When it comes to speakers, I’ll admit that I’m not too versed in variety. I only know a number of brands – Klipsch, Sony, JBL, Harman Kardon, Polk Audio and Wharfedale. As for Audioengine, well, I haven’t tried one, but I’ve read a lot of good things about their products. That’s why I was so excited to jump on the offer to try out the A2+.
Every once in a while, I come across a product that sparks my interest unlike anything else, and these speakers are a perfect case in point. It’s the size in particular. I wondered, “What can something this small deliver?, and I have to admit that I didn’t put a high level of expectation for these”, and that was a mistake.
Specifications
| Type | Powered Bluetooth aptX Speaker system |
| Amplifier Type | Class AB |
| Power Output | 60W Peak Power Total (30W per channel) |
| Drivers | 2.75″ aramid fiber woofers |
| 0.75″ silk dome tweeters | |
| Input | 3.5mm stereo mini-jack, RCA L/R, USB, Bluetooth (aptX) |
| Outputs | RCA variable line-out |
| SNR | >95 dB (typical A-weighted) |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz-22 kHz ±2.0 dB |
| Input Impedance | 10K ohms unbalanced |
| Power Consumption | 10W (Idle) |
| SRP | PhP14,990 via Digital Walker |
Unboxing
With the Audioengine A2+, there’s no need to make a separate purchase for say speaker cables. Everything you’ll need is in the box.
- Speakers
- 1 x Micro USB cable
- 1 x Mini Jack Audio Cable
- 1 x Speaker Cable
- 1 x Speaker Wire (16AWG), 2 meters
- Power Brick
- Power Cable
- Documentation
- Microfiber Speaker Speaker, Power Supply, and Cable Bags
Design
Audioengine A2+ is perfect for a minimalist setup. These offer a simple and clean look, and an incredibly compact size, making them ideal especially for those who don’t have a lot of space on their desk. It also comes in three colors – Satin Black, Hi-Gloss White, and Hi-Gloss Red.
These speakers are equipped with 2.75-inch aramid woofers, complimented by .75-inch silk dome tweeters and built-in power amps for a good balance of clarity and low-end.
At the back, you get the audioengine branding, and a full suite of connectivity options.
- Stereo RCA input and output
- Stereo mini-jack input
- Micro USB input
- Output to right speaker
For some reason, audioengine has decided to stick to a date microUSB port instead of a USB-C port. I honestly don’t find it an issue, but some may do. At 1.5 meters the cable was just at the right length to reach the left speaker from my PC, I did wish it was just a bit longer so I can properly hide the cable for a cleaner look.
Another potential issue here would be the power cable which connects to the back of the speaker via a 3-pin connector. Since it can’t be detached from the power brick, you’ll have to find an entire assembly of the same type. It would’ve nice if it used a more common connection, like via USB, or the two pronged cable that you’ll find on some other electronic equipment.
The speaker can be powered on and off using a knob, which is also located at the back of the left unit. There’s also a button for pairing the speaker with another device via Bluetooth. You can connect up to two devices at the same time.
Connectivity
What’s great about the Audioengine A2+ is that there are a multitude of ways to use it. You can use the USB cable or if you have one, a 3.5mm to RCA cable to connect it to your PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or even a DAP,
If you want to go wireless, simply press or long press the pairing button at the back of the speaker to connect it to a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or DAP, via Bluetooth. You don’t even have to disconnect one device to play music from the another.
Lastly, you can use the mini jack cable to establish a sort of auxiliary connection from your device. What I’d like to do is have the speaker connected wired from my PC, and at the same time, have it connected via Bluetooth to my tablet and phone.
Unlike some speakers in its price range, the A2+ doesn’t offer support for voice assistants, nor does it have Wi-Fi to integrate into your IoT home setup. It’s not really a minus for me, but those who prioritize those things may want to look somewhere else.
Sound
Audioengine A2+ delivers rich and detailed bass with great impact. It’s not as big of a sound compared to say the Diamond S10 by Wharfedale, but it’s more than enough for a small room. If you listen to upbeat genres like House or Trance, you’re in for a treat.
Perhaps the second strongest point of these speakers are the vocals, which sound incredibly clear and detailed. That means you won’t miss the crispness or the texture, and it doesn’t cross the sibilant territory. The treble is also impressive, with just the right airiness without being piercing.
Perhaps the weakest point of these speakers is if you’re playing music that’s got so much going on. There’s this tendency for the instrument separation to be not as evident. Otherwise, it’s amazing.
This thing can go loud, and I mean it – very very loud. Just a little turn on the knob at the back increases the volume a lot, so you’ll have to go through a balancing act to set it at comfortable levels. A remote would’ve been handy, so you have to reach for the back of the speaker every time you want to adjust the volume.
Verdict
Audioengine A2+ has so many good things to offer for its price. You get a space-saving design without any major compromise to the sound, a vast array of options for connectivity, great build quality, and of course, good sound quality.
Sure, there are a couple of things that could’ve been better – the length of the speaker cable, the power connector, or the lack of support for IoT integration, but for those who prioritize sound over anything else, this should be at the top of your list.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
