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Thread: AE-120 or R352?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Feb 2014

    Location: Huntingdonshire

    Posts: 1,413
    I'm Andrew.

    Default AE-120 or R352?

    Acoustic Energy AE 120 or Monitor Audio R352 is the question. Nothing wrong with the MA but I am always open to a potential upgrade.
    Having not heard the AE I'm hoping you folks might have some opinions to share.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Bournemouth

    Posts: 5,273
    I'm Dan.

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    AE 120 a superb sounding speaker need a lot of power to get them sounding good we use Quad. Although the choice is yours i dont rate much on Monitor Audio speakers just not my sound. The AE-120 usually sells for £150+ in good condition my dads using them currently i have grown to love them good award winners in their day.
    Bi Amplification
    Quad 33 with current Mod for CD
    2 Quad 303 Bi Amped
    Turntable
    Thorens TD 125 MK1 , SME 3009 S2 Non Improved , Shure V15 II , SME 2000 Plinth
    CD Transport & DAC & PSU
    Marantz 6005 , Beresford Caiman , Paul Hynes SR4
    Loudspeakers
    Tannoy 615 MK2
    Cassette
    Goodmans GSW 435

  3. #3
    Join Date: Nov 2013

    Location: Yorkshire

    Posts: 4,243
    I'm Andr'e.

    Default

    My choice would be the '352' great for rock music.. They are best on the slightly tilted back stands.

    Dan they were a Robin Marhall design for MA..one of the good designs.

  4. #4
    Join Date: May 2011

    Location: Glasgow

    Posts: 7,725
    I'm Brian.

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    I use MA R852s with an Amptastic Mini-1 and they're excellent .
    Regards
    Brian

    Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment . (Rumi )


    Korus Computer Audio music server
    JustBoom DAC . HRT Musicstreamer 2
    Amplifier : Sony TA FB740R
    Speakers : Tannoy 637
    Interconnects : MS Audio / Klotz MC5000 .
    Speaker cables : Western Electric 16AG

  5. #5
    Join Date: Nov 2013

    Location: Yorkshire

    Posts: 4,243
    I'm Andr'e.

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    i think the '252'/'352'/'852'/'952' were all Marshall jobbies.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jul 2009

    Location: Hampshire, UK

    Posts: 3,665
    I'm Adam.

    Default

    That's a tough one as they're both great speakers IMHO.

    Buy the AE120s and keep the ones you prefer. Or both.
    Engineers: fixing problems you didn't know you had in ways you don't understand.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Feb 2014

    Location: Huntingdonshire

    Posts: 1,413
    I'm Andrew.

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    Thank you dudes for your thoughts. I'm thinking that I keep the 352's and improve my source.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Dec 2013

    Location: Lincoln UK

    Posts: 567
    I'm Mark.

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    I've heard both although not in direct comparison but my money would be on the AE120 providing you have the power they need !
    Life long music lover and Hi-Fi enthusiast for over 40 years, avid live music supporter, dismayed by the current dynamic ticket pricing applied to so many events !!



  9. #9
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Bournemouth

    Posts: 5,273
    I'm Dan.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rush2112 View Post
    I've heard both although not in direct comparison but my money would be on the AE120 providing you have the power they need !
    Love them......They are power Hungary though using a Marantz PM4200 And Quad 33 - 405 At present both sound remarkable. With the wrong amplification they sound not good but the best i have had is the Marantz & Quad
    Bi Amplification
    Quad 33 with current Mod for CD
    2 Quad 303 Bi Amped
    Turntable
    Thorens TD 125 MK1 , SME 3009 S2 Non Improved , Shure V15 II , SME 2000 Plinth
    CD Transport & DAC & PSU
    Marantz 6005 , Beresford Caiman , Paul Hynes SR4
    Loudspeakers
    Tannoy 615 MK2
    Cassette
    Goodmans GSW 435

  10. #10
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,663
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Had and loved a set of the 120's baby brothers, the AE109.

    Big ballsy sound, Dynamic, involving and very engaging.
    Fantastic for big scale driving rock and orchestral, basically anything with a pulse.
    Not a one trick pony though, they are not the MOST refined speakers in the world, but stick a beefy amp up 'em but they will involve you in your music in a way not many comparable speakers will.

    Heard Brian's MA's but not the 352's, I Say it depends on the type of music you listen to and at what volume.

    Girl with acoustic guitar type stuff at low levels, go for the MA's.
    Anything else with a pulse and the AE120s will put a huge grin on your face, with the proviso that they like a powerful amp driving them.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
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    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

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