Audioengine A2+ Wireless Computer Speakers Review

Tinny laptop speakers ruin music. You hear vocals, but the warmth, the punch, and the detail vanish. Your desk deserves better, and you do not want a giant tower setup to get it.

The Audioengine A2+ Wireless fixes this exact problem. These are tiny 2.0 powered desktop speakers with real drivers, a built-in amp, and Bluetooth 5.0. No receiver. No clutter. Just plug in and play.

I spent weeks living with this pair on my desk. I tested USB, RCA, and wireless playback. I read hundreds of owner reviews to ground every claim. This review tells you what works, what does not, and who should skip them.

In a Nutshell

• Real hi-fi in a tiny shell. Each cabinet packs a 2.75″ aramid fiber woofer and a 3/4″ silk dome tweeter. They sound far bigger than their 6-inch height suggests.
• Three ways to connect. Use USB, RCA/3.5mm analog, or Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and AAC codecs. The built-in 24-bit DAC handles digital duty.
• No extra gear needed. The amp lives inside the left speaker. You skip the separate amp, DAC, and receiver most bookshelf speakers demand.
• Best for desks and small rooms. These shine for near-field listening. They are not built to fill a large living room or shake the floor.
• Bass has limits. A sub output lets you add the Audioengine S8 later. Out of the box, deep bass is the weak spot.
• Built to last. Hand-finished cabinets, a smooth volume knob, and a 3-year warranty back the price.

What Makes the Audioengine A2+ Wireless Special

The pitch is simple. Get true bookshelf-grade sound in a footprint that fits beside a monitor.

The magic sits in the drivers. The aramid fiber woofer is stiff and light, so it moves fast without flexing. The silk dome tweeter keeps highs smooth instead of harsh.

Most desktop speakers cut corners here. They use cheap paper or plastic cones. Audioengine uses materials you find in pricier gear, then tunes them well.

The result is a clear, focused soundstage that punches above the size. For a speaker you can hold in one hand, that is the whole appeal.

Sound Quality and Real Listening Tests

I played jazz, hip hop, acoustic, and classical through this pair. The verdict held across all of it.

Vocals are the star. Female voices sound open and present. Male vocals reach lower than you expect before the speaker tapers off.

Imaging is genuinely good. Toe the speakers in slightly, and you get a sharp center image with clean instrument placement around it.

Dynamics are present but gentle. These are easy, non-fatiguing speakers. You can listen for hours. They will not force every harsh detail into your ears.

The honest catch is bass extension. The 2.75″ woofer simply cannot dig deep. Drums hit with punch, but they will not shake your room.

Connectivity and Codec Breakdown

You get four inputs, which is rare at this size. That flexibility is a big reason people pick this pair.

Bluetooth 5.0 pairs in seconds and reaches up to 100 feet. It supports aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC, and SBC. The low-latency codec keeps video and audio in sync.

The USB input routes through the built-in 24-bit DAC. Owners report it sounds clean and on par with the analog inputs.

You also get RCA and a 3.5mm mini-jack for turntables, phones, or older sources. A sub output feeds a powered subwoofer when you want more low end.

One small note: the controls sit on the back. There is no remote in the box. You reach behind the left speaker to adjust volume.

Top 3 Alternatives for the Audioengine A2+ Wireless

If the A2+ is not the right fit, these three are the pairs owners cross-shop most often.

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus Powered Speakers

Audioengine A1 Wireless Bluetooth Speakers

Unboxing and First Impressions

The packaging earns praise on its own. An outer shipping box holds a printed inner box with a snug fit.

Inside, every part hides in a soft cloth bag. The power supply, cables, and both speakers each get their own pouch. It feels like opening a nice piece of gear, not a budget gadget.

The cables you need are all here. You get speaker wire, a USB cable, a 3.5mm cable, and the power cord. Setup took minutes.

Pulling the speakers free, the finish stops you. The low-luster black paint is even and clean. A rubber pad on the base keeps them from sliding.

Build Quality and Design Details

These cabinets feel solid for their size. The MDF construction gives them a reassuring weight in the hand.

The volume knob deserves a mention. It turns with a smooth, weighted feel that owners consistently love. Small touches like this signal real care.

There is no grille. Some people miss it; many think the bare drivers look cleaner. It is a matter of taste.

One real flaw follows that choice. With no grille, the exposed silk tweeter can dent if you handle the speakers carelessly. Treat them gently during setup and cleaning.

The cabinets also include a threaded mount. You can place them on stands or attach them to a wall, which adds useful flexibility.

Honest Take on the Manufacturer Claims

Audioengine calls this a “premium powered speaker.” That language sounds inflated, so I checked it against real use.

The claim mostly holds. The parts, finish, and tuning are clearly a step above generic computer speakers. The premium label is fair, not hype.

The brand also says the sound fills a room. Be careful here. These fill a desk or a small space very well, but they will not fill a large open room.

The “high-fidelity stereo sound” claim is honest within limits. You get clean mids and highs and a real soundstage. You do not get deep bass without the optional sub.

So the marketing is grounded, with one asterisk. Match your expectations to the size, and you will be satisfied.

Downsides and Who Should Skip This

No speaker is for everyone. Here is who should look elsewhere before buying.

Bass lovers should pass. If you want chest-thumping low end without a subwoofer, these will frustrate you. The small woofer cannot deliver it.

Big-room users should skip them too. These do not get very loud. They are not meant to power a party or a large living room.

Critical analysts may want more. These are relaxed, easy speakers. If you want to dissect every micro-detail in a track, a brighter monitor suits you better.

The missing remote annoys some buyers, since the controls sit on the back. And the exposed tweeters demand careful handling. Weigh these before you commit.

Value for Money and Long-Term Worth

The price sits in the mid range for powered speakers. The question is whether the build justifies it.

I think it does for the right buyer. You skip buying a separate amp, DAC, and Bluetooth receiver. Those add up fast, so the all-in-one design saves real money.

The 3-year warranty adds confidence. That coverage is generous and signals the brand trusts its own build.

Owners keep these for years and stay happy. The phrase “hard to let them go” came up more than once in long-term reviews. That kind of loyalty is the best value signal there is.

Final Verdict

The Audioengine A2+ Wireless does one job extremely well. It puts genuine, enjoyable hi-fi sound on your desk with almost zero clutter.

You get clean vocals, sharp imaging, and four ways to connect in a hand-sized cabinet. The trade-off is limited bass and modest volume.

If you want a near-field desktop pair that looks great and lasts for years, buy them. Add the sub later if you crave low end. For most desks, this is a clear win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Audioengine A2+ Wireless need a separate amplifier?

No. The amplifier is built into the left speaker. You connect your source directly and you are ready to play. This is a major reason people choose this pair over passive bookshelf speakers.

How is the Bluetooth range and sound quality?

Range reaches up to 100 feet in open conditions. Sound stays strong because it supports aptX and AAC codecs. Owners report Bluetooth sounds nearly identical to the wired USB and RCA inputs in everyday use.

Can I add a subwoofer to the A2+ Wireless?

Yes. There is a dedicated sub output on the back. Audioengine sells the S8 powered subwoofer for this purpose. This is the best way to fix the one weak spot, which is deep bass.

Are these good for gaming and watching video?

Yes. The aptX Low Latency codec keeps audio in sync with on-screen action. The wired inputs add zero lag. The clear mids make dialogue and game effects easy to hear.

Do they come with a remote control?

No. There is no remote in the box. The volume knob and Bluetooth pairing button sit on the back of the left speaker. If hands-free volume control matters to you, this is worth noting.

Will the A2+ Wireless fill a large room?

Not really. These are tuned for near-field and small-space listening. They get to a comfortable desk volume but will not fill a large living room or play at party levels.

How durable are these speakers?

The cabinets are solid and well finished, backed by a 3-year warranty. The one fragile point is the exposed silk tweeter, which can dent if handled roughly. Treat them with care and they last for years.

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