Audio T Verdict
The Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE takes a very different approach from the heavily damped, low-sensitivity loudspeakers found elsewhere in the market.
Its high-efficiency drive units, lightly damped birch-plywood cabinet and simple crossover are designed to preserve musical dynamics and make effective use of comparatively low-powered amplification.
Room positioning is an essential part of the design rather than an afterthought. Properly partnered with its dedicated stands and carefully placed near suitable room boundaries, the AN-E/SPe HE can produce remarkable scale, tonal richness and bass extension from a relatively compact two-way enclosure.
Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE High-Efficiency Loudspeakers
The Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE is a high-efficiency, two-way standmount loudspeaker designed for use close to the walls and corners of a real listening room.
It combines an 8-inch high-efficiency hemp-cone bass driver with a 1-inch tweeter, silver voice coils and Audio Note AN-SPe internal silver cabling.
A hardwired internal crossover, birch-plywood cabinet and carefully matched drive units complete a design intended to make the most of both low-powered valve amplifiers and suitably chosen transistor amplification.
What Does AN-E/SPe HE Mean?
The model name identifies the cabinet family, internal cable and efficiency specification.
- AN-E: Audio Note's largest conventional two-way standmount loudspeaker design
- SPe: High-purity Audio Note AN-SPe silver internal speaker cable
- HE: High-efficiency drive units with silver voice coils
Unlike the Signature models, the AN-E/SPe HE uses an internal crossover housed inside each loudspeaker cabinet.
High-Efficiency Driver System
The AN-E/SPe HE has a quoted sensitivity of 97.5dB for 1W at 1 metre, allowing it to produce useful listening levels from amplifiers with comparatively modest power ratings.
High sensitivity is not only about achieving greater volume. It also means that the loudspeaker requires less amplifier output for everyday listening, helping preserve the small changes in level and musical emphasis that contribute to a natural sense of dynamics.
Audio Note recommends a minimum amplifier output of 7W per channel, making the AN-E/SPe HE suitable for carefully matched single-ended and low-powered Class A valve amplifiers.
Eight-Inch Hemp Bass Driver
Low and middle frequencies are reproduced by an 8-inch high-efficiency driver with a hemp-fibre cone, foam surround and silver voice coil.
Audio Note favours naturally damped cone materials rather than extremely rigid materials that can introduce their own resonant character.
The relatively large cone area contributes to the AN-E's sensitivity and allows the loudspeaker to move air efficiently without relying on several smaller drive units and a complicated crossover network.
One-Inch Tweeter with Silver Voice Coil
A 1-inch tweeter handles the upper frequencies and is selected to complement the tonal behaviour of the hemp bass and midrange driver.
The tweeter and bass driver use silver voice coils in the high-efficiency SPe version, while Audio Note's matching process considers both their measured and audible behaviour as a complete pair.
This approach is intended to create a consistent transition between the drivers rather than presenting the treble and midrange as obviously separate parts of the sound.
Dynamically Matched Loudspeaker Pairs
Small manufacturing variations can cause apparently identical drive units to behave differently.
Audio Note therefore dynamically matches the drive units and crossovers used in each pair. The company states that every loudspeaker is compared with a master response curve and matched with its stereo partner to within 0.4dB.
Close pair matching helps maintain stable central images and consistent tonal balance between the left and right channels.
Birch-Plywood Cabinet
The enclosure is made from high-quality birch plywood and finished in book-matched real wood veneer.
Instead of trying to eliminate every cabinet resonance through very heavy bracing and damping, Audio Note applies both selectively. The cabinet is designed to work sympathetically with the drive units rather than behave as an acoustically inert container.
Its broad front baffle and relatively shallow depth are also deliberate. Audio Note uses this shape to support the radiation of the drive units and create wide, even dispersion within the room.
Simple Hardwired Crossover
The AN-E/SPe HE uses a simple, essentially first-order internal crossover with air-cored copper inductors and selected capacitors.
The crossover is hardwired rather than relying on a conventional mass-produced printed circuit board.
Keeping the electrical network relatively simple reduces the number of components placed between the amplifier and drive units, while the crossover values are matched to the individual drivers used in each pair.
AN-SPe Silver Internal Cabling
The internal connections between the input terminals, crossover and drive units use Audio Note AN-SPe high-purity silver speaker cable.
This distinguishes the SPe model from AN-E versions using copper AN-Lexus or AN-D internal wiring.
External speaker cable remains a separate choice and should be selected to suit the amplifier, system and required cable length.
Designed for Boundary and Corner Placement
The rear-ported cabinet has been developed to work close to room boundaries, where nearby walls reinforce its lower-frequency output.
Audio Note recommends beginning with the speakers positioned in the corners or against a solid rear wall. They can then be moved gradually into the room when the bass is too strong or uneven.
This is very different from loudspeakers that require a large amount of open space behind them. Correct positioning should therefore be established through demonstration and careful adjustment within the intended room.
Placement Starting Points
- Begin close to the rear wall or room corners
- Keep both speakers equally placed relative to nearby walls
- Move them forward gradually if the bass is excessive
- Adjust spacing to strengthen the central image
- Experiment with toe-in towards the listening position
System Matching
- High sensitivity of 97.5dB
- Characteristic impedance of 6O
- Minimum suggested amplifier output of 7W per channel
- Suitable for compatible valve and transistor amplifiers
- Demonstration strongly recommended
Dedicated Audio Note AN-E Stands
The AN-E/SPe HE is a standmount loudspeaker and should be supported at the correct height on a rigid, high-mass stand.
The dedicated
Audio Note AN-E Speaker Stands
are designed specifically for the AN-E cabinet and are available separately.
The standard stands measure 295mm high and can be filled with dry sand or suitable metal particles to increase their mass. Adjustable spikes are included, and Audio Note recommends using four small pieces of reusable adhesive material to secure each cabinet to its stand.
Single Wiring, Bi-Wiring and Bi-Amplification
Each loudspeaker has separate terminals for the high-frequency and low-frequency sections of its crossover.
With the terminal links fitted, the AN-E/SPe HE can be used with a conventional single run of speaker cable. Removing the links allows separate cable runs to be used for bi-wiring.
Bi-amplification is also possible with suitable amplification, but the system must be connected correctly and the terminal links removed before the amplifiers are switched on.
Amplifier Matching
The high sensitivity of the AN-E/SPe HE makes it a natural partner for Audio Note's lower-powered valve amplifiers.
The
Audio Note OTO Phono SE
provides approximately 10W per channel, while the
Audio Note Meishu Phono Tonmeister
uses a single-ended 300B design producing approximately 8W per channel.
Those figures fall within Audio Note's published operating range for the speakers. The best amplifier choice will still depend on room size, listening distance, preferred volume and the character of the complete system.
Real Wood Veneer Finishes
The Audio T product options currently include Birds Eye Maple, Indian Rosewood, Olive and Palisander.
Each cabinet is finished in book-matched real wood veneer, so variations in grain, figuring and colour are a natural feature rather than a manufacturing fault.
Natural veneers can also change slightly in colour with age and exposure to daylight. Audio Note offers additional satin, high-gloss and special-order finish choices, subject to current availability and quotation.
Running In
New drive units require a period of use before their suspensions settle fully.
Audio Note suggests that the AN-E may take around 100 hours to run in, although the exact period will vary with programme material and listening level.
During the early stages, the sound may initially seem tighter or less developed before the bass, midrange and treble reach their normal balance.
Key Features
- High-efficiency two-way standmount loudspeakers
- 97.5dB sensitivity for 1W at 1 metre
- Characteristic impedance of 6O
- Eight-inch high-efficiency hemp-cone bass driver
- One-inch tweeter
- Silver voice coils
- Audio Note AN-SPe internal silver cabling
- Hardwired internal crossover
- Copper air-cored crossover inductors
- Dynamically matched drive units and crossovers
- Birch-plywood cabinets
- Book-matched real wood veneers
- Rear-ported boundary-loading design
- Separate high-frequency and low-frequency terminals
- Single-wire, bi-wire and compatible bi-amplifier operation
- Dedicated Audio Note stands available separately
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HE mean?
HE identifies the high-efficiency version, which uses high-efficiency drivers with silver voice coils and has a quoted sensitivity of 97.5dB.
What does SPe mean?
It indicates that Audio Note AN-SPe high-purity silver cable is used internally between the terminals, crossover and drive units.
Can the AN-E/SPe HE work with a low-powered valve amplifier?
Yes. Audio Note recommends a minimum of 7W per channel, subject to room size, listening distance and preferred volume.
Should the speakers be placed away from the walls?
Not necessarily. They are specifically designed to work close to solid room boundaries, with corners or a rear wall providing the recommended starting point.
Are stands included?
No. The dedicated Audio Note AN-E stands are sold separately and are strongly recommended for correct height and support.
Can the speakers be bi-wired?
Yes. Separate high-frequency and low-frequency terminals support single wiring, bi-wiring and compatible bi-amplification.
Are the crossovers external?
No. The AN-E/SPe HE uses internal hardwired crossovers. External crossovers are used on selected Signature models further up the AN-E range.
Will the wood finish look exactly like the website image?
No two pairs are identical because real wood veneer naturally varies in colour, grain and figuring.
Do the speakers need running in?
Yes. Audio Note suggests allowing around 100 hours for the drive-unit suspensions and overall presentation to settle fully.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Experienced Audio Note system specialists
- In-store demonstrations through participating branches
- Valve and transistor amplifier matching
- Room placement and boundary-loading guidance
- Dedicated stand assembly and setup advice
- Single-wire and bi-wire cable recommendations
- Help choosing from current veneer and finish options
- Home demonstration and installation support where available
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange a demonstration or discuss amplifier matching, finishes and room placement for the Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE.