A British Hi-Fi Maker’s New Loudspeakers Promise Supreme Sound for Less

Acoustic Energy is a British loudspeaker maker best known for its legendary AE1 bookshelf speakers, which were originally released in 1987 and are well-regarded for their dynamic and wide sound, at a relatively affordable price. (The company now sells an active version of these speakers: the AE1 Active.)

Today, the company sells a variety of loudspeakers — ranging from its entry-level 100 series (which start at a few hundred bucks) to its reference-grade 500 series and Corinium lines (which can cost upwards of eight grand) — and they all share a similar ethos, promising great sound for less.

Earlier this year, Acoustic Energy released the next generation of its mid-range 300 Series of loudspeakers, which have been “completely redesigned” and harness technologies from its higher-end loudspeaker lines. According to the brand, the new 300 Series deliver “unprecedented levels of performance and value.”

As of today, the entire line is now available … including its range-topping floorstanding speakers.

Acoustic Energy 300 Series Loudspeakers (2025)

Acoustic Energy

Brand new acoustics

Acoustic Energy released its original 300 Series back in 2018 — they promised a middle ground between the company’s entry-level 100 Series and reference 500 Series.

Its new 300 Series has a completely new acoustic and aesthetic design. In fact, the brand claims not a single component from the original 300 Series to the new 300 Series has been shared.

Each of the loudspeakers in the new 300 Series sports an all-new mid-woofer which is crafted with a paper-and-coconut-husk blend. According to the brand, the new mid-woofer “delivers a smooth, natural and refined response, embodying warmth and clarity while retaining the punch and pace of our old aluminium cone.”

Acoustic Energy

Borrowed high-end tech

In addition to the new mid-woofer, each 300 Series loudspeaker also features a new soft-dome tweeter that was derived from its Corinium project — AE’s three-year process of developing its highest-end Corinium floorstanding speakers.

According to the brand, this tweeter delivers “open, delicate and natural high frequencies” that tonally match with the new mid-woofer.

Additionally, each 300 Series loudspeaker’s cabinet construction features the company’s RSC (Resonance Suppression Composite) technology. This is the same advanced tech featured in its high-end 500 series and promises to significantly reduce vibrations and distortion.

Acoustic Energy

The four loudspeakers

AE’s new 300 Series consists of four different loudspeaker models. There’s the AE300² stand-mount loudspeakers, along with two floorstanding loudspeakers, the three-way AE309² and four-way AE320². And finally, there’s the AE307² center-channel loudspeaker for those building out a home theater system.

All the new 300 Series loudspeakers will come in a matte finish — which is an easy way to tell the difference from the original 300 Series, all of which had a high-gloss finish. They will be available in walnut, black or white.

The redesigned 300 Series loudspeakers — all models except the largest floorstanders, the AE320² — have been available in the UK since February. However, as of June 2025, the AE320² are now available.

The models range from $1,099 (AE300² stand-mounts) to $3,199 (four-way AE320² floorstanders).

Acoustic Energy

Acoustic Energy AE300²

• $1,099 at The Listening Room

Acoustic Energy

Acoustic Energy AE320²

• $3,199 at The Listening Room

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