Reference AE1 features
For the design of the new AE1 in MKIII guise, the following objectives were established;
- Raise sensitivity
- Lower overall distortion
- Improve enclosure design and reduce coloration
- Develop a new 120mm frame low frequency driver featuring a curvilinear ceramic coated alloy cone, an open die-cast chassis with a high tech. glass
- fibre voice coil former and a low distortion shielded neodymium motor assembly
- Co-develop a new high frequency driver featuring an extended, ultra-linear response, wide bandwidth and again a low distortion neodymium motor assembly
- Specify WBT audiophile grade speaker cable terminations
- Install a 10mm alloy billet as an anti-vibration driver baffle platform
- Laminate the internal walls of the cabinet with anti-resonance steel plating with tensioned steel cross braces
- Design a higher power anti-turbulence bass reflex port and locate to the back panel
- Voice the speaker to a higher level of monitor grade tonal accuracy
- Reduce the perceived coloration to zero level
- Further improve the crossover network design and component performance for greater vocal articulation and improved off axis power uniformity
- Raise transparency and low level resolution
- Improve aesthetics.
The development process was painstaking and in some cases, frustratingly protracted. However, we knew that the AE1 MkIII had to be comprehensively superior to the original and set a world class standard in its category for years to come - again!
Please judge for yourself whether we have succeeded in achieving our objectives.
