The Aegis Story

  The entire Aegis lineup of loudspeakers represents an exceptional value.  Rather than explaining a little about each model (you can get that info at AE's UK web site), we thought it would be more informative to focus on one piece, the Aegis One.  It was, after all, the Aegis One that started it all.   Once you understand the One, you'll understand the entire Aegis value proposition.

   The Aegis One Review will take you through the very same learning process that AE went through when they first introduced to the Aegis series of loudspeakers.  We can tell you right now, you won't believe us.  You'll read the reviews and think that it all just sounds too good to be true.  We felt the same way.  So, we started looking into how did they do it? Our findings summarized in The Aegis Story which takes you through the process of designing and building a killer $299 a pair speaker.  After you've read both pieces, all that's left is to hear it for yourself.  Just in case you want a third opinion (ours, yours, and Stereophile's), here's what John Atkinson had to say:

    One of high-end audio's elder statesmen, Richard Vandersteen, told me a while back that the only loudspeaker manufacturers who would thrive in the new century would be those whose designs offered much more performance than the average at their price points.  By that yardstick, and if the Aegis One is anything to go by, Acoustic Energy has a rosy future ahead of it.  If I hadn't known if costs just $299/pair when I first heard it, I would have estimated its price as at least twice that.  Its problems are minor, its virtues many... the Aegis One is an astonishing value.  Highly recommended.

AEGIS EVO 1
The AEGIS EVO One is a powerful yet compact, bass reflex ported,
2-way loudspeaker perfect for the smaller room environment and recommended for use on bookshelves or rigid speaker stands. Based on the original award winning AEGIS One, this 'Evolution' model now boasts a host of improvements to ensure this class leading monitor retains its market status.

AE Launches Aesprit

Building on the success of the original AE1 monitor at the top of the market and the entry-level Aegis Series, Acoustic Energy is poised to take on the middle ground with the launch of the Aesprit series.  Coming in at about double the price of Aegis, this new series incorporates new high-performance drivers, and elegant real wood finishes.  Initially available in a light Cherry and Black Ash, these new speakers are expected to be available in mid 2001.
 

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Stereophile Flips Over the Acoustic Energy Aego System

When Stereophile's Michael Fremer first saw the Acoustic Energy Aego 2, he didn't expect much.  After all, head-on the two satellites are slightly smaller than an audio cassette!  Once he heard them it was a whole 'nother story.

"I’ve heard dozens of systems like this, and was quite prepared for the usual vague, wimpy sound… But what poured fourth was what I would have to call high-end audio... way superior to any other small sub-sat system I’d heard. …absolutely stunning, detailed, and believable… the system astounded me. You’ll know you’re listening to something special when you hear it." Michael Fremer, Stereophile Magazine, March 2001

"Cute, cute, cute; when I first heard 'em I thought, "Where are the real speakers?!  ...fabulous sounding and cheap, too; $599 retail, and sure to be a huge hit."  Jonathan Scull, Stereophile Magazine

For more information on the Aego, hop over to our special Aego web site, www.aegoproject.org.
 

Acoustic Energy AE1 becomes a "Classic"

Acoustic Energy recently announced plans to build an entirely new Reference range in 2002.  In preparation for this they have retired several models including the AE2 and AE5.

The good news for all of us AE1 lovers, is that the AE realized that AE1 filled a unique niche - offering true studio monitor performance in an ultra small form factor and they've decided to keep it around indefinitely as a "classic" part of the Reference Series.

For more information on the AE1 and AE1 Signature we recommend the follow review from Hi-Fi News & Record Review:

Renewed Energy - Hi Fi News & Record Review