Audioengine A2+

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79%
21%
91%
Sound Quality
93%
Build Quality
84%
Bluetooth Performance
76%
Value for Money
88%
Connectivity & Inputs
31%
Headphone Jack Availability
89%
Setup & Ease of Use
58%
Bass Response
87%
Stereo Imaging & Soundstage
86%
Amplifier Performance
83%
Design & Aesthetics
82%
Long-Term Durability
79%
Desk Space Efficiency
85%
Multi-Device Compatibility
More

Overview

The Audioengine A2+ sits at a curious crossroads: compact enough to fit on a crowded desk, but serious enough in build and sound to make you reconsider what desktop audio can actually do. Each cabinet is hand-built from wood and finished through a 13-step paint process — the kind of detail you notice the moment you unbox them. At $223, these desktop speakers are not cheap, and Audioengine does not pretend otherwise. What they offer instead is a genuine step up from the plastic, underpowered speakers most people tolerate for years. That loyal repeat-buyer base did not happen by accident.

Features & Benefits

Connect via USB-C and the A2+ system acts as its own DAC — no external audio interface needed, which matters when your PC's built-in audio is mediocre at best. The Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX-HD means wireless listening does not require sacrificing much audio quality, and the 100-foot range is generous for any home setup. Throw in 3.5mm and RCA inputs, and these desktop speakers pull double duty across a laptop, phone, and even a TV. The Class A/B amplifier runs clean with very low distortion, so what you hear stays close to what the recording intended.

Best For

This bookshelf speaker pair makes the most sense for people who spend real hours at a desk — remote workers who want background music that does not flatten out at volume, or gamers who prefer accurate stereo imaging over a dozen virtual channels. It is also a solid pick for hobbyist producers who need a reliable reference point without paying for dedicated studio monitors. One pair can serve a laptop, a phone via Bluetooth, and a living room TV through RCA. If you hate managing multiple audio devices, that flexibility is worth factoring into the price. Not the right fit for bass-heavy listeners.

User Feedback

Across thousands of ratings, the pattern is consistent: buyers appreciate how these desktop speakers sound straight out of the box, and the build quality genuinely holds up — wood cabinets and the gloss finish resist the wear you might expect after a year of daily use. Warm, detailed mids come up repeatedly as a highlight. The complaints are worth taking seriously, though. There is no headphone jack, which is a real inconvenience if you regularly switch between speakers and headphones at your desk. A few buyers also feel the low end could hit harder given the price point.

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Pros

  • Warm, detailed midrange that holds up well across music, podcasts, and game audio.
  • Built-in DAC means USB connection to a laptop requires zero extra hardware or drivers.
  • Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX-HD keeps wireless audio quality close to wired listening.
  • Wood cabinets and high-gloss finish look and feel more expensive than the price suggests.
  • Multiple inputs — USB-C, AUX, RCA, and Bluetooth — handle most source devices without adapters.
  • Low distortion across the volume range means the sound stays composed even when pushed.
  • Subwoofer output lets you expand the system later without replacing the speakers themselves.
  • Long-term durability is well-documented; multi-year owners rarely report driver or cabinet issues.
  • Compact footprint fits comfortably on desks where larger bookshelf speakers simply would not work.

Cons

  • No headphone jack is a genuine daily inconvenience for anyone who switches audio outputs regularly.
  • Bass response falls short below 65Hz, making these desktop speakers a poor fit without a subwoofer add-on.
  • Input switching is fully manual — there is no automatic source detection when a new device connects.
  • The inter-speaker cable cannot be avoided, so the setup is never fully wireless regardless of source connection.
  • High-gloss finish attracts fingerprints and dust visibly, requiring more upkeep than matte alternatives.
  • At $223, the price has not moved much relative to how long this model has been on the market.
  • Volume control is a physical knob on the right speaker, which can feel awkward depending on desk layout.
  • No remote control or companion app means every adjustment requires reaching toward the speaker directly.
  • Occasional reports of amplifier channel inconsistency appearing after extended use, though not widespread.

Ratings

The Audioengine A2+ has been rated across thousands of verified global purchases, with our AI filtering out incentivized and bot-generated feedback to surface what real buyers consistently experience. The scores below reflect genuine strengths alongside the friction points that push some buyers toward alternatives. Nothing here is sugarcoated — if a category underperforms at this price, the score says so.

Sound Quality
91%
The midrange on these desktop speakers draws consistent praise from buyers who listen to vocals, acoustic instruments, and jazz. Clarity holds up at moderate volumes without the harshness that plagues similarly priced plastic-cabinet competitors. Most users describe the overall sound as warm and natural rather than hyped.
Low-end extension is the recurring limitation — buyers used to subwoofers or larger drivers notice the drop-off below 65Hz fairly quickly. For genres that depend on deep bass, like EDM or hip-hop, the A2+ system can feel thin without adding a separate subwoofer.
Build Quality
93%
The wood cabinets and high-gloss finish genuinely stand out among desktop speaker options at this price. Long-term owners frequently note that the paint and cabinet structure hold up well after years of daily use, with no warping, chipping, or connector wear reported at high rates.
A small number of buyers have flagged minor finish inconsistencies on arrival, particularly around edges. At $223, expectations for flawless cosmetics are high, and even occasional quality-control misses draw sharper criticism than they might at a lower price point.
Bluetooth Performance
84%
Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX-HD delivers noticeably better wireless audio than older Bluetooth speaker systems, and buyers regularly comment on how close the wireless sound is to the wired connection. Pairing is quick and stable across phones, tablets, and laptops without frequent drop issues.
A subset of users report occasional connection hiccups when multiple Bluetooth devices are nearby, which can interrupt workflow. The 100-foot range claim also assumes clear line-of-sight — through walls in a typical home or apartment, practical range is more limited.
Value for Money
76%
24%
For buyers upgrading from entry-level PC speakers, the jump in audio quality feels significant and the A2+ system earns its price fairly quickly. The built-in DAC, multiple inputs, and subwoofer output mean there is real utility packed into the purchase beyond just the speakers themselves.
At $223, the absence of a headphone jack and the modest bass response are harder to overlook. Competing options in the same price bracket are catching up on specs, and some buyers feel the price has not dropped enough relative to the model's age in the market.
Connectivity & Inputs
88%
USB-C, 3.5mm AUX, RCA, and Bluetooth in one compact unit is a genuinely practical combination. Buyers who run a laptop, a phone, and a TV through a single speaker pair appreciate not having to swap cables constantly or invest in a separate audio switcher.
The lack of a headphone jack is a real omission that comes up repeatedly in critical reviews. For anyone who regularly switches between listening through speakers and headphones at a desk, this gap in the connectivity lineup is a daily inconvenience with no elegant workaround.
Headphone Jack Availability
31%
69%
This is less a category where the A2+ system scores well and more one worth flagging directly: a small number of buyers say they simply do not use headphones at their desk and do not miss the jack at all. For those users, the omission carries zero real-world impact.
For the majority of desk users who switch between speakers and headphones throughout the day, the missing headphone jack is the single most common complaint across reviews. It forces buyers to add a headphone amp or DAC, which pushes the real cost of the setup higher.
Setup & Ease of Use
89%
Plug-in and play is not an overstatement here — buyers consistently describe the initial setup as taking under five minutes regardless of which input they use. The built-in DAC means USB connection to a laptop requires zero driver installation on most operating systems.
Volume control is handled via a knob on the right speaker, which works fine but means reaching behind a monitor if the speakers are positioned further back on the desk. A remote control or app-based volume option would be a welcome addition at this price.
Bass Response
58%
42%
Within the range the 2.75-inch woofers can realistically reproduce, the bass is punchy and well-defined rather than bloated. Buyers listening to rock, classical, or podcast content rarely mention bass as a problem — the frequency range simply fits those use cases well.
Sub-bass is largely absent, and buyers who expected more low-end impact at this price point feel let down. The subwoofer output is a useful escape valve, but requiring an additional purchase to fix a core weakness is a fair criticism that shows up consistently in lower-rated reviews.
Stereo Imaging & Soundstage
87%
The stereo separation on this bookshelf speaker pair is one of the aspects that surprises buyers most. Positioned correctly on a desk, instrument placement and spatial detail are strong enough that gamers and casual producers both pick up on qualities they did not get from their previous speakers.
Soundstage width is limited by the compact driver size — these are not going to fill a large room convincingly. Buyers who place them too close together or flush against a wall lose much of the imaging benefit, and the manual guidance on ideal placement could be clearer.
Amplifier Performance
86%
The Class A/B amplifier keeps distortion low across the volume range, which is something buyers who push the volume past 70% tend to notice — the sound stays composed rather than breaking up or sounding strained. At normal desk listening levels, the amp has more than enough headroom.
60W peak sounds impressive on paper, but desktop placement limits how much of that power translates to usable, room-filling volume. Buyers expecting to use these desktop speakers in a larger living room without a subwoofer often find the output lacking in that context.
Design & Aesthetics
83%
The high-gloss finish and compact rectangular form factor look genuinely premium on a desk, and buyers frequently mention that the speakers look more expensive than most competing options in the same range. The white finish in particular draws positive comments for blending into modern home office setups.
High-gloss surfaces attract fingerprints and dust noticeably, requiring more regular cleaning than matte alternatives. The look is also quite specific — buyers who prefer a more neutral or industrial aesthetic may find the gloss finish polarizing rather than universally appealing.
Long-Term Durability
82%
18%
Multi-year owners are well represented in the review base and the consensus is that the build holds up. Cabinet integrity, driver performance, and connector quality all get positive long-term mentions from buyers who have used the A2+ system daily for two or more years.
There are isolated reports of amplifier channel issues developing over time, though these appear infrequent. Warranty support experiences are mixed — some buyers report smooth resolution while others describe slower-than-expected service responses for a product at this price.
Desk Space Efficiency
79%
21%
At 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall per speaker, these desktop speakers occupy a surprisingly small footprint for the audio output they produce. Buyers with compact desks or dual-monitor setups specifically call out the compact size as a deciding factor in their purchase.
The power cable and the inter-speaker cable both need routing, which adds some desk clutter. Buyers who expected a completely wireless solution are occasionally disappointed that the speaker-to-speaker connection remains wired regardless of how the source device connects.
Multi-Device Compatibility
85%
Buyers running mixed ecosystems — a Windows laptop, an iPhone, and a smart TV, for example — find this bookshelf speaker pair handles the transitions well. The broad input range means it replaces multiple single-purpose speaker setups without requiring any additional hardware.
Input switching is manual, with no automatic source detection. Buyers who frequently jump between devices during a workday find themselves reaching to swap inputs more often than they would like, which is a friction point that feels solvable at this price point.

Suitable for:

The Audioengine A2+ is a strong match for anyone who spends serious time at a desk and has grown tired of audio that sounds flat or fatiguing. Remote workers who play music throughout the day will notice the difference in midrange clarity fairly quickly, especially on vocals and acoustic instruments. Gamers who care more about hearing footsteps accurately and spatial positioning than about rattling subwoofer effects will find the stereo imaging here genuinely useful. Hobbyist producers or podcasters who need a reliable, honest-sounding reference point — but cannot justify the cost of dedicated studio monitors — sit right in the sweet spot this system was built for. The broad input range also makes it a practical choice for anyone juggling a laptop, a phone, and a TV from a single desk, since the A2+ system handles all three without any additional hardware.

Not suitable for:

The Audioengine A2+ is the wrong purchase if bass weight is a priority and you are not prepared to add a separate subwoofer. Buyers expecting deep low-end from the compact 2.75-inch woofers will be disappointed, particularly for bass-forward genres like hip-hop, EDM, or cinematic soundtracks. If you regularly switch between speakers and headphones at your desk — to take calls, join meetings, or simply switch listening modes — the missing headphone jack will become a daily frustration rather than a minor inconvenience. Budget-conscious buyers should also think carefully: $223 is real money, and competing options have closed the gap on specs enough that the price premium requires buy-in on the brand and build philosophy. Anyone hoping to fill a medium or large room with sound should look elsewhere — these desktop speakers are built for near-field listening, and they perform best within a few feet of the listener.

Specifications

  • Peak Output: The system delivers 60W total peak power across both channels via a Class A/B amplifier.
  • Frequency Response: Audio reproduction spans 65Hz to 22kHz, covering the full range of standard listening content.
  • Bit Depth: Supports both 16-bit and 24-bit audio, making it compatible with hi-res streaming and local music libraries.
  • Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX-HD codec enables near-lossless wireless streaming from compatible source devices.
  • Wireless Range: Rated wireless range is up to 100 feet under clear line-of-sight conditions.
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: SNR measures greater than 95dB (A-weighted), indicating very low background noise during playback.
  • Distortion: Total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) stays below 0.05% across all volume settings.
  • Woofer Size: Each speaker houses a 2.75-inch custom woofer driver tuned for desktop near-field listening.
  • Tweeter Size: A 0.75-inch tweeter handles high-frequency reproduction in each cabinet.
  • Inputs: Accepts audio via USB-C, 3.5mm AUX, RCA, and Bluetooth simultaneously switchable by source.
  • Outputs: Provides RCA line-out and a dedicated subwoofer output for optional system expansion.
  • Cabinet Material: Cabinets are constructed from wood and finished through a 13-step high-gloss paint process.
  • Dimensions: Each speaker measures 6″ deep, 6″ wide, and 7″ tall in a compact rectangular form factor.
  • Combined Weight: Both speakers together weigh 6 pounds, keeping the system easy to reposition on a desk.
  • Power Supply: Corded electric power with auto-switching input voltage ranging from 100 to 240V at 50/60Hz.
  • Amplifier Class: Uses a Class A/B amplifier design, which balances efficiency with low-distortion audio output.
  • Mounting Type: Designed for tabletop placement and is not compatible with wall-mount or ceiling-mount configurations.
  • Included Components: Package includes a power cable, inter-speaker cable, quick start guide, and warranty card.
  • Warranty: Covered by a limited manufacturer warranty; specific duration and terms are confirmed through Audioengine directly.
  • Country of Build: Speakers are hand-built with wood cabinets and individually inspected before shipping according to Audioengine.

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FAQ

No. When connected via USB-C, the Audioengine A2+ is recognized as a standard USB audio device on both Windows and macOS without any driver installation. Just plug in and select it as your audio output in system settings.

The A2+ system has multiple physical inputs plus Bluetooth, but it does not automatically mix sources simultaneously. You can switch between them, but active audio from one source at a time is the practical expectation for most users.

No, and this is worth knowing before you buy. There is no headphone output on either speaker. If you regularly switch between speakers and headphones at your desk, you will need a separate headphone amplifier or DAC with its own headphone jack.

With aptX-HD enabled on a compatible source device, the gap is smaller than you might expect — most casual listeners would not notice in a side-by-side comparison. For critical listening or studio work, wired USB remains the cleaner option.

Yes, the A2+ system includes a dedicated subwoofer output on the rear of the main speaker. You can connect a compatible powered subwoofer at any point without modifying the rest of the setup.

Volume is controlled via a physical knob on the right speaker. There is no companion app or remote control. If your speakers are positioned behind a large monitor or at the back of a deep desk, you may find yourself reaching over more than you would like.

They work best within a few feet of the listener — that is what they are designed for. At desk distance, the output is more than adequate. Trying to fill a medium-sized room with background audio is possible, but you will hit the limits of the small drivers at higher volumes.

A soft microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water is the safest option. Avoid abrasive materials, alcohol-based cleaners, or solvent sprays, as these can dull or damage the gloss finish over time. The finish does attract fingerprints visibly, so light regular cleaning is a good habit.

Only the main (right) speaker connects to power. The second speaker is passive and receives its signal through the inter-speaker cable included in the box, so only one power outlet is needed.

They handle both well, though in different ways. For music, the warm midrange and clean stereo imaging are real strengths. For gaming, the precise stereo separation is useful for positional audio — hearing footsteps or directional cues accurately. What they do not offer is the kind of exaggerated bass punch associated with dedicated gaming speaker systems, so that preference matters.