The Audioengine A2+ desktop speakers are one of the most widely used speakers due to their high quality. Bridging the gap between casual listeners and professional audio work, these small but mighty speakers are made to give the best sound quality. You will be guided step by step through connecting your Audioengine A2+ speakers to a PC in this extensive article so that you can get the maximum possible performance from your setup.
First, let’s have a look at the Audioengine A2+ speakers.
Before we get into the particulars of connecting A2+ speakers to the PC, we should first know the reasons behind these speakers being so unique. The A2+ speakers are well-known for the following attributes:
Sound of High Quality: The A2+ speakers with their built-in amplifiers, silk dome tweeters, and Kevlar woofers provide audio that is clear and well-balanced with rich bass and crisp highs.
Flexibility: These speakers can be easily connected to a wide range of devices including PCs, Macs, smartphones, tablets, and even turntables.
Different Ways to Connect: The A2+ has several connectivity options that include USB, RCA, and 3.5mm inputs, making the speaker easy to integrate into any and all types of setups.
Now, where shall we begin to connect these speakers to your PC?
How to Connect Audioengine A2+ to a PC – Step by Step
1. Unboxing and Setup
The first time you get your Audioengine A2+ speakers, you will open the box and find:
Two speakers (left and right)
Speaker wire
Power supply
USB cable
RCA cable
3.5mm mini-jack cable
Setup guide
To start, it is important to unpack the components very carefully and to put them on a flat surface. Make sure there is sufficient space for you to work comfortably.
2. Connecting the Speakers
Amplifier is built into the left speaker of A2+ speakers which means all the connections are to be made with the left speaker only. The right speaker is passive and the left speaker is active and connected to the right speaker using the speaker wire supplied.
The left and right speakers should be placed: On each side of PC monitor place the left and right speakers. For the best listening experience, adjust their height to be ear level.
The speaker wire should be connected: The supplied speaker wire should be taken and one end connected to the left speaker’s output terminals (red and black) and the other end should be connected to the right speaker’s input terminals ensuring that the colors match.
The power supply should be connected: The power supply should be plugged into the power input of the left speaker and the other end should be connected to the power outlet.
3. Connecting to Your PC via USB
Connecting your A2+ speakers to your computer via USB is one of the simplest and most effective methods. This procedure creates a digital connection, thereby ensuring that the audio quality transmission remains high.
USB cable connection: The USB cable that has been provided should be taken and one end connected to the USB input at the back of the left speaker and the other end to a USB port on your computer.
The speakers should be turned on: You can turn on the speakers using the power switch located at the back of the left speaker. The power indicator light should turn on.
Choose the Speakers as Your Audio Output Device: On your computer, go to the audio settings (this process is a bit different depending on your operating system):
Windows: Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray, click on “Open Sound settings,” and then select “Audioengine A2+” as the output device.
Mac: In “System Preferences,” navigate to “Sound” and pick “Audioengine A2+” as the output device for your computer.
4. Connecting to Your PC by RCA or 3.5mm Mini-Jack
If you are an analog connection lover or your PC is running out of free USB ports, then the A2+ speakers can be connected using the supplied RCA or 3.5mm mini-jack cables.
RCA Connection
Connect the RCA Cable: Use the given RCA cable to connect one end to the RCA input on the back of the left speaker. The other end should connect to the RCA output of your PC (if available) or to a 3.5mm to RCA adapter.
Power the Speakers On: Use the power switch at the back of the left speaker to turn the speakers on. The power light should go on.
Choose the Speakers as Your Audio Output Device: Carry out the procedure similar to the one described for the USB connection method to make the A2+ speakers your output device.
3.5mm Mini-Jack Cable Connection
Connect the 3.5mm Mini-Jack Cable: Take the supplied 3.5mm mini-jack cable and fit one of its ends into the 3.5mm input slot on the rear side of the left speaker. The other end should be connected to the headphone or line-out socket of your PC.
Power the Speakers On: Use the power switch at the back of the left speaker to turn the speakers on. The power light should go on.
Choose the Speakers as Your Output Device: Carry out the procedure similar to the one described for USB connection method to make the A2+ speakers your output device.
5. Fine-Tuning Your Audio Settings
After connecting your speakers and selecting them as the audio output device, you might want to go through a process of refining your audio settings so that you can get the very best quality of sound:
Adjust Volume Levels: Set the overall volume with the volume knob located at the back of the left speaker. Then, adjust the volume on your PC to get the level of listening you want.
Equalizer Settings: If your audio software on your PC has an equalizer, you can change the settings to make the sound more to your liking. Play with the different presets or design your own personalized EQ curve.
Sound Enhancements: Your PC may have sound enhancement features built in, like bass boost or virtual surround sound, which you can turn on or off to find out if the change is going to be positive for you as a listener.
Advanced Setup Options
Using a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
The A2+ speakers have an integrated DAC for the USB connection, but some audiophiles still prefer using a separate DAC to possibly achieve better sound quality. This is the way to set up an external DAC with your existing system:
Connect the DAC to Your PC: Connect the DAC to your PC via a USB cable.
Connect the DAC to the Speakers: RCA cables are used to link the DAC’s output to the RCA input on the left speaker.
Select the DAC as Your Output Device: Go to sound settings on your PC, and choose the DAC as your output device.
Adding a Subwoofer
By adding a subwoofer to your A2+ speakers setup you can make the bass response stronger:
Choose a Subwoofer: Pick a subwoofer that will not only match with the A2+ speakers but also your pocket.
Connect the Subwoofer: To connect, use an RCA cable from the input of the subwoofer to the RCA output on your PC or to a dedicated subwoofer output if your DAC or audio interface has one.
Adjust Crossover Settings: The subwoofer’s crossover frequency setting must be perfect to create a perfect blend with the A2+ speakers. Setting it to approximately 80Hz is very common but feel free to experiment with this setting.
Position the Subwoofer: The placement of the subwoofer is essential. It should be in a position that distributes the bass evenly across the room. It is up to you to experiment with different locations to come up with the most suitable one.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even though setting it up is not very complicated, you are still likely to run into some problems. Here are the most common issues along with solutions.
No Sound
Check Connections: Verify all the connections are tight and speakers are powered on.
Select the Correct Output Device: In the PC sound settings, ensure A2+ speakers are selected as the output device.
Volume Levels: Monitor the volume levels both on the speaker and your computer.
Driver Issues: Get the audio drivers of your computer updated to their latest version.
Distorted Sound
Volume Levels: Turn down the speakers and the computer’s volume so as not to get distortion.
Cable Quality: To reduce chances of interference and signal loss, use cables of good quality.
Source Quality: You need to ensure that you are using high-quality audio files or streaming services.
Bluetooth Connectivity Issues
Pairing Mode: Check that the Bluetooth adapter is in pairing mode and that the speakers are discoverable.
Interference: Relocate the speakers and Bluetooth adapter so they are not near other electronic devices that might cause interference.
Update Firmware: Look for firmware updates for your Bluetooth adapter or PC.
Enhancing Your Listening Experience
Positioning the Speakers
The correct placement of the speakers can make a big difference in sound quality:
Distance: The speakers should be put at equal distances from the listener and also at least 3-6 feet apart.
Height: Adjust the speaker positions in such a way that the tweeters are at the level of your ears when you sit down.
Angle: Turn the speakers a bit towards your listening area to build up a more concentrated sound.
Room Acoustics
Making your room more acoustically appealing can certainly make listening sweeter:
Soft Furnishings: Place floor coverings, window dressings, and upholstery to the sound reflections absorbing category of materials and cut down on the echo.
Speaker Stands: Dispossess the speakers of the floor by means of stands or isolation pads to silence the vibrations and make the sound clearer.
Room Layout: Try out a number of room arrangements until you get the one with the finest sound quality.
Upgrading Components
If you want to, you could go further up the ladder and do some component upgrading:
High-Quality Cables: Go for the best cables that your pocket can bear to provide the signal with the least resistance.
External DAC: Step up to a top-notch external DAC to the sound quality.
Power Conditioning: Get a power conditioner for your audio setup in order to prevent the equipment from electrical noise and surge damage.
Final Thoughts
In case you want to upgrade your desktop audio, the Audioengine A2+ speakers are one of the bests. If you are a good follower of the connection and setup steps, you will get the performance maximum up for these speakers and enjoy not only music listening, but also high-quality sound for watching movies or working on audio projects.
Besides, with their adaptability and premium sound quality, A2+ speakers are an integral part of any PC setup. In knowing the various connection options, solving typical problems, and thinking of advanced improvements, you can hardly leave your Audioengine A2+ speakers without very good audio performance customized for your taste.