@@abritishaudiophile7314 Good evening Mr Tarun!👋Mr. Tarun, I know you don't have much respect for Acoustic Energy ⚡, you spent most of your life with other English brands like PMC, ATC, ProAC, Mission. But really, the only one acoustics company in England that deserves attention is Acoustic Energy ⚡ . Yes, AE have mistakes, AE pay little attention to the crossover, but unlike other English speakers, Acoustic Energy ⚡ are very durable, and many models that are 25-30 years old are still in good condition. Acoustic Energy ⚡ pays serious attention to drivers (tweeters and woofers) , and unlike other English companies, Acoustic Energy ⚡ uses fast woofers for all own speakers of any price. You should have bought an Acoustic Energy Reference 3 and a Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition amp, but be sure to tell Leema to make full Bi-wiring terminals. Acoustic Energy ⚡ also need to remember about Bi-wiring and equip own speakers with 4 terminals, it's a pity, that AE has been forgetting about 4 terminals lately. But Acoustic Energy ⚡ Reference 3 and Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition, really high quality speakers and amplifier! 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Acoustic Energy Reference 3 has a very beautiful and high-quality case at the same time, and the drivers of Acoustic Energy ⚡ Reference much better, than those of any other English brand. I just really don't like, that they put the crossover so close to the midrange driver. Moreover, this is a top model, the crossover need installed on the back of the case, thoroughly isolating him.🤔
@@abritishaudiophile7314 And if speaking about Leema Tucana II... 🤔 Leema Tucana II is the only one English integrated amplifier, that is logically designed, perhaps Leema Tucana II is the best amplifier, that was created in England in history.. 🤔
I recently bought these and paired them up with an Audiolab 6000A and the result is very pleasing. Your review pretty much sums up my thoughts on the speakers....thanks!
Again a very good review. My biggest surprise was instead of new speakers new crossovers that cost almost 1000 euros for a pair but lifted my old Audio Physics way above everything else to about 6-7000 euros. And that while I didn't want to pay more than 2000 euros for new speakers. With high-quality Jantzen and Mundorf parts, coils specially made for these speakers and new internal cabling, it does not occur to me now to buy new speakers. The biggest gain overall is the lively, tactile and toe-tapping sound
Great review Sir! I've been running my AE109 mk 2s with a Rega io for a couple of years. To my ears it's a fantastic set up. They're great value for money. Beautiful mid range as you mentioned & ample bass for my listening requirements. I'm intrigued to see if you find anything better at that price point.
Lovely chat. I'm constantly surprised that affordable audio is getting this good. While I'm constantly stymied and often frustrated with my expensive gear. Right now I have a pair of Avalon Monitors that are kicking my rear end. It's a finicky beast. Thankfully I have a pair of cheap, 50 year old Acoustic Research AR18 bookshelfs, that when paired with a Hegel H80, sound delicious. I need a bigger house! Too many speakers!
Thanks for the review Tarun. For me a couple of surprises over the past year: I had some bass traps in the corners of my room behind the speakers: after removing them the sound opened up and time to say goodbye to the bass traps. The 2nd surprise was adding a modern REL sub, placed nearfield. Not that my speakers lack bass, but just providing a balanced sound all the way to the lowest octave.
I'm a vintage person who likes to experiment a lot. Mixing some new with the old seems to be the sweet spot for me. I love your personality and insightful reviews. Your take on floor speakers is correct to me with modern speakers. Big vintage ones on a short angled stand...well that's different!
Tarun, thanks for making the effort for reviewing product that is in the price range for some of the more youthful audiophiles who are exploring the hobby. 👍
My biggest surprise so far in my hifi journey is how good nearfield sounds in general (taking out all the acoustic elements that tend to complicate matters).
Dali Oberon 5's deserve a mention in this category, probably an even smaller speaker, picked mines up for £550 18 months ago, once I topped up the non existent cabinet lining, they sound superb with my Denon pma 800 & Rotel A11 tribute amplifiers, it would be interesting to see how they compare....
I own the bookshelf AE100mk2 and HAD owned the Dali Oberon 5's. I can bet you money the AE109mk2 will outperform them. From this review and my experience with the little brother it will have a more mature sound beyond what the Dali's are capable. The Dali's are NO slouch, but the AE's will be more sophisticated in my opinion. Make sure to use good electronics to hear what they have to offer!
Hi Tarun. Happy to see you're trying floorstanders this time. Always good to be exploratory in speakers. To which I might hope, given your reference exposure amplifier, you would also try the radically different open baffle design such as the Duet 15 from Pureaudio project, an Israeli company. It's above 5k segment but still within reach for a number of enthusiasts. More power to your channel!
Hi Tarun, good to see the standmounts taking a breather. I’m hoping for a pleasant surprise from my recent impulse purchase, a pair of Quad 21L floorstanders. I say floorstanders but they are more like a standmount with a stand built in, if that makes any sense. I’m really happy with the detail, tone, dynamics etc of my second system but it just can’t match the scale of my main system with its three way floorstanders. Trouble is, system 2 is in a small room and I’ve previously tried speakers with bigger drivers and the bass quickly becomes boomy. As you know I’ve radically changed the front end on my system and everything is much tighter so I’m thinking it’s time to have another go. These Quads were under £1,000 in the UK and I have to say, with 7 coats of high gloss lacquer on 18mm MDF they don’t seem too shoddy and certainly a cut above any vinyl wrap. So here’s hoping for that pleasant surprise after I pick them up on the way to the Bristol show.
Great video, Tarun! Wonderfully informative with a seamless presentation. Chapeau! (yet again, Tarun). Very best wishes to you & your family, from Gerri in Japan.
Biggest suprise for me was 2 years ago when I was searching for speakers for a small room 15m².I heard a lot of speakers, mostly stand mount ones and the suprise came from a floorstanding speaker from Paradigm, the Monitor SE 3000f.I bought them immediately and I have paired them with Audiolab 6000A Play, diy power cable, chord Clearway X speaker cable and a dedicated power line. I strongly recommend, if you get the opportunity, to test them.
Answering your question, one of my biggest surprises is how well my old Nelson Pass designed Adcom 545II drives my newly arrived Magnepan LRS+which I use in my bedroom/TV system. I was actually looking forward to buying a new amp but it drives them so well (especially re the bass) that I don’t know what else I could want in this circumstance.
Before I step up to the current Spendor A4 I owned the Evo 4.3 which I ran with an Hegel H190! Can't wait for you to review them with the same hardware. When you speak about products that the audience know it's very useful for us, the audience, as it helps us to "get in line" with your sound preference and how you describe other products in comparison to those that we know. I also owned the Q acoustics you mentioned right before the Evo so that's a good bunch of the speakers I owned ahah. The Evo were really really good and a good match with the Hegel in my opinion. Since I listen two meter away and my room is small the only complains I had were that the midrange could be a little bit brittle and forward with bad recordings and the highs a little bit too recessed in comparison with the midrange which made it a bit strange sounding at times with such a prominent midrange (being a dome midrange it's a bit like a studio monitor in that respect). Overall a fantastic speaker for the price in my opinion. Looking forward to your review. Cheers
As per your experience, which one do you think is the best bookshelf or compact speaker from the Acoustic Energy product line up that has the best clarity, tonality and the right amount of bass. Is it AE1 active or standmountAE300 or the standmount AE500 or AE100mk2 ? I am looking for a compact or bookshelf speakers similar to ATC's clarity. ATC gives a personal ambience with their clarity. They are great for Jazz,blues and classics which i listen to mostly. But for occasional hiphops a subwoofer is sort of mandatory. However, ATC's are way too expensive for me 😅. After watching alot of your videos, you have shown high regard to Acoustic Energy speakers. Hence the question which AE speaker is the best. If you have other brand recommendations please advise. Your response for the above will be highly appreciated. 😊 And thank you for doing what you do. It gives us a new perspective and its refreshing.
My biggest recent surprises in HiFi are two things. 1. Like Tarun, some of my long held conceptions about brands have changed. I am a recent convert to Q acoustics speakers. I stood by the monitor audio range for years. However for me their sound has become too forward, aiming for sound staging and room presence over a lovely balance they once had. I am now the proud owner of a pair of Q acoustic Concept 20’s which really deliver so much bang for the buck in my home. Therefore I would recommend the Q Acoustic concept 40 floor standers in the sub £1000 category 2. Turntables. The quality has risen so much in recent years at the budget end. Project in particular pushing so much spec and sound for the price. I held onto a Michell TecnoDec for years. I heard the Project debut carbon evo last year and was staggered by the sound for the price for less than £500. I also auditioned a Rega P6 and was astonished at the resolution on offer for the price. My own conclusion is that right now is such a great time to be into Hifi. Brilliant kit at amazing prices, with new and established brands of British origin still emerging, proving the industry is stronger than ever.
I have a speaker that does many things wrong while still offering a very satisfying presentation. Here , objectivity takes second seat to out and out entertainment. The suprise for me was that it retained its lively and full bodied character even at very low volumes. It wasn't something I had considered when I bought it, having already been sold on its other attributes. Being able to listen to music late nights - after work, without disturbing a household or neighbors, has turned out to be a great joy to me, and a great return on my investment.
@Rennie Ash yes. Not magical...actually ubiquitous. The Klipsch Heresy 3. Even when I bought them, I was aware that they were regarded by some as the antithesis of high fidelity sound, and by others as poor value. However, they have proven to be hugely entertaining , as well as capable speakers. Their ability to be driven by low powered amplifiers was also a plus. By now I have accumulated several speakers of various pedigrees and reputations, and I've come to feel that they all possess strengths and weaknesses. I feel fortunate to have choices.
This speaker is going on my shortlist! Biggest surprise to date? Keeping in mind that I’ve only been in the 2 channel hobby for. 3 years, but I was shocked at how much different phono cartridges can make a system sound. Going to Sumiko has made me stop caring about my digital sources… it’s that good!
I've often felt the choice to go with floorstanders versus standmounts often boils down partly to whether you already own a set of good quality stands that will fit the speakers visually and sonically. If you don't, then the all up price of the standmounts is often going to be at least several hunderd pounds more than the price of the speakers alone (usually making the floorstanders in the range more price comparable). If you do own stands, then the standmounts may be more 'affordable'. OTOH, standmounts are invariably easier to integrate into rooms especially those with springy wooden floors that can get over-excited by floorstanders.
do you remember the AE1 and AE2 signature, one of the best compact speakers ever IMO. I wonder how these AE 107/2 center speaker sound if you use 2 of them in a stereo setup ;-) I currently have the AE100/2 at home for review (sorry guys German only ;-) and I agree with you, they are phenomenal for the price
Nicely balanced review as always. Not really familiar with Acoustic Energy. Only briefly heard the AE1 actives in Richer Sounds a couple of years ago, but didn't take much notice. The most surprising experience was demoing a pair of Totem Arros. These are compact floorstanders personified. As they are so tiny placement is a doddle, you could probably hang them from the lampshades and they'd sound good. Given they are so bijou, wouldn't recommend them if you have small children or a big slobbering dog -- they'll end up on their sides. The stereo imaging, though, is second to none below silly prices. Ideal for smaller rooms.
Does your initial overlay tell us this is an amplifier review? If you ever get a chance, check the wharfdale evo 4 floor standers. They are about £1200, but ive not heard anything under 2500 that touches them, im a sucker for a good amt, and that dome midrange is free to work magic. If you ever do, try to get some already run in, as it takes a while, but boy its worth it. Thanks for this. As with all your reviews, its balanced and informative.
Hi, I went to a very chic dinner party in provence last night. I now have two new acquaintances asking for advice on what to buy to replace their old systems! These are now on the list
@@abritishaudiophile7314They both have a budget of around 2 grand for an amplifier and loudspeakers. I scratched my head for a few moments and went through your reviews for a reasonably priced loudspeaker. We now have to find a streaming amplifier. I’m waiting for the latest version of the Yamaha R-N803D called the R-N600A to arrive at my local dealer. This retails for about 800.
Well done 👍🏼 really appreciate the extra effort you make regarding the importance of synergy between speakers and components. ✊🏼 Not sure if you did already but would like your take on the Polk R700's. Thx
Hi Tarun, I picked up a set of 2nd hand cherry Acoustic energy AE1 actives for desktop use for £700 2nd hand based largely on your reviews. Using a Chord Mojo as desktop DAC from a PC that was sat unused for several years (it's too bulky to use as a mobile phone DAC really, and the UI and needing to disconnect microUSB makes it a cumbersome desktop DAC, but I love the sound!). The quality of sound for an outlay of ~£1100 total is excellent to my ears. Just wanted to say thanks - really enjoy your reviews and keep up the great work. PS - also want to see Wharfedale send you some way with AMT speakers! Would be interested to hear your impressions and whether they're finickity with vertical placement!
Thank you for another excellent review Tarun. If you have the opportunity could you also review a pair of Triangle Borea BR07s. These are Triangle's entry towers. There isn't much info about the 07s at all. The BR03 and BR08 models have been reviewed to death, but nothing on the BR07s. They look like they would fit the bill size and price wise. Thank you
Great review. Would love to see reviews of some of the new fyne vintage stuff coming out now, i assume that they will sound very 'tannoy'. Biggest suprise was a change in cartridge on my turntable, going from goldring e3 to AT 540ml wasn't subtle and I wasnt expecting such an uplift in sq.
Thanks Tarun , as usual you raise some interesting points, I'd be interested in your opinion of my aging Wharfedale Diamond 9.5 towers, having collected 3 tidy pairs now, configured in 2.1 or 7.1 set up, complimented by 3 subs, I think they sound pretty good in my 7m x 5.5m lounge with the main front L&R pair puled out 1.4m from the front wall I've been contemplating upgrading the caps one of these days. I have a nice sounding pair of reasonably priced Infinity Reference 152's on stands in the master bedroom, complimented by another small sub.
After listening to a valve amplifier, I'm considering selling all my prized and favourite Creek, Arcam and Rotel amps to concentrate solely on the valve sound. That smile graph is all I hear now and i'm left wondering how on earth I was happy to hear music without any mid range for all this time.
Always been a fan of Acoustic Energy they make fine speakers for the money . Another floor stand is the Quad s4 I suspect it's not so popular for one big reason it's difficulty of synergy with many amps . However match right and you will be rewarded in buckets of bliss . Technics se a7 power amp, Sabaj A30a to name two make the Quads sing . Not had the pleasure of Exposure audio but I'm sure that fits the bill also .. Another in depth honest review as always Tarun .
Thank you. I would need to get them both in at the same time to be sure but I think the AXA35 will be comparable to the 6000A in sound quality but with a different sonic character 😊
Hi from Greece! I use them daily at a store with multiple amps. With Nad, Roksan,even a GamuT D200. A-B with Q's 3050i. I am not sure wich pair I prefer. The better the amp, I think I prefer rthe Qs more. AE109 do have nice and organised stage,defined and maybe more outward mids. Qs are more mature, smoother highs,and sweeter , relaxed and a touch more colour variety, especially with higher quality amps. Low level detail is excellent too.. Tough choice! Thanks for your cultured reviews !
Hey hey! My experience with floorstanders, unless they have "Transmission line" instead of classic reflex port, I tend not to like them. Had compact Spendor S3e mounts with "TL" and there was enough bass for my taste. Tight, playful and textured, paired with 2010S2 I mentioned before. I usually do near-field listening, set up on each sides of the table/monitor as I'm sitting by my PC most of the time I'm listening to music. Now that you mentioned synergy, and having three neutral components, slightly on the warm side of spectrum (H120) I strongly believe my M30.1 would play even better with 3510. More power, depth, warmer sound, although not too warm as you mentioned in the review. I must add, which is expected, bass control/texture on H120 is incredibly better compared to 2010S2. Tested with Spendors above as well. Not sure how H120 compares to 3510 when it comes to bass? Fortunately you had a chance to listen to them both. Possibly excellent pairing with the DAC I have (Gungnir). Gotta ask you, how come you didn't review Harbeths, or mentioned them before? Especially in your bookshelf/standmount videos. Cheers!
I had a plan to replace my 1980s Dutch Translator Impact5 floorstanders with Kef LS50 Meta standmounters - or so I thought until I realized the floorstanders have about the same height as LS50 stands. So why not save the money on the stands and use the existing floorstanders as stands in a 4-speaker setup? It turned out to be a golden move. The big Translators are a perfect enhancement to the small Kefs and vice versa. It's not a Kef Blade, but it goes a long way there for a fraction of the cost. A solution like this needs room though (in my setup it's 4 meters apart and 3.5 meters from listening position) and an amplifier that can handle it.
Hi Tarun I'm here in the US. It seem to be a contest going on in the audio world tower vs bookshelf speakers. While I will admit that smaller bookshelf speakers have come a long way in the passed 30 yrs. I still perferr my towers. Im a big Klipsch fan and about 7 months ago treated myself to a pr of R7lll s ( yeah a big speaker) as a retirement gift. Let me tell you they are it. But most people don't know how well they can play finer music and with detail and not a lot of power. I also have have a pair of RPM 600. And they are good. But in the dark the R7lll really make you think the artist is in the room. There is something to be said about big towers and there dynamics. Just started watching the ch a little while ago. Keep up the good work. Oh yeah tower speakers they just look cool.😎
Excellent points , for our smaller Living Rooms quality book shelf speakers can really be a wiser investment than floor standers, also these floor standers may require heftier power amp to do them justice .
Another excellent & informative review - thanks Karun. Noted as contenders for when /if my Magnat 1002s at around £200 each can be upgraded. Have you ever heard those btw? They don't extend to the advertised 18hz but around 30-35 & I think are very good for the money...toed in for sufficient treble for my aged & sub 12k ears! However I still use a sub & home made bass damping to reduce over boomy bass from the twin read ports... Do you think these would pair well with an audiolab 6000a? Picked up a Pioneer pd d6 for £147 on ebay recently - Marmite styling - love or hate - but am pleasantly surprised at the superb detail & soundstage for such little money! Regards
I had a pair of Q-3050s (non-i) and they were really enjoyable, looked very nice too compared to my old bookshelf Mission/Cyrus 780s. That said, I like having the luxury of 2 rooms and 2 systems - maybe I'm getting old (54!), but I just don't seem to want the BIG presentation so much anymore. Prior to owning the 3050s these AEs would definitely have been a consideration. Thanks for the video - interesting intro, lots of relevant details, insight and comparisons - always a pleasure to watch.
Great video as always Tarun. My Vienna Acoustics Mozart floor standers work well in my 4 x 4 metre room. However standmounts do have the edge in pin point separation and are the choice in small spaces. I still have a pair of Q Acoustics 2020i and they can produce exceptional sound quality.
After starting with headphones, my biggest surprise with speakers was just how important and tricky the room treatment & placement is! You can just about lose your marbles trying to get it right... A few things of particular importance, in my listening space at least, I've found absorption at the sidewall first reflection points/surfaces to be essential for consistently high resolution (using good headphones as a reference); it's odd, with this you can get away without on certain tracks, but not on others...probably to do with frequency specific comb filtering/phasing effects. As for as speaker placement/positioning, the size of your speaker triangle, and especially how much toe in to use, both have a significant impact on the sound. As you mentioned in the video Tarun, just past the shoulders generally strikes a nice balance as a starting point :)
Hi. Nice review. Both the ae100 and ae109 have my attention, but what keeps bugging me is the question of standmounts plus subwoofer or floorstanders…?
One of the biggest surprises in audio came quite recently when, unable to resist the temptation to try a pair of open baffle speakers (Monacor Katana-1 kit at a smidgin over £400 on Amazon before they sold out), I decided what the heck, and gave them a whirl. They're very easy to build -- I'm a bit wary of soldering, so I used crimps for the speaker connectors, and WAGO connectors for the two crossover components. With three coats of antique pine varnish on the baffle, I was away. Shock, horror! To my ears, once broken in, overall they best my Dali Menuet SEs, which currently cost £1499. Huge sound stage and pleasing image in every dimension, and an ability to grab and keep one's rapt attention with pretty much every genre one can throw at them. I haven't listened to the Menuets for weeks -- they're possibly a bit more refined and a tad better tonally, but I'd find it difficult to return to them -- or any box speaker for that matter. I guess I've become an OB fan now. Only thing is, where to next (if and when I get round to it)? How much more would I have to spend on OB's to get sound quality I found even more alluring?
Biggest surprise: The Criton 1TDX kit speaker with the upgraded cross-overs. I listened to the ELAC Unifi Ref, the Q Concept 30 and a similarly priced Fyne standmount, but I could not live with any of them. Taking a chance on the CSS, I've been completely surprised at the SQ from them; big soundstage, open, spacious, and amazing tone and extension. But, as you point out, partnering equipment matters. The Critons are very good with the NAD M32, but not at all good with the (admittedly less powerful and lower-cost) current-version Powernode. It is hard to put a 'happy graph' speaker with an amp of the same sonic profile, and get a pleasing sound.
As always, thank you Tarun. And I believe that floorstanders offer inherent advantages, notably efficiency. My biggest surprise? Second hand Dynakit amp and preamp with a pair of not expensive bookshelf speakers. Radio Shack portable CD player and inexpensive phono. Total price about $500. And boy did they do that 3d soundstage bit. Plus, not only could I understand what Van Morrison was singing, but why. Tubes still rule OK.
The biggest surprise on my audiophile journey has been the Aiyima A07. It has really trounced some respected Class AB amps I have had, such as a Rega Brio. I am thinking of getting a second A07.
Two big surprises I had early in my journey were; placing my speakers near field away from any wall. They weren’t suitable for near field but wow I couldn’t believe what these things can do. Kept on thing “what is this holographic sorcery” Another one was when hooked up ATC SCM 11 to Hegel 190. That speaker had no right to sound so dynamic and lively. It is then that i learned what a good match can do.
It can be hard to reveal the real if you don’t understand the why. Tarun, thank you for your allowing an opportunity for me to help those who don’t know how important floor construction is in choosing whether or not to use spikes. Spikes are the best way to transfer the energy from a floor stander to the floor proper, but there is an additional consideration. That is floor composition. What your floor is constructed from matters as to how you will address how the energy it has is transferred. You spoke of concrete floors with wooden covering over them in your review. This is a must know in order to address energy transfer to the floor. In your instance, spikes are not good as the energy would be reflected back into the speaker due to the wooden covering over the concrete floor. Wood reflects back even over concrete floors because the energy cannot be transferred to the concrete as it acts as a reflector back into the speaker. Doesn’t even matter if the wood flooring is glued down to the concrete. The wood will still reflect the energy back into the speaker. The cure for this is a dead block which is a mdf box appropriately sized for the speaker base. This would be 3” beyond each side and front and rear dimension. It will be a rectangle despite whether the enclosure is sculpted to the back as some speakers are. The key to good dead block design is consistent anchoring of all mated surfaces as this aid will be the energy absorbing medium for your speaker. The construction for it is mdf and is glued well along all mated surfaces. The edges are rounded over along the sides and front while the back is left flat. The back plate can be screwed in or glued on depending on whether you are filling it with dry filtered sand or used with additional acrylic casting resin with the sand to further deaden it. The addition of the acrylic casting resin will also bind the sand with the mdf and make it one mass once cured. This adding of the resin will remove the air voids left around the sand particles. This makes it one seriously dead mass which is what is needed for this floor construction. Finishing this are leveling feet at the bottom. You can use three or four as this is a personal choice. The feet used must be capable of handling the weight of the speaker and the dead block. The feet should have a rubber padded bottom so as not to mar the surface of the floor. This solves the issue for Tarun’s floor. Yours will vary depending on your floor’s construction and support. You can avoid this, but you will not get out of your speakers what they are capable of delivering. Thanks Tarun for providing this platform as an exercise for me. It provides help for those who may not know, but do care how their speakers sound.
@@thepuma2012, the height of the dead block is 4” thick. The height of the block above that is determined by the leveling feet. Less than 3/4” depending on floor variations of increase to the total height of the dead block. Could be less if you can adjust it lower. The feet have a nut at the base of them which may allow a lower stance. The dead block needs to be leveled and matched to the other so the heights are the same.
The biggest recent hifi surprise for me was the purchase of a Willsenton R8 tube amp. I’ve never owned a tube amp before and this one exceeds all expectations. I’m also amazed at how tube rolling can change/improve the sound.
Thanks Tarun, I think the Dali Oberon 5 would be an alternative to this speaker. I’ve not heard it myself but I am keen to. Maybe at the Bristol show next week.
Lately I purchased Wharfedale 12.3's powered by Denon DM41, great all rounders except on certain tracks like Royksopp's "Here She Comes again " and LORN "Anvil" they struggled with certain bass details that I could here perfectly with my Samsung ear buds. So I changed them for 12.4's, though opening up the sound stage, they still missed the details in the lower frequencies in the above tracks 🤷♂️, so I purchased a new amp Marantz 6007, this fixed the problem, the Denon just didn't have the low end grunt, this is where some Hifi reviews need to stop leading folks astray by saying wattage power dose not matter along as it's over 25 Watts, the Denon and Marantz have similar ratings on paper but one is D amplification and othe AB, now I wish I had stuck with 12.3's as they were more suited to my living room and possibly sounded better and just changed the amplifier, the change in amplification has now given me hints of richness in the tone and timber. Now I wish my Denon had a optical out so I could utilise the highly acclaimed Marantz DAC AK4490, but that would mean Hifi manufacturers actually put the customer first 😂🤷♂️.
Hey tarun, with how amazing these sound, i hope you find time to test the ae120 squared, theyre the flagship version of this speaker with an additional woofer! Wondering how they sound since theyre the only ones available in my country ;-; Additionally, do you think these would fare better than the wharfedale 12.3?
Thanks! The big surprise for me was finding out how much wattage you lose with 7.2.4 unless you go separates. My speakers must be easy to drive as all I am getting with my integrated is 100W/channel with 11 driven.
Hi Tarun Another great review from ABA! I'm an English teacher so struggle with the physics surrounding hifi- so here's a question: Should I play back my CD's with or without the DSD set at 50khz? Should one set the Digital filter to slow or sharp roll off? How do these settings affect sound output on a high end CD player? Curious much!
Thank you Coral. Does you CD player convert the signal to PCM signal to DSD? In most cases the slow roll off filter will sound better but these things tend to be specific to the device and integration of the rest of the system 😊
Before I start I have pretty much zero knowledge of audio setups. I have a rega planar 3, a rega brio amp and use some vintage wharfdale E20 speakers. I decided to “upgrade” the speakers to some 109’s. They sound awful. While I still have them I reverted back to my wharfdales. Not sure if I’m doing something wrong. Having watched this video potentially the room is too small but I really can’t see it making that much difference. Would love to know why they sound so bad.
Hi Dude, good video as always. I had spent £2k on a vintage hi-fi, 'Frankenstein' system, I've never been a fan of head phones since my teenage walman addiction... So one night I wanted to listen above mouse fart level when I knew my neighbour was trying to sleep, I had some free Blackberry wired eard buds and used them... Well it was relavationary, I got some Samson open back cans and some Tin hifi items. I don't use them much, but it is nice to have the option.
I enjoy your videos and enjoy your voice. Do you think there is a point of diminishing returns? In other words, does a 2000 dollar speaker sound enough better than 1000 dollar speaker to justify the cost? Also, i love your sideboard/buffet table in your room. Can you give us a history? Thanks.
Thank you Mike. There is definitely a law of diminishing returns. It kicks in for different people at different points. It will depend on many factors but at some point everyone has to decide whether the improvement is worth the outlay. The side table is mid Victorian gothic. Made from solid walnut and about 170 years old. I am the latest custodian but for only the last 20 years 😊👍
Hi Tarun good stuff as usual . My latest addition is some speaker stands and a replacement speaker cables which are van den hul clear water . As for the stands I finally got round to making my own , I am lucky to have the tools and experience to undertake such a project . But the stands and the new cables have made a profound difference to the system . Which is by no means high end , Audio lab 6000 amp and cd Rega p3 and phono stage with a PSU . As for the speakers Q acoustic concept 20s which have of course been superseded many times over the years to the current model . As a point of interest when it came to sound deadening and providing extra weight to the stands , after much research and consideration I used . 🥁. Cat litter 😂😂 Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍
Interesting system to me, because i have been looking at audiolab 6000. (have and old 8000a now). What are your findings with it (before and after the new cables)?
40 hrtz, 40 hrtz is most floor standing speakers bass levels. The point being if you're a bass head or in to heavy rap or edm you most likely will need a sub. Another advantage of stand mount it is easier to set tweeters to ear level. Every since 2.1 for stero has become the rule not the exception people now realize a sub aa must have in any system.
The assumption that a tier higher line has better quality components is a bit of a stretch, indeed, you would hope that is true, but even the best and most expensive speakers make some compromises, usually where you cannot see, like the crossovers, which you mentioned. I think either will work great in my situation, towers might be overkill, but I like to rock out sometimes, so effortless SPL is essential. I started with bookshelfs and only moved up for the improved bass, I now have great subs so bass in the speaker is less of a requirement now. Are we ever truly happy with our setups? I can say I am relatively happy and not jonesing for new gear so I am in a comfortable position now, my last piece is my Denafrips DAC, which was a game changer for me, attaining nirvana can kill your gear obsessions for a while.
I sometimes miss having floor standers. I used to own the Evo 4.3s so it would be interesting to see you review them. I eventually sold them since they were a little bright for my taste, and I couldn’t get them disappear properly. Now I use two sets of stand mounts (with a sub) and switch them every couple of months: older Proac Tablette 2000s and the Triangle Comete 40th anniversaries, which I really like, except the top end sometimes feels that it lacks a little detail. Wharfedales felt too hot and now the Triangles a perhaps not hot enough😂
I'm surprised that you say the Triangle Comete 40th lack top end detail as they are renowned for having it. I have the Esprit Titus EZ and I've never heard another sun £1k speaker that sounds so sparkling in the top end without veering into harshness.
I have the 100² and 107² at home, combined with an elac 2070 sub I love this little speakers for 350€👌 For my 5.1 setup im struggling between the 109² or the 120² I heard that the 120² still have a better resolution in the mids and highs + some depth I think the design with 3 similar tweeters for bass and mids helps the integration Also they dont need much power for sounding good Maybe AE give you a pair for testing and comparing
Looking forward to seeing how open baffle speakers perform in Tarun's environment should he ever get his hands on a pair. I value his opinion on all things audio.
My advice is: Do not settle for midget sized old lady speakers. Why would you? All things equal: A larger speaker ALWAYS sounds better than a smaller speaker. Lower distortion. Larger sized objects in the sound image. More effortless an far more powerful dynamics. Regardless of volume. Go for it! 🙂👍
Also remember that there are some quite nice speakers out there, on the second hand market. I picked up a lovely pair of ProAc D25s, for about 1500€ some 9 years ago. They do a great job in my living room 😊
I have had the Triangle acoustic Borea BR09 floorstanding speakers for a few months now, and they give me some very good bass extension, while having a bright (sometimes too bright) treble. That is, a more than capable "full range" speaker. I think that I cannot hear anything above 16kHz anyway. Question to all of you regarding high frequencies: when you listen to Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes, does the triangle at the start of the song sound harsh? For me, it does, and I think it has to do with recording. Thanks Tarun.
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 Floorstanding Speaker - UF52 are the best low cost tower. Pickup some better feet. I find them hard to beat at $1000.00 pair US when on sale.
Tarun, you're not being contentious, it's just your personal preference -- hi-fi is so subjective. For the record, I've owned both floorstanders (Monitor Audio RS6s and still one of my favourite sub-£1000 floorstanders) and standmounts. Yes, standmounts have better drivers and crossovers. The main downside of standmounts, in my opinion, and it's a little vain, but metal stands look 'orrible. Once I've saved my pennies I'll buy some wooden stands. The best speaker I've heard to bridge the floorstander/standmount gap is Monopulse. It's a brand of little known reputation but 'S' range of floorstanders had rave reviews in the mid 2000s, exhibiting traits of a standmount while having the depth of a compact tower. I loved them but they are slightly weird: they are cloaked in a strange acoustic cloth that used to come in migraine-inducing colours. Not recommended if you have young children or a slobbering dog 😊 Biggest surprise is a little different to the conventional response: brands that get overlooked because they are not deemed as trendy or upgrade models every month: the likes Exposure, Leema, Creek etc etc, while the so-called trendy brands such as Cyrus, Roksan, Naim.... get a lot of magazine exposure (pun intended)😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Yes, they are very agile sounding more akin to a good standmount. The design is a bit bonkers, I was tempted in around 2007 but as my daughter was very young and the thought of chocolate stained cloth (and scratch marks from the cat) chocked me off.😋
Tarun - you are one of the most educational and thorough hifi reviewer on UA-cam. I've learned a great deal by watching your videos.
Thank you Mario. That is very kind and greatly appreciated 😊👍
One of the best spoken voices on UA-cam.
Thank you. Very kind 😊👍
Nice to see quality equipment in a variety of price ranges , keep bringing the great values that don't require a mortgage !!! 😊👍
Thank you Gene. I will try my best. It is strange but that stuff has proved harder to get in for review 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Good evening Mr Tarun!👋Mr. Tarun, I know you don't have much respect for Acoustic Energy ⚡, you spent most of your life with other English brands like PMC, ATC, ProAC, Mission. But really, the only one acoustics company in England that deserves attention is Acoustic Energy ⚡ . Yes, AE have mistakes, AE pay little attention to the crossover, but unlike other English speakers, Acoustic Energy ⚡ are very durable, and many models that are 25-30 years old are still in good condition. Acoustic Energy ⚡ pays serious attention to drivers (tweeters and woofers) , and unlike other English companies, Acoustic Energy ⚡ uses fast woofers for all own speakers of any price. You should have bought an Acoustic Energy Reference 3 and a Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition amp, but be sure to tell Leema to make full Bi-wiring terminals. Acoustic Energy ⚡ also need to remember about Bi-wiring and equip own speakers with 4 terminals, it's a pity, that AE has been forgetting about 4 terminals lately. But Acoustic Energy ⚡ Reference 3 and Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition, really high quality speakers and amplifier! 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Acoustic Energy Reference 3 has a very beautiful and high-quality case at the same time, and the drivers of Acoustic Energy ⚡ Reference much better, than those of any other English brand. I just really don't like, that they put the crossover so close to the midrange driver. Moreover, this is a top model, the crossover need installed on the back of the case, thoroughly isolating him.🤔
@@abritishaudiophile7314 And if speaking about Leema Tucana II... 🤔 Leema Tucana II is the only one English integrated amplifier, that is logically designed, perhaps Leema Tucana II is the best amplifier, that was created in England in history.. 🤔
Good night 🌃 Mr. Tarun!
I recently bought these and paired them up with an Audiolab 6000A and the result is very pleasing. Your review pretty much sums up my thoughts on the speakers....thanks!
Thank you Amit 👍
Again a very good review. My biggest surprise was instead of new speakers new crossovers that cost almost 1000 euros for a pair but lifted my old Audio Physics way above everything else to about 6-7000 euros. And that while I didn't want to pay more than 2000 euros for new speakers. With high-quality Jantzen and Mundorf parts, coils specially made for these speakers and new internal cabling, it does not occur to me now to buy new speakers. The biggest gain overall is the lively, tactile and toe-tapping sound
Thank you Jacob. Great to learn about your experiences 👍
Great review Sir!
I've been running my AE109 mk 2s with a Rega io for a couple of years.
To my ears it's a fantastic set up. They're great value for money.
Beautiful mid range as you mentioned & ample bass for my listening requirements.
I'm intrigued to see if you find anything better at that price point.
Thank you Martin. I haven’t heard the IO as yet but can imagine that being a great setup 👍
Lovely chat. I'm constantly surprised that affordable audio is getting this good. While I'm constantly stymied and often frustrated with my expensive gear. Right now I have a pair of Avalon Monitors that are kicking my rear end. It's a finicky beast. Thankfully I have a pair of cheap, 50 year old Acoustic Research AR18 bookshelfs, that when paired with a Hegel H80, sound delicious. I need a bigger house! Too many speakers!
Thank you. I suspect it is a nice problem to have 😊
Just bought the little brother AE100 mk 2 largely because of your convincing review
Hope you enjoy it! 👍
Thanks for the review Tarun. For me a couple of surprises over the past year: I had some bass traps in the corners of my room behind the speakers: after removing them the sound opened up and time to say goodbye to the bass traps. The 2nd surprise was adding a modern REL sub, placed nearfield. Not that my speakers lack bass, but just providing a balanced sound all the way to the lowest octave.
Curious how you did near field with the REL, e.g., next to your listening position?
@@waltergist8923 indeed almost next to my listening position, about 1m away:-)
Thank you for sharing Wouter 👍
I'm a vintage person who likes to experiment a lot. Mixing some new with the old seems to be the sweet spot for me. I love your personality and insightful reviews. Your take on floor speakers is correct to me with modern speakers. Big vintage ones on a short angled stand...well that's different!
Thank you Michelle. Very kind. Some retro chic coming in for review soon 😊👍
Fully agree on mixing new and old provides a nice sound. At least it does when i've tried it.
Yes! I have added a Moon Mind 180 renderer to my old audiolab 8000a for streaming hi res (Qobuz) and that works very well for me!
Tarun, thanks for making the effort for reviewing product that is in the price range for some of the more youthful audiophiles who are exploring the hobby. 👍
Thank you. I hope to do more 👍
Great review. I think further reviews of compatible 'affordable' floor standers as you have proposed, would be really worthwhile
Thank you. Working on it 👍
My biggest surprise so far in my hifi journey is how good nearfield sounds in general (taking out all the acoustic elements that tend to complicate matters).
Thank you 😊
Dali Oberon 5's deserve a mention in this category, probably an even smaller speaker, picked mines up for £550 18 months ago, once I topped up the non existent cabinet lining, they sound superb with my Denon pma 800 & Rotel A11 tribute amplifiers, it would be interesting to see how they compare....
Thank you for the suggestion 😊
I own the bookshelf AE100mk2 and HAD owned the Dali Oberon 5's. I can bet you money the AE109mk2 will outperform them. From this review and my experience with the little brother it will have a more mature sound beyond what the Dali's are capable. The Dali's are NO slouch, but the AE's will be more sophisticated in my opinion. Make sure to use good electronics to hear what they have to offer!
Hi Tarun. Happy to see you're trying floorstanders this time. Always good to be exploratory in speakers.
To which I might hope, given your reference exposure amplifier, you would also try the radically different open baffle design such as the Duet 15 from Pureaudio project, an Israeli company.
It's above 5k segment but still within reach for a number of enthusiasts. More power to your channel!
Thank you Bobby 👍
Biggest surprise for me is the amount of performance that you can get from relatively affordable gear when you are able to set it up properly.
Very true. Thank you Bryan 😊
I wish I knew people like Turan. A pleasure to be around I’m sure.
You can support on Patreon and attend the group chats.
Thank you Jordon. Very kind 😊👍
Hi Tarun, good to see the standmounts taking a breather. I’m hoping for a pleasant surprise from my recent impulse purchase, a pair of Quad 21L floorstanders.
I say floorstanders but they are more like a standmount with a stand built in, if that makes any sense. I’m really happy with the detail, tone, dynamics etc of my second system but it just can’t match the scale of my main system with its three way floorstanders. Trouble is, system 2 is in a small room and I’ve previously tried speakers with bigger drivers and the bass quickly becomes boomy.
As you know I’ve radically changed the front end on my system and everything is much tighter so I’m thinking it’s time to have another go. These Quads were under £1,000 in the UK and I have to say, with 7 coats of high gloss lacquer on 18mm MDF they don’t seem too shoddy and certainly a cut above any vinyl wrap. So here’s hoping for that pleasant surprise after I pick them up on the way to the Bristol show.
Thanks Mark. Sound like a bargain. I hope the Mrs approved 😉👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 She’s routing for them! The MAs are smart but that high gloss veneer on the Quads is in another league. 🤣
Great video, Tarun! Wonderfully informative with a seamless presentation. Chapeau! (yet again, Tarun). Very best wishes to you & your family, from Gerri in Japan.
Thank you Gerri. Best wishes to you and your family too 😊👍
Biggest suprise for me was 2 years ago when I was searching for speakers for a small room 15m².I heard a lot of speakers, mostly stand mount ones and the suprise came from a floorstanding speaker from Paradigm, the Monitor SE 3000f.I bought them immediately and I have paired them with Audiolab 6000A Play, diy power cable, chord Clearway X speaker cable and a dedicated power line.
I strongly recommend, if you get the opportunity, to test them.
Thank you 😊
Answering your question, one of my biggest surprises is how well my old Nelson Pass designed Adcom 545II drives my newly arrived Magnepan LRS+which I use in my bedroom/TV system.
I was actually looking forward to buying a new amp but it drives them so well (especially re the bass) that I don’t know what else I could want in this circumstance.
Thank you 😊
Before I step up to the current Spendor A4 I owned the Evo 4.3 which I ran with an Hegel H190! Can't wait for you to review them with the same hardware. When you speak about products that the audience know it's very useful for us, the audience, as it helps us to "get in line" with your sound preference and how you describe other products in comparison to those that we know. I also owned the Q acoustics you mentioned right before the Evo so that's a good bunch of the speakers I owned ahah. The Evo were really really good and a good match with the Hegel in my opinion. Since I listen two meter away and my room is small the only complains I had were that the midrange could be a little bit brittle and forward with bad recordings and the highs a little bit too recessed in comparison with the midrange which made it a bit strange sounding at times with such a prominent midrange (being a dome midrange it's a bit like a studio monitor in that respect). Overall a fantastic speaker for the price in my opinion. Looking forward to your review. Cheers
Thank you. Great to learn about your experiences 😊
As per your experience, which one do you think is the best bookshelf or compact speaker from the Acoustic Energy product line up that has the best clarity, tonality and the right amount of bass. Is it AE1 active or standmountAE300 or the standmount AE500 or AE100mk2 ?
I am looking for a compact or bookshelf speakers similar to ATC's clarity. ATC gives a personal ambience with their clarity. They are great for Jazz,blues and classics which i listen to mostly. But for occasional hiphops a subwoofer is sort of mandatory. However, ATC's are way too expensive for me 😅.
After watching alot of your videos, you have shown high regard to Acoustic Energy speakers. Hence the question which AE speaker is the best. If you have other brand recommendations please advise.
Your response for the above will be highly appreciated. 😊
And thank you for doing what you do. It gives us a new perspective and its refreshing.
Thank you Fayez. The AE1 are a remarkable speaker for the money. I suspect you will like it. I have review it 👍
My biggest recent surprises in HiFi are two things. 1. Like Tarun, some of my long held conceptions about brands have changed. I am a recent convert to Q acoustics speakers. I stood by the monitor audio range for years. However for me their sound has become too forward, aiming for sound staging and room presence over a lovely balance they once had. I am now the proud owner of a pair of Q acoustic Concept 20’s which really deliver so much bang for the buck in my home. Therefore I would recommend the Q Acoustic concept 40 floor standers in the sub £1000 category 2. Turntables. The quality has risen so much in recent years at the budget end. Project in particular pushing so much spec and sound for the price. I held onto a Michell TecnoDec for years. I heard the Project debut carbon evo last year and was staggered by the sound for the price for less than £500. I also auditioned a Rega P6 and was astonished at the resolution on offer for the price. My own conclusion is that right now is such a great time to be into Hifi. Brilliant kit at amazing prices, with new and established brands of British origin still emerging, proving the industry is stronger than ever.
Thank you Ram 😊
Brilliant video, with deep insight info thanks Tarun
Thank you Atri. Much appreciated 😊👍
Top notch review ... as usual ...Btw. I am not suprised at all ... just keep going like that
Thank you my friend 🙂👍
I have a speaker that does many things wrong while still offering a very satisfying presentation. Here , objectivity takes second seat to out and out entertainment. The suprise for me was that it retained its lively and full bodied character even at very low volumes. It wasn't something I had considered when I bought it, having already been sold on its other attributes. Being able to listen to music late nights - after work, without disturbing a household or neighbors, has turned out to be a great joy to me, and a great return on my investment.
What is this magical speaker though
I've also found that sometimes, even though a speaker has less than ideal design, it can sound good.
@Rennie Ash yes. Not magical...actually ubiquitous. The Klipsch Heresy 3. Even when I bought them, I was aware that they were regarded by some as the antithesis of high fidelity sound, and by others as poor value. However, they have proven to be hugely entertaining , as well as capable speakers. Their ability to be driven by low powered amplifiers was also a plus. By now I have accumulated several speakers of various pedigrees and reputations, and I've come to feel that they all possess strengths and weaknesses. I feel fortunate to have choices.
That is great Timothy 👍
This speaker is going on my shortlist! Biggest surprise to date? Keeping in mind that I’ve only been in the 2 channel hobby for. 3 years, but I was shocked at how much different phono cartridges can make a system sound. Going to Sumiko has made me stop caring about my digital sources… it’s that good!
Thank you Jeremy 👍
They're absolutely fantastic sounding speakers & superb value for money!!
Acoustic Energy are on a roll. Hoping you'll do a review of the AE500 stand mount 🙏
Thank you 😊
I've often felt the choice to go with floorstanders versus standmounts often boils down partly to whether you already own a set of good quality stands that will fit the speakers visually and sonically. If you don't, then the all up price of the standmounts is often going to be at least several hunderd pounds more than the price of the speakers alone (usually making the floorstanders in the range more price comparable). If you do own stands, then the standmounts may be more 'affordable'. OTOH, standmounts are invariably easier to integrate into rooms especially those with springy wooden floors that can get over-excited by floorstanders.
Thank you for sharing your experiences Ben 😊
do you remember the AE1 and AE2 signature, one of the best compact speakers ever IMO. I wonder how these AE 107/2 center speaker sound if you use 2 of them in a stereo setup ;-) I currently have the AE100/2 at home for review (sorry guys German only ;-) and I agree with you, they are phenomenal for the price
Thank you. I original AE1s but can’t recall hearing the AE2s 🤔👍
Nicely balanced review as always.
Not really familiar with Acoustic Energy. Only briefly heard the AE1 actives in Richer Sounds a couple of years ago, but didn't take much notice.
The most surprising experience was demoing a pair of Totem Arros. These are compact floorstanders personified. As they are so tiny placement is a doddle, you could probably hang them from the lampshades and they'd sound good. Given they are so bijou, wouldn't recommend them if you have small children or a big slobbering dog -- they'll end up on their sides. The stereo imaging, though, is second to none below silly prices. Ideal for smaller rooms.
Thank you Richard. Totem have made some great speakers over the years 👍
Does your initial overlay tell us this is an amplifier review?
If you ever get a chance, check the wharfdale evo 4 floor standers. They are about £1200, but ive not heard anything under 2500 that touches them, im a sucker for a good amt, and that dome midrange is free to work magic. If you ever do, try to get some already run in, as it takes a while, but boy its worth it.
Thanks for this. As with all your reviews, its balanced and informative.
Thank you buddy. I will try again to see if Wharfedale are prepared to send me something to review 😊👍
Hi, I went to a very chic dinner party in provence last night. I now have two new acquaintances asking for advice on what to buy to replace their old systems! These are now on the list
Cool 😎
@@abritishaudiophile7314They both have a budget of around 2 grand for an amplifier and loudspeakers. I scratched my head for a few moments and went through your reviews for a reasonably priced loudspeaker. We now have to find a streaming amplifier. I’m waiting for the latest version of the Yamaha R-N803D called the R-N600A to arrive at my local dealer. This retails for about 800.
Well done 👍🏼 really appreciate the extra effort you make regarding the importance of synergy between speakers and components. ✊🏼 Not sure if you did already but would like your take on the Polk R700's. Thx
Thank you Ben. I hope to get to them 😊
Hi Tarun, I picked up a set of 2nd hand cherry Acoustic energy AE1 actives for desktop use for £700 2nd hand based largely on your reviews. Using a Chord Mojo as desktop DAC from a PC that was sat unused for several years (it's too bulky to use as a mobile phone DAC really, and the UI and needing to disconnect microUSB makes it a cumbersome desktop DAC, but I love the sound!). The quality of sound for an outlay of ~£1100 total is excellent to my ears. Just wanted to say thanks - really enjoy your reviews and keep up the great work.
PS - also want to see Wharfedale send you some way with AMT speakers! Would be interested to hear your impressions and whether they're finickity with vertical placement!
*3-way with AMT
That is great Tom. So pleased that you are enjoying them 😊👍
Thank you for another excellent review Tarun. If you have the opportunity could you also review a pair of Triangle Borea BR07s. These are Triangle's entry towers. There isn't much info about the 07s at all. The BR03 and BR08 models have been reviewed to death, but nothing on the BR07s. They look like they would fit the bill size and price wise.
Thank you
Thank you. I appreciate the suggestion 🙂
Great review. Would love to see reviews of some of the new fyne vintage stuff coming out now, i assume that they will sound very 'tannoy'.
Biggest suprise was a change in cartridge on my turntable, going from goldring e3 to AT 540ml wasn't subtle and I wasnt expecting such an uplift in sq.
Thank you Tomislav 😊
Thanks Tarun , as usual you raise some interesting points, I'd be interested in your opinion of my aging Wharfedale Diamond 9.5 towers, having collected 3 tidy pairs now, configured in 2.1 or 7.1 set up, complimented by 3 subs, I think they sound pretty good in my 7m x 5.5m lounge with the main front L&R pair puled out 1.4m from the front wall
I've been contemplating upgrading the caps one of these days.
I have a nice sounding pair of reasonably priced Infinity Reference 152's on stands in the master bedroom, complimented by another small sub.
I would like to review some Wharfedale products. Thank you for sharing 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Looking forward to it, especially if you come across some old 9.5's, cheers from New Zealand
After listening to a valve amplifier, I'm considering selling all my prized and favourite Creek, Arcam and Rotel amps to concentrate solely on the valve sound. That smile graph is all I hear now and i'm left wondering how on earth I was happy to hear music without any mid range for all this time.
Thank you for sharing your experiences 😊😊
thanks Tarun, wow, beautiful looking speakers compared to any price. 🙂
Yes, they are lovely looking 👍
Always been a fan of Acoustic Energy they make fine speakers for the money .
Another floor stand is the Quad s4 I suspect it's not so popular for one big reason it's difficulty of synergy with many amps . However match right and you will be rewarded in buckets of bliss . Technics se a7 power amp, Sabaj A30a to name two make the Quads sing . Not had the pleasure of Exposure audio but I'm sure that fits the bill also ..
Another in depth honest review as always Tarun .
Thank you my friend 😊👍
Great review as always! Do you think these ones will sound good with the Audiolab 6000A?
Thank you. I would need to get them both in at the same time to be sure but I think the AXA35 will be comparable to the 6000A in sound quality but with a different sonic character 😊
Hi from Greece! I use them daily at a store with multiple amps. With Nad, Roksan,even a GamuT D200. A-B with Q's 3050i. I am not sure wich pair I prefer. The better the amp, I think I prefer rthe Qs more. AE109 do have nice and organised stage,defined and maybe more outward mids. Qs are more mature, smoother highs,and sweeter , relaxed and a touch more colour variety, especially with higher quality amps. Low level detail is excellent too..
Tough choice!
Thanks for your cultured reviews !
Thank you for sharing 😊
Hey hey! My experience with floorstanders, unless they have "Transmission line" instead of classic reflex port, I tend not to like them. Had compact Spendor S3e mounts with "TL" and there was enough bass for my taste. Tight, playful and textured, paired with 2010S2 I mentioned before.
I usually do near-field listening, set up on each sides of the table/monitor as I'm sitting by my PC most of the time I'm listening to music.
Now that you mentioned synergy, and having three neutral components, slightly on the warm side of spectrum (H120) I strongly believe my M30.1 would play even better with 3510. More power, depth, warmer sound, although not too warm as you mentioned in the review.
I must add, which is expected, bass control/texture on H120 is incredibly better compared to 2010S2. Tested with Spendors above as well. Not sure how H120 compares to 3510 when it comes to bass? Fortunately you had a chance to listen to them both.
Possibly excellent pairing with the DAC I have (Gungnir).
Gotta ask you, how come you didn't review Harbeths, or mentioned them before? Especially in your bookshelf/standmount videos.
Cheers!
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I did reach out to Harbeth but didn’t hear back. It may be time for a follow up 😊
I had a plan to replace my 1980s Dutch Translator Impact5 floorstanders with Kef LS50 Meta standmounters - or so I thought until I realized the floorstanders have about the same height as LS50 stands. So why not save the money on the stands and use the existing floorstanders as stands in a 4-speaker setup? It turned out to be a golden move. The big Translators are a perfect enhancement to the small Kefs and vice versa. It's not a Kef Blade, but it goes a long way there for a fraction of the cost. A solution like this needs room though (in my setup it's 4 meters apart and 3.5 meters from listening position) and an amplifier that can handle it.
Thank you for sharing 😊
Hi Tarun I'm here in the US. It seem to be a contest going on in the audio world tower vs bookshelf speakers. While I will admit that smaller bookshelf speakers have come a long way in the passed 30 yrs. I still perferr my towers. Im a big Klipsch fan and about 7 months ago treated myself to a pr of R7lll s ( yeah a big speaker) as a retirement gift.
Let me tell you they are it. But most people don't know how well they can play finer music and with detail and not a lot of power.
I also have have a pair of RPM 600. And they are good. But in the dark the R7lll really make you think the artist is in the room. There is something to be said about big towers and there dynamics. Just started watching the ch a little while ago. Keep up the good work. Oh yeah tower speakers they just look cool.😎
Thank you Mark. Great to learn about your experiences 👍
Excellent points , for our smaller Living Rooms quality book shelf speakers can really be a wiser investment than floor standers, also these floor standers may require heftier power amp to do them justice .
Thank you 😊
You're getting there, sir. Would appreciate a review on ae500.
Thank you. I hope to get to them in time 😊
Another excellent & informative review - thanks Karun. Noted as contenders for when /if my Magnat 1002s at around £200 each can be upgraded. Have you ever heard those btw? They don't extend to the advertised 18hz but around 30-35 & I think are very good for the money...toed in for sufficient treble for my aged & sub 12k ears! However I still use a sub & home made bass damping to reduce over boomy bass from the twin read ports... Do you think these would pair well with an audiolab 6000a?
Picked up a Pioneer pd d6 for £147 on ebay recently - Marmite styling - love or hate - but am pleasantly surprised at the superb detail & soundstage for such little money! Regards
Thank you. I haven't heard the Magnet as yet but the 6000A has the ability to work with a wide variety of speakers 👍
I had a pair of Q-3050s (non-i) and they were really enjoyable, looked very nice too compared to my old bookshelf Mission/Cyrus 780s. That said, I like having the luxury of
2 rooms and 2 systems - maybe I'm getting old (54!), but I just don't seem to want the BIG presentation so much anymore. Prior to owning the 3050s these AEs would
definitely have been a consideration. Thanks for the video - interesting intro, lots of relevant details, insight and comparisons - always a pleasure to watch.
Thank you my friend. Much appreciated 👍
Great review, thanks Tarun
Thank you 👍
I come here for your perspective and experience.
Thank you Charles 👍
Great video as always Tarun.
My Vienna Acoustics Mozart floor standers work well in my 4 x 4 metre room.
However standmounts do have the edge in pin point separation and are the choice in small spaces.
I still have a pair of Q Acoustics 2020i and they can produce exceptional sound quality.
Thanks for sharing 😊
After starting with headphones, my biggest surprise with speakers was just how important and tricky the room treatment & placement is! You can just about lose your marbles trying to get it right...
A few things of particular importance, in my listening space at least, I've found absorption at the sidewall first reflection points/surfaces to be essential for consistently high resolution (using good headphones as a reference); it's odd, with this you can get away without on certain tracks, but not on others...probably to do with frequency specific comb filtering/phasing effects. As for as speaker placement/positioning, the size of your speaker triangle, and especially how much toe in to use, both have a significant impact on the sound. As you mentioned in the video Tarun, just past the shoulders generally strikes a nice balance as a starting point :)
Thank you Sasha 😊
Hi. Nice review. Both the ae100 and ae109 have my attention, but what keeps bugging me is the question of standmounts plus subwoofer or floorstanders…?
Thank you 😊
Wow! Great and useful comparisons.
Thank you Jeremiah. Much appreciated 😊👍
One of the biggest surprises in audio came quite recently when, unable to resist the temptation to try a pair of open baffle speakers (Monacor Katana-1 kit at a smidgin over £400 on Amazon before they sold out), I decided what the heck, and gave them a whirl. They're very easy to build -- I'm a bit wary of soldering, so I used crimps for the speaker connectors, and WAGO connectors for the two crossover components. With three coats of antique pine varnish on the baffle, I was away.
Shock, horror! To my ears, once broken in, overall they best my Dali Menuet SEs, which currently cost £1499. Huge sound stage and pleasing image in every dimension, and an ability to grab and keep one's rapt attention with pretty much every genre one can throw at them. I haven't listened to the Menuets for weeks -- they're possibly a bit more refined and a tad better tonally, but I'd find it difficult to return to them -- or any box speaker for that matter. I guess I've become an OB fan now. Only thing is, where to next (if and when I get round to it)? How much more would I have to spend on OB's to get sound quality I found even more alluring?
Maybe you'd like some electrostatic speakers?
Many years ago, I listened to a pair of Quad electrostatics. I can't say they impressed me very much -- not as much as the Katanas, at any rate.
Must have been a fun and worthwhile project. Thanks John 😊
You should really give Magnepans a whirl.
@@stuartboros7693 Yes, I've considered them, but I think they're a bit overpriced here in the UK. May keep my eyes open for a second hand pair.
Professor, you spoke well. Again.
Thank you 👍
Biggest surprise: The Criton 1TDX kit speaker with the upgraded cross-overs. I listened to the ELAC Unifi Ref, the Q Concept 30 and a similarly priced Fyne standmount, but I could not live with any of them. Taking a chance on the CSS, I've been completely surprised at the SQ from them; big soundstage, open, spacious, and amazing tone and extension. But, as you point out, partnering equipment matters. The Critons are very good with the NAD M32, but not at all good with the (admittedly less powerful and lower-cost) current-version Powernode. It is hard to put a 'happy graph' speaker with an amp of the same sonic profile, and get a pleasing sound.
Cool 😎
As always, thank you Tarun. And I believe that floorstanders offer inherent advantages, notably efficiency.
My biggest surprise? Second hand Dynakit amp and preamp with a pair of not expensive bookshelf speakers. Radio Shack portable CD player and inexpensive phono. Total price about $500. And boy did they do that 3d soundstage bit. Plus, not only could I understand what Van Morrison was singing, but why. Tubes still rule OK.
Thank you my friend 👍
The biggest surprise on my audiophile journey has been the Aiyima A07. It has really trounced some respected Class AB amps I have had, such as a Rega Brio.
I am thinking of getting a second A07.
Cool 😎 I heard good things about that amp 😊
Thanks mate! Wish you best ac for best listings
Thank you 😊
Two big surprises I had early in my journey were; placing my speakers near field away from any wall. They weren’t suitable for near field but wow I couldn’t believe what these things can do. Kept on thing “what is this holographic sorcery”
Another one was when hooked up ATC SCM 11 to Hegel 190. That speaker had no right to sound so dynamic and lively. It is then that i learned what a good match can do.
Great. Thanks Ran 👍
It can be hard to reveal the real if you don’t understand the why. Tarun, thank you for your allowing an opportunity for me to help those who don’t know how important floor construction is in choosing whether or not to use spikes. Spikes are the best way to transfer the energy from a floor stander to the floor proper, but there is an additional consideration. That is floor composition. What your floor is constructed from matters as to how you will address how the energy it has is transferred. You spoke of concrete floors with wooden covering over them in your review. This is a must know in order to address energy transfer to the floor. In your instance, spikes are not good as the energy would be reflected back into the speaker due to the wooden covering over the concrete floor. Wood reflects back even over concrete floors because the energy cannot be transferred to the concrete as it acts as a reflector back into the speaker. Doesn’t even matter if the wood flooring is glued down to the concrete. The wood will still reflect the energy back into the speaker. The cure for this is a dead block which is a mdf box appropriately sized for the speaker base. This would be 3” beyond each side and front and rear dimension. It will be a rectangle despite whether the enclosure is sculpted to the back as some speakers are. The key to good dead block design is consistent anchoring of all mated surfaces as this aid will be the energy absorbing medium for your speaker. The construction for it is mdf and is glued well along all mated surfaces. The edges are rounded over along the sides and front while the back is left flat. The back plate can be screwed in or glued on depending on whether you are filling it with dry filtered sand or used with additional acrylic casting resin with the sand to further deaden it. The addition of the acrylic casting resin will also bind the sand with the mdf and make it one mass once cured. This adding of the resin will remove the air voids left around the sand particles. This makes it one seriously dead mass which is what is needed for this floor construction. Finishing this are leveling feet at the bottom. You can use three or four as this is a personal choice. The feet used must be capable of handling the weight of the speaker and the dead block. The feet should have a rubber padded bottom so as not to mar the surface of the floor. This solves the issue for Tarun’s floor. Yours will vary depending on your floor’s construction and support. You can avoid this, but you will not get out of your speakers what they are capable of delivering. Thanks Tarun for providing this platform as an exercise for me. It provides help for those who may not know, but do care how their speakers sound.
Thank you for posting this Mark. Always great to get a professional perspective 😊👍
very interesting, what would the height of the dead block be on such a floor (which I also have).
@@thepuma2012, the height of the dead block is 4” thick. The height of the block above that is determined by the leveling feet. Less than 3/4” depending on floor variations of increase to the total height of the dead block. Could be less if you can adjust it lower. The feet have a nut at the base of them which may allow a lower stance. The dead block needs to be leveled and matched to the other so the heights are the same.
@@markphilpot8734 thank you
@@thepuma2012Glad to help. Feel free to ask. Let me know how it all goes!
The biggest recent hifi surprise for me was the purchase of a Willsenton R8 tube amp. I’ve never owned a tube amp before and this one exceeds all expectations. I’m also amazed at how tube rolling can change/improve the sound.
I bought Reflector NOS tubes from Watford Valves- amazing difference!
Thank you Scott 😊
Thanks Tarun,
I think the Dali Oberon 5 would be an alternative to this speaker. I’ve not heard it myself but I am keen to. Maybe at the Bristol show next week.
Cool 😎
Lately I purchased Wharfedale 12.3's powered by Denon DM41, great all rounders except on certain tracks like Royksopp's "Here She Comes again " and LORN "Anvil" they struggled with certain bass details that I could here perfectly with my Samsung ear buds. So I changed them for 12.4's, though opening up the sound stage, they still missed the details in the lower frequencies in the above tracks 🤷♂️, so I purchased a new amp Marantz 6007, this fixed the problem, the Denon just didn't have the low end grunt, this is where some Hifi reviews need to stop leading folks astray by saying wattage power dose not matter along as it's over 25 Watts, the Denon and Marantz have similar ratings on paper but one is D amplification and othe AB, now I wish I had stuck with 12.3's as they were more suited to my living room and possibly sounded better and just changed the amplifier, the change in amplification has now given me hints of richness in the tone and timber. Now I wish my Denon had a optical out so I could utilise the highly acclaimed Marantz DAC AK4490, but that would mean Hifi manufacturers actually put the customer first 😂🤷♂️.
Thank you for sharing 😊
Hey tarun, with how amazing these sound, i hope you find time to test the ae120 squared, theyre the flagship version of this speaker with an additional woofer! Wondering how they sound since theyre the only ones available in my country ;-;
Additionally, do you think these would fare better than the wharfedale 12.3?
Thank you for the suggestion 😊
Thanks! The big surprise for me was finding out how much wattage you lose with 7.2.4 unless you go separates. My speakers must be easy to drive as all I am getting with my integrated is 100W/channel with 11 driven.
Cool 😎
Very informative thank you! I’m considering pairing the AE109 with an AXA35. I have a medium sized room…would this work or any alternative?
Thank you. I didn’t like that combo as I mentioned in the review 😊
A Tarun review? Never fails.
Thank you my friend 😊👍
Hi Tarun
Another great review from ABA!
I'm an English teacher so struggle with the physics surrounding hifi- so here's a question:
Should I play back my CD's with or without the DSD set at 50khz? Should one set the Digital filter to slow or sharp roll off? How do these settings affect sound output on a high end CD player?
Curious much!
Thank you Coral. Does you CD player convert the signal to PCM signal to DSD? In most cases the slow roll off filter will sound better but these things tend to be specific to the device and integration of the rest of the system 😊
As an English teacher you should really be playing CDs, not CD's!
@@legshakermaker1968 Thanks for pointing out the typo.
Before I start I have pretty much zero knowledge of audio setups.
I have a rega planar 3, a rega brio amp and use some vintage wharfdale E20 speakers. I decided to “upgrade” the speakers to some 109’s. They sound awful. While I still have them I reverted back to my wharfdales. Not sure if I’m doing something wrong. Having watched this video potentially the room is too small but I really can’t see it making that much difference. Would love to know why they sound so bad.
Check they are connected in phase. Other than that, they may not be a good match for the Brio or your room 😊
Hi Dude, good video as always. I had spent £2k on a vintage hi-fi, 'Frankenstein' system, I've never been a fan of head phones since my teenage walman addiction... So one night I wanted to listen above mouse fart level when I knew my neighbour was trying to sleep, I had some free Blackberry wired eard buds and used them...
Well it was relavationary, I got some Samson open back cans and some Tin hifi items. I don't use them much, but it is nice to have the option.
Great. Thank for sharing 👍
Thank you for this video, very helpful.
Thank you Joerg 👍
A big surprise for me was how much better my vinyl sounded when I built and put the turntable on a heavy shelf fixed to a solid wall
That is great 😊
Which speakers are better in your opinion: they have better bass, sound and so on. Acoustic energy 120 or Dali Oberon 7?
I haven’t heard the Oberon 7 yet
Great review, affordability is yes very loaded term, these sound great 👍
Thank you 😊
I enjoy your videos and enjoy your voice. Do you think there is a point of diminishing returns? In other words, does a 2000 dollar speaker sound enough better than 1000 dollar speaker to justify the cost? Also, i love your sideboard/buffet table in your room. Can you give us a history? Thanks.
Thank you Mike. There is definitely a law of diminishing returns. It kicks in for different people at different points. It will depend on many factors but at some point everyone has to decide whether the improvement is worth the outlay.
The side table is mid Victorian gothic. Made from solid walnut and about 170 years old. I am the latest custodian but for only the last 20 years 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 If you need a kidney I will trade you for that table. LOL
Great review as usual , strait talking 😊
Thank you 😁
Hi Tarun good stuff as usual . My latest addition is some speaker stands and a replacement speaker cables which are van den hul clear water . As for the stands I finally got round to making my own , I am lucky to have the tools and experience to undertake such a project . But the stands and the new cables have made a profound difference to the system . Which is by no means high end , Audio lab 6000 amp and cd Rega p3 and phono stage with a PSU . As for the speakers Q acoustic concept 20s which have of course been superseded many times over the years to the current model . As a point of interest when it came to sound deadening and providing extra weight to the stands , after much research and consideration I used . 🥁. Cat litter 😂😂 Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍
Th am you for sharing my friend 👍
Interesting system to me, because i have been looking at audiolab 6000. (have and old 8000a now). What are your findings with it (before and after the new cables)?
Nice review clear story like your reviews 👍
Thank you Ido 👍
40 hrtz, 40 hrtz is most floor standing speakers bass levels. The point being if you're a bass head or in to heavy rap or edm you most likely will need a sub. Another advantage of stand mount it is easier to set tweeters to ear level. Every since 2.1 for stero has become the rule not the exception people now realize a sub aa must have in any system.
Thank you for sharing John 😊
The assumption that a tier higher line has better quality components is a bit of a stretch, indeed, you would hope that is true, but even the best and most expensive speakers make some compromises, usually where you cannot see, like the crossovers, which you mentioned. I think either will work great in my situation, towers might be overkill, but I like to rock out sometimes, so effortless SPL is essential. I started with bookshelfs and only moved up for the improved bass, I now have great subs so bass in the speaker is less of a requirement now. Are we ever truly happy with our setups? I can say I am relatively happy and not jonesing for new gear so I am in a comfortable position now, my last piece is my Denafrips DAC, which was a game changer for me, attaining nirvana can kill your gear obsessions for a while.
Thank you for sharing Brett 😊
I sometimes miss having floor standers. I used to own the Evo 4.3s so it would be interesting to see you review them. I eventually sold them since they were a little bright for my taste, and I couldn’t get them disappear properly. Now I use two sets of stand mounts (with a sub) and switch them every couple of months: older Proac Tablette 2000s and the Triangle Comete 40th anniversaries, which I really like, except the top end sometimes feels that it lacks a little detail. Wharfedales felt too hot and now the Triangles a perhaps not hot enough😂
I'm surprised that you say the Triangle Comete 40th lack top end detail as they are renowned for having it. I have the Esprit Titus EZ and I've never heard another sun £1k speaker that sounds so sparkling in the top end without veering into harshness.
Thank you for sharing your experiences 😊
Another classy review, but your heading at the start says 'Amplifier Review' - oops :D
Thank you. Yes, I should have picked that up on the edit 😊
I have the 100² and 107² at home, combined with an elac 2070 sub
I love this little speakers for 350€👌
For my 5.1 setup im struggling between the 109² or the 120²
I heard that the 120² still have a better resolution in the mids and highs + some depth
I think the design with 3 similar tweeters for bass and mids helps the integration
Also they dont need much power for sounding good
Maybe AE give you a pair for testing and comparing
Thank you. I plan to review more AE speakers 🙂
Looking forward to seeing how open baffle speakers perform in Tarun's environment should he ever get his hands on a pair. I value his opinion on all things audio.
Thank you. I would like to do that 👍
Problem with most towers is that tweeters are way above ear level (when seated in a couch). For that reason alone i prefer bookshelves and 18” stands
Thank you for sharing 😊
Hand's down, moving to a bigger room and buying the Polk R700 was the most significant act last year.
Cool 😎
If I had the space they'd be top of my list…I'm assuming they live up to the hype?
I have AE mark ones. There still looking and sounding great.
That is great 👍
My advice is: Do not settle for midget sized old lady speakers. Why would you?
All things equal: A larger speaker ALWAYS sounds better than a smaller speaker.
Lower distortion. Larger sized objects in the sound image. More effortless an far more powerful dynamics. Regardless of volume.
Go for it! 🙂👍
Thank you for sharing 😊
Do you think, that the Audiolab 7000a would be a good match with the AE109? Or not so good, because the "warm to warm" characteristic?
I think the 6000A would be a more price appropriate match 😊
Also remember that there are some quite nice speakers out there, on the second hand market. I picked up a lovely pair of ProAc D25s, for about 1500€ some 9 years ago. They do a great job in my living room 😊
That is great 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Have you experienced any ProAc speakers? What's your thoughts about them?
@@5starmaniac heard most of them. They have made some great speakers over the years 🙂
How cool !! 😊 Thank you!! 🤗
@@5starmaniac there is a scammer trying to offer prizes in my name. Please don’t be taken in 😊
I have had the Triangle acoustic Borea BR09 floorstanding speakers for a few months now, and they give me some very good bass extension, while having a bright (sometimes too bright) treble. That is, a more than capable "full range" speaker. I think that I cannot hear anything above 16kHz anyway. Question to all of you regarding high frequencies: when you listen to Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes, does the triangle at the start of the song sound harsh? For me, it does, and I think it has to do with recording. Thanks Tarun.
Thank you for sharing Patrick 😊
ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 Floorstanding Speaker - UF52 are the best low cost tower. Pickup some better feet. I find them hard to beat at $1000.00 pair US when on sale.
Thank you 😊
Tarun, you're not being contentious, it's just your personal preference -- hi-fi is so subjective.
For the record, I've owned both floorstanders (Monitor Audio RS6s and still one of my favourite sub-£1000 floorstanders) and standmounts. Yes, standmounts have better drivers and crossovers. The main downside of standmounts, in my opinion, and it's a little vain, but metal stands look 'orrible. Once I've saved my pennies I'll buy some wooden stands.
The best speaker I've heard to bridge the floorstander/standmount gap is Monopulse. It's a brand of little known reputation but 'S' range of floorstanders had rave reviews in the mid 2000s, exhibiting traits of a standmount while having the depth of a compact tower. I loved them but they are slightly weird: they are cloaked in a strange acoustic cloth that used to come in migraine-inducing colours. Not recommended if you have young children or a slobbering dog 😊
Biggest surprise is a little different to the conventional response: brands that get overlooked because they are not deemed as trendy or upgrade models every month: the likes Exposure, Leema, Creek etc etc, while the so-called trendy brands such as Cyrus, Roksan, Naim.... get a lot of magazine exposure (pun intended)😊
Thank you Richard. I have come across Monopulse before. It is an interesting approach to speaker design 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314
Yes, they are very agile sounding more akin to a good standmount. The design is a bit bonkers, I was tempted in around 2007 but as my daughter was very young and the thought of chocolate stained cloth (and scratch marks from the cat) chocked me off.😋
Hello Tarun, I was wondering if you would still think it wworthwhile to use a subwoofer with small"ish" tower speakers in your room ?
The short answer is yes but not as critical as with certain standmounts 😊
Hi Tarun... could you check the Polk Reserve series floor standing speakers? R500 and R600 should be good to review.
I appreciate the suggestion 😊