If you were looking for an Audioengine a5+ review, you’re in luck, because this is the only review on the bookshelf speakers you will ever need.
When it comes to speakers, people often find themselves in a sticky situation; either go for the speaker, which fits in your room but doesn’t sound great, or buy a giant speaker which gives you perfect sound, but will mean the settee will have to go.
What about if you can get both a great sounding speaker and keep all your furniture. The Audioengine a5+ is a sleek and compact speaker built with tight spaces in mind.
Even more importantly, the Audioengine a5 boasts of the latest technologies and innovative design, which results in an exceptional audio experience.
What to Consider Before Buying the Audioengine A5+ Bookshelf Speakers?
So, what to consider when buying a bookshelf speaker for your home?
One primary concern of people these days who are (ahem) living in smaller homes with limited space is there’s just no room for an extensive speaker system. It’s a real drag if you’re like me and loves to hear those thumping bass tones and feel them as well.
You’ll find speakers that have an excellent sound output but have a large footprint and take too much space.
On the flip side, there are the more compact bookshelf variety of speakers that fit nicely in small spaces, but typically do not offer the same audio quality level.
As you will see in this Audioengine a5+ wireless review, the A5+ pretty much solves all the problems of:
- Not having an adequate amount of space
- Large speakers with a large footprint
- Having to compromise on sound quality
- Settling on a mediocre speaker design
- Having to spend too much for a good quality speaker system
If you’re like me, then you’ve been faced with the same challenging issues listed above.
There’s good news, though.
You don’t have to compromise with an average sounding speaker system. Or get a sizeable speaker system that takes up too much space.
The Audioengine a5 bookshelf speaker design keeps users like you and me in mind—users who face the challenge of choosing between a dull sound and a space-eating speaker system.
Presenting the Audioengine A5+ Bookshelf Speakers
And, while the brand quickly became a favorite of those looking for good quality desktop speakers, Audioengine branched out yet again to accommodate the bookshelf speaker niche.
While this helped fill the game between the small desktop speakers and large floor-standing speaker systems, it also gave consumers another option to choose from when selecting high-end bookshelf speakers.
In terms of quality, Audioengine has always delivered speaker systems that have been right on the money. And quality built.
Their quality control stems from the experience of one of the founding members of the company. He was a project manager at Apple and worked on the iPod.
Other founding members have years of experience working for world-famous brands such as Gibson Guitars and Alesis (who manufacture pro-level keyboards).
With the combined expertise and technical prowess of its founding members, it is no wonder Audioengine has continuously made a splash with their speaker designs.
The company launched its first product back in 2005, called the A5. Its unique design included a mini-jack pod and USB plug, so its speakers were compatible with iPods and other MP3 players, making the A5 an instant hit.
While other brands opted to build a docking port right into their speakers, Audioengine went a different route and created what is now considered a classic speaker design.
What separates the Audioengine A5+ from other bookshelf speakers is it gives you:
- A sleek and sophisticated speaker design
- A small footprint which fits easily anywhere
- Modern design that spruces up any room
- Powerful audio output
- The latest technologies for superb sound
- An affordable and reliable bookshelf speaker system
The Audioengine a5+ bookshelf powered speaker system offers a high audio quality level with the latest technologies neatly wrapped in a compact design, which makes this one of the more powerful bookshelf speaker systems available in the market today.
Pros of the Audioengine A5+
- 5-inch aramid fiber woofer
- 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters
- Sleek and sophisticated design
- Dual Class AB monolithic amplifier
- Sub-woofer connectivity
- Wireless option (24-bit Bluetooth sampling)
- Remote control
- 150W total peak power
Cons of the Audioengine A5+
- Limited control with the remote
- No source knob
Let’s have a closer look at the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers.
Sleek and Modern Speaker Design Looks Great and Also Helps Reduce Internal Resonance for an Enhanced Audio Experience
One of the first things you will notice right out the box with the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speaker system is its sleek modern design, which can fit effortlessly into any current home.
Another feature of these bookshelf speakers is the relatively small footprint. It means you can use them almost anywhere. Whether you are looking for compact speakers for your home theatre or your PC or enjoying your favorite tunes, the Audioengine A5 offers superb performance.
Audioengine has outdone itself in the minute design details of this bookshelf speaker, which results in enhanced sound quality.
The compact design does not hinder the speaker woofers and other components from performing to their full potential, which is a significant issue with many small speakers.
The Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speaker system produces an excellent audio performance, which has a reduced internal resonance and a sound that can quickly fill up a small to medium-sized room.
But, more needs to be said about the overall design.
Audioengine has delivered an exceptional speaker system while still adhering to many of the long-standing principles of compact speaker design (no grills).
With the Audioengine A5+, you’re going to get a classic speaker design that will remind you of the golden days of retro compact speakers, with the difference that the A5+ also has a few surprises under the hood.
Large 5-inch Kevlar Design Woofers Come with Advanced Voice Coils for Superior Audio Quality
Are you looking for a solid bass sound?
The Audioengine A5+ is here to deliver.
Don’t be fooled by the soft exterior appearance of these bookshelf speakers.
The Audioengine A5 features a large 5-inch woofer that packs a punch. With the amount of power these woofers generate, you’re certainly not going to need an Audioengine a5+ subwoofer.
But what is really behind its incredible bass sound is its clever use of the latest technologies and smart design.
That’s not to forget the large Kevlar design woofer, which includes advanced technology voice coils responsible for the deep enriched sound the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers are known for.
Overall, you’ll enjoy a consistent audio quality with these bookshelf speakers, making it the right choice if you’re searching for high-quality bookshelf speakers.
3/4-inch Silk Dome Tweeters Results in Dynamic Sound, especially while Delivering on High Notes
Audioengine put much thought into the design and technology of the A5+ bookshelf speakers, and it shows.
The A5+ speaker features a 3/4 inch silk dome tweeter, which gives you a rich audio experience.
But, Audioengine has added something extra to the mix, which makes these tweeters function even more efficiently.
The addition of the neodymium magnets to the silk dome tweeters’ design significantly enhances its ability to produce a balanced sound, which one would expect from high-end bookshelf speakers.
You get to enjoy a high level of mid and high range frequencies that are crisp, clear, and without any interference.
Wireless Connectivity and a Slew of Other Features Results in Exquisite and Accurate Sound
With the A5+, Audioengine has undoubtedly broken new ground by designing a genuinely modern speaker in every sense of the word.
The A5 wireless is a two-way powered speaker system that features some of the most cutting-edge audio technologies you would find in bookshelf speakers at its price point.
Apart from its Bluetooth 4.0 aptX HD connectivity, which allows you to sync your speakers, the A5+ also boasts a toroidal transformer, one of the most expensive transformers used in speakers. Period.
The powerful woofer and tweeter in this bookshelf speaker match appropriately with a high-quality analog dual-class A/B monolithic amp, specially designed for the drivers used in the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers.
The A5+ includes a 24-bit DAC, which results in a low sound distortion while providing impressive low audio.
Audioengine designs their drivers rather than just using some run-of-the-mill option in their speakers.
The result?
The exquisite level of sound clarity and quality that Audioengine speakers have come to be known for.
What Do Buyers Say?
You can tell a lot about any product by the kind of reviews it generates.
With the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers, we found nothing but great reviews, which praises everything from no Bluetooth dropout issues to the stable sound quality that one would expect from a high-end speaker system. So, there are no surprises here.
Overall, the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers have successfully delivered on its promise, which is to provide an outstanding audio performance despite its compact build. The A5+ effortlessly offers high-quality audio for small and medium-sized rooms.
However, there were whispers by some folks who thought they’d need an Audioengine A5+ subwoofer.
But it comes down to personal preference.
These speakers fit nicely in small rooms, and come with custom Audioengine stands if required, which adds to its sleek, modern appearance.
What about Alternatives to the Audioengine A5+ Bookshelf Speakers
You might want to try:
- Edifier s1000db Bookshelf Speaker or
- Kanto Yu 6 Bookshelf Speaker
Features
- 5.5-inch woofer
- Bluetooth 4.0 aptX connectivity
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Max Power Input: 120 watts
Looking for something similar? The Edifier s1000db bookshelf speakers come pretty close but don’t even think of an Edifier s1000db vs. Audioengine A5+ since the A5+ will hit any comparisons between the two right out the park.
Despite its larger 5.5-inch woofer, the S1000db fails to deliver on its audio output, not what you’d expect from the brand. The one thing these two bookshelf speakers do have in common is aptX Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.
Check out the Edifier s1000db Bookshelf Speaker on Amazon here.
Features
- 5.25-inch Kevlar drivers
- 1-inch soft-dome tweeter
- Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
- Max Power Input: 100 watts
If you’re lookingfor a more extensive set of speakers, the Kanto Yu 6 bookshelf speakers could be right up your alley.
You will have to compromise on appearance and sound quality because when it comes to the Kanto Yu 6 vs. Audioengine A5+, you can see a clear difference in the level of sound quality the two speaker systems offer.
While Kanto Yu does a pretty solid job delivering those lows, the interference is noticeable when it comes to those high and mid-range notes.
The A5 also boasts of a sleek and sophisticated design, while the Kanto Yu 6 features a model that could be described as tacky at best.
If you’re looking for both looks and performance, then the Audioengine A5+ powered speakers will be your best choice.
Verdict
The Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers deliver a rich sound quality easily noticeable right off the bat.
You will also notice that delightful and smooth top end, which Audioengine speakers are known to provide so expertly.
The combination of cutting-edge technologies and smart design means you can achieve some astounding sound quality by just playing around with the two speakers’ placement.
If you push speakers hard, they begin to sound harsh and forced, but not so with A5 bookshelf speakers. Thanks to the large woofer, top-of-the-line toroidal power transformer, and Class A/B amp, which enhances sound quality while delivering high notes.
To check out the Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers on Amazon, click here.
Want to look at other bookshelf speakers? Check out my post on the Best Bookshelf Speakers for 2020
