You won’t hear any enhanced super-mega-hyper-monster boomy bass from these powered speakers. The low end from the A5+ Powered Speakers is real bass, very near to the originally-recorded music. From rap to classical to movies, you’ll get tight, punchy bass with an awesome growl that will make you smile – regardless of the volume level.
Even if you’re not an audio enthusiast we guarantee your music will sound better!
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THEM
BENEFITS
Desktop or stands
5” woofers
Analog inputs
Connect a subwoofer
Wireless options
Remote control
SET UP IN SECONDS
SIMPLE. NO HASSLE. EASY TO USE.
The A5+ Powered Speakers are bookshelf speakers that pack a big sound, filling any room. No network setup, passwords to enter, or buttons to push. Setting them up is so easy you’ll be rocking in no time.
Connect your phone, computer, TV, turntable or any other audio gear for great stereo sound in any room.
Keep your music fun, easy, and sounding great.
SMALL SPEAKERS BIG SOUND
FILLS ANY ROOM
Clear, full and powerful audio that fills any room. The A5+ Powered Speakers are constructed with custom Audioengine components: aramid fiber woofers, silk tweeters, and built-in power amps wrapped in precision-tuned and hand-crafted cabinets.
Smart speakers that are perfect for any sized space.
GO OLD SCHOOL
ANALOG, BABY!
Audioengine speakers are special. Their traditional analog amplifiers sound incredible compared to lower-cost digital amps found in other mass-produced brands.
How can such small speakers have so much clean-sounding, deep, tight bass?
Answer:
One of the reasons Audioengine active and passive speakers have such amazing bass in such a small package are the designs of the bass ports on each speaker. These aren’t just holes or slots in the cabinets, but specifically shaped openings with tubes designed with precise calculations. The result is incredible low end with minimal audible air turbulence. These are effectively mini-subs built into each speaker, allowing Audioengine speakers to be used with or without a separate subwoofer. It's also worth mentioning that we don’t use any enhancement circuits to add fake bass, so what you’ll hear is real bass- low and clean.
Question:
Are two separate speakers really better than one boombox or soundbar?
Answer:
We are firm believers that two quality speakers will always sound better than one or more speakers together in a single cabinet, regardless of the amplifier or sound enhancing technology used. There are some decent one-piece speaker systems that simulate stereo and surround sound from a single source, but most fall way short as they can’t accurately duplicate a wide sound stage with imaging as complete and rich as Audioengine speakers.
Question:
Can I have more than one thing connected to the speakers? If I have 2 inputs plugged in at the same time, how do I switch between them?
Answer:
Absolutely! The A5+ Classic includes multiple analog inputs. These are "open," or active, meaning there isn't any sort of switching built into the speakers; if both sources were playing while connected to the speakers, both would be audible. This makes it so you can leave 2 analog audio sources plugged in at the same time with no need to flip any switches!
Question:
Can Audioengine speakers be used outside?
Answer:
Absolutely! It's tough to protect speakers and electronics from extreme changes in temperature and humidity. Due to that, we don't generally recommend the permanent installation of our speakers outdoors. It's fine though (encouraged even) to bring them outside with you all day, and our speakers are simple to set up and take down, making them perfect for this. Let us know if you have any other questions or concerns!
Question:
Do I need a separate receiver for Audioengine powered speakers?
Answer:
No. Audioengine powered speakers have amplifiers built-in. This means you don't need any extra equipment, other than a source to play music on (smartphone, / tablet, a computer, CD player, Turntable, Etc). Just plug your source directly into the inputs on the rear panel of the left speaker with the included cables, and you're listening to music!
Question:
Will the sound be affected if I place the left (active) speaker on the right side and the right speaker on the left?
Answer:
Swapping sides will not have any negative effect on the soundstage or quality/clarity of the speakers. This will simply give you the reverse of what the artist intended for you to hear.
Question:
Are the A5+ Classic speakers accurate enough to serve as studio monitors for mixing music tracks?
Answer:
The A5+ Classic was designed with the user's listening experience in mind and are not marketed as pro audio mixing monitors. However, Audioengine has its roots in the studio monitor world and the A5+ Classic is quite good for this purpose. We've had customers tell us they use these for nearfield listening and music editing with excellent results.
Question:
Can I use a subwoofer with Audioengine powered speakers?
Answer:
Even though Audioengine speakers have big and tight low end which will easily fill a room and rival floor standing speakers many times their size, you can also connect an external sub if you wish (or connect Audioengine speakers to your sub's line-level output). You can even add our W3 wireless adapter for a wireless subwoofer!
Question:
Are these speakers designed for use only with computers or iPods? I would like to connect them to my Panasonic DVD player or TV or even my Denon stereo. Is this possible?
Answer:
Yes, absolutely. All your A/V gear with an RCA or mini-jack 1/8" connector (even a headphone jack) will work great with Audioengine powered speakers.
Question:
Can I use a power inverter with Audioengine speakers?
Answer:
Sure! You will need about 100-120 watts.
Question:
Can I take my Audioengine speakers to another country with a different voltage?
Answer:
Yes, just switch the voltage selector on the rear panel to match the AC power in your country before powering them on. We recommend changing the fuse when using a different voltage. For 220 volts, here's the value you would need:
5mm x 20mm - 1.6 amps @ 250 volts.
The power cable is detachable on our powered speakers which makes it convenient to replace the AC plug with a different type if you don't want to use an adapter plug.
Question:
Do higher power output ratings for audio gear mean louder or better sounding speakers?
Answer:
Not necessarily. Audioengine speakers and amplifiers are very efficient and designed together as a system so therefore we get more volume output than stereo receivers or amplifiers that might higher wattage or power numbers. Due to this tuning we achieve big sound outputs with a fraction of the power required by other systems.
Question:
Does the A5+ Classic come with speaker grills?
Answer:
Our woofers are made of aramid fiber and the tweeter domes are silk. Both of these materials are very robust and can handle quite a bit, therefore we decided against grill covers for the A5+ Classic as they tend to negatively color the sound. Even though our speakers do not have grills they are still cat and kid-friendly!
Question:
Just how easy is it to set up the A5+ Classic?
Answer:
Our powered speakers are an all-in-one solution with no extra amps or components needed! All you need to do is unpack the speakers, place them where you want, and then plug in the AC cord. Next, connect the included speaker wire from the active speaker to the right passive speaker. Then plug in your music (iPod, CD player, computer, etc.) with the supplied cables and you're ready to go.
Question:
Why does the volume knob on my A5+ Classic spin continuously?
Answer:
This is normal; the volume control for the A5+ Classic is a digital encoder, and uses a micro-processor to attenuate the volume. The light on the front of the speakers should flash as you adjust the volume up and down; once the speakers have reached minimum or maximum volume, the light will remain solid and won't flash.
Question:
Can Audioengine speakers be placed on their sides?
Answer:
Yes, and we recommend that you position each so the tweeters are facing outward.
Question:
Will Audioengine A5+ Classic work with my Sonos ZP90?
Answer:
Sure, just connect the SONOS analog audio outputs to the A5+ Classic. Use our passive P4 speakers if you have a SONOS CONNECT:AMP.
Question:
Will Audioengine speakers work with a PC or Mac?
Answer:
Absolutely! Use the computer's headphone output, soundcard, or DAC audio output from your Mac or PC directly into Audioengine speakers and you're good to go. PC, Mac, laptop or any computer.
Question:
If I connect my turntable to the A5+ Classic will it be necessary to purchase a phono preamp or can I simply connect the turntable directly to the A5+ Classic input?
Answer:
Some turntables will need a preamp before being connected and others may have one built-in. With that in mind, it is best to check the turntable manufacturer’s website, the turntable’s user manual, or you can even try your turntable without the preamp first to see how it operates.
Question:
Can I take my A5+ Classic to another country with a different voltage?
Answer:
Yes, just switch the voltage selector on the rear panel to match the AC power in your country before powering them on. We recommend changing the fuse when using a different voltage. For 220 volts, here's the value you would need:
The power cable is detachable on our powered speakers which makes it convenient to replace the AC plug with a different type if you don't want to use an adapter plug.
Question:
Why do digital music files sound better with Audioengine speakers?
Answer:
Audioengine speakers were specially designed and tuned to make MP3 and other digital music files sound great. We spent many months tuning each speaker and almost exclusively used various compresses and lossless files types encoded at different bitrates during this process. Even though we are big fans of digital music your turntable or reel-to-reel tape player will sound equally as good.
Question:
Should I use the volume control on the front of the A5+ Classic or can I adjust from system volume on my computer?
Answer:
If the left speaker is in an easy to reach location, you can certainly use the physical knob to set volume. If not though, we generally recommend setting the A5+ Classic at around 50% and adjusting from source.
Question:
Can I use a power inverter with the A5+ Classic?
Answer:
Sure, for A5+ Classic you will need about 100-120W.
Question:
If I have a subwoofer of my own, how would I use it with the A5+ Classic?
Answer:
All you would need to do is connect the variable output of the A5+ Classic into the input of your sub using RCA cables.
Question:
The volume control on my A5+ Classic is acting odd, or not responding at all. What do I do?
Answer:
If the volume control isn't working like you would expect, try turning your A5+ Classic off and then back on. Since the A5+ Classic volume control is a digital encoder, it uses a microprocessor to attenuate the volume. Like most sensitive electronics if left on for an extended period of time, you may eventually experience unexpected operation so they may need to simply "reboot".
If the volume knob feels loose or the volume knob doesn't "click" when pressing it in, it sounds like the nut that holds the volume pot in might just be loose. This can be accessed and tightened without opening the speakers up. Try this:
Pull the plastic volume knob off the volume pot. Depending on how tight it's on, you might be able to pull it off with just your fingers. If not, look for something fairly flat and preferably plastic with soft edges to pry it with.
Use a deep well 10mm socket (or socket driver) to tighten the nut around the volume pots shaft.
Press the plastic volume knob back over the volume pot's shaft, and retest.
Is it OK to connect Audioengine active speakers to my stereo receiver or integrated amplifier?
Answer:
We’ve built amplifiers into our powered speakers but if you wish to use Audioengine speakers with an existing receiver take the “preamp out” from your receiver and connect it to one of the Audioengine inputs (if you need to, use the included RCA stereo “Y” connector to 1/8” mini plug cable). We also make passive speakers (the HDP6 and P4), so check those out as well!
Question:
Why doesn't the USB power port seem to charge my iPhone/iPad?
Answer:
The A5+ Classic's USB port can provide around 500mA, which is standard for high powered USB 2.0 devices; however, both the iPad and the iPhone require around 1000mA to charge with the screen on (the iPad's included USB charger actually provides around 2100mA to speed up charging with the screen on). If your iDevice is at a higher battery level it should work fine to plug it in to the A5+ Classic to maintain the battery while listening to music (with the screen on it will always show "not charging"). If the battery is low though, we'd recommend plugging it into the charger that came with it.
Question:
If I connect my Audioengine speakers to a computer, smartphone, or other music player, what volume level should I set on the player and speakers? What is the ideal overall volume level on the music source to get the cleanest distortion-free sound?
Answer:
Every setup is different, so some experimentation will be necessary to find your prefered settings, but around 11 or 12 o'clock is a good starting place if you plan on using your music source (smartphone, computer, TV, etc.) as the master volume control.
Question:
Can I use my headphones with the A5+ Classic?
Answer:
You wouldn't be able to use a pair of headphones directly with the A5+ Classic; in order to use headphones with the A5+ Classic, you would need to include something with a dedicated headphone amp, such as our D1. All you would need to do is plug the D1 into your computer (either with an optical or USB cable) and connect the D1 from its RCA outputs into either of the inputs of your speakers.
Question:
The volume knob won't put the speakers in sleep mode and it doesn't click when I press it in- how can I fix this?
Answer:
It sounds like the nut that holds the volume pot in might just be loose. This can be accessed and tightened without opening the speakers up. Try this:
1) Pull the plastic volume knob off the volume pot. Depending on how tight it's on, you might be able to pull it off with just your fingers. If not, look for something fairly flat and preferably plastic with soft edges to pry it with.
2) Use a deep well 10mm socket (or socket driver) to tighten the nut around the volume pots shaft.
3) Press the plastic volume knob back over the volume pot's shaft, and retest.
Question:
How can I stream music from my computer to multiple Audioengine speakers or other stereo systems?
Answer:
Check out our W3 Wireless Adapter set. These adapters allow you to stream wireless audio from any program/website/player to our speakers and subwoofer.
Apple's AirPort Express, the SONOS Connect, and Google's Chromecast Audio are other options that can be added to Audioengine speakers. Where the W3 is a self-contained solution, these products instead rely on your existing home network to send music to multiple speakers at once.
Question:
I'd like to connect an Apple Airport Express to my A5+ Classic speakers to stream music from my Mac. I also wish to connect the speakers to my Samsung LCD TV. Is it possible to have simultaneous connections to the A5+ Classic?
Answer:
Yes, there are 2 audio inputs on Audioengine powered speakers so connect the Airport Express to one input and the variable output from your TV into the other. Both inputs are "open" or active so you can leave 2 audio sources plugged in at the same time with no need to flip any switches.
Question:
Why do I have to plug one speaker into the wall?
Answer:
Audioengine powered speaker models have a built-in power amplifier in the left speaker so you won’t need a stereo receiver or other extra components for power.
Question:
Will my current universal remote work with my A5+ Classic?
Answer:
The A5+ Classic is not officially supported by any universal remotes. It is possible to use a third party remote, but that remote needs to support IR learning. This is a feature that allows a universal remote to learn commands directly from the remote we supply. The Logitech Harmony remote, for example, is supported by the A5+ Classic.
Question:
What is the difference between powered and active speakers?
Answer:
There are a few notable differences but both designs function basically the same. “Active” and “powered” speakers refer to speakers with power amplifiers built into either one speaker or both. Audioengine speakers were designed with the power amps in the left speaker to make connections easier as they only require one power cord and all connections are on the same speaker.
Question:
Some people want to upgrade the audio on their TV's but aren't necessarily interested in surround sound. Can I hook up some Audioengine speakers to my TV instead of buying a surround sound system or soundbar?
Answer:
Audioengine speakers can be easily connected to the audio output on your TV set. Any of our speakers will provide an easy setup and a greatly enhanced TV audio experience with a wider soundstage and better imaging than most sound bars!
Question:
I have an Android phone that includes an IR transmitter. Can I use my phone to control the A5+ Classic?
Answer:
Yes! We've been notified that several Android IR Remote Apps support Audioengine remote commands. So if you have a phone with an IR blaster like the HTC One or the Samsung Galaxy S4 you can use the App to raise or lower the volume of your A5+ Classic with your phone! Simply download one of the many IR Remote Apps on Google Play, and test them out.
Question:
What is the AC power cable type for Audioengine powered speakers?
Answer:
We use non-polarized 2-Pin IEC 320-C7 cables. These are fairly standard cables, and you should be able to find them locally if needed. You can also find them in the Accessories section in our store.
Question:
Can I control Audioengine speakers with my TV remote control? What if my TV only has one audio output that cannot be controlled with the TV remote?
Answer:
Although many TVs have only one L/R audio output, which typically defaults to fixed, this setting can be sometimes be changed via the on-screen menu so please check your manual to see which outputs are variable. If your TV has multiple audio outputs, the most commonly variable output would be the headphone output. If your TV doesn't have a variable output at all, no worries; for larger speakers like the A5+ and HD6 we include a remote control that can adjust the volume of the speakers directly for just such a purpose.
Question:
Can I drill holes in my powered Audioengine speakers and mount them to a wall?
Answer:
Due to the electronics, cabinet materials, and high-end finish it's not a good idea to drill into your speakers; however, we have provided a 1/4" threaded insert to use with wall mounts. Please note that this insert is only meant to be used for stability with platformed stands that have this feature; the insert is not meant to hold the total weight of the speaker. We don't endorse any specific models of stands.
Question:
Is it true that speaker placement really can make a difference in sound quality?
Answer:
There are different theories but rooms and tastes are different so it's tough to specify a correct placement. We suggest you experiment with different locations to see what works for you. As a general rule of thumb for the best sound stage balance, the speakers should be equidistant from side walls and a different distance from rear walls. Our rear-ported speakers (such as the A5+, HD6, and HDP6) pretty forgiving when it come to being placed near walls, but we do recommend keeping them at least a few inches from the rear wall for adequate ventilation.
Question:
If my speakers are "asleep" or in idle mode why can I still hear a faint hum or hiss if I put my ear very close to the speaker?
Answer:
Even though the final amp stage is shut down during sleep, the pre-amp stage is still powered up so a slight hiss is not uncommon. If you have an analog audio cable plugged in to the speakers but not into anything else, it's also possible this could be picking up some noise as well.
Question:
Can I increase the length or change the speaker wire between each speaker?
Answer:
Sure. For the best audio performance we’ve included 6.5 feet of 16 gauge wire with each powered speaker system but any "stranded" speaker wire will work. The speaker binding posts on the back of each cabinet will accept bare stranded wire, however you can also use wires terminated with spade lugs, banana plugs, or pins.
Question:
Will I get buzz from the speakers if I place my iPhone near them?
Answer:
All Audioengine speakers are video and magnetically-shielded, however "GSM buzz" cannot be blocked by magnetic shielding. What actually causes this is your phone being in 2G or "EDGE" instead of 3G or 4G. For best results when using your phone as a music source, ensure that it's operating on 3G (or 4G).
Question:
What if my speakers or subwoofer have a hum or buzzing sound?
Answer:
Hum or buzz in the speakers is usually caused by something external to the speakers which is coupling noise into the speaker system (either through the AC lines, cordless phone, wireless router, or directly from the source input). A common reason is that the entire system is set up such that a "ground loop" results. Basically, a ground loop occurs when the AC power grounds and the system signal grounds are not at the same electrical potential. Refer to our online Setup Guides for a list of things to try.
"There’s a reason Audioengine has moved from a couple of guys hauling speakers to reviewers across the country to a respected brand: The company makes good stuff at reasonable prices."
"Just a quick note to say that I truly love your product. I have a set of Audioengine A5+ and I have persuaded 3 of my friends to buy them because I think so highly of them."
