Aural Envelope EX300 Review

Overall Rating

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Having read the reviews here I thought it important to give a detailed review of the Aural Envelope EX300 stereo speakers for anyone considering buying them.

I bought these speakers sixth months ago, but I have only just received them as I have moved to New Zealand. I have several hi-fi's with a range of speakers from very large KEF floor-standers to bookshelf Missions. The Aural Envelope speakers are currently connected to a NAD amplifier and a fairly old Technics CD player (both shortly to be replaced). They are connected using Cabletalk 3 speaker cable.

Construction/Finish...

A fairly standard box made from chipboard, covered with a beech effect vinyl. On close inspection this vinyl is not quite as crisp in look as that on my Mission speakers, but from any distance they look fine.

They do not come with spikes for a carpeted floor, and instead sit on rubber feet that are screwed into the bottom. It would not be a problem to fit spikes, and they are readily available.

The rear panel is as you would expect - an injection moulded affair with two sets of binding posts. The posts are solid and brightly gold plated. They really are no different in look or feel to those on any other speakers.

Speaker grilles - these are constructed from MDF with a fine speaker cloth stretched over them and firmly attached. Once again the cloth is the same as any other, and the MDF is well cut.

Speakers/front baffle - this is the only area, that if nit-picking I could complain about. The speakers are well fitted into the front baffle but there are one or two areas around the speakers where the vinyl looks as though it does not quite go around the edge. You would have to be examining them very closely from only a few cms away to spot this. The screws holding in the woofers are the type that require an allen key. To my taste they are a little bright in colour and would look more 'classy' in black. The screws holding in the tweeter are also a bit of a poor choice, looking a little cheap. However, if the grilles are on then you cannot see them, and if you really wanted to you could easily (and cheaply) replace these screws.

There is a port at the bottom, and this again is well fitted and of a fairly standard design. Acoustic wadding is visible inside, and I would guess that this could be removed (there are several schools of thought on acoustic wadding) if required through the back panel, though I think it might be a bit of a fiddly job.

Overall, the speakers are solidly made, and while the difference between these and much more expensive speakers is visible, they are in no way shabby looking. Real wood veneer and more attention to details (the choice of screws, shaped/moulded front baffles) would cost considerably more.


Sound quality...

Of course, however reasonable these speakers look, the sound is probably the most important aspect.

So far I have only connected them singly (as opposed to bi-wiring them) and have 'run them in' for a few hours.

While the soundstage is not particularly deep or wide, they are easily equal to my Mission 701's with a much deeper bass. It's this bass power that many have remarked on, and it is certainly noticeable, giving much greater weight to all the music played. In fact, it may be necessary to turn the bass down a little on your amp, especially with acoustic music where it may take over a little.

Tested with the Chemical Brothers' Block Rocking Beats they coped well; not sounding bloated by the heavy bass-line, and certainly not struggling in the sense of creating distortion through the audible flexing of the woofers.

With more acoustic tracks, such as Nick Drakes Bryter Later, the mid range is well produced and clear, with vocals sounding natural.


By using an amplifier and source from the 'budget' end of the market you cannot fail to be impressed by these speakers.

Why anyone would consider them to be poor in terms of quality or sound I cannot understand. At £70 they are a bargain and a perfect step into the separates arena for anyone building their first system. I bought them in the hope that they would give a little more bass in a large room with a wooden floor. I have not been disappointed.