Acoustic Energy AE1 Classic User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

Contents
Page Section
1 1 Introduction
1 2 Handling
2 Loudspeaker Stands
2 4 Positioning
4 Positioning (continued)
5 Amplifiers
4 6 Connecting
4 7 Listening
4 8 AE1 History
5 9 Specifications
5 10 Warranty
5 11 Contact Page 1
1. INTRODUCTION
2. HANDLING
Welcome to the AE Reference 1. Perhaps more
than any other hi-fi product a loudspeaker is
sensitive to installation. Please take a little time
to read this manual and to follow, as far as
practical, the installation guidelines it contains.
Careful installation will help ensure that your
AE1s perform to the best of their ability. Should
you have any questions not covered here we are
happy to try and answer them either by
telephone or email. Contact information can be
found on in Section 9.
This manual is divided into sections covering
handling, loudspeaker stands, positioning,
amplifier compatibility, connection, listening,
specification, product history, warranty and
contact information. We recommend that you
read at least the first five sections carefully
before installing and using your AE1s.
The AE1 is a relatively delicate precision engineered product that can be
damaged by inappropriate handling. Please take care when unpacking or
moving the speakers not to touch either of the drivers. Damage to a
driver will at best degrade an AE1’s performance and at worst result in its
complete failure.
The veneer and painted surfaces should also be handled sympathetically.
Any cleaning should only require a soft cloth, slightly dampened if
necessary. Be wary of using any polishes or solvent based cleaning
agents.
If practical, the AE1 packaging should be retained for future use. If
however you chose to dispose of the packaging please consider the
environmental and recycling issues.

Page 2
. LOUDSPEAKER STANDS
The AE1 is intended to be used mounted on loudspeaker stands clear of
room boundaries. Alternative mounting arrangements such as wall
brackets are possible although these are likely to result in less good
performance. If wall brackets are to be used they should be as rigid as
possible and firmly attached to brick-built walls.
The construction style, rigidity and dimensions of the loudspeaker stands
are of critical significance to the performance of the AE1. Acoustic Energy
can supply appropriate stands for the AE1, however, these may not be
available in all territories. If this is the case the following specification will
help you select appropriate stands. Your retailer or distributor will also be
able to offer advice.
AE1 Outline Stand Specification.
Construction Style: Direct coupled (minimum compliance),
single pillar preferred.
Mass Loading: Preferred (sand fill).
Overall height: 0.56 - 0.64 m (AE1 top panel to be just
below head height when seated).
Top plate Dimensions
Minimum width: 120 mm
Maximum width: 175 mm
Minimum depth: 180 mm
Maximum depth: 230 mm
Top plate to speaker interface: Direct coupled tri-point or damped-
compliance.
Stand to floor interface: Floor spikes (M8 minimum).
4. POSITIONING
The position of loudspeakers within the listening
room is likely to have more influence over their
performance than any other aspect of their
installation. It is worth spending some time
experimenting with both the finer points of
positioning as well as the larger scale issues of
room layout.
If you are already familiar with the acoustic
characteristics of your listening room and the
way loudspeakers perform in it you may already
have a good feel for where to position your
AE1s. However, installing any new hi-fi
component provides a good opportunity to
review an existing set-up and perhaps make
improvements.
The fundamental position requirements for a
pair of AE1s installed in an averagely sized and
furnished listening room (say 5m x 6m) are as
follows:
• Between 0.5 and 1 metre from the rear wall.
• Minimum 1 metre from side walls.
• Between 2.5 and 3.5 metres apart.
• Well clear of corners.
• Angled inwards by between 5 and 10
degrees.
As described in Section 3 above, they should be
mounted on stands around 0.6 metres high.
AE1s are magnetically shielded and can be used
in relatively close proximity to CRT screens.
While it is often the first instinct to position a
pair of loudspeakers against the shorter wall of a

Page 3
4. POSITIONING
5. AMPLIFIERS
rectangular room, it is often the case that use
against the longer wall will produce better
results. This is because the long wall position
tends to result in less prominent reflections from
the side walls of the room. However, whether
used against the long or short wall, it is
important that each loudspeaker of the pair is
located in a similar acoustic environment
(different environments would be, say, a
curtained area and a solid wall). Similarly, the
acoustic character of the side walls of the room
in the area where the main reflection between
speakers and listening position will occur should
also be similar. Diagram One illustrates a typical
layout with some of these issues highlighted.
Once the AE1s are connected (see the following
section) and working, and you begin to become
familiar with their performance, it is likely to be
worthwhile experimenting a little more with
their positioning.
Reducing the distance between the AE1s and the rear wall will increase
the level of bass and low midrange making the speakers sound warmer.
The warmth however is likely to be gained at the expense of some mid-
range clarity and stereo image focus and depth. Increasing the toe-in
angle of the speakers may regain some image focus but again this is
lightly to be at a cost of image width and openness. Learning through
experimentation how AE1s behave in your room will help you find the
optimum solution.
DIAGRAM 1
3.0 metres
7˚ toe-in
Listening
position
0.75 metres
First side reflection
region. Keep
similar each side.
The AE1 is a relatively low sensitivity speaker and
so requires a generously rated power amplifier if
relatively high volume levels are to be
comfortably achieved in an average listening
room. A minimum of 50 and maximum of 200
Watts into 8 Ohms per channel is
recommended. AE1s offer a relatively easy load
to the amplifier and do not make unusually
heavy demands on its current delivery.
No overload protection systems are fitted to the
AE1 so it is possible to cause damage through
overdriving. Such damage can occur whatever
the power rating of the amplifier and is not
covered by any guarantee. If ever the sound at
high volumes becomes distorted your AE1s are
at risk of damage. In such circumstances the
volume must be reduced.

Page 4
6. CONNECTING
Connecting your AE1s to an amplifier is a fundamentally simple process,
however there are some issue to bear in mind concerning connectors
and connection, cable type and amplifier compatibility. The connection
panel is illustrated in Diagram 2.
Each pair of AE1s is fitted with one pair of WBT binding-post terminals.
Thanks to the AE1’s meticulous filter circuit layout there is no need, or
advantage to be gained, from “bi-wiring”. The terminals can accept
either stripped wires, spade connectors, or 4mm terminals. Each
termination method is potentially equally effective and the choice of
termination is likely to be influenced by type of loudspeaker cable used.
Your dealer, distributor or cable manufacturer will be able to offer advice.
It is important when connecting AE1s to ensure that each speaker is
connected with the same polarity. The positive (left hand) terminal
should be connected back to the positive terminal of the amplifier and
the negative (right hand) connected back to the amplifier’s negative. No
damage will occur if AE1s are connected with incorrect polarity however
their performance will be seriously degraded. Take care when connecting
the AE1s not to touch the negative and positive terminals together and
“short-circuit” the amplifier. Connections are best made with the
amplifier switched off.
Choice of cable type will be influenced by the characteristics of other
components in your hi-fi system and again your dealer or distributor will
be able to advise. Even so, there are some simple guidelines to consider:
• Cable runs to each speaker should be kept as short as possible
consistent with each being of equal length.
• Short cable runs are especially important if the cable is of relatively
small cross-sectional-area.
• If the cable type is advertised as “directional” care should be taken to
ensure that the orientation of the cable is as recommended.
It is wise before listening to your AE1s to make one final check of the
cables and connections. If all appears well begin listening at a relatively
low level to confirm that the system is operating as expected. Only
increase the volume if you are happy that the sound at low levels is
fundamentally as expected. If you are unhappy, turn the system off and
recheck all the cables and connections.
AE1s will take a little time to “run-in”, and similarly the system will also
perhaps take some time to reach normal operating temperatures. It is
unwise therefore to make rapid judgements about the performance of
the speakers. Your ears too will take some to to adjust to the new sound,
so revisiting the system set-up, loudspeaker positioning especially, is best
for a few days.
7. LISTENING
DIAGRAM 2
8. AE1 HISTORY
The original AE1 was first introduced to the
audio industry with spectacular success early in
1988. It is best remembered for introducing an
innovative metal-cone driver technology that
subsequently influenced loudspeaker designers
and manufacturers the World over.
The AE1 was primarily designed to satisfy the
needs of the professional audio sector and
quickly acquired a global reputation with
musicians, recording artists and studio
engineers. However, audiophiles were also quick
to discover its dynamic accuracy and
transparency, precise stereo imaging, high
power handling and linearity. The hi-fi market
rapidly became an integral part of Acoustic
Energy's growth.
While the Series II AE1 of the mid 1990s
introduced relatively small scale enhancements
and revisions, the Series III product marks a
complete reappraisal of design and technology.
Remaining true to the philosophy and qualities
of the original it brings significant performance
gains across every parameter.