The Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2 is engineered to deliver rich, high-quality sound in medium-sized spaces, maintaining the effortless performance that characterized the original AE109 two decades ago. The first component to receive an upgrade was the primary mid/bass driver. While the previous 4-inch paper cone had excelled for over ten years, Acoustic Energy determined that its potential had been fully realized. Consequently, they opted for a new 5-inch (130mm) paper cone driver featuring a four-layer magnet coil, enhancing dynamics, range, and clarity.
To accommodate the new drivers, it was necessary to increase the cabinet size, specifically its internal volume. Consequently, the designers opted to replace the standard medium-density MDF with a higher-density material, which is atypical for this market segment and generally found in premium speakers. The use of HDF enables the construction of thinner cabinet walls without compromising acoustic performance; the mass and rigidity of 15 mm HDF match that of the previous 18 mm MDF. This innovative approach has allowed AE to achieve a 30% increase in internal volume compared to the earlier 100 Series (2017), while only expanding the cabinet size by 15%. Remarkable!
Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2
A new 25mm soft dome tweeter, featuring a high-power neodymium motor and a waveguide for enhanced dispersion, has been developed alongside the midrange and bass drivers. Drawing from their 500 series, these components are strategically positioned as closely as possible using a cut-out insert. During this process, the design team also refined the finish options (available in black or walnut), incorporated an extension element into the bass port, and installed premium terminals. The rear of the cabinet includes a slot port, which is gaining popularity for its ability to minimize noise and distortion compared to traditional circular bass reflex ports, while also reducing room resonance.
Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2
The Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2 speaker system features a crossover that emphasizes precise phase and time alignment. The engineers at Acoustic Energy take great pride in the innovative 2.5-way crossover design, which achieves a level of integration and power that is typically not found in speakers of this category. This system operates at two crossover frequencies: 275 Hz and 2.5 kHz. To ensure optimal performance, meticulous attention was given to the time phase alignment of the drivers and crossover. Additionally, the components are housed within a specially designed enclosure that incorporates strategically placed anti-resonance struts and partitions. The slotted phase inverter port is located on the rear wall, engineered to eliminate unwanted overtones.
Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2 wood finish
The Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2 speakers feature walls constructed from high-density fiberboard (HDF) with a thickness of 15 mm, which is a denser variant of MDF. Consistent with Acoustic Energy’s design for floor-standing speakers, the base includes a dedicated segment filled with a weighting material. Despite their compact dimensions, with a height not exceeding 90 cm, each speaker weighs 16 kg, enhancing the damping characteristics of the AE109 Mk2 and significantly improving the control and texture of the bass response. The protective grilles over the magnets are designed for easy removal and attachment to the cabinet. Their small footprint, superior finish, meticulous assembly, and minimalist design allow these speakers to seamlessly fit into a variety of contemporary living spaces.
Acoustic Energy AE109 Mk2 specifications:
- Configuration: 3 emitters, 2.5 bands
- Acoustic design: bass reflex
- Frequency range: 41 – 26000 Hz
- Nominal impedance: 6 Ohm
- Crossover frequencies: 275 Hz, 2.5 kHz
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Peak SPL: 115 dB
- Finish: matte black, American walnut vinyl
- Dimensions: 860 x 165 x 250 mm
- Weight of 1 pc.: 16 kg
