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Audioengine A5 Bookshelf Speakers
Features
Audioengine has quite a bit to say about the technology that goes into these speakers, things like "advanced voice coils" and "torroidal wangs." These phrases can either make them sound good, or just look like they sound good in print, take your pick. The power protection stuff is real, and includes temperature-based shut-offs, output current limiting (to keep you from blowing a big one), power on/off transient protection, and a replaceable external main fuse (but no spare in the box). The only particularly tangible feature, aside from making beautiful noise, is the set's ability to use two audio inputs simultaneously. So you can plug it into your computer and your iPod at the same time. The USB plug delivers power to any device that accepts it, and will keep it charged without stringing another series of wires between the PC and the speakers. It's not a hub, it's power only. Sound Quality After the initial rush wore off, I found that the set did need a little equalizer love–but this wasn't immediately apparent to me, so that's how little. The sub-60Hz and 18KHz+ ranges, which the amp pushes a little further than the middle ranges (to the point of a little warbling at full volume and only at the higher frequencies), benefited from being scaled back. You might conclude that they're a little bass-heavy, but not in a detrimental way; there's no bass distortion, just a heaping pile of it. 20Hz: barely audible 30-40Hz: very strong 50-2,500Hz: strong 3,000-13,000Hz: strong 13,000-17,000Hz: strong 18,000Hz: audible, slight scratching 20,000Hz: barely audible After adjusting the equalizer, the speakers played clean, even sound from barely audible to full volume. But they only go so loud, unfortunately. As far as your neighbors are concerned, it's still too loud, but not "justifiable homicide" loud. It's just such great sound that you can't help but want more, and the knob stops at ten. These speakers are incredible. Not for their size, not for their price; just incredible. Right out of the box they sounded awesome, and then after a little tweaking, they were even more impressive. All in all, I listened to music for eight hours that day (a full day's work, I assure you) and then popped in the movies. The next day, I hooked 'em up to my Xbox, killed untold hundreds, then, for kicks, plugged 'em into my DS. I just couldn't let them rest. I guess if I had to take issue somewhere, it'd be that they're only 2.0 speakers. The closest thing you can do for four- or six-channel audio would be buying these in sets. Believe me, I'm considering it.
Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Taking a Closer Look & Setup Page 3: Features & Sound Quality Page 4: Conclusion 
Related Reviews Add Comment
2 User Comments 1 - Posted by
Vivek
on October 27, 2009 - 2:36 pm What would you suggest buying the A5 or Logitech Z5500????
2 - Posted by
Max Slowik
on October 27, 2009 - 5:11 pm A5s. Kurtis and I both own them now.
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