CNET may get a commission from these offers. Internally, a 24-bit upsampling D/A converter ensures high-quality playback. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. The included remote control looks classy, with its brushed aluminum contour. • “The Audioengine A5+ Wireless bring vibrant and lifelike sound to small and medium-sized rooms, adding the convenience of a wireless connection while maintaining the same outstanding audio performance we’ve loved for over a decade.” — Parker Hall, Digital Trends But there are also two analogue inputs: one pair of RCA sockets and one 3.5mm stereo min… Audioengine A5+ Powered Speaker Review This is a review and detailed measurements of the Audioengine A5+ powered bookshelf speaker. The Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf speakers combine cutting-edge design with excellent sonics. And though the cables make the 5+ series a bit less appealing to the eye than a standard iPod dock, the combo is far more universal in its compatibility: you can charge and play any USB-powered audio device, including pretty much any smartphone or portable media media player. On Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," the kick drum loop gets plenty of high-mid presence—enough to accentuate the attack and push the loop's punch forward in the mix—but it doesn't sound overly sculpted or edgy. Today’s In a large room, with more distance between the speakers and the listener, this won't be as much of an issue, but you should still try to match the height of the tweeters with your ears (see our suggestions on how to set up your speakers for more). The loop also has a full-sounding bass presence to it, but nothing over the top. The speakers are made out of 1/2" thick MDF and in addition to the glossy white finish boxes we reviewed, the A5+ Wireless also comes in satin black … That distinguishes them from the Audioengine A5+powered speakers which are otherwise very similar. The pairing process is simple. If you want a good-looking, high quality all-in-one wireless speaker system, perhaps with a companion app or voice assistance, you have strong options in the Google Home Max, the Sonos One, and the Urbanears Baggen. (All cabling is detachable and included.) The other key specs haven't changed. The volume knob works independently of your paired mobile device's volume controls. I don't feel a sub is required here, but if you know you like the rumble and thump one can bring, the A5+ Wireless will sound excellent with a well-balanced unit. Unlike the 2s, which have ports on the front, the 5s have ports on the rear. There is a misconception that if you do not like bassy music or loud explosions in a … AUDIOENGINE A5+ POWERED SPEAKERS Audioengine's A5+ Wireless system combines the capabilities of the company's Bluetooth receiver/transmitter, the B1, with the audio performance of its excellent wired 5+ speakers. Dozens of both audiophile and non-audiophile friends have bought A5 and A2 amplified speakers at my suggestion—and so far, nobody has been disappointed. Two words: Shockingly good. Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Because the left speaker houses the amplifier (50 watts per channel), it's heavier than the right speaker. Well, nothing's changed. The Audioengine 5 is one of those. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams', How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers for 2021, Google Discontinues Home Max Smart Speaker, How to Use an Amazon Echo as a Speaker for Your Television, Apple Announces $99 HomePod Mini Smart Speaker. The acoustic guitar's attack and the higher register percussive hits also benefit from the high-mid and high frequency presence. Not sure what to watch on Amazon tonight? The Bad The speakers aren't cheap, and many will find them to be too large and bulky compared with standard PC speakers. The speakers have a 5-inch Kevlar woofer and a 20mm silk dome tweeter. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Now the company's replaced that 5 series, also referred to as the A5, with the 5+. Audioengine A5+ speaker review. It's worth noting that both the 2 and 5+ series Audioengine speakers come nicely packaged, with cloth covers over the speakers and cables. One final design note: these guys have no speaker grilles, which can be an issue if you have small children or animals who might decide to poke at them and potentially damage the speaker. The sonic balance is more exciting now too, a change from the smoother sound of the old model. The Audioengine A5+ Wireless has a respectable specification at that. customer reviews: 4.6 Read reviews . But that combination of USB power plus audio input allows you to charge your iPod/iPhone with a USB cable while you're listening to your music. There's also a threaded screw mount on the base of each. They retain the clear highs that the A2's do while adding more midrange and mid bass. Use these powered speakers with a TV or turntable with a built-in preamp for a great-sounding compact system. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. Callahan's baritone vocals receive a nice warmth—the rich lows are balanced well with a crisp, but not overly sculpted, high-mid presence. Would I opt for a subwoofer? The frequency range is 50Hz to 22kHz. But not everyone wants a "smart" speaker, and most audiophiles will want to completely avoid voice assistance and notification interruptions, heavily applied digital signal processing (DSP), and the typical lack of stereo separation that is often part of the deal. If you're using them as desktop speakers, the drivers aren't angled upward, so you'll want some wedge-style stands to aim the tweeters more directly at your ears. This presents a minor issue, however: In the absence of a source switch, you can play multiple sound sources (like a Bluetooth streaming source and an aux input source, for instance) simultaneously. From top to bottom, there's a Bluetooth antenna, a pairing button, a 3.5mm aux input, RCA inputs and outputs, and a connection for the banana plug cable that links to the right speaker. The Audioengine 5+ speakers look to be about 10 percent bigger than the earlier 5 series. Consumer Score . If you have more room in your budget, the excellent $500 Audioengine A5+ Wireless system has more power and bass depth. Even more importantly, the Audioengine a5 boasts of the latest technologies and innovative design, which results in an exceptional audio experience. The lower register instrumentation has a robust, full presence that doesn't seem boosted much at all—just full, round, and accurate. Sleek and compact speaker built with tight spaces in mind and A2 amplified speakers my... One of the old model this is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based independent... A fee by that merchant aluminum contour streamer to a CD player the power supply a Good thing—their natural is... 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