis ako agad kung hindi... HAYGRADE NA NAMAN... DYUSKUPU!!!

♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ · « **Reply #664 on:** Oct 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM »

Quote from: avshop on Oct 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM

the AE Refererence 1.

compact 1 is gloss black finish. Reference 1 is glossy wood finish.

Sir Marc may pricelist na kayo?

avshop · « **Reply #665 on:** Oct 22, 2011 at 12:08 PM »

Quote from: Louie_18 on Oct 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Sir Marc may pricelist na kayo?

will post prices next week.

james16 · « **Reply #666 on:** Oct 22, 2011 at 09:49 PM »

ito speakers ko minus the sub, which i am looking for... sana nga sir yung AE neo sub match sa kanila and it comes in dark maple color.

sientobente · « **Reply #667 on:** Oct 23, 2011 at 04:20 AM »

Finally got to listen to the compact1 and reference1. Yeah, now I'm an AE fan

avshop · « **Reply #668 on:** Oct 23, 2011 at 11:19 PM »

Quote from: sientobente on Oct 23, 2011 at 04:20 AM

Finally got to listen to the compact1 and reference1. Yeah, now I'm an AE fan

time to get a set.

♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ · « **Reply #669 on:** Oct 24, 2011 at 11:38 AM »

Nakakabilib ang very fine detail sa mids and high ng AE Compact 1...

I compared it yesterday with MA BX2 and lamang na lamang itong AE!!!

Sa lows lang ang bentahe ng BX2 but sa ibang department its the AE compact

sientobente · « **Reply #670 on:** Oct 24, 2011 at 02:24 PM »

Quote from: avshop on Oct 23, 2011 at 11:19 PM

time to get a set.

I am actually eyeing a different set and might get those soon

mikeer2002ph · « **Reply #671 on:** Oct 24, 2011 at 09:26 PM »

ok ok, I swung by at AVShop a while ago and had to listen to the AE Reference 1, AE Neo4 V2, AE Compact1 since it became available a week ago.

Source:Onkyo CD/SACD Player (C-5VL)

Preamp: Rotel AV processor (I forgot the model number, Marc help me out)

connections from source: toslink optical

Amp(s): VTL Tube Power amp, HK AVR 745 (just using the front channel amp section), Onkyo A-5VL Class D integrated (direct connection from the onkyo CD/SACD player)

Tracks: Jennifer Warnes' The hunter Track 1 (rock you gently), Track 8 (Way down deep), Focal Test Disc #3

First up: AE Neo4 V2

Its a mixed bag with the Rotel preamp+HK AVR amp since at low volumes it was fine but there was severe bass hangover at average to higher volumes. Imaging was ok , treble response was ok, so I figured the speakers either weren't broken in yet or probably didn't match this specific setup

Bass sounded better with the Rotel preamp+VTL Tube amp at low, average to high volumes, imaging and treble response fared better too as compared with the HK as amp

Best sounding setup for the AE Neo4V2 came from the Onkyo class D amp directly coupled to the SACD player via optical out

Next: AE Reference 1

costing 100+K, I had very high expectations from this pair, and it did not disappoint whether hooked up to the HK, VTL, Onkyo amp.

Since I've heard the LSi7s and being an owner of an LSi9, here are my thoughts:

Bass and Midrange response is in between the LSi7 and the LSi9 (as i have heard it), Treble response and Imaging is as spectacular as that from the LSi9s.

Weight of the AE Reference 1 is a bit less than that of the LSi7s, but the cabinet knock test proves that the mdf/rubber/mdf sandwich works to stomp out resonance.

Alas it is NOT biwireable/bi-amp capable which is odd considering at this price range.

Last but not the least ..

AE Compact 1

Off the bat with the Rotel+HK amp it delivered spectacular imaging,sparkling midrange and treble response but of course, dont expect bass from this pair especially in average sized rooms.

It delivered its best with the Rotel+VTL combo and the Onkyo amp.

Since ecks_xnm dropped by, we decided to pair the AE Compact 1 with the Polk Audio DSW 600 Sub and set the crossover to 90Hz

Lets just say we just cant get over the highs, imaging and impact when the sub was turned on.

since the cash price of the compact 1 is almost that of the MA-BX2, we tried the MA BX2 speakers out.

No contest. AE wins hands down

The compact 1's sound with the sub is so addictive that we intend to go back and audition it with our own gears (I'll bring my Klipsch RW10 sub, HK 3470 receiver and CD collection, ecks_xnm will bring his Rotel RA-04SE amp)

so there you have it.

james16 · « **Reply #672 on:** Oct 25, 2011 at 09:04 AM »

i hope na kpaga dumating mga subs ng AE, maganda ang integration sa AEs ko and also affordable ang price

(2nd project ko ito / 1st ang receiver)

ecks_xnm · « **Reply #673 on:** Oct 25, 2011 at 10:32 AM »

Quote from: mikeer2002ph on Oct 24, 2011 at 09:26 PM

AE Compact 1

Off the bat with the Rotel+HK amp it delivered spectacular imaging,sparkling midrange and treble response but of course, dont expect bass from this pair especially in average sized rooms.

It delivered its best with the Rotel+VTL combo and the Onkyo amp.

Since ecks_xnm dropped by, we decided to pair the AE Compact 1 with the Polk Audio DSW 600 Sub and set the crossover to 90Hz

Lets just say we just cant get over the highs, imaging and impact when the sub was turned on.

since the cash price of the compact 1 is almost that of the MA-BX2, we tried the MA BX2 speakers out.

No contest. AE wins hands down

The compact 1's sound with the sub is so addictive that we intend to go back and audition it with our own gears (I'll bring my Klipsch RW10 sub, HK 3470 receiver and CD collection, ecks_xnm will bring his Rotel RA-04SE amp)

so there you have it.

I couldn't agree more.

Amazing that with such a small body it can deliver precisely, the way you wouldn't expect from its size. Separation is very good too. As long as you pair it with a good sub, it will reward you extravagantly (considering its price).
Now I'm so tempted to get a pair since I have an idle dsw pro500 at home.

But if all goes well, why not! Haha!

cnn · « **Reply #674 on:** Oct 26, 2011 at 01:18 PM »

marc... interested to test the neo 1 v2... will visit your shop soon.

avshop · « **Reply #675 on:** Oct 26, 2011 at 03:39 PM »

Quote from: cnn on Oct 26, 2011 at 01:18 PM

marc... interested to test the neo 1 v2... will visit your shop soon.

Will post here once it arrives.

avshop · « **Reply #676 on:** Oct 29, 2011 at 12:30 PM »

acoustic energy neo v2 series and aelite series now available.

cnn · « **Reply #677 on:** Oct 29, 2011 at 07:07 PM »

Quote from: avshop on Oct 29, 2011 at 12:30 PM

acoustic energy neo v2 series and aelite series now available.

cool

... will visit the shop next week after the long holiday

Can I bring my Denon 1909 for testing/audition?

avshop · « **Reply #678 on:** Oct 29, 2011 at 07:17 PM »

Quote from: cnn on Oct 29, 2011 at 07:07 PM

cool ... will visit the shop next week after the long holiday
Can I bring my Denon 1909 for testing/audition?

sure.

mikeer2002ph · « **Reply #679 on:** Oct 30, 2011 at 02:01 PM »

Quote from: avshop on Oct 29, 2011 at 12:30 PM

acoustic energy neo v2 series and aelite series now available.

finally

avshop · « **Reply #680 on:** Oct 30, 2011 at 02:23 PM »

Quote from: mikeer2002ph on Oct 30, 2011 at 02:01 PM

finally

I know. It got delivered yesterday Lang.

when will you be back in Manila?

mikeer2002ph · « **Reply #681 on:** Oct 30, 2011 at 02:50 PM »

Quote from: avshop on Oct 30, 2011 at 02:23 PM

I know. It got delivered yesterday Lang. when will you be back in Manila?

ill be back in manila probably thursday. will be bringing the amp/CDs

Stagea · « **Reply #682 on:** Oct 30, 2011 at 06:35 PM »

I heard a bit of the entire AE range yesterday, including one of their subs.

So far, I've heard the Compact 1, NeoV2 1/3/4/Center/Sub, Aelite 1, Radiance 1, and the Reference 1.

The Radiance 1 is my favorite. It offers a very nice sound for the price, and can accommodate most genres of music. It matches very well with lncc's Roksan and the Onkyo CS-5VL. The items were tied together by inexpensive cables (Monster THX RCA ICs and generic copper speaker wires). We had to take out the line conditioner, as it constricted the Roksan's output significantly (the chokes were probably too small for this amplifier).

I'd like to note that the NeoV2 HT set sounded wonderful with movies, coupled with the Onkyo TX-NR709. Everything melded well together, providing great spectral balance and an expansive sound stage. The small sub may not plumb as low or play as loud as more popular options, but it sounded very urgent and reinforced the rest of the speakers very well (it made the rest of the speakers sound much bigger than they are). It may not deliver something close to perfection (one has to spend so much more for that), but it was still pleasantly satisfying.

Stagea · « **Reply #683 on:** Oct 30, 2011 at 06:43 PM »

Quote from: evilman16 on Oct 25, 2011 at 09:04 AM

i hope na kpaga dumating mga subs ng AE, maganda ang integration sa AEs ko and also affordable ang price (2nd project ko ito / 1st ang receiver)

Try the NeoV2 sub if you don't have a very big room. It's not very powerful (you may have to play with positioning to aid it with some boundary loading), but it has that tight and dry bass that you rarely get from HT subs. Urgency in the lows is something that I enjoy more than intensity or absolute extension, especially since most LFE material won't be infrasonic.

james16 · « **Reply #684 on:** Oct 30, 2011 at 10:28 PM »

Quote from: Stagea on Oct 30, 2011 at 06:43 PM

Try the NeoV2 sub if you don't have a very big room. It's not very powerful (you may have to play with positioning to aid it with some boundary loading), but it has that tight and dry bass that you rarely get from HT subs. Urgency in the lows is something that I enjoy more than intensity or absolute extension, especially since most LFE material won't be infrasonic.

thanks for the tip, i will look and audition this once i get my receiver...

Stagea · « **Reply #685 on:** Oct 31, 2011 at 02:49 AM »

Here's my short take on the 5 different series' performance with JMlab Demo Discs 3 and 6. Overall, I was quite happy with how the entire line performed. I noticed that all of the AEs were capable of playing loud (they don't distort very easily). I'm sure a lot of people would love these speakers.

Compact
Ups: Smooth and fluid presentation; largely fatigue-free output; plays low for the size
Downs: Wooly lows; too close to the NeoV2 in pricing
I think this would be great as a bedroom pair or for near-field listening, but bigger speakers would almost always outperform it elsewhere.

NeoV2
Ups: Good spectral balance; forgiving with partnering equipment; affordable pricing
Downs: There is some hardness to the sound; can be a tad polite at lower volumes
These are good value speakers with the clean highs afforded by ring radiators. It's hard to go wrong with them in an HT environment.

Aelite
Ups: Lively and detailed; open and expansive stage with lots of air around instruments
Downs: Can sound too forward; a bit too close to the Radiance in price
I love the footwork of these speakers. Skins sound tight and metallic timbres shimmer and shine. However, they can sound too eager at times, which makes for a stratified fan base.

Radiance
Ups: Neutral and dynamic; jack of all trades; great performance for the price
Down: Mids can be a touch cool
A lot of what's in the Reference is also in the Radiance. It's that semblance to AE's flagship series that delivers value to this one. I was not able to find a track that sounded bad with the Radiance, and that means more to me than doing extremely well in any particular track. A HiFi system built around the Radiance may last for quite some time with most people.

Reference
Ups: Fast and revealing; refined performance; excellent build and finish
Down: On the pricey side
This may not be a high-end exotic, but it won't feel lost against those products. It ticks all the right boxes, and delivers an involving experience through a balanced and agile execution.

Thanks Marc for bringing this back to the Philippine market. Having Acoustic Energy around brings more options to our growing community.

To those hunting for speakers, I suggest you bring your gear over to MLY / AVShop to compare these speakers with your current favorites. It'd be a great find if you like them, but Marc has a lot of other options for you to try on, just in case you don't.

Cheers!

avshop · « **Reply #686 on:** Nov 05, 2011 at 12:24 PM »

Breaking in the neo 3 and neo 1. So far so good.

avshop · « **Reply #687 on:** Nov 15, 2011 at 10:25 AM »

check out the acoustic energy reference 1 at the nov hifi show in dusit hotel.

avshop · « **Reply #688 on:** Nov 18, 2011 at 08:56 PM »

AE Reference 1 with Onkyo reference series hifi all set to go for the hifi show.

avshop · « **Reply #689 on:** Nov 19, 2011 at 09:54 PM »

ROOM 436 - ACOUSTIC ENERGY REFERENCE 1, ONKYO REFERENCE SERIES, MARK LEVINSON, REVEL SALON 2

last chance tomorrow to check them out at the hifi show in dusit hotel.