How easy is it to set up HD3?
HD3 is an all-in-one system with no extra components needed except your phone or computer. Simply place the speakers where you want them and connect the power supply. Hook up the included speaker wire from the powered left speaker to the right passive speaker. Then connect your music with the supplied cables – or go wireless – and that’s it.

Why do I have to plug one speaker into the wall?
Audioengine powered speakers have a built-in stereo power amplifier in the left speaker so you won’t need a stereo receiver or power amp to drive them.

Can I take my Audioengine speakers to another country with a different voltage?
Yes. HD3 uses a switching power supply so it will automatically convert to the different voltage. The power cable is detachable which makes it convenient to replace with a different type if you don’t want to use an adapter.

Do higher power output ratings for audio gear mean louder or better sounding speakers?
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.

It is true that speaker placement really can make a difference in sound quality?
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 equi-distant from side walls and a different distance from rear walls. Our front-ported speakers (such as HD3) do not need any rear panel clearance for better bass but we recommend keeping them a few inches from the rear wall for adequate ventilation.

Can I increase the length or change the speaker wire between each speaker?
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.

Will the sound be affected if I place the left (active) speaker on the right side and the right speaker on the left?
Swapping the left speaker with the right will not have any negative effect on the quality or clarity of the speakers. This will simply give you the reverse of what the artist intended for you to hear.

Can Audioengine speakers be placed on their sides?
Yes, and we recommend you position each speaker cabinet so the tweeters are facing outward.

Will Audioengine speakers work with a PC or Mac?
Absolutely! Use the computer’s headphone output, soundcard, USB port, or Bluetooth wireless from your Mac or PC directly into Audioengine speakers and you’re good to go. PC, Mac, laptop or any computer.

The sound quality of my computer’s headphone jack isn’t very good but I want to connect my Audioengine speakers. What do I do?
Some computer headphone outputs have poor audio quality, so if this is your computer, try connecting from the USB port to your with HD3 or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

When using the USB input of the HD3, what bit rate and bit depth should I set my system to?
The HD3 internal DAC handles up to 48K transfer rate, and up to 16 bits bit-depth. Your system will generally default to these settings when you hook up the HD3. If you mainly use 44.1K files, you might set this as the default in your system. Many system players like JRiver and Amarra will default to the proper bit rate automatically.

The HD3 has a built in USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC), but can I also use a different DAC?
While the DAC in the HD3 is better than what what is built into most computers, adding a 24-bit DAC, such as our D1 or D3, would still be a benefit to audio quality.

Can I use HD3 with my iPad or iPhone via my computer’s USB port to bypass the internal DAC and get better sound?
Yes. You will need to pick up the USB Camera Adapter from Apple, which allows a USB connection to the iPad (and, as of iOS7, the iPhone). Then just hook up as you would from a computer.

Can I use the HD3 with other tablets or smartphones like Samsung Galaxy or Microsoft Surface?
Yes. If your tablet or smartphone has a USB output and supports USB audio (refer to the manufacturer’s documentation), then it will work with HD3’s USB input. You’ll most likely also need an OTG adapter cable to connect from your tablet to the USB input on the HD3. These are generally available from the manufacturer of your tablet/smartphone, local electronic stores, or even online retailers.

Will I get buzz from the speakers if I place my iPhone near them?
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).

Is it OK to connect Audioengine powered speakers to my stereo receiver or amplifier?
We’ve built amplifiers into our powered speakers but if you wish to use Audioengine speakers with an existing receiver, connect the “preamp out” from your receiver or amp 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 unpowered speakers (the HDP6 and P4), so check those out as well.

If I connect my turntable to the HD3 will it be necessary to purchase a phono preamp or can I simply connect the turntable directly to the HD3 input?
Some turntables will need a preamp before being connected and others may have one built-in. Check the turntable manufacturer’s website or user manual.

When I connect a turntable to my HD3, why is the volume is extremely low?
Some turntables do not have a built-in preamps and as a result you will need to add an external phono preamp between your turntable and HD3. Many turntables, however, (such as the Music Hall USB-1 or Audio Technica AT-LP120) have a built-in preamp and include a switch on the back for “line” or “phono”. For Audioengine powered speakers select “line”.

Where do I connect the ground wire of my turntable to the speakers?
There isn’t a need to connect a ground wire as this is a connection that is needed between the turntable and it’s phono preamp (whether the preamp is built into the turntable, or external). When going from the very low level of a phono cartridge, it’s easier to pick up noise when bringing this signal up to line level, and the ground wire helps with this. On an internal preamp turntable, this connection is located inside the turntable. When going from the line level RCA out of a turntable with an internal phono preamp or the line level outputs from an external phono preamp to the inputs on your speakers, this connection is not needed.

If I have 2 inputs plugged in at the same time, how does Audioengine switch between audio sources?
Both inputs are “open” or active, so you can leave 2 audio sources plugged in at the same time.

Should I use the volume control on the front of the HD3s or can I adjust from system volume on my computer?
If the left powered speaker is in a convenient location, you can use the volume knob on the front panel to adjust the volume. If not, we generally recommend setting the HD3 at around 50% and adjusting the volume from your source (phone, tablet, computer, etc.).

If I connect my Audioengine speakers to a computer, phone, or other music player, what is the ideal volume level on the speakers and music source to get the cleanest distortion-free sound?
Every setup is different but we generally recommend leaving your speaker volume at around 11 or 12 o’clock and then using your music source (phone, tablet, computer, TV, etc.) as the master volume control.

Can you stream music wirelessly to the HD3 with the Audioengine wireless adapters like you can with the A5+?
Yes, an AC wall outlet near the HD3 is all you need to power the AW3 wireless receiver. Simple.

How can I stream music from my computer to multiple Audioengine speakers or other stereo systems?
Check out our W3 Wireless Adapter set. These adapters allow you to stream wireless audio from any device to our speakers and subwoofer.

Some people want to upgrade the audio on their TV’s but aren’t necessarily interested in surround sound. Can I hook up Audioengine speakers to my TV instead of buying a surround sound system or soundbar?
Audioengine speakers can be easily connected to the audio output on your TV set. Any of our speakers will provide a greatly enhanced TV audio experience with a wider soundstage and better imaging than most sound bars.

Are two separate stereo speakers better?
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 short as they can’t accurately duplicate a wide sound stage with imaging as complete and rich as Audioengine speakers.

Is it possible to have simultaneous connections to the HD3?
Yes, there are multiple audio inputs on Audioengine powered speakers and both inputs are “open” or active so you can leave your audio sources connected at the same time.

How can such small speakers have so much clean-sounding, deep, tight bass?
One of the reasons Audioengine 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.

Can I use a subwoofer with Audioengine speakers?
Audioengine speakers have a low end which will easily fill a room and rival floor standing speakers many times their size, but you can also connect a subwoofer (or connect Audioengine speakers to your sub’s line-level output). You can even connect our wireless W3 adapter to the HD3 for a wireless subwoofer.

Can I drill holes in my Audioengine speakers and mount them to a wall?
Due to the electronics, cabinet materials and finish, it’s not a good idea to drill into your speakers; however, we have provided an integrated 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 and is not meant to hold the total weight of the speaker.

Do Audioengine speakers have an auto-sleep, idle, or auto-power-off function? Can I leave them on all the time?
The HD3 is equipped with a power-saving circuit that turns off the speaker’s final stage amp. The HD3 has a idle mode which activates right after you stop playing music. Due to this power-saving function, we recommend that the speakers stay on all the time.

If my speakers are in idle mode why can I still hear a faint hum or hiss if I put my ear very close to the speaker?
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 possible this could be picking up some noise as well.

What if my speakers or subwoofer have a hum or buzzing sound?
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, 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.