Audioengine A2

Well, this depends all on how loud you want it to sound. I have my a2 setup in my living room sometimes and it's lent loud. I do also have it hooked up to a yamaha powered sub... And it easily fills up the room with rich music. But I'd lobe to have the a5 - but for now, the a2's are enough for my medium sized living room.
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If you plan on using the A2's without a sub I would definitely go for the A5. Actually, I'd probably go for the A5's either way.

oops. double post

A2's are too small and low power for anything larger than a small bedroom, IMO.

The woofer is REALLY tiny, so is the amp...

Even after having RMA'd the external power supply, my A2's have a 60 cycle hum when plugged in and no audio source being played. Being the there is only an auto-off, unplugging them from the outlet when not being used is the only choice. My A2's are used for my 52" flat-screen.

 

My alternative monitors and much preferred for audio are the Fostex PMO Mark 4's. The new version are the .4's.

 

http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/music_products/pm_series_mkII.shtml

Ground loop?

The A2's are barely enough for near field listening. Get the A5's if you are planning to sit away from your desk.

I've been thinking about getting the A2 + ADS1 stands, it will be $205 shipped.  I've read mixed reviews though so I'm a bit hesitant...opinions?  I have a smaller sized computer desk so I think for the size they would be a perfect fit.  I normally use headphones but would like to have a nice pair of speakers when I feel like getting a bit louder.  I will be using the RCA out on my uDAC-2 as a source.  Just need some help to finalize my decision.  I have read some horror stories about electrocution and computers getting fried using these speakers so that's a bit of a deterrent to say the least xD.  Help?

The A2s and stands may surprise you for nearfield listening. I enjoy them for desktop use every bit as much as I do when listening to my big rig, (including Vandersteen speakers) in my living room.

 

I listen to female vocals, including the Cowboy Junkies, solo piano and New Age music on the A2s. I don't play loud music in my bedroom desktop system and have never felt the need for a subwoofer.

 

For nearfield listening, this is a very seductive sound. The speakers are slightly elevated on a shelf and angled with the optional stands. The A2s by themselves are excellent, but the stands take them up a level, IMO, and for me they are not optional.

 

I'm not suggesting you couldn't do better for a lot more money. But I first looked upon these small gems as dipping my toe into computer audio, and I was fully prepared to get the larger A5s or something more expensive at a later date.

 

Instead, I've happily kept the A2s and never looked back.

 

As we speak, I have a choice between listening to Margo Timmons on the $3k-plus Vandys or the little A2s. Today I choose the A2s and don't feel I'm missing any of Margo's warmth and exquisite voice. Quite an accomplishment for a $200 the pair speaker, don't you think?

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks for taking the time out to share how you feel about them, it helped a lot in fact.  Now I just have to wait until Friday before I can order them which will drive me insane by that time xD.

Some people might call me crazy, but i think listening to my A2 speakers are more fun than listening to my TF10s. While the details are not that clear, the sound is really really fun.

I know there's pushback on the A2s - probably because of the out sized praise they got when they were first released - but I have used them for two years plus on my desktop and remain very pleased. They're neutral in a very pleasant way, kinda like a good glass of cool water.

 

Scott A.

Watertown NY

Do the slots only accept mini CD's? They don't seem to take my normal-size CD's...

 

 

Edited by Rainbow Randy - 8/7/11 at 6:42am

haha!