Audio Engine A2Audio Engine is a relative newcomer to the Audio market, however; they are not new to the industry. The design team behind the AE2 and AE5 systems have combined 36-years experience working for companies such as Harmon Kardon, Gibson Guitar, and Apple Computer. Much of this experience has been in professional recording studios. As previously mentioned there is lengthy history involving companies such as B&W whom model their speakers on the "Studio Monitor" concept. For the Audiophile this specific sound is all about neutrality. The goal is to eliminate any influence electronics themselves may have on the audio signal. Only then can the music come through unadulterated. There is one universal law governing the quality of all powered speakers, they can only sound as good as the electronics within. Neutral designs present a dichotomy as they communicate both high and low quality recordings without prejudice, or as the expression goes;
garbage in / garbage out. The question then, can a $200 pair of powered speakers 6" in height be musical? Below the AE2's came packed as well as any Audio or PC product with cables galore and cloth drawstring bags for all the ancillaries. Thumbnails below (from left) opening the box reveals two grey pouches, one containing the DC-power supply another contains all required cables. Right thumbnail; top foam brace removed revealing the speakers in their drawstring pouches.
Audioengine 2 Specifications
powered (active) multimedia desktop speaker system
Power output: 60W peak power total (15W RMS / 30W peak per channel), AES
Inputs: Dual 1/8" stereo mini-jack and RCA jacks
Voltage: 100-240V, 50/60Hz auto-switching
Amplifier type: Dual Class AB monolithic
Drivers: 2.75" Kevlar woofers, 20mm silk dome tweeters
Signal-to-noise: >95dB (typical A-weighted)
THD: <0.05% at all power settings
Crosstalk: <50db
Frequency response: 65Hz-22kHz +/-2.0dB
Input impedance: 10K ohms unbalanced
Protection: Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
Dimensions: 6”(H) x 4”(W) x 5.25”(D)
Weight (LEFT speaker): 1.6Kg/3.55lbs
Weight (RIGHT speaker): 1.4Kg/3.15lbs
Shipping weight: 4.6kg/10lbs per pair
Shipping box dims: 11.5” (W) x 14.5” (H) x 21.75” (L) 10.5” (H) x 15” (L) x 7” (W)
A2 speakers use a front firing design with a small slit at the base to port back pressure and increase base. The edges of the speakers are rounded to reduce "diffraction" a critical topic in speaker design. The following Stereophile article, "
Cutting Corners" is a must-read on the subject and will have you scratching your head as to why most speakers are found in a box-like enclosure. Appearance is always important when something shares your living space. In the case of the AE2 speakers, not only are they ergonomically cozy, you barely notice them until they produce sound. Cabinets are constructed primarily from natural materials such as 18mm thick MDF. The enclosures are rock solid, internally braced (per Audio Engine literature) and finished with a black piano finish so smooth its reflective. I have yet to find a PC-Audio speaker of this size and cost made from MDF (at least the "satellites") let alone include a furniture finish. The construction behind these is just the same as Audiophile speakers costing many times the price, albeit on a miniature scale.
Looking at the rear of the speakers there are two inputs including 1/8" stereo mini-jack commonly found on PC motherboard connectors or a sound-card, and RCA jacks. The volume on/off switch is also located on the rear of the Left speaker and is my only real complaint, however, considering these are designed to be used with your PC volume can be adjusted otherwise and their probably going to be within reach. Thumbnails below provide a close-up of the rear of each speaker, which features gold-plated 5-way binding posts.
Insofar as the AE2's amplifier, Audio Engine describes a solid-state design incorporating a Torroidial transformer. What I found interesting about this amplifier is the external power supply. There is no doubt distancing the power supply from the more sensitive electronics improves sound. Given the propensity of marketing to exploit so many superfluous details, I was shocked (pardon the pun) Audio Engine failed to expound the benefits of isolated power. Amplifiers such as the
ARS Emitter 1 takes similar technology to the Audiophile extreme. I decided to try to open the power supply, after unplugging it the LED remained on for almost 30-seconds (below).
I attempted to open the speakers and get a look inside however Audio Engine sealed things up pretty tight. This is actually very good news since screws alone do not the best seal make. The amplifier is rated between 15W ~ 30W (peak) per channel, given the enclosure size which is put into perspective below the amplifier itself is quite small.
Clicking the thumbnail below reveals a photo of the front firing port (barely noticeable on the speakers) this allows placement close to a wall if the speaker were placed on either side of a monitor on a desktop. Onto the listening tests...