Audioengine A1

amazon Audioengine A1 reviews

The Audioengine A1 Wireless is a surprisingly affordable pair of bookshelf speakers that deliver sonic accuracy and detail without the need for digital signal processing.

The new Audioengine A1 (also listed as Audioengine One) is a pair of compact stereo bookshelf Bluetooth speakers. With no built-in Alexa or speakerphone functionality, these $199 speakers are a significant departure from the popular all-in-one mono models that dominate the market. You get two separate speakers for true stereo separation and no DSP (digital signal processing), which means you’re listening to undoped audio without any dynamic compression/limiting or Which EQ? If you’re looking for accurate, balanced sound from your PC or phone, this is a powerful system for the price.

Design

The A1 speakers come in black and gray, measuring 6.0 x 4.0 x 5.3 inches (HWD) and weighing 6.7 pounds. No grille cover — Audioengine opted for the exposed driver interface; instead, we will always approve a decision. Each speaker house includes a 2.75-inch aramid fiber woofer and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, combining a frequency range of 65Hz to 22kHz. The A1 delivers a total of 60 watts, fueled by a dual class-D digital hybrid amplifier that incorporates many of the previous Audioengine analog designs and avoids any hint of DSP. The speaker is compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and supports AAC, AptX, and SBC codecs.

If there’s one unfortunate aspect to the design, even though the speakers are ideal for a desktop system, the drivers aren’t pointed upwards. Therefore, the sound will shoot straight into your torso if you place them on a desk. Of course, Audioengine has a wedge desktop stand solution to solve this particular problem for $29/pair. We strongly recommend purchasing this supplement if you plan to place the speaker lower than your ears, as the difference in audio performance when the tweeter is pointed at the ear level is huge.

The connections for the system are on the back of the left speaker. There’s one 3.5mm-enabled input (3.5mm audio cable included, as well as 3.5mm stereo-RCA cable), and LFE variable output for the subwoofer (no cables included) is included for this single RCA-style connection. Connect the speaker wire for the included cable that connects to the rear panel of the right speaker and connects to the included power supply. The LFE connection will be especially important for some users, as if you’re expecting a burst of bass from the A1, you won’t get it without a subwoofer attached. The rear panel also houses a Bluetooth pairing button and a volume/power knob. The volume knob works independently of the main volume of your paired mobile device.

where can you get a Audioengine A1 online

Audioengine A1 Home Music System | Powered aptX Bluetooth Stereo Speakers for Bookshelf | Wired or Wireless Connection, AUX Input for Computer, Turntable, TV, Subwoofer Connection (Pair, Grey): Buy it now

Audioengine A1 Powered aptX Bookshelf Music System Bundle with Audioengine DS1 Desktop Speaker Stands – (Pair) Grey: Buy it now

Performance

Audioengine has always emphasized clarity, and the result is detailed audio output focusing on the mids and highs. There’s certainly room for a subwoofer to add some depth and rumble here, but these speakers deliver well-balanced, classic sound without the need for extra speakers. For listeners accustomed to the bass-forward sound of most competing speakers on the market, that may not be enough, but those looking for a clear, precise audio experience will be pleased.

On tracks with intense bass content, such as The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the speaker delivers a solid sense of deep bass response at moderate volumes. At the highest volume on the speaker and source (in this case, iPhone 8), distortion occurs. That is the price you pay for not having a DSP—challenging tracks like this one will cause a little trouble for the woofer when maxed out. At moderate to high volumes, this shouldn’t be a problem. Those who want to experience deep bass will probably want to enhance this system with a subwoofer, especially at higher volumes.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the A1’s overall tonal character. The drums on this track are distributed naturally through the A1 — they feel well-rounded, but not like thunder. At the highest volume, there’s no distortion, but Callahan’s rich baritone is what stands out the most. (On bass-forward speakers, drums are heavily enhanced and thunderous, which dominates the mix.) The speakers also deliver highs and mids —the mix never has. Mud sound (as long as you line up the Drivers with your ears). That is a bright, clear sound with plenty of mids and lows to set everything in motion.

In Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild,” the kick drum gets an ideal amount of mid-high sound, allowing its attack to stay small while its sustain takes up. Added a little mid-low reverb. Breaking sub-bass synth hits are implied more than delivery — we get their raspy early notes but no real sense of the subwoofer depth they pack — and again, that’s where the LFE output will be useful to some people. Vocals are delivered clearly, with no extra sound.

Orchestral scores, such as the opening scene in John Adams’ Other Mary-Saint Gospels, sounded clear and detailed through A1. Brass, strings and higher register vocals are in the spotlight, and the lower bar gauge serves as its anchor. A low-end subwoofer can bring out some of the subtleties of lower register gear here, but the track isn’t thin without it. That is an accurate, balanced notation that focuses on keeping the dynamics of the mix intact.

Conclusion

For $200, the Audioengine A1 speaker delivers balanced and accurate sound. They will appeal to those looking for clarity and detail from their music and true stereo separation. Distortion isn’t a negative, as it’s rare and only occurs on tracks with absolutely deep bass at top volume (and is part of the trade-offs in the absence of DSP). If you have more room in your budget, the excellent $500 Audioengine A5+ wireless system packs more power and bass depth. We’re also fans of the $300 Harmon Kardon SoundSticks 4, which comes with a subwoofer for much deeper bass, and the $399 Klipsch R-41PM. But the A1 speakers are more compact than all the others and more affordable, making them a solid investment for anyone who doesn’t want the DSP to mess with the mix’s dynamics.

Advantages

Precise stereo performance without DSP

Wired Aux in and out a subwoofer

Supports AAC and AptX

Defect

Lacks powerful bass depth

The driver must be facing up to fit the ear