In this review, we will be comparing MSX20 and AE100 MII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Cambridge Audio and Acoustic Energy.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Cambridge Audio MSX20 and AE100 Mark II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Cambridge Audio MSX20 | AE100 Mark II |
|---|
| Brand | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 | Acoustic Energy
United Kingdom · founded 1987 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" soft dome with waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 5.2" paper cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 120-20k Hz | 51Hz - 26kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 0.75kg / 1.7lbs | 4.60kg / 10.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 3-13/16"
155.6 x 79.4 x 96.8mm | 11.4" x 6.5" x 9.8"
290.0 x 165.0 x 250.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both MSX20 and AE100 MII are 2-way speakers.
Cambridge Audio MSX20 AE100 Mark II
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Cambridge Audio MSX20 |
AE100 Mark II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x -inch
|
1 x 5.2-inch
|
MSX20 features a " Tweeter and 2 x " Woofer. On the other hand, the AE100 MII features a 1" fabric soft dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.2" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
MSX20 has a frequency range of 120-20k Hz whereas AE100 MII has a frequency range of 51Hz - 26kHz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the AE100 MII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the MSX20's min frequency of 120Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
MSX20 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the AE100 MII which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. MSX20 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the AE100 MII's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Cambridge Audio MSX20 a more sensitive speaker compared to AE100 Mark II, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Cambridge Audio MSX20's and AE100 Mark II's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio MSX20 has external dimensions of 155.6 x 79.4 x 96.8mm () whereas AE100 Mark II has external dimensions of 290.0 x 165.0 x 250.0mm (11.4 x 6.5 x 9.8inch).
AE100 Mark II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 85.6mm wider, 134.4mm taller and 153.2mm deeper than Cambridge Audio MSX20.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
AE100 Mark II needs about 437% more floor or shelf area. AE100 Mark II is 153mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. AE100 Mark II is 134mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Cambridge Audio MSX20 is approximately 76.9cm2 / 11.9inch2 and base area of the AE100 Mark II is approximately 412.5cm2 / 63.9inch2. The MSX20 requires 81% less surface area than the AE100 MII which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Cambridge Audio MSX20 weighs 0.75kg / 1.7lbs and the AE100 Mark II weighs 4.60kg / 10.1lbs. This makes the AE100 MII 513% heavier than the MSX20.
Here is a comparison of how MSX20 and AE100 MII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Height |
155mm
vs
290mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
76cm2
vs
412cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Woofer Size |
5.2 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
51 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Cambridge Audio MSX20 |
Acoustic Energy AE100 Mark II |
| Brand |
Cambridge Audio |
Acoustic Energy |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
120-20k Hz |
51Hz - 26kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
5.2" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
paper cone |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
soft dome with waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
2.25" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
155.6mm (6.1") |
290.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
79.4mm (3.1") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
96.8mm (3.8") |
250.0mm (9.8") |
| Weight |
0.75kg (1.7lbs) |
4.60kg (10.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Die-Cast Aluminum |
HDF |
| Available Colors |
White |
Walnut, Satin Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
|
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
|
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | AE100 Mark II digs deeper - 51Hz against 120Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Cambridge Audio MSX20 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Cambridge Audio MSX20 is easier to place; AE100 Mark II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
A Cambridge Audio MSX20 B AE100 Mark II
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 120Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, AE100 Mark II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Cambridge Audio MSX20 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.