Digital Trends

 

Upon opening the box, I was immensely pleased to see each speaker comes in a protective, reusable, draw-string bag. Very classy. That little extra touch makes me believe that Audioengine really cares about the quality of their product and the end-user experience. My overall expectations were raised. The AC power cable, speaker cable, USB extension cable, RCA-to-1/8" Y adapter, and two lengths of 1/8" audio cable were all included in the box. I was (and still remain) amazed that all these items were included with the A5 speakers. I'm so used to megalithic corporations that rarely, if ever, provide any accessories with higher end products. Score 1 for Audioengine! 

 

Setting up the Audioengine 5 speakers was really simple. After placing the speakers on my desk, I connected the speaker wire, plugged in the power cord and flipped the "on" switch. A cerulean blue power light appeared on the front of the left (main) speaker. Nice.

 

Audioengine states that their goal is "... to bring you the sound as it was originally mixed in the studio." That's a bold statement - one I would caution most companies from making. It beckons tests from people like me who demand empirical evidence instead of lofty claims. 

 

 
Apple iPod Plugged into the Line-In Connector

 

 

I plugged the included 2-meter audio cable to my iMac and opened iTunes. Within seconds, the room was filled with the warmth of Jack Johnson's voice. I played around with the iTunes equalizer until I had a custom setting that was absolutely perfect for my office, my ears and my taste in music. 

 

I turned the volume up a bit, looking for the point where distortion would ruin the experience. Thankfully, I haven't reached that point. The A5 speakers played rock-solid. I cranked up Fink's "Wohin du gehst" and MC Solaar's "T'Inquiete" - each with equally prevalent base, mids and treble. On the A5's, both songs sounded like I was in a recording studio. My desk shook with each beat. I could feel the bass vibrating cleanly in the center of my chest. It was a fully physical experience at that point - something one does not get from average computer speakers.

 

 

I used a stereo Y adapter to push audio from my iMac to my favorite JBL speakers and to the A5 set at the same time. With the same tunes playing (this time France D'Amour's "Que des mots" and BT's "Somnambulist"), I switched from JBL to A5 back and forth to see how the sounds compared. Again, the A5's delivered sound that shook me physically and emotionally - at any volume level. Even at low volume (for late night work sessions) the A5 speakers delivered clean, undiminished audio quality. I've loved having my JBL speakers, but unfortunately they sound entirely apologetic and limp compared to the A5's. So sorry, JBL.