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Audioengine A2+ overview
Designed for desktop use, and dwelling rooms the place even bookshelf displays declare an excessive amount of area, this compact Bluetooth speaker bundle from Audioengine punches above its weight with regards to versatility and design. However can the A2+ additionally hit the precise notes with regards to musicality?
I fostered a pair, keen to seek out out if pint-sized audio system actually can ship a reassuringly huge sound to match the best stereo speakers.
The Audioengine A2+ Bluetooth audio system are tailor-made for near-field listening. Measuring a mere 152 x 101 x 134mm, these titchy enclosures supply a wealth of connectivity, together with Bluetooth aptX-HD, USB, and analogue stereo enter/outputs through RCA phonos and three.5mm minijack. They lack a digital audio enter although.
Obtainable in a alternative of matte (blue or black), and gloss finishes (purple or white), construct high quality is great. My shiny purple overview set oozed premium enchantment, their reflective shiny end contrasting fantastically with the black drivers.
The cupboards themselves have first rate heft. Constructed from MDF, they stand simply barely taller than a Snickers bar and must be simple to accommodate on untidy desks, and even as a part of a minimalist Hello-Fi setup.
The left speaker is the lively mannequin, with connectivity, built-in amplification and quantity management, whereas the precise is its passive companion. The facility provide is separate from the lively enclosure, fortunately the brick isn’t too giant.
Every cupboard homes a 70mm aramid fibre woofer and 19mm silk dome tweeter, with venting on the base to reinforce low-frequency efficiency.
Unsurprisingly, given their dimension, these audio system will not be quantity monsters. The system is rated at 15W RMS per channel at 4 ohms, with a peak energy output of 30W per channel.
In relation to system configuration, there’s the choice of USB audio, stereo RCA inputs, and a 3.5mm minijack enter. There’s additionally a subwoofer output must you need to add further bass, within the type of Audioengine’s S6 subwoofer.
Regardless of this versatility, I anticipate most consumers will most likely do the vast majority of their listening through Bluetooth. Right here, aptX HD ensures high-resolution wi-fi audio streaming (when related to an aptX HD suitable smartphone), although there is no Wi-Fi, not like many of the best wireless speakers. My system was prepared to attach as quickly because it powered up.
Additionally included within the field are 2m of connecting speaker wire, a minijack audio cable, plus a USB result in join your PC. All of this, plus the audio system, comes packed in microfiber material luggage for defense. There’s no distant management included (though you most likely don’t want one).
Setup is good and easy: simply join the passive proper speaker to the powered left with the included speaker cable, join the ability brick, and also you’re good to go.
It’s value noting that the A2+ isn’t a wise system; there’s no voice help from the likes of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Straight from the field, the A2+ are an pleasurable hear, not least as a result of they’re able to true stereo imaging, one thing of a rarity within the predominantly one-box Bluetooth speaker market. Tracks like Stevie Nicks’ Fringe of Seventeen showcase this effectively, with the uneven guitar riff anchored on the left and percussion neatly unfold throughout the stage. Their spatial presentation is coherent and involving.
Readability and element are additionally good; the A2+ reward hi-res audio sources, discovering refined nuance in Pearl Jam’s Current Tense (24-bit/48kHz) and Radiohead’s sonically layered Burn the Witch (24-bit/48kHz). They undoubtedly have a knack for element retrieval.
Given their compact dimension, low frequency efficiency is understandably restricted. Chase and Standing’ thumping Baddadan lacks the visceral low-end thump related to this drum and bass belter. In order for you extra slam, you’ll want so as to add that subwoofer.
The mid-range is the candy spot right here. From Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing, the place the interaction between tweeter and woofer handles intricate riffs effortlessly, to the hovering piano of In This Second’s Into the Mild, the A2+ system proves adept throughout genres – these treble highs all the time as clear as crystal.
I’d hesitate to name the A2+ audio system musical, although. I by no means felt myself carried away by its beats, and I used to be all the time conscious sounds have been emanating from the 2 shiny enclosures, relatively than hanging within the air earlier than me. That mentioned, what the A2+ gives is exact and performative.
Loren Allred’s pleading vocals in By no means Sufficient, from The Biggest Showman soundtrack, manages to elicit an emotional tingle, precisely because it ought to.
Whereas 15W per channel is ideal for desktop use (Audioengine optimistically quotes 60W peak energy output), these audio system wrestle to serve bigger rooms. They’re additionally fairly directional, sounding sharpest when aimed squarely at eye/ear stage, so place accordingly.
Audioengine A2+ overview: Worth & launch date
- £255 / $269 / AU$449
- Launched August 2024
The Audioengine A2+ Bluetooth audio system can be found now for £255 or $269 (US), which undercuts a lot of their predominant rivals, together with the likes of the Kanto Ren, that are round twice the value.
The S6 subwoofer (£299 / $299) pushes up the system worth fairly significantly, although, and also you actually can discover different Bluetooth stereo audio system for the same worth or cheaper, together with from the likes of Edifier and Majority.
Audioengine A2+ overview: Specs
|
Amplifier: |
30W (60W peak) |
|
Connectivity: |
3.5mm stereo jack, RCA stereo inputs, USB, phono subwoofer output |
|
Dimensions: |
102 x 152 x 13.3mm |
|
Weight: |
Left 1.6kg, Proper 1.4kg |
|
Options: |
Computerized standby and power-up mode; USB charging port |
Do you have to purchase the Audioengine A2+?
|
Part |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
They work with aptX HD Bluetooth, and wired, analog sources. No Wi-Fi or sensible options, although. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Hardly high-end hi-fi, however pleasurable nonetheless. Respectable mid-range, with good refinement, however a scarcity of bass. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
These are lush little lookers, and the excessive gloss end is beautiful. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Worth |
All issues thought of, the A2+ may be thought of moderately priced. |
4 / 5 |
Purchase them if…
Do not buy them if…
Audioengine A2+ overview: Additionally think about
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Audioengine A2+ |
Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 |
Kanto YU4 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth: |
£255 / $269 |
£349 |
£329 |
|
Amplifier: |
30W (60W peak) |
20W |
70W (140W peak) |
|
Connectivity: |
3.5mm stereo jack, RCA stereo inputs, USB, phono subwoofer output |
3.5mm stereo jack, optical digital audio enter; RCA phono subwoofer output |
3.5mm stereo jack, 2 x Optical digital audio enter; RCA stereo inputs, phono subwoofer output |
|
Dimensions: |
102 x 152 x 13.3mm |
130 x 170 x 135mm |
215 x 267 x 215mm |
|
Weight: |
Left 1.6kg, Proper 1.4kg |
4kg complete |
6.8kg complete |
|
Options: |
Computerized standby and power-up mode; USB charging port |
Auto-Mono mode for single speaker use; Snooze mode; optionally available wall mounting |
Computerized standby and power-up mode; USB charging port; distant management |
How I examined the Audioengine A2+
Over the course of per week, I evaluated the Audioengine A2+ in varied settings, specializing in near-field desktop use. Materials was streamed through aptX HD Bluetooth and performed by means of a wired high-resolution music participant. Tracks ranged from traditional rock to EDM and orchestral items, permitting me to evaluate tonal steadiness, readability, and stereo imaging.
Speaker width was dictated by the provided speaker cable which hyperlinks the 2 enclosures, which have been positioned at head peak (or thereabouts) for optimum efficiency.