Audioengine A5 downgrade to A2? - Page 2

Thanks for the kind words? A couple questions. How much space is between the back wall and your speakers? Also, are they sitting right one the desk? I don't have the best trained ears but I've noticed incredible differences in sound solely in positioning of these speakers. As they are near-field they are a bit tricky in this respect. I just bought some floor speaker stands[picture] for mine as I wasn't quite satisfied having them right on my desk, even on stands.

This might all be academic though since the sound must be bouncing off all the walls in apparently dizzying fashion.

I have the same problem with my A2's and they're about 2 arm lengths away from me. For what it's worth, you've also got the exact same desk and corner setup as me which probably isn't helping our speakers at all. Another popular compact active speaker "pc" solution are the NHT M-00's, which I think might be even smaller than A5's. I believe they also have a switch that adjusts them specifically for nearfield listening. If you buy them from listenup.com you can always return them for a full refund.

Instead of stands, this might sound retarded, but it looks like it could be possible to suspend speakers from the ceiling or even that shelf above the desk, since they'd probably be too high to actually be placed on the shelf. I know I've heard of people suspending speakers from the ceiling using various methods (none of which I can remember in detail).

Wow, you have a tight space there. A square is the worst shape for a listening room, and a small one is even tougher. I have to guess you have a large standing wave that is giving you fits. My have to throw in the towel and go with phones. Also looks like a shelf right above the speakers that needs to go if possible, if not maybe some acoustic treatment just above the speakers on the underside of the shelf.

If you can adjust and lower the desk height I would start there. Then raise the speakers on stands at least 5 and up to 10 inches off the desk to get them at just below ear height. You can play with the height with thicker books. Then angle them up toward you at a 12 to 15 degree angle. My be interested in a speaker placement thread I have had a say in, this is hobbling most from getting all they can out of this compromised location.

Another huge issue is that the A5's are rear ported and need more space between them and the wall behind them. Also you can put some foam in the rear ports, do not let the material fall in, and hear the impact on the bass, not the best solution though. Wall treatment is another thought. Next I would point the speakers straight ahead then just barely angle them in, 2-4 degrees is fine.

I think you need those guys at least 10 inches from the wall and about 8 inches off the desk. All of this is free to try as you are trying to fine tune the bass. The first reflection off the desk is another matter to look at later.

If you seem to be going no where with all of this then you might try something odd by cutting a lot of the room off by setting up with the desk in a corner. By the way the A2's are front ported and easier to place on a desk. Not saying the 5's won't work just that the port location on the A2's allows them to be closer to the wall without as much of an issue.

Let us know if you are making any progress!

I use mines in a awkwardly shaped apartment, and I will take pictures later on.  I put some mopads under them which tamed them by quite a bit but its still not enough and they sound wonky(as in I get more clarity out of ****ty speakers).  The whole cinder block idea(or concrete) is great but it really wouldn't work too well on my desk which has a wood edge but the center portion is a glass.

 

I have been looking at studio speaker stands and they all seem to require mounting holes which the A5 does not have nor would I want to start drilling into it.