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  1. Home
  2. GoldenEar Speakers
  3. Passive Bookshelf Speakers
  4. GoldenEar Aon 3
GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor Review
GoldenEar Aon 3 - Front View

Compare To

Main Features

  • Folded Ribbon Tweeter
  • 7" Polypropylene Woofer
  • Two 8-inch side-mounted Passive Radiators
  • 38-35k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range: 10-250 watts
  • Weight: 15.00 lbs / 6.82 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 14"x9"x11-1/16" / 356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm
MSRP: $1,200 (list price)
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GoldenEar Aon 3 Review
GoldenEar Aon 3 GoldenEar Aon 3
Check price atAmazon›

Made by GoldenEar · United States · since 2010 · sold through dealers

GoldenEar Aon 3 is a 2-way Passive Acoustic Suspension Bookshelf speaker by GoldenEar. It was released in 2012. It features a Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 7" Polypropylene Woofer. Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor also employs two 8-inch side-mounted passive radiators. The speaker has a frequency range of 38-35k Hz and a sensitivity of 90 dB. GoldenEar Aon 3 has an MSRP of 1200$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the GoldenEar Aon 3 is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldPoor
Small RoomPoor
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomGood
Very Large RoomAverage

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

GoldenEar Aon 3 Speaker Structure
GoldenEar Aon 3 Speaker Structure

GoldenEar's Aon Series of Loudspeakers

Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor is a member of GoldenEar's Aon series of Passive speakers. The Aon range are GoldenEar's premium bookshelf speakers, using a folded-ribbon High-Velocity tweeter and side-mounted passive radiators. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

GoldenEar Aon Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
GoldenEar Aon 3
38-35k Hz 90 dB8Ω 1 x 7"
GoldenEar Aon 2
Compare
42-35k Hz 89 dB8Ω 1 x 6"

Frequency Response of the GoldenEar Aon 3 Speaker

GoldenEar Aon 3 has a Frequency response range of 38-35k Hz and Power Range of 10-250 watts. With a minimum frequency of 38 Hz, Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor delivers deep bass that will likely satisfy most listeners, especially those who enjoy music. However, movie enthusiasts and music fans who prefer a full range of sound may still benefit from adding a subwoofer.

Here we have a comparison of how Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's Low frequency value compares with the average, max and min Low frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
GoldenEar Aon 3
Min
Average
Median
Thinking about a subwoofer for the GoldenEar Aon 3?
  • Work out the crossover setting - it follows from this speaker's 38 Hz low end
  • Powered subwoofers under $1,500 - a similar price range to these speakers
  • Every powered subwoofer we cover, whatever the budget

Impedance and Sensitivity

GoldenEar Aon 3's nominal impedance level is 8 ohms and has a sensitivity of 90 dB.

Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
GoldenEar Aon 3
Min
Average
Median

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so GoldenEar Aon 3 is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

90dB of the GoldenEar Aon 3 is an average sensitivity for stereo speaker so it is neither easy nor difficult to drive Sensitivity wise. Work out how loud the GoldenEar Aon 3 plays in your room →

What amplifier does the GoldenEar Aon 3 need?

At normal listening levels in a medium room, about 7.5–120 W per channel into 8 ohms. Set your own conditions and we will rank every amplifier we cover.

We check power, impedance safety and current delivery - not just watts.

Prefer to browse? Integrated amplifiers under $1,500, or every amplifier we cover.

Input Type

Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor features 5-way post type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.

Work out what gauge speaker cable this run needs →

GoldenEar Aon 3 Back View
GoldenEar Aon 3 Back View

GoldenEar Aon 3 External Dimensions and Weight

GoldenEar Aon 3 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 14 x 9 x 11-1/16inch (356.0 x 229.0 x 281.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of GoldenEar Aon 3 is approximately 643.5cm2 / 99.7inch2.

Find speakers that fit your shelf or alcove →  ·  Work out where they should sit in the room →

Weight

The GoldenEar Aon 3 weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
GoldenEar Aon 3
Min
Average
Median
Weight
Bookshelf Speakers under $1500
GoldenEar Aon 3
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

GoldenEar Aon 3 has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet and a MDF/Lacquer finish. Acoustic Suspension loudspeakers aka Sealed speakers have no openings such as ports or slots.. They can be designed smaller, the bass is more accurate and tighter compared to ported designs but doesn't go as low on the lower end in general.

Available colors

GoldenEar Aon 3 is available in Black.

Wall Mounting

Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor has Yes mounting bracket that makes it possible to mount on walls and similar surfaces easily.

What's in the Box of GoldenEar Aon 3?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Aon 3 Bookshelf Monitor:
  • Bookshelf loudspeaker Key-hole hanger 2 Screws Owner's Manual

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the GoldenEar Aon 3.

  • Speaker Cable and Connectors
    • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
    • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
    • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
  • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators are our favorite isolators but you may find more affordable options too.
  • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.
  • Speaker Stands: Stands bring your bookshelf speakers to ideal height (rule of thumb is to have the tweeter level with your ear in your listening position), helps stability and acoustical isolation.

Warranty

5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

GoldenEar Aon 3 Alternatives in Passive Bookshelf Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
GoldenEar Aon 2
Compare
2-way 89 dB 8 ohms 42-35k Hz
B&W 606
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 52-28k Hz
Klipsch RP-600M
Compare
2-way 96 dB 8 ohms 45-25k Hz
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
Compare
2-way 87 dB 6 ohms 44-35k Hz
Wharfedale Elysian 2
Compare
3-way 89 dB 4 ohms 35-22k Hz
B&W 606 S2
Compare
2-way 88 dB 8 ohms 52-28k Hz
Klipsch RP-500M
Compare
2-way 93 dB 8 ohms 48-25k Hz
KEF Q150
Compare
2-way 86 dB 8 ohms 51-28k Hz
Frequently Asked Questions about GoldenEar Aon 3

What amplifier do you need for the GoldenEar Aon 3?

GoldenEar rates the GoldenEar Aon 3 for 10-250 watts of amplifier power. It is an 8-ohm speaker, the usual nominal load, so almost any amplifier or receiver can drive it.

Is the GoldenEar Aon 3 easy to drive?

The GoldenEar Aon 3 has a sensitivity of 90 dB. That is high: it goes loud on modest power, so it suits low-powered amplifiers, including valve/tube designs.

Does the GoldenEar Aon 3 need a subwoofer?

The GoldenEar Aon 3 reaches down to 38Hz (full range 38-35k Hz). That is deep enough that many listeners will not feel the need for a subwoofer with music.

What drivers does the GoldenEar Aon 3 use?

The GoldenEar Aon 3 is a 2-way design using a Folded Ribbon tweeter and a 7" Polypropylene woofer. It also uses two 8-inch side-mounted passive radiators to reinforce the low end.

Is the GoldenEar Aon 3 sealed or ported?

The GoldenEar Aon 3 uses a Sealed enclosure. A sealed box trades some output for tighter, more even bass and is the more forgiving choice close to a wall.

Can the GoldenEar Aon 3 be bi-wired or bi-amped?

No. The GoldenEar Aon 3 has a single pair of terminals, so bi-wiring and bi-amping are not possible. It uses 5-way post terminals.

Can the GoldenEar Aon 3 be wall mounted?

Yes. The GoldenEar Aon 3 includes a wall-mount bracket.

How big and heavy is the GoldenEar Aon 3?

The GoldenEar Aon 3 weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs each and measures 14 x 9 x 11-1/16inch (HxWxD).

How much does the GoldenEar Aon 3 cost?

The GoldenEar Aon 3 has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $1,200 per pair.


GoldenEar Aon 3 Detailed Specifications

General
BrandGoldenEar
Full Model NameGoldenEar Aon 3
Speaker Type2-way Bookshelf
Power Range10-250 watts
Sensitivity90 dB
Impedance8 ohms
Frequency Response38-35k Hz
Release Date2012
DRIVERS
Woofer Size7-inch
Woofer CompositionPolypropylene
Woofer SurroundRubber
Tweeter TypeFolded Ribbon
Port Positionrear

CONNECTIONS
Connector Type5-way post
Biamp InputsNo
Port Positionrear
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height356.0mm ( 14-inch)
Width229.0mm ( 9-inch)
Depth281.0mm ( 11-1/16-inch)
Height356.0mm ( 14-inch)
Weight6.82 kg (15 lbs)
EnclosureAcoustic Suspension
FinishMDF/Lacquer
Available ColorsBlack
Mounting BracketYes
Recommended Stand Height24-26
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty5 Years
Labor Warranty5 Years
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