Audio T Verdict
The Acoustic Energy AE307² is a genuinely versatile LCR speaker rather than a conventional centre channel that can only be placed horizontally beneath a television.
Its slim sealed cabinet can be installed vertically or horizontally, while the passive radiator helps it deliver useful bass without needing clearance for a reflex port. That makes it particularly practical for wall-mounted television and Home Cinema systems.
The paper and coconut-fibre driver, soft-dome tweeter and heavily damped RSC cabinet also give it the refinement required to partner the rest of Acoustic Energy's redesigned 300 Series.
Acoustic Energy AE307² LCR Speaker
The Acoustic Energy AE307² is a passive two-way LCR loudspeaker designed for left, centre or right-channel use in stereo and Home Cinema systems.
Its shallow sealed cabinet can be mounted vertically or horizontally, positioned on suitable furniture or partnered with the optional angled desk stand.
It combines a 120mm paper and coconut-fibre mid/bass driver, matching passive radiator and 29mm fabric-dome tweeter within an 18mm RSC constrained-layer enclosure.
Sold Individually
The price shown is for one Acoustic Energy AE307² speaker.
Order two for a stereo pair or left and right channels, or three to create a matching front LCR speaker system.
Versatile Left, Centre and Right Speaker
LCR stands for left, centre and right, reflecting the AE307²'s ability to perform any of the three main front-channel roles.
Centre-Channel Use
- Position horizontally beneath or above a screen
- Keeps dialogue focused on the picture
- Suitable for shelf or wall installation
- Wide dispersion supports several listening seats
Left and Right Use
- Install vertically beside a television
- Use as a compact stereo pair
- Create three identical front channels
- Avoids conventional floor stands where space is limited
120mm Paper and Coconut-Fibre Driver
The active mid/bass driver uses a paper cone reinforced with coconut fibres.
Paper provides relatively low moving mass and natural damping, while the additional fibres improve stiffness and help control unwanted cone breakup.
An extended copper pole shield within the motor structure is used to reduce midrange distortion, while a non-conductive voice-coil former supports bass extension and dynamic range.
Passive Radiator Bass System
The second visible 120mm cone is a passive radiator rather than another electrically driven mid/bass unit.
It responds to pressure changes inside the sealed cabinet and reinforces the speaker's lower-frequency output without requiring a conventional reflex port.
This helps the AE307² achieve a specified response down to 45Hz while retaining a cabinet depth of only 125mm.
One Active Driver and One Passive Radiator
The AE307² is a two-way loudspeaker. One 120mm cone reproduces the midrange and bass, while the second operates passively to extend low-frequency performance.
29mm Fabric-Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 29mm fabric-dome tweeter developed from research carried out for Acoustic Energy's Corinium loudspeaker.
Its relatively large dome is designed to combine speed and detail with a smooth, natural tonal balance.
The tweeter crosses over to the mid/bass driver at 3.5kHz and is closely positioned to help create a coherent presentation in either cabinet orientation.
Wide Dispersion Technology
Acoustic Energy's Wide Dispersion Technology waveguide controls the way high-frequency sound spreads from the tweeter.
This helps reduce diffraction from the surrounding cabinet and creates a broader listening area, which is particularly useful when several people are seated across a sofa.
18mm RSC Constrained-Layer Cabinet
The enclosure uses Acoustic Energy's Resonance Suppression Composite construction.
Layers of MDF and bitumen form a constrained structure designed to absorb cabinet vibration more effectively than a conventional single-material enclosure.
Reducing cabinet radiation allows dialogue, music and effects to be reproduced with greater clarity and less unwanted colouration.
Sealed Cabinet for Flexible Placement
The absence of a reflex port makes the AE307² more accommodating when mounted close to a wall or positioned within suitable furniture.
Room boundaries will still affect bass response, but there is no rear port that must be kept clear.
The cabinet should not be enclosed tightly on every side, and its active driver and passive radiator must remain unobstructed.
Vertical Wall Mounting
Acoustic Energy recommends vertical mounting for optimum performance where the AE307² is used as a left or right speaker.
A pair can be fitted either side of a television to create a discreet stereo system or the front channels of a Home Cinema installation.
The speakers should be mounted at the same height and arranged symmetrically around the main listening position.
Horizontal Centre-Channel Placement
When used as a centre speaker, the AE307² can be placed horizontally beneath or above the screen.
Keep it centred on the picture and angle it towards seated ear height where practical.
An optional angled desk stand is available separately for installations where the speaker sits on a low television cabinet or shelf.
Wall Fixings Are Not Supplied
Suitable fixings must be selected for the wall construction and must safely support the 6.5kg speaker.
Professional installation is recommended where the wall type, cable route or available fixing points are uncertain.
Amplifier and AV Receiver Matching
The AE307² has a sensitivity of 89dB and nominal impedance of 6O.
It can be partnered with a broad range of good-quality stereo amplifiers, AV receivers and multichannel power amplifiers.
Acoustic Energy specifies power handling of 120W, although clean and controlled amplification is more important than selecting equipment solely by its headline wattage.
AV Receiver Configuration
Once installed, the AV receiver should be configured with the correct channel assignment, distance, level and crossover setting.
Automatic room calibration provides a useful starting point, but dialogue level and front-channel balance should still be checked using familiar films and television programmes.
When a subwoofer is present, the AE307² will normally be configured as a small speaker so that the lowest bass is redirected appropriately.
Adding an Acoustic Energy AE Sub
The AE307² provides impressive bass for a cabinet only 125mm deep, but a dedicated subwoofer remains useful for the deepest film effects and full-range music reproduction.
The
Acoustic Energy AE Sub
can provide the lowest frequencies while reducing the bass demands placed on the AE307² speakers.
Available Finishes
The Acoustic Energy AE307² is available in Walnut, Silk-Touch Matte Black or Silk-Touch Matte White.
The grille, trim and screen-printed logo are colour matched to each cabinet finish.
A slim magnetic cloth grille is included and can be removed carefully when the exposed driver arrangement is preferred.
Key Features
- Versatile passive LCR loudspeaker
- Sold individually
- Suitable for left, centre or right-channel use
- Can be installed vertically or horizontally
- Suitable for wall, shelf or furniture placement
- 120mm paper and coconut-fibre mid/bass driver
- 120mm passive radiator
- 29mm fabric-dome tweeter
- Wide Dispersion Technology waveguide
- 3.5kHz crossover frequency
- Sealed-box design
- 18mm RSC constrained-layer cabinet
- MDF and bitumen cabinet construction
- 45Hz–29kHz frequency range
- 89dB sensitivity
- 6O nominal impedance
- 120W power handling
- 115dB specified peak output
- Slim magnetic cloth grille
- Optional angled desk stand available separately
- Walnut, Silk-Touch Matte Black or Matte White
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AE307² sold individually?
Yes. The price shown is for one speaker.
What does LCR mean?
LCR means left, centre and right. The AE307² can perform any of these three front-channel roles.
Can I use two AE307² speakers for stereo?
Yes. A vertically positioned pair can form a compact wall-mounted or shelf-based stereo system.
Can it be mounted horizontally?
Yes. Horizontal installation is particularly useful when the speaker is used as a centre channel beneath or above a screen.
Are wall fixings included?
No. Appropriate fixings must be chosen for the construction of the wall.
Why are there two large cones?
One is the active mid/bass driver. The other is a passive radiator that reinforces the bass without requiring a reflex port.
Does it require an amplifier?
Yes. The AE307² is passive and must be connected to a suitable stereo amplifier or AV receiver.
Is the angled desk stand included?
No. The optional angled stand is available separately, subject to availability.
Which finishes are available?
The AE307² is available in Walnut, Silk-Touch Matte Black and Silk-Touch Matte White.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Experienced Acoustic Energy and Home Cinema specialists
- Help choosing the correct number of speakers
- Advice on stereo, LCR and centre-channel layouts
- Amplifier and AV receiver matching
- Wall-mounting and placement guidance
- AV receiver crossover and channel configuration
- Subwoofer matching and integration
- Professional installation options
- Ongoing system and setup support
Contact your local Audio T store
to discuss the ideal AE307² layout and installation for your stereo or Home Cinema system.