Performance

Audioengine allows you to connect to the speakers in a variety of ways. The most convenient of these with your PC is through the USB port on the back as it avoids another ADC step in the signal chain, which is always a good thing. When we plugged in the USB cable, our Windows PC immediately recognized the device and we had audio.

What is not so easily usable is the volume pot with an integrated on/off switching on the back of the device. This does make sense from a design and cost perspective, but is a little source of annoyance. Fortunately, you can just set the volume and use Windows volume control to fine-tune it, which alleviates the issue somewhat.

If you plan on using it with a laptop or phone, you will be pleased to find a well-functioning Bluetooth module inside. We tested the speakers over the course of a few weeks, and the connection from laptops and phones via Bluetooth was rock solid, which is more than what we can say for the Dynaudio XEO 2s.


The A2+s are designed for near field monitoring, which makes them the perfect desk companion for your PC. Besides the speakers, Audioengine also sells the DS1 desk stands, which really help you get the sweet spot up to where it makes sense for normal desktop operation. Other desk stands will of course give you more or less the same result, but the DS1s fit nicely and feel pretty secure despite just being pieces of plastic. The angle of the DS1s is pretty good for a desk of normal depth and height. You want to have you ears on or slightly below the axis of the tweeter for maximum performance. For these types of monitors, also spend a little time aligning them in an equilateral triangle. The sweet spot is not huge, so these speakers are for the selfish listener.

Sound quality is of course a very important aspect for monitor-like speakers, and the A2+ Wireless do not disappoint, especially considering their minuscule size. For a small set of speakers, they pack a lot of punch and good extension. The sound is balanced and non-fatiguing, and once you get into the sweet spot, you are graced with a nice sound stage.

Bass-wise, you get a little less than with medium-sized smart speakers, but the quality is much better. Extension is more or less the same as they all struggle below 100 Hz, but Audioengine does so without introducing audible DSP artifacts. This is also very apparent when playing louder. Compared to most medium-sized smart speakers, the Audiongines can put out a lot of power. Extension is limited as with most small driver speakers, but somehow, I was expecting a bit more as these speakers have the amplification power to push the low end more.

The midrange and treble is pretty good. There is a noticeable lower midrange bump, but it is not that damaging to the presentation. The bump is probably some kind of attempt to get a slightly more weighty presentation in a system that is a little light on bass. It is fine for the most part, and Audioengine does make a suitable subwoofer for the system.

The 3–5 kHz range is not overly pronounced, but still has enough energy to make rock music sound engaging and lively for the most part. Female vocals sound good without being too forward, and sibilance is not an issue unless present in the recording. The very high-end is where the A2+s have to throw in the towel; you do not get a lot of 10 kHz plus, or it is at least somewhat uncontrolled.

In a small office space, these speakers will do the trick, and Audioengine even includes a sub out on their speakers for users wanting more bass to upgrade. In larger spaces, the speakers are outgunned by bigger active stereo sets, which is to be expected.

In an ideal scenario, we would have preferred slightly less low midrange energy as it does mask some midrange details a little. Upper midrange tuning is fine, but generally on the relaxed listening side of things, which is probably a good choice if you listen to a variety of music, including some with questionable mastering. Bass extension under 100 Hz is very limited and here, a sub would probably help it nicely.