Digital Trends

Audioengine 5 Features:

 

 

The A5 speaker design looks like the sleek, funky love-child of some high-end Bose speakers and an Imperial Storm Trooper, or maybe one of those fembots from Bjork's video "All is Full of Love". They're so shiny, they look slippery or wet. The contrasting matte black tweeter and woofer create a pleasing aesthetic vibe.

 

The functional design is simplistic - there's only a volume knob on the front. On the back, there's only an on/off switch, speaker connectors and A/C outlet for attaching an iPod charger or an Airport Express for wireless connectivity. The built-in amp puts out 45W RMS and 70W peak per channel; impressive for an amp of this physical size. What’s even more impressive is that there is no large heatsink protruding from the back of these speakers. If you are worried about the speaker amp overheating, there is a fail-safe switch that will power the speakers down automatically if they get too hot. The Audioengine 5 comes with a 5-inch Kevlar woofer and a 20mm silk dome tweeter with neodymium magnets; so make sure you break them in to get the best sound.

 

For me, one of the most important factors in selecting new speakers is whether or not they give me an enhanced perspective on music I currently listen to. Over the years as new audio products have been released, I have been treated to the wonders of previously hidden or muddled vocals or instruments in my favorite tunes. There's nothing quite as refreshing as discovering that your favorite music has entirely new dimensions and content when played on greatly improved equipment. What a pleasure to hear new guitar riff, a heretofore unknown cello or even the very inhale and exhale of the artist as he or she belts out an emotionally stirring song. That's what audio is all about. Audioengine seems to understand this quite well. 

 

If you want speakers that are easy to set up, easier to use and still sound awesome, the A5's will satisfy you. In fact, they may open your ears to a new level of audio quality.