Acoustic Energy AE300 MK2 Bookshelf Speakers Matte White (Pair)

Acoustic Energy AE300² — Bookshelf / Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair)

The AE300² is the Bookshelf speaker that starts Acoustic Energy's new 300 Series — a range that shares not a single component with its predecessor and represents a complete ground-up redesign informed by the company's flagship Corinium project. Rated five stars and named a Product of the Year by What Hi-Fi?, the AE300² has already proved it can compete with and beat established rivals costing more, making it one of the most compelling Bookshelf speakers at its price.

At the heart of the AE300² is an all-new 120mm mid/bass driver using a paper and coconut-fibre cone — a material blend developed during Acoustic Energy's Corinium research programme. It delivers a smooth, natural midrange with warmth and clarity, retaining the punch and pace that Acoustic Energy is known for but without the harder edge that metal cones can introduce. Partnered with a newly developed 29mm soft dome tweeter featuring a neodymium ring magnet and contoured rear chamber, the result is open, delicate high frequencies that integrate seamlessly with the mid/bass driver below.

Corinium-Derived Crossover Design

Drawing on techniques developed for the Corinium, the 300 Series crossover takes a holistic approach to the interaction between woofer, tweeter, and cabinet. The result is a lighter-touch filter operating at 3.5kHz that minimises phase distortion and preserves the speaker's musicality. This is a speaker that doesn't try to impress with artificial excitement — instead, it rewards extended listening with a natural, unforced presentation that makes going back to similarly priced alternatives feel like a step down.

Constrained Layer RSC Cabinet

The cabinet marks a significant step up in material quality for this price point. An 18mm constrained-layer construction combines MDF with Acoustic Energy's RSC bitumen damping to create a rigid, well-controlled enclosure that lets the drivers do their job without cabinet coloration intruding. A rear-mounted slot port has been carefully developed to augment bass output while reducing air turbulence, delivering clean, undistorted low-frequency performance that extends down to an impressive 42Hz from a cabinet just 320mm tall.

Contemporary Design

Moving away from the high-gloss finishes of the previous 300 Series, the AE300² introduces a newly developed 'Silk-Touch' matte surface in Black or White, alongside a classic Walnut option. Each finish features colour-matched trims, screen-printed logos, and matching premium grille fabric for a cohesive, modern aesthetic. Slim magnetic-fit cloth grilles are included. The compact dimensions and clean lines ensure the AE300² integrates effortlessly on speaker stands or bookshelves in any room.