7 minute read
ACOUSTIC
ACOUSTIC ENERGY:
FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC
Founded in 1987, Acoustic Energy is a British loudspeaker manufacturer based in the Cotswolds. The company’s first speaker, the AE1, gained an enviable reputation as one of the finest high-end compact monitors available, setting performance standards in accuracy, power handling, dynamics, transparency and musicality.
These qualities reflect the company’s core product ethos, which is faithfully maintained to this day by using new driver technologies, cabinet materials and manufacturing techniques within a focused product portfolio. Each loudspeaker is expertly conceived to deliver a lifetime of listening pleasure and enjoyment.
Impressive looking floor-standing speakers can often enhance the style and interior design of today’s living rooms acting as pieces of audio furniture encased with fashionable finishes. So, heading up AE’s line up, the AE520s deserve their flagship status within the 500 Series. Comprising three models, a stand-mount and two floor-standers, all boast newly developed carbon fibre tweeters and mid/bass drivers, designed to match the pistonic power and accuracy of the legendary ceramic aluminium drivers, but with improved self-damping for a smoother, more transparent sound.
Talking of which, the first AE1 speaker used these same drivers, as does the latest powered version – the AE1 Active. Where space is at a premium in smaller rooms and apartments, ‘active’ stand-alone speakers can provide discrete and simplified audio solutions when partnered with streaming devices. A pair of AE1 Active speakers connected to a DAC/streamer or a turntable/pre-amp can offer unequalled performance and convenience.
The 300 Series features multiple upgrades over the entry-level 100 Series, all designed to improve both audio performance and aesthetics befitting of its more premium, mid-level status. For use in both Hi-Fi and home cinema applications, bespoke new drive units have been designed in tandem to offer seamless tonal integration in addition to low distortion and high power handling benefits. They are finished in attractive real open grain walnut wood veneer, piano grade high gloss black or white lacquer options.
Finally, the 100 Series is an entrylevel range focusing on refining the listening experience whilst providing a room friendly, affordable loudspeaker. Using driver tech from our higher end ranges and an external design for a more elegant appearance with smaller footprint, the 100 Series is designed to work well in a wide variety of surroundings within any two and multi-channel system.
Backed by press awards and critical acclaim from around the globe, Acoustic Energy loudspeakers are loved by music fans, installers and professional studios in over fifty countries worldwide, helping to secure an enviable status as one of the most highly regarded British brands in the audio industry for those who truly love music.
Acoustic Energy acoustic-energy.co.uk
for the love of music
Multi-award winning British loudspeakers for over 30 years...
500 Series 300 Series 100 Series AE1 Active
JBL’s founder helped motion pictures to speak. From then on, we’ve been continuously advancing the science of high-fi delity sound reproduction, right up to and including the new Synthesis Custom Loudspeaker (SCL) range, the industry’s fi rst comprehensive selection of compression driver-based architectural loudspeakers. As the Jazz Singer put it back in 1928, “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet.”
BRING THE NIGHTCLUB HOME
Nick Fichte, Business Manager, L-Acoustics Creations explains exactly what a home night club is and how to offer one.
What is a home nightclub?
A home nightclub is a space located in a property with the primary aim of entertaining with music. Everyone knows about home cinema, but ‘home nightclubs’ are an emerging trend that has been picking up speed. Typically, spaces are multi-purpose with a bar area, perhaps a pool table or football table, comfortable lounge-style seating, a connection point for DJ equipment or a mix console for live performances and most importantly, a dancefloor! Another consideration is whether the space is indoor, outdoor, or a little of both. Whilst we may not always have perfect weather here in the UK, we are designing sound systems for both indoor and outdoor use across the world.
How do installers get involved?
In joining L-Acoustics, I could see that there was a fantastic opportunity to offer professional audio products in a residential or marine environment. L-Acoustics have been known for creating some of the best loudspeaker technologies for concerts, festivals, theatres and of course nightclubs all over the world since the 1980s. So, whilst many may not have heard of L-Acoustics, you have probably heard our sound.
In 2020, L-Acoustics launched a new division L-Acoustics Creations. For the first time, integrators working in the luxury residential and marine sectors can access not only the L-Acoustics product range, but also the design--using Soundvision, our proprietary 3D modeling software--and calibration services.
We are in a fortunate position to have been asked to assist integrators on some truly fantastic projects. By becoming ‘L-Acoustics Creations Integrators’ they have added ‘home nightclub’ to their services. We know with certainty that people want to bring the private nightclub experience home, but as an end user doing a Google search you would likely struggle to find a company who could provide that. We hope to enable more integrators to address this growing luxury niche market.
Why would consumers want one?
In a nutshell, privacy, creativity & partying. With confinement, people are spending more time in their residences. Many miss music festivals and clubbing and want to recreate that front-row feeling at home. Additionally, people are getting more creative at home and there is a trend of consumers wanting to learn to DJ themselves, fuelled in part by social media which makes it very easy to both learn and share. Trying to get hold of a pair of Pioneer CDJs at peak lockdown last year was harder than trying to get anti-bac wipes or flour!
In the UK we are seeing people take derelict barns and convert them into premium party spaces. To quote one integrator, “There’s a trend of homeowners booking big name DJs and having small intimate parties at home where they can misbehave as much as they like.”
What are the systems involved?
L-Acoustics Creations proposes a handful of turnkey packages designed to show end users exactly what can be achieved within their setting, whether that be on land or at sea. Named after islands: Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga & Ibiza and collectively named Archipel (French for archipelago) these systems are available in stereo with surround options as well. Instead of focusing on watts and frequency response we focus on delivering the L-Acoustics sonic signature—the benchmark of the live music world—at a particular listening position. In premium pro audio, L-Acoustics is known for its natural, powerful, and realistic sound reproduction. These sound systems deliver the same levels of performance that a mix engineer would have at the mixing desk at venues with full concert-like dynamics. 105 dB is the reference for this, but all the systems will happily perform at over 117 dB for that extra thump. In addition to our sound systems, we offer ‘sound spaces’ – Ocean & Island Prestige. As L-ISA technology for ultra high-res, spatialised audio was introduced to the pro sound world, it was decided that Immersive Hyperreal Sound should not be reserved only for concerts and festivals, but also the home. Imagine audio so potent and realistic that you can close your eyes and visualise a whole other world around you.
For more information about L-Acoustics Creations sound systems and sound spaces, or to schedule a listening session in Highgate, London, Paris, or Los Angeles, please visit l-acoustics-creations.com
We created amazing on-wall speakers long before we made them wireless
legend 7.2 silverback active for wireless 7.1 home theatre with WiSA surround hub
