Owned AE1 for 20 years. Sound amazing BUT tune with a decent sub, set to very low cross over setting. Then you get the AE’s accuracy with the ‘feel’ of bass. Can’t hear the bass, you FEEL it, combined with their superb mud and top and you have the best speaker setup ever devised.
Had AE1’s for years in a small flat where solid thumping bass would have pissed off the neighbours in minutes. I had them hooked to a valve amp that gave them a bit of warmth and made them just disappear in the room leaving a very 3D sound stage. They are very fast and dynamic.
Great review Kelvin. Your reviews are very inspiring. I’ve now amassed a nice collection of vintage audio gear inc sansui and arcam 70s-80s amps and avi+castle + Ruark + mordaunt short 80s-90s speakers . Ae speakers are next on my list!
It needs a very powerful amplifier with good power bandwidth. Krell is a good partner KSA100. These amplifiers describe bass notes and ambience more accurately. The cabinets on the AE1 do not resonate. Many speakers sound bassy because they resonate. The lack of weight with the AE1 is more about the lack of distortion. Great review.
I love AE-1, they are still very good small loudspeakers. These speakers have an excellent integration of tweeter and midrange speaker. They are definitely a better loudspeakers than the otherwise excellent ProAc Response 1SC.
So good to hear your review of the AE1s vs. LS3/5A. I've had a pair of AE1 MK2 from new that look far less industrial than the pair you've tested but will probably sound pretty much the same. Definitely analytical and detail-centric presentation. Given enough Watts and current behind them, they can produce an incredible 3D soundstage. However, I've always found myself taking apart the music rather than putting it together when I listen to them. Although both the AE1 and LS3/5A are studio monitors, my understanding is that the AE1 was intended for a the recording studio and the LS3/5A for the broadcast studio (van) and they both fit those tasks really well albeit differently.
Something you mentioned about the qualities of speakers in one of your videos is, that it s important that the speaker is very good in one thing and not average in all aspects. That is exactly the point which is often forgotten in "professional" reviews. And you can transfer this to other aspects of life.
It`s always a pleasure to watch your reviews of vintage hifi-gear. Keep on going, thank you for your work from Germany. 👍👍👍. BTW I own a pair of AE1 MK3 Reference from a few years ago. I also thought an additional subwoofer could do a lot to these speakers, but I never tried to find out.
The AE1s require their dedicated stands or a pair of Partington Dreadnaught stands and a powerful integrated/ power amp with a mass of current to sound their best. I owned a pair combined with a Krell KSA-100 power amp/Hafler DH 110 preamp in the mid 80s. To this day, one of my favourite combinations.
Great work on these speakers sir. Have you ever seen and heard Sonab loudspeakers? They were a bit radical in their design, having the main speaker in a closed cabinet with a slot vent in the top. On the top, and protected by metal mesh, there were four small drivers pointing outwards/away from each other at a 45 degree angle at each corner. The sound from the Sonabs just "filled" the room. Apparently, all of the material for the cabinets (probably high-density MDF) was cut from one sheet so that the acoustic qualities were consistent. They had a high-end price to match back in the day! I did read that the Sonab brand had been revived some years ago. Oh, and I think they came from Sweden. Thank you again.Stay safe and well.
There's just some hypnotic quality about metal mids especially paired with neodymium magnets, the "resonance" that happens with certain ambient chillout music, there's a "spacious" ness.... Bass is so accurate. Albums like Agnes Obel Aventine or Enya, where there's a lot of bass energy, other cones muddle up, sounds cleaner with metal cones. And it's like, can turn them louder without annoyance.
Remember when the AE1 was released heard it at the Bristol hifi show in Bristol 1987 the signature version but could never afford them even to this day
One of my audiobuddies bought a pair of the said Acoustic Energy speakers back in 1997 and immediately liked them and still uses them. His only one criticism of it is that the ported design steam-rolls delicate low frequency information. The second track of the original Blade Runner soundtrack with the owl flying around is clearly audible on my DIY rig but on his Acoustic Energy speakers, the owl's wing flapping got swamped by the reverb of the actors' voices.
Acoustic Energy Evo iii floorstanders make a lovely sound, I know as I have a pair, very rich almost creamy with some proper bass, not for those who like a forward, detailed sound but worth checking out, can be had at very reasonable prices these days.
I was very kindly given a pair of these with stands by an english aunt. I have to admit I never had an ideal setup to go along with them. Lately I have been putting together components and trying to find out what is the best system I can gather together for the AE1s, so I appreciate all the comments in here. looks like I need a more powerful amplifier, in fact two, one for a sub!
Nice review Kevin I totally agree regarding the AE sound very accomplished but a little brash top end but lacking in depth lower down compared to larger cabinets or bass drivers perhaps the material of the cone restricts movement of air.
I am 6 seconds in, and seeing the Rogers out there, I think I know how this is going to go... ::hand gestures:: smoooth, like the silk ::more gestures::
Everthought about reviewing some transmission line speakers i.e , TDL from the late 80s Or floorstanders from Spendor or Tannoy . Have you heard The B&W 110 from the mid 80's about 105 quid then . Selling for anything between 100 to 200 quid on Ebay now. Great speakers and still
AE1,s need a good strong power amp to really sing and e ontop of a solid speaker stand if I remember the dedicated stands for these looked like Roman pillars which where very very heavy , heard years ago with two nap 135,s power amps
Yup, very amp dependant performance. Audiolab 8000M's were my preferred amps when I had mine. In fact, Audiolab 8000M's are still my preferred amps :).
Purchased a pair of the original AE1 after reading a review in Stereophile magazine. That was maybe 40 years ago. Still my main speakers that I purchased 40 years ago. 😊still love them.
All metal what were they thinking. I'd want a non-metal woofer with that and the metal driver could be the squawker (nowadays probably an extremely politically incorrect term). I love your descriptions of songs by the way. I immediately put them in a spotify list and try to hear what you mean. A real listening to music course besides being a vintage stereo reviewer.
Recently I' repaired my JVC AX-444.I've bough it broken down for 30 euros.Maby it is not very vintage,but if You have chance listen to it.I was surprised :)
I don't know how easy or difficult it is to find NHT (Now Hear This) speakers in the UK but if you can get a pair of NHT Super Zeros they will boggle your mind how a speaker that small can sound so great. Mine are from 1994 and made in the USA. They still make the same model but they're made in China and I don't know if they sound as good.
I recall a stellar review of a small NHT speaker - possibly the Super Zero - in HIFI Choice 20-something years ago but they were not easy to track down in the UK, to say the least.
Why not review some British speakers from around 1987 to 2007? Already modern designs but still made in UK and often very affordable with large 8" cones like Tannoy DC/Sixies or at least 6.5" like Monitor Audio 952. Nowadays you have to pay through the nose for good new 8" cones speakers, at least £1800.
A small cabinet speaker may be acceptable if it is bass shy but where it has to shine is the midst and highs If it is short covered in this areas then it's a skip speaker. In a real world situations nobody listens the small bookshelves without the assistance of a sub.
I was just thinking about how I've never tried an aluminum dome tweeter just by it's self like this one, they all had a horn or a significant waveguide. My 19 Year old Tortoise shell calico cat likes to watch birds and mice She can't get on the computer screen. I now realize this channel is kind of the same thing for me. Well, maybe He'll review a speaker I can more easily get from inside the American Empire.
Kelvin - score yourself a cheap tube preamp. Im curious how you will hear it's benefits. Im blown away by every aspect of sound quality even an inexpensive one offers; timbre and separation of instruments... sound stage... you name it.
Have you ever reviewed Castle speakers? I'm willing to bet my Castle Warwick speakers (which I bought for 70 Euro and they have mind-blowing mids) could easily wipe the floor with them AE1s.
Same here with my $100 NHT Super Zeros. Mine are from 1994 made in the USA and honestly would give the LS3/5As a run especially if you take price and availability into consideration.
Those Ae's looked refoamed with thicker foam which restricts the compliance and bass. They aren't the original tweeters either.. Look like Musical Fidelity Reference 2 tweeters. The Bass was lacking with my Ae 1,s after a refoam..Sad.
@@stereoreviewx Hi Kelvin, whip out the tweeter. It should be a Seas magnesium alloy dome. They are original spun metal bass/mid drivers though. Thanks and keep up the good work. Regards, John.
You had me right up until Leo Sayer - I'm sorry, but I lived through a decade of that little sod warbling away on Countdown here in Oz. He's an inoffensive guy given the antics of some of his contemporaries, but his entire catalog belongs in a dumpster fire. We all have our guilty pleasures - I still listen to Beat It when the mood strikes - but that was a step too far down memory lane Kelvin.
Some speakers sound best with instruments that feature crisp transients like acoustic guitar. Other speakers sound better with continuous tone instruments like massed violins or pipe organ. Two schools of speaker design... incisive vs smooth. Incisive designs feature hard domes/cones of various materials like metal or hardened phenolic. The smooth is typical of soft domes made from fabric, silk or soft plastic.
Not sure why people bother with these little tiny speakers. A floorstander takes up the same space, but delivers real bass and weight. Don't get taken in by these high-cost tiny speakers.
I thought the same when I bought my Dali spector 2's not too long ago. I had them up in the bedroom paired with my marantz pm4001 OSE/NAD C320BEE and ill be honest they didn't compare to my vintage loud speakers (double size). Brought them downstairs and paired them with my NAD 3020a and marantz cd5001 and even at low levels I seem to have found some unexpected synergy. Is it the wooden floors, the new amazon basics RCA, the slightly lower ceiling 🤔 I'm really not sure but they're definitely staying where they are from now on. I know u mention stands or the tower type but these sit on 2 units with a fire place in between so these would not be practical for me and probably many others. So I would say there's a place for bookshelf speakers but only if paired well and suit the room
@@D1N02 No I replaced some little Harbeth speakers with proper floorstanders and I'm enjoying music again. Small expensive speakers are good for the industry but bad for music lovers imo.
Yep, floor standers are better value... Why spend more on a smaller speaker , stands and a subwoofer? The industry makes less overall and spend more on shipping floor standers from China.
I use floor-standers with my main system where the room can cope with the bass loading. In my smaller room, I have stand mounter speakers, which can live more happily closer to the wall. It took ages and much buying and selling on eBay to sort out the balance between not enough bass and complete bass overload. Finally, when I found the perfect match, I bought the latest version and they sound great. The floor-standers, on the other hand just work wonderfully, with a bit of fine tuning of position and toe-in angle adjustment.
Owned AE1 for 20 years. Sound amazing BUT tune with a decent sub, set to very low cross over setting. Then you get the AE’s accuracy with the ‘feel’ of bass. Can’t hear the bass, you FEEL it, combined with their superb mud and top and you have the best speaker setup ever devised.
Thanks for the info
Had AE1’s for years in a small flat where solid thumping bass would have pissed off the neighbours in minutes. I had them hooked to a valve amp that gave them a bit of warmth and made them just disappear in the room leaving a very 3D sound stage. They are very fast and dynamic.
Great review Kelvin. Your reviews are very inspiring. I’ve now amassed a nice collection of vintage audio gear inc sansui and arcam 70s-80s amps and avi+castle + Ruark + mordaunt short 80s-90s speakers . Ae speakers are next on my list!
I had no idea Steve Gadd played on "You make me feel like dancing". Really enjoying this channel, thanks.
Bought the AE2s in 1989 and still have them. Great speakers and I did audition the AE1 at the time and your review is bang on.
They're chit
I had chance to buy AE2 Signature but I didn't and I am still crying because of it.
It needs a very powerful amplifier with good power bandwidth. Krell is a good partner KSA100. These amplifiers describe bass notes and ambience more accurately. The cabinets on the AE1 do not resonate. Many speakers sound bassy because they resonate. The lack of weight with the AE1 is more about the lack of distortion. Great review.
I love AE-1, they are still very good small loudspeakers. These speakers have an excellent integration of tweeter and midrange speaker. They are definitely a better loudspeakers than the otherwise excellent ProAc Response 1SC.
So good to hear your review of the AE1s vs. LS3/5A.
I've had a pair of AE1 MK2 from new that look far less industrial than the pair you've tested but will probably sound pretty much the same.
Definitely analytical and detail-centric presentation. Given enough Watts and current behind them, they can produce an incredible 3D soundstage. However, I've always found myself taking apart the music rather than putting it together when I listen to them.
Although both the AE1 and LS3/5A are studio monitors, my understanding is that the AE1 was intended for a the recording studio and the LS3/5A for the broadcast studio (van) and they both fit those tasks really well albeit differently.
Something you mentioned about the qualities of speakers in one of your videos is, that it s important that the speaker is very good in one thing and not average in all aspects. That is exactly the point which is often forgotten in "professional" reviews. And you can transfer this to other aspects of life.
Always been fascinated by the AE1. Never heard a pair. Nice review
It`s always a pleasure to watch your reviews of vintage hifi-gear. Keep on going, thank you for your work from Germany. 👍👍👍. BTW I own a pair of AE1 MK3 Reference from a few years ago. I also thought an additional subwoofer could do a lot to these speakers, but I never tried to find out.
The AE1s require their dedicated stands or a pair of Partington Dreadnaught stands and a powerful integrated/ power amp with a mass of current to sound their best. I owned a pair combined with a Krell KSA-100 power amp/Hafler DH 110 preamp in the mid 80s. To this day, one of my favourite combinations.
Fair enough Andy
They're small speakers ...and will sound small
Great work on these speakers sir. Have you ever seen and heard Sonab loudspeakers? They were a bit radical in their design, having the main speaker in a closed cabinet with a slot vent in the top. On the top, and protected by metal mesh, there were four small drivers pointing outwards/away from each other at a 45 degree angle at each corner. The sound from the Sonabs just "filled" the room. Apparently, all of the material for the cabinets (probably high-density MDF) was cut from one sheet so that the acoustic qualities were consistent. They had a high-end price to match back in the day! I did read that the Sonab brand had been revived some years ago. Oh, and I think they came from Sweden. Thank you again.Stay safe and well.
Steve Gadd legend played on every ones albums in the 70s and 80s especially Steely Dan Aja album one take on that track..
There's just some hypnotic quality about metal mids especially paired with neodymium magnets, the "resonance" that happens with certain ambient chillout music, there's a "spacious" ness.... Bass is so accurate. Albums like Agnes Obel Aventine or Enya, where there's a lot of bass energy, other cones muddle up, sounds cleaner with metal cones. And it's like, can turn them louder without annoyance.
I had german Canton's from '87 with aliminium tweeter. Those were so nice and airy and wonderful. Miss them
Remember when the AE1 was released heard it at the Bristol hifi show in Bristol 1987 the signature version but could never afford them even to this day
One of my audiobuddies bought a pair of the said Acoustic Energy speakers back in 1997 and immediately liked them and still uses them. His only one criticism of it is that the ported design steam-rolls delicate low frequency information. The second track of the original Blade Runner soundtrack with the owl flying around is clearly audible on my DIY rig but on his Acoustic Energy speakers, the owl's wing flapping got swamped by the reverb of the actors' voices.
Acoustic Energy Evo iii floorstanders make a lovely sound, I know as I have a pair, very rich almost creamy with some proper bass, not for those who like a forward, detailed sound but worth checking out, can be had at very reasonable prices these days.
I love my £200 speakers B&W 601s same size would love to hear both these for comparison
I was very kindly given a pair of these with stands by an english aunt. I have to admit I never had an ideal setup to go along with them. Lately I have been putting together components and trying to find out what is the best system I can gather together for the AE1s, so I appreciate all the comments in here. looks like I need a more powerful amplifier, in fact two, one for a sub!
Nice review Kevin I totally agree regarding the AE sound very accomplished but a little brash top end but lacking in depth lower down compared to larger cabinets or bass drivers perhaps the material of the cone restricts movement of air.
I am 6 seconds in, and seeing the Rogers out there, I think I know how this is going to go... ::hand gestures:: smoooth, like the silk ::more gestures::
kelvin talks about hi-fi the way a sommelier would talk about wine
Everthought about reviewing some transmission line speakers i.e , TDL from the late 80s
Or floorstanders from Spendor or Tannoy .
Have you heard The
B&W 110 from the mid 80's about 105 quid then .
Selling for anything between 100 to 200 quid on Ebay now.
Great speakers and still
AE1,s need a good strong power amp to really sing and e ontop of a solid speaker stand if I remember the dedicated stands for these looked like Roman pillars which where very very heavy , heard years ago with two nap 135,s power amps
Yup, very amp dependant performance. Audiolab 8000M's were my preferred amps when I had mine. In fact, Audiolab 8000M's are still my preferred amps :).
Purchased a pair of the original AE1 after reading a review in Stereophile magazine. That was maybe 40 years ago. Still my main speakers that I purchased 40 years ago. 😊still love them.
All metal what were they thinking. I'd want a non-metal woofer with that and the metal driver could be the squawker (nowadays probably an extremely politically incorrect term). I love your descriptions of songs by the way. I immediately put them in a spotify list and try to hear what you mean. A real listening to music course besides being a vintage stereo reviewer.
Great song choice with Mr Martyn's Solid Air what an album that is. I would love to know your opinion of the kef 101 no one reviews this speaker.
Recently I' repaired my JVC AX-444.I've bough it broken down for 30 euros.Maby it is not very vintage,but if You have chance listen to it.I was surprised :)
Hi Kelvin how about a review of the Quad ESL57s sometime, they would sound amazing with the kind of music you like.
Thanks for your review! Can ae1 work as studio monitors?
I don't know how easy or difficult it is to find NHT (Now Hear This) speakers in the UK but if you can get a pair of NHT Super Zeros they will boggle your mind how a speaker that small can sound so great. Mine are from 1994 and made in the USA. They still make the same model but they're made in China and I don't know if they sound as good.
I recall a stellar review of a small NHT speaker - possibly the Super Zero - in HIFI Choice 20-something years ago but they were not easy to track down in the UK, to say the least.
Why not review some British speakers from around 1987 to 2007? Already modern designs but still made in UK and often very affordable with large 8" cones like Tannoy DC/Sixies or at least 6.5" like Monitor Audio 952. Nowadays you have to pay through the nose for good new 8" cones speakers, at least £1800.
A small cabinet speaker may be acceptable if it is bass shy but where it has to shine is the midst and highs If it is short covered in this areas then it's a skip speaker. In a real world situations nobody listens the small bookshelves without the assistance of a sub.
the ls35ab looks big today
Is that a Sansui receiver on the table next to the speakers- used to compare the AE1 /LS3s? Good partnership?
Any chance for a review of Dali Concept 2 speakers?
I was just thinking about how I've never tried an aluminum dome tweeter just by it's self like this one, they all had a horn or a significant waveguide. My 19 Year old Tortoise shell calico cat likes to watch birds and mice She can't get on the computer screen. I now realize this channel is kind of the same thing for me. Well, maybe He'll review a speaker I can more easily get from inside the American Empire.
Kelvin - score yourself a cheap tube preamp. Im curious how you will hear it's benefits. Im blown away by every aspect of sound quality even an inexpensive one offers; timbre and separation of instruments... sound stage... you name it.
Yes I haven’t got one but I’m sure you’re right
Do you have time to review AE2？
Hows the condition of the surround foam in the AE's drivers? It perishes over time. They won't sound right if the foam is perished.
... They look like they've been replaced badly.
Have you ever reviewed Castle speakers? I'm willing to bet my Castle Warwick speakers (which I bought for 70 Euro and they have mind-blowing mids) could easily wipe the floor with them AE1s.
Same here with my $100 NHT Super Zeros. Mine are from 1994 made in the USA and honestly would give the LS3/5As a run especially if you take price and availability into consideration.
which model? I have Castle Warwick 3
@@Supashoppa69 The original ones. Never heard 2 or 3.
Those Ae's looked refoamed with thicker foam which restricts the compliance and bass. They aren't the original tweeters either.. Look like Musical Fidelity Reference 2 tweeters. The Bass was lacking with my Ae 1,s after a refoam..Sad.
You could well be right about the re-Foam I think the Twitter is original
@@stereoreviewx Hi Kelvin, whip out the tweeter. It should be a Seas magnesium alloy dome. They are original spun metal bass/mid drivers though. Thanks and keep up the good work. Regards, John.
You had me right up until Leo Sayer - I'm sorry, but I lived through a decade of that little sod warbling away on Countdown here in Oz. He's an inoffensive guy given the antics of some of his contemporaries, but his entire catalog belongs in a dumpster fire. We all have our guilty pleasures - I still listen to Beat It when the mood strikes - but that was a step too far down memory lane Kelvin.
I am only listening to the drumming on you make me feel like dancing
By Steve gadd
These require their own stands and careful amping to sounf their best.
fair point
Some speakers sound best with instruments that feature crisp transients like acoustic guitar. Other speakers sound better with continuous tone instruments like massed violins or pipe organ. Two schools of speaker design... incisive vs smooth. Incisive designs feature hard domes/cones of various materials like metal or hardened phenolic. The smooth is typical of soft domes made from fabric, silk or soft plastic.
A sound demo would be heaps better than all that gasbagging.
There are literally 100's of channels doing that, knock your self out I would say.
I do, and this would still be better with a sound demo than all that banging on.
No it wouldn’t. All you’d be hearing is a lo fi version of the tune.
Not sure why people bother with these little tiny speakers. A floorstander takes up the same space, but delivers real bass and weight. Don't get taken in by these high-cost tiny speakers.
I thought the same when I bought my Dali spector 2's not too long ago. I had them up in the bedroom paired with my marantz pm4001 OSE/NAD C320BEE and ill be honest they didn't compare to my vintage loud speakers (double size). Brought them downstairs and paired them with my NAD 3020a and marantz cd5001 and even at low levels I seem to have found some unexpected synergy. Is it the wooden floors, the new amazon basics RCA, the slightly lower ceiling 🤔 I'm really not sure but they're definitely staying where they are from now on. I know u mention stands or the tower type but these sit on 2 units with a fire place in between so these would not be practical for me and probably many others. So I would say there's a place for bookshelf speakers but only if paired well and suit the room
you have been listening to Paul from PSaudio ;)
@@D1N02 No I replaced some little Harbeth speakers with proper floorstanders and I'm enjoying music again. Small expensive speakers are good for the industry but bad for music lovers imo.
Yep, floor standers are better value... Why spend more on a smaller speaker , stands and a subwoofer?
The industry makes less overall and spend more on shipping floor standers from China.
I use floor-standers with my main system where the room can cope with the bass loading. In my smaller room, I have stand mounter speakers, which can live more happily closer to the wall. It took ages and much buying and selling on eBay to sort out the balance between not enough bass and complete bass overload. Finally, when I found the perfect match, I bought the latest version and they sound great. The floor-standers, on the other hand just work wonderfully, with a bit of fine tuning of position and toe-in angle adjustment.
Who destroyed the woofers of the AE1? Somebody (Idiot) wanted to refoam them
Oeh, a commercial every 2 minutes or so.....thats horrible. Do you have any influence on this? Its disturbing.....
Welcome to the end of YT
Don't want to listen to metal.
AE Aegis Three... Try that.... It is awesome. Complete sound !
Kelvin do you know anything about vintageAE 509 (1999-2003) ?
My setup ae 509 Quad 909 99cdp2