Acoustic Energy AE300² Speaker Review – High-End Innovation Meets Affordable Excellence
The Acoustic Energy AE300² Speaker brings high-performance audio to a more accessible price point by leveraging technology from the British brand’s flagship Corinium model. Priced at just £699 / AUD $1,580, this compact standmount speaker features a slew of trickle-down innovations, including a revised 120mm mid/bass driver crafted from a unique blend of paper and coconut fiber. This material choice enhances resonance control for smoother mids and tighter bass. Paired with a new 29mm fabric dome tweeter, the AE300² delivers clear yet non-fatiguing highs, creating a dynamic, well-integrated sound ideal for modern listening spaces.
Inside, the speaker sports a redesigned crossover network that optimizes performance across the frequency spectrum, ensuring excellent tonal balance and timing. Housed in Acoustic Energy’s proprietary RSC (Resonance Suppression Composite) cabinets, the AE300² offers a level of sonic refinement rarely seen at this price. During our listening tests, it delivered an impressively open soundstage with remarkable detail retrieval, especially excelling in genres like pop, indie rock, and electronica. While it slightly trails in bass depth compared to larger rivals, the AE300²’s agility, neutrality, and musicality more than make up for it.
This two-way loudspeaker isn’t just a budget option—it’s a full-fledged hi-fi contender. Whether you’re upgrading your desktop setup or building a serious system on a modest budget, the Acoustic Energy AE300² Speaker deserves an audition. Its performance earned it a coveted StereoNET Applause Award, joining the ranks of the best affordable speakers on the market. Read more about Acoustic Energy’s innovative technology in this external article from What Hi-Fi, or explore other high-performance speaker reviews on our site for more standout audio gear.