Acoustic Energy 320² - Review

Introduction

Acoustic Energy is a British brand with nearly 40 years of history, beginning with the classic AE1 bookshelf speaker. Their product lineup includes the 100, 300, and 500 Series, and most recently, the flagship CORINIUM loudspeaker was officially launched in October 2023.

Design

The Acoustic Energy 320² is a classic three-way floorstanding loudspeaker. It is a significant upgrade on the original 320 unit, benefiting from technologies developed in the Corinium project. For example, the AE320² utilises a brand-new paper/coconut-fibre material in both the bass and mid drivers, a development from the ceramic aluminium sandwich cone previously used. The 29mm soft dome tweeter was also developed from the Corinium research.  Behind the dome of this soft polyester-based tweeter, a larger neodymium ring magnet is used to allow space for a large vent in the copper-shielded pole. This configuration is designed to manage residual energy within the rear chamber effectively.

The tweeter benefits from a new WDT (Wide Dispersion Technology) waveguide, which is a bit like a mini horn guiding the high frequencies into the room in a specific (ideally natural-sounding) pattern.

The drivers are contained within an inert, slimline 18mm RSC (Resonance Suppression Composite) MDF/bitumen enclosure, as utilised in both the 500 series loudspeakers and Corinium.  This represents a notable improvement in quality at this price point. At the rear of the cabinet is a slot-shaped duct port to augment the bass output with minimal air turbulence.

There is also a second-round port to allow the midrange and tweeter air movement to escape the cabinet, as it features two separate chambers.

The speaker spikes are supplied with caps designed to preserve the isolation benefits of the spikes while providing protection for wooden floors.

Quality

These loudspeakers are particularly impressive to look at with or without the soft-touch full-length magnetic grilles. The walnut veneer I have is deliciously smooth and comfortably passed the ‘knuckle wrap test.’ These loudspeakers are solid to the touch with no hint of give or resonance in the cabinet. There is a new ‘silk-touch’ matte black or white finish as well as this walnut veneer.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

I’m driving these Acoustic Energy 320² with the resident Moor Amps Angel 6 power amplifier; if there’s bass response to be had, this will find it. I am using Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II loudspeaker cable, which will step to one side and allow the loudspeakers to breathe. My primary source is an Eversolo DMP-A6, which serves as a streaming transport to a DAC, specifically the iFi DSD Valkyrie or the remarkable FiiO K11 R2R DAC. I have an ADOT optically isolated iFi OMNILAN switch with an N100 Melco library, utilising their Audiophile data output slots to connect to the Eversolo and the Melco.

Physically

The speakers are slim, so they are fairly easy to manoeuvre once near their location. They appear to be uncomplicated in placement. I was able to get a room-filling sonic experience very easily in minutes.

The spikes are lethal (good), and I do not need the spike covers (also good) on carpet. My review samples, I was informed, have had prolonged usage in a dealer; however, I left them running overnight to allow them to warm up and settle into my space.

I have the loudspeakers, slightly toed in, approximately 3m apart, and the same distance away from the listening position.  They’re about 80 cm from a rear wall with an acoustic panel in the centre of the rear wall. There’s a wooden table between me and the loudspeakers

Performance

I often start with a bass response test on loudspeakers to gauge my expectations for the review. Essentially, this involves the Bladerunner 2049 Soundtrack (Qobuz, 16-bit, 44.1kHz) and Lana Del Rey’s A&W (Qobuz, 24-bit, 48kHz). Having just concluded my REL Stereo pair review I have got to say I genuinely had to get up and check the RELs were switched off such was the impressive bass response in this room. It is often hard to get down to the sub-bass in A&W, the Moor Amps Angel 6 helps considerably, but from 5’27” the response is a sternum level. It is a thrilling and energising experience, which bodes well hugely for the rest of the review.

In conversation with AE, the positioning of the woofers lower in the cabinet has derived from the Corinium project, where they understood that the low positioning of the woofers couples the bass response to the room, via the floor. They then recognised that this gives a more even frequency response. This translates to my experience of not needing to fuss around with positioning to achieve a balanced sound.

Returning to A&W, the detail in the midrange appears to be nicely separated from the significant bass response, and Lana Del Rey’s vocal is rather special. This soft yet detailed midrange vocal is further revealed by Paul Simon’s “Let Me Live in Your City” (Qobuz, 24-bit, 96kHz), which is the stripped-down demo of Something So Right. The phrasing and delivery are just about perfect in this lonely track.

Listening to the enclosed Playlist of favourite tracks has revealed a pair of loudspeakers with a natural, open, and detailed soundstage.  The soundstage, in my view, is built on the nicely controlled bass line. This is best demonstrated in the track Raven by Manchester’s GoGo Penguin (Qobuz, 24-bit, 88.2kHz). Here, the bass line romps along but with control and clarity, also a testament not only to the AE 320² but to the Angel 6. This dynamic driver delivers a rapid and even response in the vocal midrange. Dylan’s Hurricane (Qobuz 24-bit, 192kHz), while perhaps not immediately engaging, demonstrates notable rhythm and energy that successfully convey narrative and emotional depth within this listening environment.

Yes, I have plenty of space, with a big, oversized amplifier. These loudspeakers are top performers, unreservedly and will suit, Acoustic Energy suggest, a medium to large room. I concur and overall characterise these 320² as having a fairly smooth frequency response with no overemphasis at any point.

What about different amplifiers? Swapping in the recently reviewed Rega Brio Mk7 (73W into 6 Ohms) and the 2025 Bluesound Powernode (~105-110W into 6 Ohms) has demonstrated that these loudspeakers are responsive to whatever is driving them.  In particular, the Brio amplification seems to be exceptionally vibrant, as always, there are no complaints with the Bluesound Powernode either (the Powernode 2025 is a £899 all-in-one streaming amplifier, with the best music streaming App out there, still).

Indeed, the Powernode with these 320² feels like a great partner, plenty of power and pace in a comfortable streaming environment.  You would struggle to get anywhere this level of performance at a combined price below £3,000. With this new Powernode 2025, there is an HDMI eARC connection, and I would imagine these loudspeakers would offer a great TV/movie solution, with a strong bass line and relatively smooth and even frequency response.

These loudspeakers are an investment. When you’re ready for more than the Powernode, the speakers will comfortably take the upgrade.

Musical Interlude

Here’s the music used in the review and ensuing noodling rabbit holes, but mostly familiar reference music. Knife Party is not my usual style tbh, but it’s a great track.

Overall

These loudspeakers benefit significantly from the advanced research conducted in the flagship Corinium project, both in terms of design and technology. As a result, they deliver outstanding sound quality within their price category. Featuring refined aesthetics and timeless styling, these speakers present an appealing option for discerning listeners.