Daniel J SaitAcoustic Energy has announced the launch of the AE Active, a new and improved version of its award-winning AE1 Active loudspeaker, featuring acoustic and aesthetic upgrades for 2026.
Building on almost four decades of loudspeaker development, the AE Active combines the company’s established engineering expertise with the convenience sought by modern hi-fi enthusiasts. The compact, self-powered speaker system removes the need for external amplification while aiming to maintain the performance characteristics associated with the Acoustic Energy brand.
The AE Active is a fully active, two-way stand-mount loudspeaker featuring integrated Class A/B amplification with dedicated amplification for each driver. This bi-amped design delivers enhanced clarity, dynamic headroom and precise driver control, says the company.
A key development is the inclusion of Acoustic Energy’s new pure-piston ceramic/aluminium cone mid-bass driver, first introduced in the AE1 40th Anniversary model. The driver is designed to minimise distortion and eliminate cone flex. It works alongside a precision-engineered aluminium dome tweeter featuring the company’s proprietary Wide Dispersion Technology (WDT), which is designed to create a wider soundstage with increased accuracy and detail.
The AE Active retains a fully analogue signal path, avoiding DSP and digital processing to preserve audio integrity. Each speaker houses upgraded dual 50W Class A/B amplifiers powered by high-quality linear power supplies. New for this latest version is an auto on/off function, a feature requested by users of the original AE1 Active.
Connectivity options include balanced XLR and RCA inputs, allowing integration with a variety of source components including DACs, preamplifiers and high-resolution streamers. Adjustable bass and treble controls also provide users with the ability to tailor performance to room acoustics and speaker placement.
Mat Spandl, Managing Director, Acoustic Energy, says, “The AE Active represents our commitment to delivering true high-fidelity performance without unnecessary complexity. 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.”
Available in Walnut Satin Wood Veneer, High Gloss Black and High Gloss White finishes, the AE Active is designed for both home audio systems and studio monitoring applications.
The AE Active will be available from authorised Acoustic Energy retailers worldwide from July, with a UK SRP of £1,250 per pair.