[Sof]

Is there anything better than these speakers at this price point? Anyone have any issues with theirs? I've also read they sound "cold", but is that just with a flat eq line? I think I want to get these because I don't feel like buying a receiver + book shelfs......side note: do you lose sound quality when going from the receiver to the comp sound card with a RCA audio cable?

Also does anyone have a sub hooked up to these?

 

[blessingx]

These and the Mackie MR5s (priced per monitor) are probably the top contenders unless you want to hunt down vintage amp or t-amp and some bookselves. Personally I just bought a pair of A5s for a friend. Eyeing those Bamboos myself.

And I can't imagine needing a subwoofer with them, but people surprise me with subwoofers often.

 

[The Monkey]

Do the A5s take up a lot of space?

 

[uraflit]

i have em. replaced my amp + insginia bookshelves...

integrated amp = very small and compact... each monitor takes up only like 1 cubic feet each... even a little less.

they sound great for me, i got them shipped new for like $270. nice and bassy with clear sound all around.

and for the OP: going from sound card to receiver wont degrade sound unless the cable absolutely sucks or is damaged.

 

[dmashta]

I've been very happy with mine. And IMO, there's enough bass to satisfy most without needing a subwoofer.

 

[Hookem]

I have the A5's and they do sound good.

I also have a pair of the Mackie MR5's.

Been so busy doing pool turnaround's I have not been able to make side by side comparision of the A5 and MR5's.

My initial impression is that the Mackie's sound better.

Have the A5's connected to a Velodyne VX10 (RCA out of a AudioTrak HD2 into the VX10 and out to the A5's)...Crossover in the sub that knocks out anything below 80 going to the A5's.

The MR5's are Bi-Amped...Have great connectivity...I like em...Just need to do the comparision to make sure which ones I am going to keep.

One thing for sure...The A5's paired with a VX-10 is a great bang for the buck computer as source speaker setup.

Do yourself a favor...If there is a Guitar Center close go listen to the MR5's.

Impressive for the money IMHO.

 

[brown274]

The only problem with the A5's are when you let someone hear them, they try to buy them from you. I took them to a wedding last weekend and we used them for a slideshow in a 150 X 100 ballroom and had them turned 1/8th of the way up. If you want small size, no external amp, these are the best I could find for $315 shipped (google A5 promo code for 15% off)

The only reason I would add a sub is if you listen to rap. I notice that they can't get really really low without a sub. I listen to a lot of jazz, swing, and rock and have yet to need a sub.

 

[Hookem]

Yeah I took the A5's to a pool party and liked to never got outta there with them.

I took them with the VX-10 to another one of her pool party's and darn near everybody said something about the sound.

I do not know if this is common...But the USB connection has come loose from the mounting...Rendering it usless...Hoping AudioEngine will just send me a new connector without me having to ship the speakers back.

And Brown is right...Take em somewhere and you just might need security.

 

[blessingx]

Your guys experiences were the same as Robert J. Reinas of Stereophile (though the A2s in that case). People offering cash to buy them on the spot.

Stereophile: Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker

 

[BIG POPPA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hookem /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah I took the A5's to a pool party and liked to never got outta there with them. I took them with the VX-10 to another one of her pool party's and darn near everybody said something about the sound. I do not know if this is common...But the USB connection has come loose from the mounting...Rendering it usless...Hoping AudioEngine will just send me a new connector without me having to ship the speakers back. And Brown is right...Take em somewhere and you just might need security.

Email Logan at customer Service support@audioengineusa.com Tell him what is going on and he may send you a new left speaker. I got a new one after having a concern with overheating. I am shipping the defective one back with no out of pocket costs.

 

[Daal]

Well... I will be happy with mine then

 

[Hookem]

Yeah you gotta give AudioEngine props.

Easily the best customer service I have ever recieved from any online vendor.

I returned some A2's to get the A5's and they apologized the A2's did not work out.

They actually answer a telephone there...And they have never failed to reply to a email ASAP.

5 Stars for sure on product support, build quality, fit and finish

Yep...You will like the A5's.

Nice speakers...Really nice.

 

[3X0]

My roommate has the A5Ws. They're pretty impressive. My floormate has some M-Audio BX-5as for comparison, and after burn-in the A5Ws sound a lot more organic and rich. Their customer service is indeed amazing - he had problems with his slave speaker cutting out and they sent him a replacement after a brief phone call. The compactness for their sound is also very impressive; they are far smaller than my own bookshelves.

However, as an active pair, the A5 is easily trumped by passive setups costing less money. My setup (Denon DRA-425R + Infinity Primus P152s) cost a little over $200 but sound much better in all respects. The tradeoff you get is in portability and space - my setup takes a lot more space (the speakers alone are bigger than the A5s!) and it is impractical for me to carry them around to places considering the overall size.

 

[Jolida302]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sof /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is there anything better than these speakers at this price point? Anyone have any issues with theirs? I've also read they sound "cold", but is that just with a flat eq line? I think I want to get these because I don't feel like buying a receiver + book shelfs......side note: do you lose sound quality when going from the receiver to the comp sound card with a RCA audio cable? Also does anyone have a sub hooked up to these?

No it's not cold, but quite musical for such product!
Yes i had problems too, but their customer service was indeed excellent, i've got now a perfect working NIB pair (for sale)!

 

[Sof]

Thank you all for your input.

I'm not too overly concerned about space saving designs when we're talking about going the receiver/bookshelf speaker set up. The A5's seem to be very versatile. I just wish I could hear the difference.....hmmm decisions decisions....