Acoustic Energy AE500 Speakers Review BETTER THAN KEF Buchardt ATC Amphion??
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2024
- This is my video review of the Acoustic Energy AE500 Stand Mount HiFi Speakers and in this video I will be comparing them to the Amphion Argon1 ATC SCM11 Buchardt Audio S300 MK2 SE HiFi and KEF LS50 Meta hifi speakers as part of a Standmount HiFi Speaker Group Mega-Test. This is the fifth speaker review in the group test of about 10 different speakers.
For more information see the company website here www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/pro...
For the review of the Amphion Argon1 see here • Amphion ARGON1 Speaker...
For the review of the ATC SCM11 see here • ATC SCM11 HiFi Speaker...
For the Sound Comparison between the Argon1 and SCM11 see here
For the review of the Buchardt S300 MK2 SE see here • Buchardt S300 MK2 SE H...
For more information and to buy the S300 MK2 SE see the Buchardt Audio Website here
For the review of the KEF see here • KEF LS50 META HiFi Spe...
To buy the LS50 Meta from Amazon please see geni.us/lFrsc
For the Sound Comparison Video between the KEF LS50 Meta and Buchardt S300 Mk2 SE see here • KEF LS50 META vs BUCHA...
This is not an ordinary review this is the start of a speaker review group MEGA-TEST where I will be comparing a whole host of under £1300 stand mount HiFi speakers to try and help you decide which is the best for you and to obviously see which is the best. Will the KEF LS50 META be the best in class when its is up against such stiff competition from ATC, Buchardt, Ophidian, Neat Acoustics, Sonus Faber, Dyn Audio, SVS, Acoustic Energy, Amphion and more!!!
Its going to be quite the speaker group test so make sure you subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you dont miss any of these comparison reviews
My Last speaker group test can be found here • DECIDED BEST AFFORDABL...
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:47 The AE500
4:03 Setup & Measurements
7:31 Sound Quality
13:55 Final Thoughts
Thanks for watching - Terry Ellis Pursuit Perfect System
#AcousticEnergy #hifispeakerreview #besthifispeaker2021
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DONT FORGET to check out my SOUND DEMO & COMPARSION for the AE500 vs Neat Acoustics Motive SX3 czcams.com/video/dFPT2k3z5ig/video.html
it is blocked from being viewed
@@markandisobel oh no i hope not youtube changes this all the time
Thank you for this accurate and thorough review, I shortlisted these speakers as part of a group audition and chose them above the competition as they are great all rounders, look beautiful but, most importantly to me, deliver electronic music with outstanding energy and a fast response, together with beautiful vocals. They really add the emotion to music, I find them a joy. Paired with Cambridge Audio CXNv2 and AXA60.
I was thinking to get these, absolutely love the design, but I couldn’t find much info on them so I went with Dynaudio Special 40 instead.
Great review!
Great series of reviews. Thank you On the strength of this I've ordered these speakers today.
Wow great i hope you like them
Another thoroughly excellent review, well editted and a considered viewpoint. Thanks for doing this so well xD
Ive always admired Accoustic Energy's designs, though ive not had the pleasure of owning any, and I'm liking your description of their strengths. Ive recently invested in some floorstanders (evo 4.4's), but if I were looking at stand mounters i know I'd be highly tempted by these.
I look forward to the next one xD
I used to own a pair of AE109 floorstanders. I loved them. They made good money when I sold them too, about 150 quid less than I paid 15 years previously.
Your review peaks my interest in these ae500's. Carbon fiber tweeter and handsom to boot. Will be interesting to hear your demo and comparison with the inverted soft dome tweeter design up next, and the other varied and interesting designs in the test.
They look extremely well designed, always liked A/E
Thanks for the review.
Terry you are without a doubt one of the very best reviewers on youtube, you and guttenberg, plus your videoes Are very high quality. Thanks
Thanks very much Benjamin very kind of you to comment like that, I really appreciate it
@@PursuitPerfectSystem you Are welcome.
I have the ae500. I love their musicality. The bass response is also surprisingly impressive. They have a good sensitivity as well but not overly so. I would agree that they a great all-rounder with exceptional vocal response. In my system Tube driven amp and DAC they are perfect and well matched for me.
Do you mind sharing your components your using with the speakers?
@@erikhansen3159 My self use an Advance acoustics X-i75 and QED speaker cables.
Loving your reviews. Apart from the fact you are reviewing some of the very best in this price range , but also the way that you review. With your enthusiasm and interest. Thank you sir. P s my top priority is voice presentation plus small speakers. With that in mind would these be the best at this price point. ?
Hi Terry, excellent reviews, excellent music. You are the best. Warm greetings to you from cold Russia
Back in the 80's at Bristol they had AE that were heavy and very small, certainly went low and very loud. Wish I purchased some at the time. Ruark had Accolades which were monitors for the group Yello. They sounded great, details and very open.
The best looking speaker so far! Traditionally modern….🤔
Brilliant speakers . Love the sound and style
I was so impressed when I auditioned AE 500 last Dec but because I already have Tannoy and Wharfdale towers, plus standmount Focal, Elac, Opticon 2 and recently Linton, I was hesitant to buy it but after watching your review on AE 500 several times, I can't resist not to buy it and today, I'll pick up my AE500 at 5th Avenue Electronic here in Metro Manila. Thanks for your expert review.
Nice can never have too many speakers haha
How did you like your AE500 in comparison to your Lintons? They are exactly the same price in Canada.
keep us posted man, how do you like them
I bought these 18 months ago as a stopgap til budget allowed for something more aligned to my kit (Naim NDX2, SN2, HCDR). Well I have the budget now and yet the AE500s are still here. Such a clean, balanced sound with the right amount of energy. Brilliant speakers at a crazy low (relatively speaking) price
Thanks for a another great review... *twothumbsup*
Judging by the backplate this is another Chinese manufactured speaker joining the Buchardt and Kef accounting for the difference in price compared with the ATC and Amphion speakers. Looking forward to the other forthcoming reviews. Daniel
Excellent review. You capture the essence of them very well. I'm a Canadian dealer (Everest Audio) for Acoustic Energy and am thoroughly impressed by this speaker. I used to also carry ATC as well. The ATC SCM11 is an impressive speaker for sure. There is indeed a directness with the ATC that many will appreciate and something I really liked about living longer term with both the SCM19 and SCM40, but personally, I'd choose the AE500. I just feel like they're the better all-rounder. If used on their own, depending on room and personal preferences, I can see many being happy without a sub using the AE500. With the ATC SCM11, I feel I'd want a sub for sure. And there's something about the cohesiveness of both drivers being made from the same material. And, they're stunning in the piano black finish as well!
Hello Neil. How would you compare the sound of the AE500 (with good matching amplification) with the sound of the Acoustic Energy AE1 Active? And thanks Terry for the best speaker shootout of all time! Looks like youtubers get more views by reviewing the latest hot product but your approach is sooooooo more helpful for me.
@@CC-bg8gf I like the AE1 and they provide outstanding value, but I personally find the AE500 with good amplification to reach a level of refinement the AE1 can't match. Of course, that comes at a much higher price.
@@neilgelowitz4737 what kind of amp you recommend? Can I use the AE500 with a Nad C700?
@@patrickf.7025 I don't have experience with the NAD C700, but based on specs, it might be a little light on power. Despite the small size, the AE500 like power to really hear what they can do. We often pair them with the Hegel H190. This may sound like a mismatch as the Hegel is much more money, but it's a wonderful combination.
@@neilgelowitz4737 thx for your help ;)
Thank you for this review! I'm in the US, these look to be a little more expensive, but worth it. There is a whole generation of us from the 2010's with elac/svs/kef/polk/rsl looking to step up into the $1k-$2k range, and I think you captured potential options really well with this 2021 series.
Thanks Dale, that was the intention
Update: I did buy the AE500's, and this review is spot on in terms of describing the speaker characteristics.
@@dalemansukh I own a pair of LS50 Metas at the moment, and I'm contemplating either the Q Acoustics Concept 30, or Acoustic Energy 500's to satisfy the itch for another set for my collection lol. How do you like the AE500's?
@@jaybirdius I am really falling in love with the AE500's...Has an intoxicating quality to the midrange, and the driver is FAST, great texture to sounds. I heard the first edition LS50's some time back, and to me the AE500's are just as clear. Only trouble I've had so far is sub integration; I think I need a faster sub than the SVS SB12-NSD.
@@dalemansukh awesome, that's good to know! For subs, check out the Rythmik F12, or for lower budget, the RSL Speedwoofer 10s. Rythmik subs use servo technology, which is exactly what you want for that "quick" bass attack. REL can be good too, but the F12 is probably the best option without spending a ton.
Thanks Terry !
Visually the AE and ATC are the most appealing in my eyes with the Neat Acoustics and Sonus Faber the opposite.
Thanks for this. Where would you place the AE500 compared to the SVS Ultra bookshelfs?
Outside my personal budget but for those who have around £1K + should certainly aim to audition both with their choice of music 🎶
I bought these 9 months ago and l just cracked them open. Superlatives abound. To me, they are bright but not overly so. But still burning them in. I also noticed how well they treat female vocals. Very, very SMOOTH, whereas the KEF is forward. I guess it's just a matter of taste.
defo not bright, wont be the speakers causing that
@@PursuitPerfectSystemstill figuring it out. Still burning in
I'm thinking to replace my Quad 21L2 with these, but i'm sceptical about bass extension
I went back to my dealer to listen to these small speakers driven by a £2k Marantz 40n. We sourced the music from a Linn LP12 and a £3k Marantz CD deck. We tried with and without a REL in a largish room. Didn’t really need the sub.
Absolutely brilliant speakers for classical, large scale choirs and solo instruments.
I’m a violinist whose played in orchestras and a choir master who has sang in all scales from Verdi Requiem to 30 person groups for 50yrs.
AE 500s are superb. Elina Garanca’s (world’s best Mezzo Soprano) singing was pure magic..so realistic I could feel myself tearing up listening to her Romantique CD.
A key point is the carbon fibre drivers need at least 50hrs to settle in. Did your review sample have this running in period?
Anyway, I play and love classical music and these little beauties hit the sweet spot. More of the musical sound and less of the ‘hi-fi’ spec stuff for me.
The dealer is coming to install and tune with my pair of RELs as a stereo pair (organ music is another passion).
A major influence is the right stands and the SolidSteel SS-6 a worthy pairing to get the best from these speakers. I think you use the Atacama stands which are Not as stable and have a colouration impact. Try the crazy expensive Solidsteel’s as they are a revelation. I cannot believe the difference these stands can make.
Interesting comments. I'm going to try a pair of these. I love classical but also listen to a lot rock and jazz (Ella, Billie Holliday, Brazilian bossa nova). How would you say they perform with these genres?
@@robertmarshall7712 now I have had them a week I’m in the breaking in stage. Audio T my dealer spent about 2 hrs with me tuning the speakers, the stand location and the RELs in stereo configuration to my room. The results are brilliant. The RELs add depth but are more for AV and organ music as well. On classic rock the 500s are brilliant and getting better by the day. One of the tracks he used to set up was a full hires track by Bob Dylan called Man in the Long Black Coat from the album called Oh Mercy. I’ve tried it since (Apple HiRes lossless digital master) and the imaging is superb, as is the track. Just listening to Beethoven Piano Sonata 21 by Ashkenazy on Decca. A CD from 1990. Close your eyes and he’s in the room. The stands are rock solid and lock the soundstage in.
@@robertmarshall7712 so to complete my answer I just listened to the 2002 remix/clean up of Billy H. I’ll be seeing you. Then I streamed Ella They can’t take that away from me with Louis playing along. Given the constraints of the original media…the speakers sing….with or without the subs. As for dream a little dream…Subs lifted the strummed bass a bit.
Louis voice is also brilliant on these tracks…you’re taking me back to when I used to visit my aunt’s in the early 1960s when I was a kid she used to dance with my late uncle. She’s still alive a lives in a nursing home nearby - 96 now….
Classy music…
I just noticed that so far only the ATC is biwirable. There is a decades long debate over how much biwiring helps, if at all, so there is no need to rehash that now. :) But it does seem to indicate that many manufacturers aren't committed to it, at least not for bookshelf speakers.
I used bi-wire cable from my Exposure amp to KEF speakers and IMHO all it adds is extra current carrying. It look impressive but it's a pain to connect at both ends and I think the extra connection introduce more problems than benefits.
Hello and thank you for your rewews.
What is the tonal difference of the ae 300 and 500 ?
I really like the look of these AE500's and are for me the best looking so far. Even though you say that they could stand alone without a sub woofer, would you suggest adding a sub for that extra grunt in the bass? Would a sub help give them a better all round presentation? It seems that the AE500's are up there with the Amphion's sound. Another great review Terry and looking forward to hearing the demo. Thanks for sharing.
In my opinion, they're not lacking grunt in the frequencies they reproduce. If you want further bass extension, then a sub will definitely add. Most speakers, even very expensive ones will benefit from a sub.
@@neilgelowitz4737 it seems that a sub will refine bass for all speakers, which makes sense because that is what they are designed to do. I'm interested in adding two small REL subs to my system and using stand mount speakers to improve sound. I have KEF q55.2 floorstanders at the minute.
I’m using 2 x REL T5i’s with my AE500s. Certainly not essential, and are barely dialled in, but does make a difference. I have a strange room in which floorstanders fail with boomy bass. The AE+REL combo works beautifully tho.
Im considering the AE 500 to replace my AElite2. but not heard the 500 yet.
I have a pair of Scansonic MB5B'S. From what you have described, the AE 500's sound closest to my speakers. I believe you have heard the Scansonic's before? What were your thoughts?
They look really slick for like a living room or like a civilized house :3
What do you think of the AE-1 Classic compared to the AE500?
would the AE500 be a good match for my Audiolab 6000A and CDT, I was also considering the Buchardt S300 Mk2 (though they seem hard to get hold of), also considering the new model Mission 700, I currently have some relatively oldschool B&W 602 S3's. thanks
Yes very much so that would be a nice system AE500 with the 6000 gear
how is the cambridge cxa81 with this speaker:)??
Can one enjoy rock music in a big way with these; or is Evoke 20 a better choice for rock ?
How are they for quiet listening? I live in an apartment and listen at modest volumes in a small room.
what is the best amp to match ae500?
I have a pair :-)
nice
Hi. I’m debating a new amp and AE500 or a preamp with AE1 actives. How would you describe the difference in sound signature between the AE500 and current AE1? Thank you.
I haven’t heard the AE1 I would say email acoustic energy and see what they suggest as the difference.
thanks for the speedy reply!
How picky are they when it comes to distance to the back wall? Would 1 foot / 30cm suffice to avoid boomy bass?
Thanks for the review btw!
Placing speakers near a wall is not what causes boomy bass FWIW
@@PursuitPerfectSystem most probably you are right - I still made the experience that front ported speakers play well with my room but rear ported ones don't. So the question still remains: will these sound good approx 30-35cm from the back wall as compared to being farther away?
@@georgedomse I can't answer that mate bass reponse is dictated by room dimensions speaker and seating position more than where the port is.
Only you know your listening room and the only way to know is try
You can adjust the listening position. If you sit on the wall behind the room, there will be a lot of bass. But if you sit near the middle of the room, the bass won't be able to boom. In fact, the smaller size of the bass driver near the flap is fun. But if you want a wide sound stage, I use the 300 model. more than 1 meter behind With a room that is 3.8 meters long, that is when the most realism is needed. But in the end, it depends on the size of the room. and the need to listen at that time
This is an example with a new house for less than a month. czcams.com/video/_LVmMjRaYaE/video.html
Have u had the opportunity to listen to the Acoustic Energy’s AE1 Actives?
Not yet I havent sorry
Hi Terry, you used Dirac for these speakers and mentioned that it worsened the sound. Will that also be the case when I adjust treble or bass with tone controls on Amp or Streamer app?
Dirac won’t ever worsen the sound it’s only how I would have used it, sorry I don’t remember this it was a few years ago. Adjusting bass or treble with tone controls to your preference can’t possibly make the sound worse to you only better, if its not better turn it off
@@PursuitPerfectSystemyou are very fast :)
Measurements showed quite a high peak around 20khz. But AE said it contributed to the good sound overall. You tested that by rolling of the treble with Dirac Live and it proved AE was right, because with your adjustment 'it killed the liveliness and energy and a bit of verve' as you described it.
As my left ear is very sensitive, I might need tone controls. But now I am worried that it might affect the overall sound, because of what you tested.
Greets from Holland.
@@cmessi yeah these days I would just not correct in that region anyway as it’s very high and hard to get right. I have learnt a lot about calibrating since I made this vid
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thank you. This also applies to the bass region? Or less?
of course yes its the same
I currently have Wharfedale Evo 4.2 paired with CXA 81. A beautifull looking speaker that sounds great but is just a little bit too laid back for my personal tastes. The AE500 looks like its related to the Evo range and based on Terry's review, could be the worthy replacement that I am looking for. Does anyone have the AE500 paired with a CXA 81?
Not sure sorry, I would also take a listen to the Evoke 10 as well as it has some of what you like about the evo and the buchardt s300 would.be worth considering too. You can't go wrong with the ae500 of course they are spot on
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Is this finish the American Walnut? It looks a bit different then the photos on the AE site
Different light and colour grade will do that. Mine might not be 100% accurate
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks, yes it's hard to know as the finishes seem to look lighter then stock photos. Thanks for the great insightful review!
Would you recommend the AE500 or the LS50 META for a small room on floor stands? I like a very detailed and crisp sound; if having a pair of HD 800S headphones as my main pair gives you any clue as to how important that is to me.
Hi Logan, I think sensible advice as always is listen to both but I think from what you have said you will prefer the KEF
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks for the info! KEF will be easier to buy and return if I dont enjoy them (Amazon) anyways. Good to know what someone who has had the ability to listen has to say on the matter.
@@Loganvbills if your buying from amazon would you please use my amazon link as I will get a tiny kick back from that the price and everything is the same for you, it helps me out a little
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Sure! It wont be for a couple months, but I'll remember to use your link!
@@Loganvbills thank you very much I really appreciate the support. It all helps, much more than I think people realise so thanks again I appreciate it
Please include listening to the speaker, obviously the important part of any speaker review?
Back when I did these reviews I did sound demo videos separately but some of them CZcams had taken down due to copyright music restrictions so if you can’t find one that is why
how is the cambridge cxa81 with this speaker
Maybe too bright.
Do you not get resonance from all the other speakers in your room?
Probably yes no situation is perfect
Yo quiero un par donde lo consigo
Of course better than KEF.
I am really have a hard time beliving that you heard anything in the 20K region... most people cant hear above 16K over the age of 25... and adults above 18 cant hear above 17.4K. Also could you smooth out your results, we dont hear sounds with jaggies... you can smooth it psychoacoustically or at 1/3 per octave it will make the data easier to read.
That is what I thought as well but I could hear something with the sweep that could only be that region of the treble based on the measurment
AE500 vs KEF R3?
Vs R3 Meta.
0:36 WTF was that chuckle about, LOL.
Sorry mate, you did not hear that 20kHZ peak as a chirp. That chirp was much further down the range and after that you heard nothing. A visit to your audiologist will confirm that.
I had my ears tested last year and it confirmed what I already knew - audio reviewers have golden ears - I posted the results in the community page I was so proud and relieved
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Can't see where it shows you could hear to 20K..I see a 10db drop already at 12.5K and then nothing. Not bad for your age, mate but my comment still stands. Almost no adults can hear to 20K, sorry to break the news to you but that's nature. You want to believe you're supernatural, be my guest, just don't expect us to believe it. If you also want to believe that you're the only person alive that can judge frequency response by listening to a measurement sweep, be my guest too.
Bla bla bla pero en ningún lugar se los puede escuchar
Maybe you need to just have a little look czcams.com/video/dFPT2k3z5ig/video.html No other channel does sound demos better than me
are any or all these made in china? anyone happen to know which are not made in china shown in this video and any others of the caliber, I've been on a seemingly never-ending search for quality made speaking with no ties to china, I really like the Buchardt brand but it seems even those are manufactured in china, I really miss that days when American owned brands were made here, any input would be greatly appreciated
Yeah, I can't find a single speaker that's not made in a country that doesn't have a history of racism or sexism or violence, past or present, nor any speakers that are made in a country who has an economy that is not standing on the shoulders of slavery and the oppressed. Then,as now, the worker works and the bosses boss. We are a single human race divided by politics and geography, the best we can do is help each other and not let the bullies win. Let the music flow. xoxox