Excellent clearity, outstanding vocals, tight bass

none for the style of music I listen to

At first these speakers disappointed me but after a long period of break-in they now sing. This in conjunction with the addition of a power amp for bi-amping which now have brought these speakers to life and displayed their capabilities. Although easy to drive the addition of the power amp increased control (a hint, as suggested by a HI-Fi shop, use the power amp to drive the mid and tweeter not the bass - and it works). They are the best speakers I've hear to-date at vocals and though a little light on bass for some I think that they avoid the over-powering bass that speakers now have; a direct result of selling speakers to a public who now generally listen to bass heavy music. Since moving to England from Canada I've had the pleasure experiencing the English approach to Hi-Fi.
I've since confirmed the great performance of these speakers when I went and bought another set of speakers for a second system and ended up buying a pair of AE100 ISE. These have the same dynamics of the AE209s with slight less bass. In comparing them (AE100s) to Mission 771s, Monitor Audio IIIs, and Mission M71s (way too much bass with no control) the AE100s where clearer, more refined and great looking - only confirming how uncoloured and articulate the 209s are. The 209s are AE100s with better bass and more control.

I only have one problem with the 209s - although of excellent build and quality - they're black. If anyone knows of a way to refinish these they could make an almost perfect speaker, perfect. (jeffrey_nunn@hotmail.com)

P.S. - Customer service I've had from AE has been excellent

System :

CD player - Arcam 7se
Amp - Arcam 8r and 8p
Mini -Disk - Denon MD1000

Similar Products Used:

AE100ies

Very versatile and adept at playing all kinds of music, especially rock. Fine dynamics. Plenty of bass weight. Very transparent and coherent speakers. They took everything I threw at them without a sweat.

None that I can think of. They are not the last word in extracting detail but these speakers are not Martin Logans or Thiels. They are probably too aggressive for small rooms.

The AE 209s are an ideal combination with my Roksan pre-power combo, which I use for both music and HT. I was looking for a pair of speakers versatile enough to handle rock, trance, metal, jazz, new age and vocals, as well as home theater, and I must say the 209s were a gem of a discovery.
Not many speakers can offer good transparency and yet keep serious bass. The 209s employ metal cones that enable them to have a good definition, whilst keeping the music fast and agressive.
I had originally wanted to purchase the 120s but opted for the 209s. Compared to the more well known 120s amd 109s, the 209s are a stunning jump in physical appearance and sound quality. Their build quality is nothing short of stunning. They come with cherry wood veneer and rounded edges, with metal plinths instead of rubber, as well as an improved crossover and better internal wiring using higher quality copper.
At 91db and 6 ohms the 209s are an easy load. They coped well with everything I threw at them -- from John Lee Hooker to Jesse Cook to Underworld, the Orb and Leftfield. Bass is controlled, yet effortless and the soundstaging is very unforced. Treble is smooth with little graininess.
On complex jazz speakers the separation of instruments was detailed and on female vocals the extension of the mid-range and high frequencies were sweet and expressive. Tonally, they are warm but not laid back.
I bought the 209s with the intention of owning speakers that can handle rock and dance well, but their versatility has allowed me to enjoy all my collection of CDs from all music genres. In the contemporary floor standing market under US$2,000, these speakers simply rule.

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KEF Coda 9

Very well made with an upgraded hefty plinth
Sweet and non fatiquing with meaty, believavble images
an audiophile bargain

Recessed binding posts wont fit my spades properly
Not the last word in deep bass extension
5w Single ende 2a3's need not apply

My system:
wadia 850 CD player
Denon DVD 3000 transport and MSB Platinum Link
Cary 300 SEi/ CJ CAV 50 (on loan)
Transparent, NBS, Nirvana cables

When I had to sell my Beauhorns after moving in my equipment to a small room, I tried a number of small speakers. Typically, the ones that excited me were the
britsh speakers with a very naturall voicing such as spendors. The pro ac I tried was tilted upwards and sibilant.

I wasnt too impressed with the AE1's I tried but the
AE 209 retained the AE1's articulation but without the metallic tweeters ringing highs. I actually chanced upon the 209 as a customer has ordered this special edition version over and was running it in at the dealers.
The sound was much better than expected for a sub $1000 spkr.

After I brought my Cary 300 sei to try, whilst sounding excellent lacked the slam that I heard when it was driven by a 50w SS integrated. Although rated at 90db with nominal 6ohms.
I wrote to James Luce of AE(UK) abt It and he replied:
"The AE209 is a very good speaker, better than the 109 (it has metal, rather than polymer cones - which explains why it is harder to drive), in fact one of our technical guys in the office thinks it was one of the best speakers that we have made! .....I would say that the more powerful the amp the better (as seems to be the case with all Metal driver speakers)"


Next I tried a ARC CA 50 integrated and the spkr really shone with excellent harmonics and solid believable images
with bass that bloomed rather naturally.

To put it in a nutshell, theis baby sings and sings sweetly.
Needless to say, I ordered it. I strongly recommend this spkr but dont advise a 5-10w Single ended amp with it.

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Totem staaf
ProAc tablette 2000
Audio physic (cant recall model)
Spendor Sp2/3E

Clear, tight bass, loud with no distortion, fast.

None

What a stunning pair of speakers. I hesitated to purchase the AE209 because there are newer models out there for the similar price. I audition the Mission 74, AE109, Tannoy Mx4, B&W 602, JBlab, AudioPro Image40, Castle, Monitor Audio Bronze3 and ProAc. Yes, thats a lot of speakers to audition but I wanted my money worth. Some are just too expensive with sound which I think can't beat the 209. Value for money the 209 is clear, tight bass and fast after burning them in, with no distortion on any level of volume. Keep them well clear of the corners and you have sound that surpass Kef's which goes to my brother now.

for stereo:
Musical Fidelity P150 pwr amp
Musical Fidelity 3A pre amp
Pioneer DVD-533K for CD
AE209
Rogers bi-wire cables
Monster Cable interconnects

I still wonder why What HiFi gives only 3 stars for 209 and five for AE109. Sound is almost the same with the 209 more clarity quality, tighter bigger bass and the difference of RM100. I have no regrets in picking the AE209 even though it is an old model speakers which outshine all the newer ones I auditioned!

Similar Products Used:

Kef's reference series 105/3

Great Soundstage,Imaging.Bass and Clarity especially vocals and acoustic jazz.The Looks are just Slammin!

None at all

This Speakers are very much dependent on the quality of Interconnects and speaker cables you are using.They are the sort of speakers that will let you know that you are using inexpensive equipment.I have used Monster cables interconnect and monster cable speaker cables when I first brought them home.I thought initially that I was duped by the guy who sold me this speakers. Until I bought some Kimber kable 8tc and Bi-wired them and also use b Van Den hul the first Interconnects.This has totally changed My view on this speakers.Inspite of their smallish drivers this speakers can really sing.I am driving them with my ever Trustworthy P.S. audio Delta 100 and P.S. audio 6.1 Pre amp. I am using an Onkyo DX 3800 CD.I thought of upgrading to Ambience Hybrid Ribbons in the near future.They are underrated speakers that can give the Martin Logans some serious competition.AE 209's are superb speakers.

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Monitor Audio 952 MD,Whafedale sapphire 85,Mission 774

sound clarity versatility

these are my first pair of quality speakers supplied by audio t in chandlers ford for £225 an excellent deal i am using them with an arcam alpha 10 amp and they sound fantastic coping well with everything from classic to jazz bowie to meatloaf to neil diamond they needed about eighty hours of gentle running in after which the high frequencys really came to life and switcing from cabletalk 3.1 speaker cable to cambridge audio linea made noticeable improvements in sound quality to

Great dynamics, very detail high freq, sweet mid and well controlled bass.

System fussy and not suitable for small room.

I always have a liking of Acoustic Energy's sound and have enjoyed the company of their Aegis One bookshelf speaker very much. Since then I have moved the Aegis One over to complete my Home Theatre set-up as a rear speaker (which happens to perform equally good) and purchased myself an AE209 to complement my dedicated hi-fi set-up. Prior to the purchase, I have auditioned the 109 and 209 side by side. Though the 109 and 209 share quite the same tonal character, the 209 actually sounds more expensive with a detail high frequencies and a tighter bass. The 209 has a sharper imaging and greater transparency. Overall, the 209 outperformed the 109 in almost every department. However, I somewhat finds the 209 have a narrower soundstage during the audition. I believed this can be rectified with careful equipment matching and choice of cable as this speaker is sensitive to any subtle changes. Careful matching will reap full rewards. The other only drawback is that the speaker needs room to perform at is best. In a smaller room, the bass tends to boom and overcloud the high and mid frequencies. If large room is what you don’t have but love the speaker so much, like me, I suggest you treat the room with sound absorbing material at strategic areas, especially at the corners of the room to kill reflections and the built up of standing waves.

On a quick comparison with Aegis Two, the 209 is in a different league altogether. On a scale of 1 to 10 the Aegis Two scores a 6, the 109 at 8 and 209 a 9.

The price difference between the 209 and 109 is only RM100 (USD26) over here and this made the 209 even more value for money. I wonder why? Probably the 209 stock is slow moving as it is less popular.

The 209 is comfortable with all type of music but excels in Jazz and Classical. Female voice sounds best on this speaker – sweet and expressive.

Other plus point is the first class construction which comes with a metal plinth and mass loaded with lead shot.
It weighs 23 Kg!

Suggested partnership with amplifier and CD player from mid-high end categoty

My existing set-up consist of
AE209,
Arcam Alpha 9
Marantz CD63 MkII KI Signature
Van Den Hul D102 III HB interconnect
Bi-wired with Van Den Hul Clearwater.

Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Kef Q30, Acoustic Energy Aegis One