2026 Awards – Stand-mount loudspeaker under £5k

With the new 119 (the venerable Majik 109’s replacement), Linn has made a true active or passive star. The design centres around the 19.55mm Sonomex dome tweeter and a 160mm Nextel-coated paper mid/bass unit, and as passive two-way standmounts, they’re among the very best, pushing the limits of what you can expect from speakers of this size. They’re perfect partners for Linn’s Selekt DSM amplifier, with an extremely detailed, articulate and open sound that delivers excellent bass. “This is an extremely accurate, transparent and faithful representation,” praises Alan Sircom. But while clearly made for Linn’s own amplifiers, the 119 work well with other amps Alan uses during testing, too, such as Primare’s I35 Prisma. “Musically, they took everything I threw at them with aplomb, whether the amplifiers had the Linn logo or not,” he says.

Extra magic unlocked

Indeed, the 119 have all the right passive elements in place to bode well when ‘actified’ with Linn’s Exakt technology. Here, the bi-wire terminals simply become direct connections to bass and treble, while a software-programmed power amplifier cartridge slots into the Selekt DSM – and, voila, the performance is transformed. 

“Music here is a vivid, vivacious and visceral experience,” reads Alan Sircom’s review. “I tried switching back to the passive Linn Selekt DSM and 119 and, while still an excellent performer, it had lost that magic that active drive delivered.” Passive or active, however, the Linn 119 are stunning, recalling the energy of the clasic Kan with modern accuracy. Just be warned that when you hear it active, there’s no going back! 

Reviewed in Issue 242

Linn • linn.co.uk

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The original Acoustic Energy AE1 marked a significant advancement in what compact loudspeakers could do when it launched in the mid-1980s. This Anniversary model is built on that 40-year-old template and stays true to the superb-looking aesthetic, but every single component is new.

While closely resembling the originals, the drive units are all new and slightly larger than before. The 12.5cm mid/bass retains the hard-anodised cone, as ever ceramic-backed and extremely rigid, with the surround remaining foam because none of the materials used in Acoustic Energy’s more recent drivers are compatible with aluminium. The crossover still switches between it and the tweeter (now 29mm) at 3kHz, though there are notable differences in its operation. And the twin circular bass ports now feature an inner flare alongside an outer one to enhance flow characteristics. 

Significantly, the Anniversary use bitumen damping for the cabinet lining, as seen in the company’s flagship Corinium, though it has been applied to mimic the behaviour of the original’s concrete lining rather than be as inert as technically possible.

Better in every way

Listening to the new speakers against the originals is captivating. They still maintain an exceptional sense of speed and engagement, but extend down marginally lower and are clearer and more detailed there, too. The’re much more convincing clarity and control in the upper frequencies too. The AE1 have always sounded larger and more confident than their size would suggest, but the Anniversary elevate this trait further, and can also better handle harshness and poor recordings. Acoustic Energy’s 40th birthday present is a gift to us all and extends beyond mere nostalgia.

Reviewed in Issue 249

Acoustic Energy • acoustic-energy.co.uk

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Like many Piega models, the Premium 301 Gen2 stand-mounts from the Swiss brand are the kind of loudspeakers which initially attract through their impeccable build quality and finish, and keep you there with a sound performance that proves just as appealing. The gently curving and sandblasted extruded aluminium cabinets are classy, but the technology inside also warrants some attention.

The magnetostatic ribbon tweeter is the brand-new RM 01-24 design. The advantage of a true ribbon driver is its lightness, and Piega says this particular one weighs around 50 times less than a typical dome tweeter. That’s joined by a new FSD-M 140mm mid/bass driver. Inside the rearward-ported cabinet is Piega’s own exclusive internal damping material and the wooden matrix from the pricier Coax series models.

Style and substance

With classy style comes convincing substance. First impressions are of a sound that is clean, detailed, dynamic and able to weave a coherent, seamless overall picture without any undue emphasis in any part of the frequency spectrum. The ribbon tweeter is superbly integrated, and you get the bass you’d normally expect from a bigger box. “The 301 Gen2 have a sweet balance, free from any nasties”, reports Chris Frankland, “but at the same time have the dynamics and control to deliver complex musical arrangements with poise and control”. From top to toe, they offer outstanding performance for the money.

Reviewed in Issue 245

Piega • piega.ch

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