About the Audioengine A2+
Put a concert on your desktop
Audioengine A2+ in Black Satin pictured with the optional DS1 desktop speaker stands
Put a concert on your desktop
Audioengine's original A2 powered speakers have been putting big smiles on our customer's faces for years. Their rich, musical sound, impressive build quality, and attractive, desktop-friendly design have earned them many well-deserved accolades. Placed alongside your computer monitor, these little gems could breathe life into your favorite musical performances. So wouldn't it be a little crazy to change something that delivers such terrific sound and value? I mean, why mess with success, right?
Audioengine did. They took everything that people loved about the original A2 and added even more flexibility and performance. But as the folks from Audioengine themselves say — "Even if you're not an audio enthusiast, we guarantee you will still hear a difference!" We think you will, too.
A pocket full of upgrades
So exactly how did Audioengine make a great speaker even better? First and foremost they gave the A2+ a USB port for making a direct digital connection to your computer. That connection bypasses your computer's built-in sound card (a low-cost afterthought on most PCs) as well as the underwhelming headphone jack circuitry. In its place, the speaker's own high-quality, built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter) processes your music files, giving you far greater fidelity and reducing the potential for noise and interference that can degrade sound quality.
Audioengine also gave the A2+ variable audio output jacks. That makes it easy to add an optional powered subwoofer if you crave more bass, or even send audio wirelessly to another pair of powered speakers or a sub using Audioengine's optional W3 wireless adapter. Other thoughtful improvements include upgrades to the power supply, speaker connectors, and accessory cables to further improve sound quality. Audioengine even gave the A2+ threaded metal inserts for easier wall mounting with optional speaker brackets.
" Actually, they sounded really good. Really good. I would have never thought that 6" desktop speakers could sound this good, except for maybe those studio monitors that call themselves desktop speakers. But these are actually designed for use with your computer, hence Audioengine's tagline, "Join the computer audio [r]evolution." Okay, where do I sign? And at 15W RMS, these puppies can really crank. They were loud enough to fill my house with music and drown out the clang of pots and pans as I cooked breakfast, or, if you're so inclined, the noise of dorm- and roommates."
— From Spencer Holbert's review in The Absolute Sound, February, 2014
Read the full review
What hasn't changed? Fantastic Audioengine sound
Like their predecessors, the A2+ speakers sound simply amazing. While typical plastic computer speakers can sound lifeless and dull, these Audioengine speakers sparkle with musical energy. Their silk dome tweeters deliver smooth, open highs. Custom Kevlar woofers provide tight, punchy mids and bass. The drivers are powered by two very conservatively rated amplifiers built into the left speaker — a simple, secure connection between the left and right speakers using the included cable gets them hooked together. Plus, you still get minijack and RCA inputs for connecting your favorite portable music players and audio components. Audioengine wraps everything up in sturdy, low-resonance wood cabinets with a hand-polished finish that you'll be proud to display in your room.
If you're using a pair of the A2+ speakers as part of a desktop system, we highly recommend placing them on Audioengine's DS1 speaker stands. They improve mid-bass clarity and help the stereo image snap into focus.
Product highlights:
- powered stereo speakers
- USB input and built-in Burr-Brown DAC let you bypass your computer's sound card for better performance (works with Mac or PC, no software to install)
- accepts music files up to 16-bit/48kHz
- variable audio output for connecting a subwoofer or wirelessly sending audio to other speakers with the optional W3 wireless adapter
- two 15-watt RMS amplifiers built into left speaker
- frequency response: 65-22,000 Hz (±2 dB)
- each speaker features:
- one 3/4" silk dome tweeter
- one 2-3/4" Kevlar mid/woofer
- video-shielded to prevent interference in tube TVs and monitors
- rear-panel volume control
- gold-plated binding post speaker terminals (6-1/2' cable included to connect left and right speaker together)
- USB input (USB type-A to USB type-B cable included)
- minijack stereo input (mini-to-mini cable included)
- stereo RCA audio input and output
- AC power cord and outboard power supply
- bottom-mount threaded inserts for optional wall brackets
- 4-3/16"W x 6-1/4"H x 5-5/8"D (7"D with power cord)
- warranty: 3 years
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # A2 + black
What's in the box:
Audioengine A2+ owner's manual
- Powered left speaker
- Passive right speaker
- AC power supply (w/ attached 6' DC cord)
- 6' AC power cord
- 6.5' Length of 16 gauge speaker wire
- 5' USB (type-B) to USB (type-A) cable
- 6' Stereo minijack cable
- 2 Cloth drawstring speaker pouches
- 2 Cloth drawstring accessory pouches
- Setup guide
- Audioengine product brochure
Reviews
Customer reviews
Loading reviews...
Audioengine A2+ reviews
Average review:
Thanks for submitting your review
Customer photos
This review was collected as part of a promotion
Pros:
Cons:
More details on the Audioengine A2+
Features & specs
| Connections | ||
|---|---|---|
| USB Port | No | |
| Aux Input | No | |
| RCA Input | No | |
| XLR Input | No | |
| Phono Input | No | |
| Digital Input | No | |
| HDMI Input | No | |
| Headphone Jack | No | |
| Subwoofer Output | No | |
| Wireless Features | ||
| Bluetooth | No | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Wi-Fi Bands | No | |
| Driver Details | ||
| Tweeter Size (Inches) | 0.75 | |
| Tweeter Type | Dome | |
| Tweeter Material | Silk | |
| Midrange Size (Inches) | --- | |
| Midrange Type | --- | |
| Woofer Size (Inches) | 2.75 | |
| Woofer Type | Kevlar | |
| Audio Specs | ||
| Watts RMS (Continuous) | 15 | |
| Watts Maximum (Peak) | 30 | |
| Frequency Response | 65-22k | |
| Max. Digital Audio Bit Depth | N/A | |
| Max. Digital Audio Sample Rate | N/A | |
| Control | ||
| Handheld Remote | No | |
| Control by app | N/A | |
| Amazon Alexa | No | |
| Google Assistant | No | |
| Other Specs | ||
| Width (Inches) | --- | |
| Height (Inches) | --- | |
| Depth (Inches) | --- | |
| Parts Warranty | 3 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 3 Years | |
Product Research
Features
Two-Way Speaker System: Each of the Audioengine A2+ speakers has two drivers; a 3/4" silk dome tweeter & a 2.75" Kevlar woofer. The A2+ provides a real, natural sound; very near to the originally-recorded music. The A2+ has a frequency response of 65Hz to 22,000Hz (+/-2dB)
- Silk Dome Tweeters: Audioengine uses audiophile-quality, ferro-fluid cooled silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets. Silk tweeters hold up well under high power & the edge-driven design gives very smooth response.
- Kevlar Woofers: The woofers are made of Kevlar woven glass aramid composite with rubber surrounds. Kevlar is very strong, which means that the woofer retains its shape when being driven at high levels.
Built-in Amplifier: The A2+ is powered by a 15-watt RMS x 2ch amplifier (SNR: >95dB, THD: <0.05%), built into the left speaker. The built-in power amplifier saves space & eliminates the need to connect Audioengine A2+ to a stereo receiver or external power amp. Simply plug the left speaker into an AC outlet & connect the included 6.5' speaker wire from the left speaker's binding-post terminal to right speaker's binding post terminals. All internal components of the 2+ are tuned together, providing a more efficient system requiring less power than passive speakers & amplifiers.
Note: With the amplifier built-in, the left speaker is heavier than the right (4 lbs vs. 3 lbs).
Bass Reflex MDF Cabinet: One of the reasons the Audioengine 2+ has such great bass response for a compact speaker is its slot-ported cabinet. Each cabinet features a front-firing slot-port that has been specifically tuned for accurate bass down to 65Hz. The result is incredible low end with minimal audible air turbulence, so you can use the Audioengine A2+ speakers with or without a separate subwoofer. The cabinets are built using 18mm MDF with internal bracing. Internal sound-damping material reduces unwanted reflections inside the cabinet. The cabinet edges are rounded to reduce high-frequency diffraction effects on the front baffles. The speakers are hand finished, then tuned and tested together to be sold in matching pairs.
Note: The speaker materials & construction are robust & extremely durable, so speaker grilles aren't needed.
USB (type-B) port + TI/Burr Brown DAC: The Audioengine A2+ is fitted with a USB (type-B) port and features a built-in TI/Burr Brown PCM2704C DAC. With its USB (type-B) port and built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC), the Audioengine A2+ allows you to send high-quality digital audio directly from your Windows or Mac computer's USB port. The A2+ internal DAC handles up to 48kHz/16-bit music files.
Analog Audio Inputs: The A2+ has two stereo audio inputs on the rear-panel of left speaker. The A2+ is fitted with a 3.5mm stereo minijack input & a stereo RCA input. There is no input selector switch, so both inputs are live simultaneously; if different signals are presented to both inputs, they are mixed together & both are played through the speakers.
Variable Audio Output: The Audioengine A2+ includes a variable stereo preamp audio output so you can connect a powered subwoofer (such as the Audioengine S8; sold separately), other Audioengine powered speakers, or an Audioengine wireless adapter to daisy-chaining music to other systems around the house. This output is variable (adjustable) so the volume level can be controlled from the A2+ or remote control.
Optional Wireless Adapters: Audioengine offers wireless adapters (772W3, sold separately) that can be used with the A2+ powered speakers and its analog audio input or output. The W3 includes a Sender (transmitter) & Receiver; the system is designed to deliver an audio signal wirelessly between your source component & the A2+ powered speaker, or between the A2+ powered speaker and your powered subwoofer (sold separately).
Mounting Options: Both speakers have a high-density foam isolation pad on the bottom for safe placement on your desk, stand, table, or shelf. The optional DS1 Desktop Stands (772DS1, sold separately), made of high-performance silicone rubber, angle the A2+ speakers upward at approximately 15° and add 1-3/4" the the height (for 8" total). Threaded brass inserts are found on the bottom each speaker cabinet to provide the ability to attach the speaker to free-standing floor stands or articulating wall-mount brackets (sold separately). Audioengine recommends placing the speakers at least 3" from the back wall for best audio performance.
Note: Both drivers (woofer & tweeter) are directly video shielded & allow you to place the speakers within a few inches of a video monitor. This shielding also offers protection for hard-drive digital music players.
External AC Power Supply: The Audioengine A2+ operates off of standard household current using the included AC power adapter and detachable power cord. The AC power adapter plugs into the left powered speaker and the included speaker wire is used to connect the right passive speaker. An auto-standby idle mode is also featured to conserve power when you're not playing music.
Loading accessories...
Customer Q&A
6 questions already asked
Loading articles...
Great full sound from such compact speakers. The built in amplifier is incredible. Delivers on what it said it would. I matched these speakers with the turntable recommended and got a great product for about $500.00 loving my vinyl again!
Debbie A from New York, New York