This weekend while working with my client Podango at the Podcast and New Media Expo, I had a chance to audition and purchase the Audioengine 2 and Audioengine 5 speakers. I was the first buyer at their booth. Maybe I recognize quality when I hear it? The decision took all of 3 minutes.
My A2s and A5s arrived yesterday in nicely branded, sturdy boxes. Speakers of both sizes, along with wires and accessories, were individually wrapped in cloth bags with gold string. Really elegant. A great arrival experience.
The speakers were easy to plug in and set up as they came with all the connecting wires you need and more.
The A2s replaced a set of Altec Lansing speakers wired to my new iMac 24. I was very satisfied with the Altecs. However, when I turned on the A2s, I was literally stunned by how good they sounded and how good they made music sound.
The Audioengine 2s are not just great. They are extraordinary sounding speakers. They are so awesome that you actually WANT to listen to music because it sounds new and special, and that's enjoyable.
I'm also getting into the A5s, which are amplifying an iPod in my living room. The A5s are larger with some more features, including both RCA and iPod (mini) jacks, an AC outlet for an Apple Airport Express, and an iPod USB charger-jack on the top.
The speakers come in white gloss, black gloss or wood finish. All choices are beautifully crafted. Both my pairs are black. Gorgeous.
Audioengine just entered my pantheon of speakerdom. I'm stopping to listen more every day. Check out their reviews.
Go to Audioengine.
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6 comments:
Thanks for the info. I was wondering if you'd had a chance to really compare the A2s to the A5s? I'm considering one of them to go with my mac mini. The A2s are certainly more suitable size-wise, but if the A5s are that much better I might be willing to sacrifice the desk space.
You're probably one of the only people out there with both so I thought I'd ask.
I had the same question. I believe that I would need more bass and am leaning towards the A5s. Been using the HK Soundsticks for nearly 7 years. And they just don't sound quality anymore.
Thanks.
The A5's are much more powerful than the 2's but for a desktop application, the 2's are perfect. Both sound fantastic and worth every penny.
The A5's are much more powerful than the 2's but for a desktop application, the 2's are perfect. Both sound fantastic and worth every penny.
My impression of the A2s is less favorable than other reviewers. They strike me as overly bassy/boomy, with mid & treble too subdued by comparison. My older computer speakers are powered Advents with a subwoofer: Their mid & treble is clearer though their bass is lacking and the overall sound less full.
I can listen to the A2s only with equalizer set to reduce the bass (cutting 80 to ~ 200hz), though after hearing the A2s I can listen to my Advents only with equalizer boosting the bass. Oh well, nothing's perfect.
To some extent the A2 problem may be that they don't really "come alive" unless played at louder volume than I can tolerate with them set up near my computer only 3-4 feet away from my ears. At greater distance they sound more integrated.
Very nice review of the AudioEngine A2 speakers!
I've been looking for some PC speakers for gaming and unlocking all the music stored on my hard drive and these look like the business.
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