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t3ch Review - Audioengine A2 Desktop Speakers
Ricardo Trejo
Face it, for the most part we all stick to the packaged speakers that come with our computers. And for those who are laptop owners, it’s usually straight to Google and a quick search for the best headphones. Audioengine is looking to kick that habit by introducing high-end bookshelf speakers that are the complete opposite of the cheap, plastic, subpar audio solutions we’re so used to hearing from our desktops.
Product: Audioengine A2 Desktop Speakers
Features
- 6”(H) x 4”(W) x 5.25”(D)
- 1.6Kg/3.55lbs (left speaker), 1.4Kg/3.15lbs (right speaker)
- 3.5mm (1/8”) audio input jack, RCA audio input jacks
- 2.75” Kevlar woofers, 20mm silk dome tweeters
- 60W peak (15 - 30W per channel) power output
- 65Hz-22kHz +/-2.0dB
- Shielded against hard drive music players and video monitors
Review
First off, we all love watching Youtube trailers, or even our own home movies on our computers. But when the family gathers around to take a look, it’s a constant dread not having speakers loud enough that everyone can hear. And then there’s Netflix and Hulu Plus, services that desperately require great audio, especially when watching action movies or a simple episode of the Office when the TV’s being used by another member of our family.
This is where the A2 desktop speakers by Audioengine step in. When compared to those standard, typically flimsy, packaged-in speakers, which sometimes have intergrated wiring that don’t even have their own power source, the A2’s are everything those traditional speakers aren’t — practical, stylish, and top notch.
Coming in two different styles, matte black and glossy white, they’re the perfect complement to any PC or Apple computer set up. In the front, the A2’s drivers with 2.75” Kevlar woofers (yeah, that’s right, Kevlar — as in, bulletproof Kevlar) and 20mm silk dome tweeters, as well as each being video-shielded against pulling colors or causing interference with monitors and digital hard drives. They lack speaker grills, which give them an authentic, clean appearance. And with the speakers’ bodies hosting nothing but a plain no-button look on every side, the A2’s are anything but unattractive.
On the back, you’ll find the volume control knob, RCA audio inputs, a 3.5mm (1/8”) mini-audio jack, stereo wire connectors, and a power supply input. While there are some great design choices done for these speakers, choosing to place the volume knob on the rear isn’t the smartest move in the world, especially since many users like adjusting their volume on the fly, and having to make them reach behind these larger than usual speakers is an unnecessary chore that should’ve been expressed in R&D. The same also goes with a curiously missing headphone jack, which is pretty much a staple for any speaker system that’s meant to be used for your desktop.
However, one big draw, especially for those who are audiophiles or at least have audio experience, is that the A2’s don’t connect using an integrated audio cable, but rather come packaged with speaker wire instead of regular old 1/8” audio cables. With that in mind, let’s say you want to separate them further apart than the wires packaged in, then you can use your own speaker wire to lengthen the distance.
Built for a whole variety of uses, the A2 speakers can be hooked up to your computer, laptop, or iPod dock using the included 3.5mm audio jack. But also included on the back are two RCA output plugs just in case you’re looking to give your TV a little more “umph”.
In terms of performance, the A2’s are everything you’d expect from a $200 pair of speakers; magnifiscent sound, rich low’s, mid’s, and high’s, all of which come in clearly without any distortion, however the bass can be a bit overpowering at times. It can actually be so strong and powerful that you can even feel the air coming from the slit on the bottom of each speaker.
But the main issue that we found was that the speakers can be a little on the flat side. Think of a soda without all the bubble and fizzle. Well, these speakers can sound a lot like that when your music isn’t fine tuned to be play on these Audioengines. The reason for this is that the high bass we spoke about can be a little bit too much at times, but after going into iTunes or even on your media device, and enabling your Equalizer settings, you can set it up to the perfect desired sound you’re looking for.
In terms of price, $200 may be a bit steep, especially for those you’re going to be using only for your desktop, but Audioengine spared no detail and went for an all-or-nothing approach. Not to mention that everything comes packaged in nice drawstring bags to protect the exterior of the speakers from knicks or scratches. Aside from the two bookshelf speakers, included are two separate audio cables, one long (6.5ft.) and one short (8in.); the power brick and cord; and finally, a 6.5ft. speaker cable.
Overall
For us, the A2’s ultimate feature comes from their ability to bring style to anyone’s desk. Sure, they are pricey at $200, but these are top-of-the-line desktop speakers that spare no detail when it comes to the quality of audio you’ll be hearing from these guys. These aren’t meant to replace stereo systems or be anything special, considering it’s just a 2.0 set-up. But for a clean look and astounding audio, with monsterous bass, the A2’s might just be what you never knew you needed.
Pro’s
- Clean, minimalist design
- Delivers strong, crisp music without distortion
- Strong bass
- Easy set-up
Con’s
- No headphone jack
- Volume button located in rear
- Equalizer settings recommended
Price: $199
Where to buy it: Audioengine
Photos
This review was done by Ricardo Trejo who was provided A2 speakers by Audioengine
