Acoustic Energy AE120 Floorstanding Speakers

Acoustic Energy AE120 Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

3-Way Magnetically Shielded Floor Standing - (2) 5.25" Woofers, 5.25" Mid-Range, 1" Tweeter

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 21  
[Sep 02, 2012]
Shahrul
Audio Enthusiast

Got the speakers for 78 pound on ebay.co.uk with original packaging. The previous mission 782 I won (150 pound) failed me during collection / testing (cancelled the purchase), but I am not sad since I am now a proud owner of the AE120.

After winning the AE120 I read the reviews here which said that it needs better amplifications. I quickly looked for one and won Sony STRDB925 home cinema receiver (for 50 pound, and came with 5 speakers and active woofers by Thomson).

Paired the Sony and AE120 2 days ago. The AE120 is worth the money! I tri-wire them with quality cables - and I would like to confirm that the bass are controlled. I can listen to every details despite not cranking up the volume. By the way, I am setting up a music system - shoot me - I'm on a budget. But this setup is great even if compared to my previous setup of -

PM66KI
CD67SE
Tannoy M1
Quality Cables - I was mad - my cable(s) costed more than my previous speakers

Yes, they were mid-range setup to compare with the AE120 (at its brand new price). But if my Sony and AE120 were to be placed in a hifi store, they'll get noticed when being played by the visitors - low volume level but controlled bass with detail sounding. And currently I am using quality Pioneer DVD player to play my Tag McLaren test CD. Imagine if I am using better player.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 13, 2004]
simon h
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

total control when bi-amped - cope well with classical, solo and orchestra, effortless with modern music.

Weakness:

size - they're big and need their own space - but so do most floorstanders.

I brought the AE120s as part of a start up system and then up-graded my CD and Amp. I was never fully comfortable with the ae120s once I'd read further rviewes re difficult amp loadings and poor bass control. However, when I bought a power amp and bi-amped the ae120s I've been pleased. I've had to move them into a smaller room now and have needed to stuff the ports with sponges to keep them under control but they still sound great. I'm toying with up-grading the speakers to a good stand mount which may perform better in a smaller room but have nothing to benchmark against - suggestions ?

Similar Products Used:

none - suggestions ?

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 25, 2003]
Ralph Kuo
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good built, clear sound, large motivation, good for "large" music.

Weakness:

Not that kind of sweet speakers, cannot touch your heart when playing with some excellent piano or violin sonatas.

Important! This speaker absolutely needs big current, I use a PSE100ill which is made in the states, and has 115W/CH. Before I use PSE100ill, I had tried Audiolab 8000B, Aura VA100 Evolution, Denon PMA2000, and quess what? the more strengh the amp is, the bass more controlled, the mid-range more transparent,no wonder many AE120 users complained about the loss-controlled bass. though it's not that kind of sweet-sounded speaker, but still can handle most kinds of music for entry level users, some Taiwanese users also recommand the Proton power amps for these speakers, such like AA2480, AA2120. But I still very happy with the PSE100ill works with AE120.

Similar Products Used:

My first floor-standing speakers, I use Spendor S20. B&W CDM-1SE, EPOS ES11 before.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 09, 2003]
Barrie Merriman
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Heavy built cabinets, neticly shielded.

Weakness:

None!

These speakers are not only fantastic looking but also sound great espescially with home cinema.

Similar Products Used:

YAMAHA YST80, mission 760i rear speakers.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 27, 2002]
Demi
Casual Listener

They sound dead when single wired. Tri/bi-wire them and you will be amazed!

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 11, 2002]
jon chambers
Casual Listener

Strength:

Impressive looks

Weakness:

Bass Extention - if you disagree then buy cheaper, smaller speakers and you will be better off.

Theses speakers look fantastic but the sound isn''t... simple as that. Other reviews go on about the buckets of deep bass and good extention. Rubbish. If your into dance music, a bit general i know, your best off getting a pair of peaveys or similar. Cheaper, good sound, good bass and extention. If you want quality sound then buy a good pair of 120 pound stand mounted speakers. The 120s are loud but can''t handle the dynamic swings of most dance music past 10 O clock on my Yamaha 100 watt stereo amp. Its up to you!

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 07, 2002]
CHRIS GRAY
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

BUILD AND ALL ROUND EXCELLENT SOUND AND PUNCH

Weakness:

NONE

i FOUND THE ACOUSTIC AE120''S TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT BLEND OF TONAL BALANCE AND A SOUND THAT WILL PUT THEM IN A RANGE OF THERE OWN

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM 603 S2

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 30, 1997]
Nicolas Boisvert
an Audio Enthusiast

Two months ago, I finally bought my first HI-Fi system. Afetr a lot of try, chech, recheck, triple check, I finally opted for an all ARCAM system. Then for the speaker, I chose the AE120. These are really impressive. The sound is clean and balanced and the bass are deep and surroundings. What decided me to buy this system was Holly Cole "I can see clearly now". With this system, specially the AE120, the bass and the piano were amazing. Holly seems happy and her beautifull voice is rendrred perfectly.
The only thing I should recommand is that you have a huge room because these loudspeakers are really giving in bass frequency.

The best way to understand is to listen.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Oct 16, 2000]
David Sappleton
Audiophile

Strength:

Fat Bass, Tops, Dynamic Midrange, Tri-wireable, Staging & Imaging

Weakness:

To be used in large room

I recently upgraded my system to ARCAM separates. My system now comprises of:

1xAlpha 8R Intergrated Amp
1xAlpha 8P Power Amp
1xAlpha 7SE CD Player
Sonic Link Pink interconnects

When auditioning this kit a few spearkers were used in the set-up but none came close to the 120's. They are the lick. The bass produced by these speakers is enormous and very controlled as opposed to the KEF's. The midrange is dynamic & detailed and the treble is crisp! The speaker is a genius!! However you need a decent size room to "air" these speakers and give them free course to do their best.

It handles my favourite Garage and Dance tracks superbly, not to mention those slow R&B joints! I paid £240 for these speakers which have retailed for as much as £600. A real BARGAIN!! The AE's on this set-up can wipe the floor with other systems. These speakers have now been replaced by a new range, but some Hi-Fi joints may still have a few pairs in stock. Get your hands on them, U won't be disapointed. Total cost of kit £1400.

Similar Products Used:

KEF Coda 10
Eltax LR6.5

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 29, 2000]
Ashley New
Audiophile

Strength:

very high sound quality good tight bass

Weakness:

need large room + perfer high current amplifiers

I BROUGT A.E 109 3 YEARS AGO AND THEY SOUNDED GOOD I THEN SOLD THEM AND UP GRADED TO THE A.E 120SE's THEY HAVE A NICE TIGHT BASS,GOOD CLEAR MIDRANGE,AND CLEAR OPEN TREBLE,WHEN USED WITH A HIGH QUALITY,HIGH CURRENT AMPLIFIER. I AM USING A SONY EP9ES DIGITAL PRE-AMP AS A DAC AND PRE-AMP,THEN CABLE TALK REFERENCE 2 INTERCONNECTS GOING TO 4X MARANTZ MA500 THX MONO POWER AMPS BI-AMPING THE 120SE,s THAT SET UP GETS THE MOST OUT OF THE SPEAKERS IF U CAN PROVIDE SUCH A SET UP YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED THAEY HAVE A FANTASTIC SOUND THAT WILL LAST FOR YEARS

Similar Products Used:

A.E 109

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 21  

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