Announcing the NEW AE Active
Acoustic Energy is proud to announce the launch of the AE Active – a new and improved version of the well-established, award-winning AE1 Active loudspeaker, updated and upgraded for 2026… both acoustically and aesthetically.
Building on nearly four decades of loudspeaker innovation, the new AE Active combines the brand’s heritage of precision engineering with the convenience demanded by today’s hi‑fi enthusiasts. The result is a compact, self‑powered speaker system that removes the need for external amplification while preserving the musicality and accuracy that define Acoustic Energy products.
At its core, the AE Active is a fully active, two‑way stand-mount loudspeaker featuring integrated Class A/B amplification and dedicated amplification for each driver. This bi‑amped configuration ensures optimal performance, delivering exceptional clarity, dynamic headroom and precise driver control.
The system also incorporates Acoustic Energy’s NEW signature pure-piston ceramic/aluminium cone for the mid-bass driver. This was recently developed for the AE1 40th Anniversary model and engineered to minimise distortion and eliminate cone flex. Working alongside a precision‑engineered aluminium dome tweeter enhanced by proprietary Wide Dispersion Technology (WDT), both technologies offer a wide, immersive soundstage with outstanding accuracy and detail.
Designed with purity in mind, the AE Active features a fully analogue signal path, avoiding DSP and digital processing to preserve audio integrity. Each speaker houses upgraded dual 50‑watt Class A/B amplifiers powered by high‑quality linear power supplies, ensuring consistent, low‑noise performance across the frequency range. NEW for the AE Active update is a convenient auto on/off switch, much requested by users of the original AE1 Active.
Flexibility is central to the AE Active design, with both balanced XLR and RCA inputs allowing seamless connection to a wide range of source devices including DACs, preamps and high‑resolution streamers. Adjustable bass and treble controls enable fine tuning to suit room acoustics and placement, offering greater control over the listening experience.
“The AE Active represents our commitment to delivering true high‑fidelity performance without unnecessary complexity,” said Mat Spandl, MD at Acoustic Energy. “By focusing on analogue design principles and integrating amplification directly within the speaker, we’ve created an updated system that offers even better high-quality audio performance with modern convenience.”
With its compact footprint, refined cabinet design and premium finishes, the AE Active is equally suited to home audio systems and studio monitoring environments. Its combination of performance, versatility and simplicity reflects Acoustic Energy’s ongoing mission: to bring music to life with precision and authenticity.
Available in Walnut Satin Wood Veneer, High Gloss Black or High Gloss White finishes, all at a UK SRP of £1,250 per pair.
