Conclusion. My friend Kojak and I think that the little Audio Note AX One/II are amazingly mature for their size. "Delightful, baby!" Nevertheless, you needn't be a crime fan or have ever visited Manhattan to think the AX One/II great; at least when set up correctly so close to the wall and toed in slightly. Then they even managed to fill my 26m² room. In small spaces which previously hosted overly ambitious speakers for elephantine bass, they might even prove to be genuine problem solvers. Now the AX One delivers tight bouncy lows and neutral mids from a small cabinet, shines with high resolution and airy detailed highs without a hint of annoyance. Physics impose macrodynamic limits but the English compact left an excellent impression on microdynamics. Excellence too applied to flawless build quality and fantastic stage width. Only depth could have been more pronounced. Tonally it played minimally on the brighter side and is therefore best with neutral or slightly warm amplifiers that must dispatch ample power. Both pleasure listeners and analysts should feel welcome except for low-bass and disco-level fans who mainly listen to electronica, hip-hop or techno.

Psych profile for Audio Note AX One/II…
♦ tonally balanced character with a slight tendency toward clarity and brightness without sounding strained
♦ excellent resolution beyond the price range
♦ pleasantly airy, smooth very detailed treble without harshness
♦ exemplarily neutral midrange
♦ bouncy, very agile, sporty not artificially emphasized bass from deliberately restricted reach and limited macrodynamic punch
♦ excellent microdynamics
♦ limited stage depth but very involving width
♦ fun at even low SPLs therefore suitable for late-night sessions
♦ first-class build quality
♦ best suited for small rooms, needs wall proximity to sound balanced

Facts
Concept: 2-way compact with frontal port
Dimensions & weight: 300 x 196 x 190mm HxWxD, 5 kg/each.
Finishes: Walnut, black ash
Nominal impedance: 6 ohm
Efficiency: 87 dB/W/m
Other: bi-wiring
Warranty: 5 years