Audio Note (UK) AX -Two Loudspeaker Review

Comparisons to Known Loudspeakers

Before I make comparisons I would like to note that I have used a number of different amplifiers with the AX-Two loudspeakers from Class T (Tripath) amplifiers from Trends Audio and King Rex, to Push Pull class A/B amplifiers in the Audio Space Mini 2SE and Audio Note I-Zero, to Solid State in the Roksan Kandy K2 integrated amplifier to my beastly Line Magnetic 219IA Single Ended Triode amplifier.

Audio Note AX-Two VS Audio Space LS-3/5a

Having recently reviewed one of the best LS-3/5a remakes in the Audio Space LS-3/5a with their AS Subwoofer I had a the opportunity to compare it directly against the Audio Note (UK) AX-Two.   Since The AX-Two is designed by Andy Whittle I am taking the leap here that he was brought in to make an affordable LS-3/5a like loudspeaker for Audio Note (UK)’s Zero system.  (Not true! Peter has replied that the concept was for a small, affordable and great sounding speaker, but the LS-3/5a is a design Peter hates! MG) LS-3/5a speakers typically lack bass dynamics and bass depth in general.  The AX-Two will seem nearly full range in direct comparison.  It has deeper bass and can play louder with real authority and drive compared to the LS-3/5a.  The AX-Two remains nimble and possesses a more balanced presentation across the frequency spectrum.  The LS-3/5a is one of the most popular small speakers ever made and is hugely popular in Asia.  I find the AX-Two to be significantly better than all the versions of the LS-3/5a.  Although the AX-Two is quite a bit bigger it can go up against the wall and they are much less expensive than many of the LS-3/5a variants.  The AX-Two is in my view easily the better buy.

The tweeter/woofer combination is very close to single driver sound.  Cohesiveness of drivers is one of the things Audio Note (UK) does so well and it is not lost on the entry priced AX-Two.  You can have the greatest tweeter with the greatest measurements and the greatest woofer with technical lingo to impress NASA engineers, but if the tweeter and woofer don’t sound as one then you have nothing but a speaker that will annoy you over the long run.  The AX-Two gets this as right as it gets.

Indeed, even with the Audio Space LS-3/5a’s dedicated subwoofers they couldn’t really trump the AX-Two which seemed just as capable in the bass unless levels got louder than I would care to listen.  It’s still a 6 inch driver so there is a limit but the limit is higher than you would expect.

Audio Note AX-Two VS KEF LS-50

My KEF LS-50 review is in the works and along with the AX-Two will be my reference loudspeakers in the affordable monitor speaker range.  This is a much more interesting battle.  The KEF LS-50 has superior bass depth, slam, and superior fit and finish and is fast being viewed on audio forums and the press as a modern day classic.  Still, the AX Two has a few things up its sleeve.  First it is just as cohesive sounding from top to bottom.

While multi-driver loudspeakers don’t equal the best single driver loudspeakers in cohesiveness the trade-off is generally far greater bass and treble extension with more dynamic range.  Many speakers simply do a lesser job of this melding of drivers and over time the ear can become bothered by hearing a compartmentalized sound where you are constantly reminded that you are hearing a tweeter and woofer operating independently of each other.  And this weakness can be heard in a great number of very expensive speakers.

Speakers that use very different sounding drivers can sparkle on the show room floor but a few months later you find yourself asking your dealer for cables or a new CD player to fix something, like the treble.  In reality it may be a driver mismatch, rather than a tweeter issue.

The KEF LS-50 with a coaxial tweeter essentially has a tweeter in the center of the woofer.  The LS-50 is a remarkably well balanced loudspeaker and I suspect the reason it is getting the raves is largely on that basis.

After a few minutes of settling in with the AX-Two after three solid months with the KEF LS50, and getting used to the AX-Two’s lighter weight bass response, the Audio Note (UK) AX-Two exhibits a bigger scale presentation top to bottom than do the KEFs.  The KEF’s have a smaller overall presentation and the bass is more suitable to modern pop/trance than the eloquence of the kind of bass from cello or piano.

While the Audio Note (UK) AX-Two doesn’t possess the slam or the bass weight of the LS-50, it possesses a more natural top end (treble).  On the Sony K2 re-master of Schindler’s List, violin is presented with more presence and more nuance.  The KEF’s metal tweeter isn’t bright but I concur with those who feel that it has slight metallic aftertaste (a slight hash) which is more noticeable on strings.  To be fair to the KEF LS-50 most review publications are not comparing the KEF LS-50 to speakers as refined, or as eloquent (as reviewer Bob Neil would say), as the AX-Two.

On the above Armin Van Buuren album the KEF has deeper and more impact midbass.  The AX-Two is no slouch here though and without the direct comparison the AX-Two would likely not be found the least bit wanting.  Indeed, positioned against the wall it is close.  The AX-Two uses an older school woofer not cut from the current popular high excursion cloth.  The AX-Two plays quite loud and very clean and clear.  Vocals, as noted earlier, remained crystal clear through copious bass lines and treble never becomes strained or thin or shouty.   The presentation is simply different, but the KEF does seem to go lower and hit a bit harder.  On acoustic instruments the AX-Two’s bass seems more tuneful and this fact may sway you over to the AX-Two even if it gives up some bass depth.

The AX-Two is 90dB sensitive and 6 ohms.  It’s an easier speaker to drive then the KEF and thus with 10 watts is going to play quite loud.  The KEF will need substantial power supplies to play to its best given a low 84dB sensitivity and 3.2 minimum impedance.  Further, the AX-Two performs better at lower volume levels.  The KEF needs more level to really come alive although the KEF is better than many other speakers I’ve tried.  It may come down to the kind of amplifier you intend to use now and down the line.  I prefer SET amplifiers on both speakers.

The Audio Note (UK) AX-Two is a highly musically rewarding loudspeaker that sounds convincing because it is so well balanced top to bottom in presentation.  I have owned the Audio Note J/Spe speakers for a decade and never really felt the desire to replace them.  They get on with the business of letting you enjoy the music.  That feeling remains even with the budget AX-Two.  With obvious deep bass limitations the speaker presents more bass than you would expect for the size and the bass is tuneful, offering more nuance where most speakers seem to present a one note dead box (over-damped) presentation.  It’s beautiful on vocals and acoustic instruments and you can still play harder hitting music.

Quibbles aside, these speakers are about as good as it gets at communicating emotion to the listener as I have heard for the money.  I loved them ten years ago.  I have owned them for close to three years now and if you’re looking for speakers under $2,000 and you’ve auditioned the usual mainstream suspects, the AX-Two will be worth your time going down the road less traveled.  No flash, no techno-babble.  Just a good design, good drivers made by people who care about quality music reproduction.

They’re such an easy speaker to recommend, because they are hard not to like and they can be driven with most any amplifier although the Audio Note (UK) I-Zero makes so much sense as a natural partner.

Moreover, the key word to describe that AX-Two is “balanced.”  Never boring or polite like many speakers out of Europe that are often called “balanced.”  In my view the AX-Two is the  Cinderella of standmount speakers.  It may be being passed over by many uglier sounding stepsisters (ahem standmounts) on the market.  It’s time for the AX-Two to have its day at the ball.  The shoe fits and the magic doesn’t wear off at twelve.