Audio Note AN-E-SPX Alnico Loudspeakers

*In accordance with the wishes of Audio Note, this product cannot be purchased by mail order, if you would like to purchase one please get in contact for more information*

*Audio Note items are supplied to order, please allow approximately 8 weeks for build time*

The AN-E is currently the largest Audio Note loudspeaker model, and like the rest of the products from this manufacturer there are many different derivatives with changes to wiring, drive units and crossovers (internal and external) and cabinets. The fundamental basics of the speaker stay the same throughout, it’s a fairly large, two way, rear ported, stand mount design using an 8 inch bass/mid driver and 1 inch soft dome tweeter. The speaker proportions may seem quite different from modern fashion, being wider rather than deeper, but in most rooms this is far more space efficient, and is responsible for the speakers impressive scale and imaging.

With a claimed efficiency in the region of 94dB up to 98dB (with efficiency rising as you go up through the range) and presenting an easy load to the amplifier these speakers allow a colossal choice of partnering amplification, and although they naturally lend themselves to smaller zero feedback valve amplifiers they will work well with any amplifier of sufficient quality.

Great attention is paid to the design and construction of these speakers, the cabinets are made entirely of  birch plywood (with the exception of the entry level AN-E/D) which are then veneered in a wide range of stunning veneers with or without a gloss finish (available for an additional cost). The attention to detail extends to them chilling the front and back panels prior to fitting so that they can use the minimum of adhesive  - a technique that was found to improve sound quality. The crossovers are all hard wired, and the tweeter network is adjusted precisely to ensure precise pair matching (to within 0.4dB of a reference). The AN-E is intended to be used against walls or even in corners if possible, not only does this allow the speaker to ‘drive’ the room very effectively at low frequencies, it also means that what is a reasonably large box can visually ‘disappear’ much better than many smaller speakers that require far more floor space.

One of the more recent innovations within the Audio Note range is the use of Hemp cones, which on some models are standard fitment and on others are available as an option (the alternative being paper cones). As you’d expect, the paper cones sound incredibly fast, clean and exciting to listen to. In comparison the Hemp cones have a slightly richer and more relaxed presentation (almost as if you are a couple of rows further back in the concert hall). The main benefit of the Hemp is the improved mid band texture, tonality and resolution. I am regularly asked which I prefer and hand on heart I find it difficult to say - to a degree it depends upon taste and partnering equipment.

So what makes the AN-E range so special? Well it’s their overall abilities that are really remarkable, not one area of the speaker stands out as being obvious, they just work seamless as a whole. They produce a believably solid and life like sound stage, have speed and resolution in abundance, a completely natural tonality and low audible cabinet colouration (this is in reference to the plywood models).

As will all efficient speakers the dynamics are impressive and believable. What’s more bass extension is remarkable, especially considering their size and efficiency (the manufacturer claims a remarkable in room -6dB point at 18Hz). There’s never any sign of strain either, they are completely effortless regardless of how complex the performance.

They are incredibly subtle and revealing devices too, and whilst they will reveal the limitations of poor matching equipment, paradoxically they have the ability to often get brilliant results even from poorer recordings. They pull off the trick that many Audio Note products manage, they effectively disappear leaving the recording and the performance right in front of you. Nowadays it’s very infrequent that I hear new things in my favourite recordings, but the AN-E HE’s manage this trick remarkably often. As you go up the range transparency, dynamics, detail retrieval and musicality all increase.

Please note there are no grilles supplied with the speakers, but if this is a problem for potential owners we can always provide something to protect the drive units from small fingers! Once you see the quality of the veneers available you will not want to hide them away under grille cloth unnecessarily.

Audio Note AN-E/SPx: featuring AN-Spx internal wiring, custom resistors and polyester capacitors

Technical Specifications:

Characteristic Impedance: 6 Ohms
Frequency Response: 18Hz to 23Khz, =/-6dB in room
Minimum Amplifier Power: 8 Watts RMS per channel
Maximum Amplifier Power: 150 Watts (unclipped) RMS per channel Peak
Cabinet & Finish Material: Birch Ply with real Wood Veneer, High Gloss finish as standard.
Unit Weight: 29kg per speaker, internal crossover models
Unit Dimensions (HxWxD): 790mm x 360mm x 270mm - per speaker