About The Acoustic Energy AE109 MK2 Speakers
The Acoustic Energy AE109 MK2 is a compact floorstanding loudspeaker that has been engineered to offer neutral balance, low-distortion and high power handling with as little cabinet colouration as possible. Combined with wide output slot rear-porting, the AE109 MK2's are extremely flexible loudspeakers for use in any room or position in the home.
The AE109 MK2 are designed to offer effortless, room filling performance from a slimline floorstanding loudspeaker in much the same way the world acclaimed original AE109 did 20 years ago. To do this, two 130mm paper drivers utilising an ultra-high force motor system are used in partnership with a 25mm soft dome tweeter. The 2.5 way crossover features a unique topology allowing integration and power handling previously un-achievable from this type of speaker. Particular attention has been paid to the phase and time alignment for the most cohesive performance possible.
Like the AE100 MK2 standmount speaker, the drivers and crossover are housed within a substantial 15mm MDF cabinet that takes styling cues from the award winning Reference Series. The result is an audio product with clean and uncluttered lines that can still deliver the thrilling and powerful presentation that Acoustic Energy owners have come to expect. Satin black and walnut vinyl veneer finishes are available.
Acoustic Energy Series
The new 100 Series introduces a number of improvements and evolutionary changes all focused on refining the listening experience at the same time as providing a more room friendly loudspeaker. AE have introduced their WDT tweeter assembly from the AE1 Active, which creates far better in-room dispersion, as well as locating the slot ports to the rear for less midrange colouration and improved bass response. At the same time, the external design has been improved for a more elegant appearance and smaller footprint that should work well in a wide variety of surroundings. With higher quality fit and finish than ever before available from this entry level range.
The result is a stylish and more powerful range of speakers that embodies all of the qualities that Acoustic Energy is renowned for while taking advantage of everything that they have learned in their continuous process of development. We invite you to take a closer look at the driver technology and cabinets.
Tweeter: AE’s bespoke 25mm soft dome tweeter was designed in tandem with the 100 Series bass driver to offer optimum integration and tonal matching. Paired with AE’s Wide Dispersion Technology waveguide, the crossover region between drive units is audibly seamless whilst the high power neodymium motor assembly ensures reliable, distortion-free high-volume playback.
Mid/Bass Driver: The 130mm mid/bass driver used in the 100 Series has been developed with a high power, long excursion motor to provide satisfying volume levels and bass extension from relatively compact enclosures. The doped paper cone enables a higher crossover point for smoother mid-range and seamless crossover with the tweeter, creating extremely high fidelity, detailed and above all musical sound reproduction.
Cabinet: The 100 Series uses sturdy 15mm MDF enclosures with carefully tuned bracing, reducing harmful resonances whilst retaining body and substance from compact, practical cabinets. The rear slot porting enhances smooth bass extension with minimal room impact, allowing easy placement. The AE109 MK2 features inert mass-loading for additional stability and acoustic damping while all models come supplied with slim magnetic grilles.
Speaker Positioning: The AE109 MK2's are very flexible with regard to positioning and are designed to work well wherever they are located within the listening environment. There are however some basic guidelines that should be followed (where possible) for optimum performance.
For serious listening the grilles are best removed where practical. Rigid support is necessary for the speakers to deliver optimum dynamic response and so it is important to carefully level the speakers and make sure the speakers sit solidly on their supplied spike feet without rocking.
The AE100 Series speakers are very ‘room-friendly’ and should be able to be placed where most convenient with minimal detriment to sound. Where possible a minimum of 150mm of space should be allowed between the speakers and boundary walls. For stereo listening the two speakers should be the same distance from each other as the listening position. Experiment and listen to what works best for you, trust your own ears and judgement.
Our Take On The AE109 MK2 Speakers
There is no shortage of competition at this price point but the AE109 MK2's hold their own very well. The first thing you notice is how small and compact these speakers are at only 860mm tall. Slightly taller than its predecessor the AE109 MK1. The second thing you notice is how blooming heavy they are for the size, a quite considerable 18kg each! This solidness of construction combined with their diminutive stature make these a rather attractive choice in the right environment. The good thing about a small floorstanding speaker is they can be used in a smaller room without sticking out like a sore thumb visually. And the AE109 MK2 have more than enough welly to fill a medium size room with rich dynamic sound that you would swear was coming from a much larger speaker. They are also relatively easy to drive with a sensitivity of 89dB and a 4 ohm impedance rating so while your chosen amplifier needs to be of reasonable quality, with good current delivery, it doesn’t need to be high powered. We would think most customers would be happy with something in the 40 Watts per channel to 80 Watts per channel and we are talking continuous power output not peak. Need to know more? Please give our friendly and experienced staff a call on (03) 9874 8233.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Small, slim 2½ way floorstanding speaker
- Mid/Bass Drivers: 2 x 110mm (4”) paper cone
- Tweeter: 1 x 25mm (1”) soft dome
- Frequency Range: 40Hz -35kHz
- Sensitivity: 89dB
- Peak SBL: 115dB
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 40 Watts - 150 Watts
- Maximum Power Handling: 120 Watts - must be 'clean' power
- Crossover Frequency: 2.5kHz
- Impedance: 4 Ohms Nominal
- Grille Covers: Magnetic
- Speaker Wire Terminals: Will accept bare wire or banana plugs
- Bi-Wire Capability: No
- Finish: Available in imitation Satin Black or Walnut vinyl veneer
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 165 x 860 250mm
- Weight: 18 kg each
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years. Does not include misuse
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE