Good build

Thick midband

I've had this center for 18months now. I read reviews of this center and thought it must be good. Especially about the somewhat dark sound it produces would be good for movies with a bright soundtrack. Now I know it wasn't so. I have AE 209 as front speakers and though they are also laidback and the trebble level is low, they have much more clarity. Thus the center becomes annoying making the speech sound muddled. And when you play music it becomes more obvious that the trebble is turned down and the midband is thick. So finaly I have decided to try another center and found a HECO, german brand, center for about the same price and the difference was huge. Once I've heard the instant clarity of the HECO I couldn't go back, it was like removing a cover that supressed the "true" sound.
Perhaps the AE suites some bright electronics, but it's not the speaker for me. However it's well built, good power handling and seems to work well with most amps, some might find it's just what they need.

Equipment

AE 209 front
AE aegis one surround
Audio Pro Sub zero
Technics SA-TX30 reciver
Denon dvd-3000
Sony CDP-930

Similar Products Used:

HECO center

Power, clarity good size & well constructed

I've had the AE 107c sitting on top of my TV for a good 6 months now. It was brand new and looked of excellent quality. Solid build, bi-wireable, 2 mids and dome tweeter in the centre. Aggressive looks with the cover off, elegant with the black mesh cover. To match it sonically I bought a pair of AE109's. These were ex demo (music) so were 'run in'. The 109's sounded warm, dynamic and very clear - perfect. The 107c was and still is 6 months down the line a little more harsh than it's brothers. Obviously the floorstanders have bigger boxes and can cope a little better with music (MTV)etc. Prologic or Dolby Digital is excellent though. The dialogue is impressively crisp, clear and fills
a wide soundstage. Rich but not as warm as the 109's. It may take the speakers time to loosen up fully, but to me it's brilliant and like a good wine, can only get better with age.

Was the only center at the time I bought my AE520s/505s

chesty

This and the Aegis speaker are just too chesty and not natural. Thick midband describes it well. The Tannoy in the same price range does not sound this way, so I know a good center can be had for $200-250.

I've moved up to an Aerial CC-3, which suprisingly matches well w/ the AE520s. It lacks some of the dynamics, but is so lush and life-like. You can find them used as some folks are upgrading to CC-5s.

My use is in front of the RPTV on a stand. Equipment is EAD/Rega/Sony/Toshiba.

Similar Products Used:

Aerial CC-3, AE Aegis Center, Tannoy Mercury Center

value for money

muddy

The AE107C centre speaker is detailed and strong with bass but bit to strong there for clouding the clarity of the sound such as the voices in a film making them sound muddy. An average product but the speaker is good value for money i would recommend the AE107C speaker for acton films. FYI - paid £200

Brilliant dialogues, neutral tone balance (suitable for any front speakers), very musical sound.

Slightly fat basses

It`s a unversal centre speaker -- both for home cinema and music. Dialogues are clear, and the sound is rather comfortable. I use AE107C with Tannoy Mercury fronts and it suits them more, than Tannoy MC!
Compared to the Aegis Centre, AE107C has no metal in treble -- it`s an important advantage for the music listeners.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha NG-C75, Tannoy MC, AE Aegis Centre