Improving Audioengine A5+ sound for free !

[Naguall]

I was quite disappointed with the sound of my Audioentine A3+ ! These speakers frequently are choosen as the best in their league, so I coud not understand the boominess of the woofers, the poor soundstage, and the low fidelity, since they seemed perfect to me, though I´ve bought them second hand. After a lot of tweaking I decided to close the rear ports of the speakers, as I´ve read in some other thread. This, at the cost of some loudness, made the trick, and I could hear all the details that were hidden. In my "opinion", closing the rear vents fixed some accoutic issue in the enviroment the speakers are placed. Later I´ve coupled an old sub to the rear subwoofer output the A3+ have, wich just doesn´t work before, and it improved the bass and the overall control of the sound ! Of course nobody wants to pay hundreds of dollars for something in order to apply a trick to make them work right, but I think closing the rear vents of these speakers with cardboard, wich is very easy, may be specially useful when trying to match them to a subwoofer. Anybody here had a similar experience ?

 

[castleofargh]

I don’t know those speakers, but anytime I hear about bass on speakers, my first thought is placement and walls.
From the pictures you don’t have a lot of space to play with and even the side wall is nearby, but you should try moving your speakers around(maybe even move the desk a little? Careful about the screen falling while moving), and find out if it makes enough of a difference for the bass.

 

[Naguall]

I don’t know those speakers, but anytime I hear about bass on speakers, my first thought is placement and walls.
From the pictures you don’t have a lot of space to play with and even the side wall is nearby, but you should try moving your speakers around(maybe even move the desk a little? Careful about the screen falling while moving), and find out if it makes enough of a difference for the bass.

Castleofargh, I agree with you, even for nearfield listening ! But as you can see, now, closing the rear ports of the speakers (it would be like moving them ?) allowed me to add this old subwoofer and get a larger control over the sound, without losing the space on the table.

 

[sygnus21]

I was quite disappointed with the sound of my Audioentine A3+ ! These speakers frequently are choosen as the best in their league, so I coud not understand the boominess of the woofers, the poor soundstage, and the low fidelity, since they seemed perfect to me, though I´ve bought them second hand. After a lot of tweaking I decided to close the rear ports of the speakers, as I´ve read in some other thread. This, at the cost of some loudness, made the trick, and I could hear all the details that were hidden. In my "opinion", closing the rear vents fixed some accoutic issue in the enviroment the speakers are placed. Later I´ve coupled an old sub to the rear subwoofer output the A3+ have, wich just doesn´t work before, and it improved the bass and the overall control of the sound ! Of course nobody wants to pay hundreds of dollars for something in order to apply a trick to make them work right, but I think closing the rear vents of these speakers with cardboard, wich is very easy, may be specially useful when trying to match them to a subwoofer. Anybody here had a similar experience ?

Perhaps you forget this is a powered "bookshelf speaker". Lucky for me, I bought the Audioengine S8 Sub, because I also understood what I was getting in a "bookshelf speaker" where bass was concerned.

As for the boominess claimed, I can't see it (didn't hear it), but then again, I also have the Audioengine S8 sub, so bass is fairly controlled, and thus zero boom with that setup.

Yes, the A5+ speakers aren't high-end, but for what you get they are very good, as long as you understand what you have. No, they aren't the most revealing speakers or have a very wide stage, but again, as a desktop bookshelf speaker, they're just fine. That said, as stated, placement is key.

Anyway, I've now replaced the A5+ with the Audioengine HD6 speakers. I find these to be better sounding than the A5+, and especially a bit more forward as opposed to recessed sounding like the A5+ speakers. They also have a slightly wider soundstage and channel separation seems improved.

BTW, another reason I replaced (well upgraded) the A5+ was the right (passive) speaker now has a hum. That even with nothing connected, and the speaker moved away from any electronics, the hum is still there. Do you have the same?

Zero hum with the HD6 active speakers.

 

[Naguall]

Perhaps you forget this is a powered "bookshelf speaker". Lucky for me, I bought the Audioengine S8 Sub, because I also understood what I was getting in a "bookshelf speaker" where bass was concerned.

As for the boominess claimed, I can't see it (didn't hear it), but then again, I also have the Audioengine S8 sub, so bass is fairly controlled, and thus zero boom with that setup.

Yes, the A5+ speakers aren't high-end, but for what you get they are very good, as long as you understand what you have. No, they aren't the most revealing speakers or have a very wide stage, but again, as a desktop bookshelf speaker, they're just fine. That said, as stated, placement is key.

Anyway, I've now replaced the A5+ with the Audioengine HD6 speakers. I find these to be better sounding than the A5+, and especially a bit more forward as opposed to recessed sounding like the A5+ speakers. They also have a slightly wider soundstage and channel separation seems improved.

BTW, another reason I replaced (well upgraded) the A5+ was the right (passive) speaker now has a hum. That even with nothing connected, and the speaker moved away from any electronics, the hum is still there. Do you have the same?

Zero hum with the HD6 active speakers.

1- sygnus21, I´ve got zero hum with my A5+ !
2- I fully agree with you, placement is key ! So, in my humble opinion, sometimes you can get better results matching your gear with the accoustic enviroment, than spending $$$$.
3- Closing the rear ports of a speaker may work like moving them.

 

[sygnus21]

1- sygnus21, I´ve got zero hum with my A5+ !

Yeah, mine developed years later. I bought mine in 2014, and I think the hum started around 21. I lived with it until I couldn't anymore.

3- Closing the rear ports of a speaker may work like moving them.

I've never close off ports that are intended to be open, but that's me.

Good luck with yours. Despite some shortcomings they're still good speakers. Personally, and if possible, I'd look to add a sub to them.

 

[Naguall]

I've never close off ports that are intended to be open, but that's me.

Neither do I...
But in the scenario was an easy fix !