Yesterday afternoon and into the evening, we were proud—and indeed somewhat privileged—to host the world premier of the final production version of the brand-new Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary loudspeakers.

The Legend Continues

The event was organised into six forty-five-minute sessions, giving plenty of opportunities to hear the new loudspeakers and chat with the Acoustic Energy team: Mat Spandl (Managing Director & Designer) and James Luce (Creative Director).

So It Begins

Mat and James brought along their own Rega Aethos amplifier, the very amp the AE1s were designed around—and one of our personal favourites in the shop. As sources, we chose the Rega Planar 10 turntable and the Rega Saturn CD player, just in case anyone fancied spinning those old-fashioned CDs!

The new AE1s were perched upon a pair of original heavy-duty Acoustic Energy stands, once manufactured for the very first AE1 model. These stands are now quite sought-after and collectable, adding a touch of nostalgia to the occasion.

Things kicked off earlier than expected when an eager attendee arrived with a boxed pair of original AE1s, keen to compare them side by side with the new model. Naturally, we obliged—setting up for a direct shootout.

An Impressive Demo

Demo favourites included Lump’s debut LP, London Grammar’s first album, and the timeless Mezzanine by Massive Attack. I’ll admit, when we first played the old AE1s, I was slightly concerned—they still sounded rather good! But relief quickly followed when we switched to the new 40th Anniversary model.

The sound instantly became sweeter and more open. Most striking was the quality and depth of the bass—already respectable on the originals but now genuinely impressive for such compact cabinets. The new AE1s combine detail, speed, dynamic drive, and exceptional bass extension in a space-saving design that we believe will prove very popular.

A Look Back

I’ve already written a previous blog that dives into the technical specifications of the new AE1 40th Anniversary loudspeakers. If you’d like to read more detail, you can find it here (saves me repeating myself!).

It Was Acceptable in the ’80s

As the original AE1s launched in the 1980s, Mat and James brought along a selection of albums from the decade: Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, INXS, Billy Idol, Roxy Music, Tracy Chapman, and of course, the ubiquitous Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.

All of them sounded glorious through the new AE1s. Some attendees even stayed on for a second session—not just because of the music, but thanks to Mat and James’ passion and infectious enthusiasm for all things Acoustic Energy and Hi-Fi.

A Big Thankyou

The premier was both well-attended and great fun. We’d like to thank everyone who joined us and helped make the day so memorable. We’re confident the Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary loudspeakers are destined to be a huge success, just like the originals were 40 years ago.

And yes—the pizzas afterwards were delicious. Thanks, Duncan (hope you kept the receipt!).

Thanks for reading. If you’d like to book your own demo of these little marvels, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham.

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World Exclusive: Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary Loudspeaker Premier at Audio T Cheltenham