Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers High Gloss Walnut (Pair)

Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary Edition — Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair)

In 1987, the original AE1 changed the game. A compact monitor with the punch, clarity, and bass weight of speakers twice its size, it earned a cult following across recording studios and audiophile listening rooms alike. Now, almost four decades on, Acoustic Energy celebrates that legacy with the AE1 40th Anniversary Edition — a ground-up re-engineering of a British hi-fi icon.

This isn't a simple reissue. With every original component long out of production, Acoustic Energy's engineering team deconstructed the AE1 piece by piece, refining each element with modern techniques while preserving the speed, immediacy, and dynamic authority that made the original so revered. The result is a speaker that sounds unmistakably like an AE1 — only better.

All-New Drivers, Same Legendary DNA

The redesigned 29mm aluminium dome tweeter features a larger voice coil (up from 25mm), ferrofluid cooling and damping for superior power handling, and a new rear chamber to absorb unwanted energy. The 125mm spun and hard-anodised aluminium mid/bass driver — complete with Acoustic Energy's trademark pointed dust cap — delivers greater radiating area and lower distortion thanks to an aluminium shorting ring in the motor structure. Together, they produce a frequency range stretching from 50Hz all the way to 45kHz.

Crossover Inspired by the Signature Edition

Taking cues from the coveted Signature variant of the original, the crossover employs low-order filters and carefully selected high-quality components. The result is a natural, open, and dynamically alive presentation — a sound that encourages you to turn the volume up, not down.

Precision Cabinet Engineering

Each cabinet is finished in ten layers of high-gloss black lacquer or rich American Walnut veneer. Beneath the surface, Acoustic Energy's proven RSC damping technology replaces the concrete lining of the original, increasing stiffness while freeing up an extra half-litre of internal volume to complement the larger bass driver. Re-tooled front ports with an internal flare further reduce distortion and extend low-frequency output. Externally, the dimensions remain faithful to the original at just 295 × 180 × 255mm — proof that great things still come in small packages.

Easier to Drive Than the Original

Where the original AE1 had a reputation for demanding serious amplification, the 40th Anniversary Edition has been re-engineered around a lower 5-ohm DCR voice coil (down from 7 ohms), making it far more accommodating of a wider range of amplifiers without sacrificing any of its legendary punch.

Who Is It For?

Whether you're a long-time AE1 devotee looking to recapture the magic, or a newcomer searching for a compact bookshelf that punches well above its weight, the AE1 40th Anniversary Edition delivers a thrilling, studio-grade listening experience in a timeless British design. Equally at home in a dedicated hi-fi system or a nearfield studio setup.