Audioengine 5 Speaker System: Huge Sound, Small Size!
Audioengine 5 is a full-size speaker system in a bookshelf-sized package. Internal power amps eliminate the need to connect the Audioengine 5 to a bulky stereo receiver or power amplifier. And with built-in subwoofer ports, the Audioengine 5 adds incredible low-end bass without the need for an external subwoofer.
Built-in iPod ChargingDesigned for optimal ease of setup and versatility, the Audioengine 5 has a built-in power port for iPod charging while listening to your music, watching movies, or playing games. Plug an Apple Universal Dock or iPod directly into the Audioengine Combo Port and you're ready to rock (or roll). The Combo Port charger is compatible with the nano and video iPod as well as all other products that charge via USB.audioengine 5 speaker rear viewAirport Express PowerWith an AC power jack in the rear panel, the Audioengine 5 provides the ability to stream music from your laptop directly to the speakers through Apple's Airport Express. The rear panel AC outlet is also ideal for providing power to other portable and home A/V equipment. A 2nd auxiliary mini-jack is located nearby for audio input from the Airport Express or other products. We've also included plenty of cables in a drawstring bag to connect all your gear.No Receiver? No Problem!For listening to real stereo sound Audioengine is all you need. If you want awesome speakers for your portable music player, game console, TV or DVD player but don't want a bulky receiver/amp hogging up your space, the Audioengine 5 system does the job.
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Specifications:
Custom BuiltAudioengine designs and manufactures our own drivers, woofers, crossovers, amplifiers, power supplies, and cabinets. In other words, these are not "box built" speakers with off-the-shelf components but entirely custom-designed. What we do not fabricate directly in our factory we have custom-made to our specifications (such as toroidal transformers and extruded aluminum heatsinks, for example). The cabinets, drivers, bass ports, amplifiers and crossovers are all painstakingly tuned together for each Audioengine model. Based on Studio Monitor DesignsSo what? Studio monitor speakers are used by producers and engineers in recording and production studios. They are designed with a theoretical flat frequency response which allows the engineer to create a final mix in such a way that the recorded music will sound good on most other speakers. Although Audioengine speakers are not designed to be up-close "nearfield" studio monitors, we do carry over much of the same higher-end technology and design philosophy for Audioengine products.
DriversAudioengine 5 uses audiophile quality, ferro-fluid cooled, 20mm silk dome tweeters with Neodymium magnets. Silk holds up well under high power and the edge-driven design gives very smooth response. The woofers are 5" Kevlar woven glass aramid composite. Kevlar is obviously very strong, which means that the woofer retains its shape when being driven at high levels.
CabinetsTo minimize unwanted resonances and distortion, Audioengine cabinets have 1” thick high-resin MDF walls with extensive internal bracing. All edges are rounded which look great and also reduce high-frequency diffraction effects on the front baffles. Each cabinet contains tuned, rear-firing ports. Both speakers are tuned together and sold in pairs.
Power AmplifierThe amplifier in Audioengine 5 is very conservatively rated at 45 watts RMS, 75 watts peak power. Circuit boards are vertically mounted for mechanical shock protection.TransformersPower transformers are a big contributor to the overall audio performance, especially in the low end. Again, no off-the-shelf parts here. Audioengine uses gapless core toroidal transformers which have a tighter radiated magnetic field, directly translating to lower noise. They are lighter than standard, lower-cost "EI" transformers and also generate less heat.
ShieldingBoth drivers are directly shielded and allow the user to place the speakers within a few inches of a video monitor.
USB Power5V@1.2A USB power supply powers the latest generation iPods and most other USB "bus-powered" devices. The USB port is for charging only, not for data transfer or music syncing.
Recommended Speaker SetupIt is true that proper speaker placement has a huge impact on sound quality. There are many different theories, but all rooms and tastes are different so it's impossible to specify a "correct" placement. We do suggest you experiment with a few different locations to see what works for you. As a general rule of thumb for the best soundstage balance, the speakers should be equi-distant from side walls and a different distance from rear walls. For the best bass response on Audioengine 5, we recommend that you keep a minimum distance of 6-12" between the rear of the speakers and the rear wall.
HI-FI World Magazine Review: "If you want to play music from an MP3 player or a computer but baulk at the reduction in sound quality that seems to come as standard with many MP3 speaker systems, the A5 could be for you. It's a pair of active speakers with 45 watts per channel, two 3.5mm audio inputs on the left speaker plus a USB output, handily located on top, a pair of pre-outs for a sub and a mains AC output for use with Apple's Airport Express. Like all standmounts they perform best on stands, producing a rich, expressive sound throughout the range, with a solid underpinning of bass. Add good timing and a balanced stereo image, and this is instant hi-fi." Click here to see this review and more from the manufacturers website.
Digital Trends.com Review (rated 9/10): "Audioengine has created a masterpiece with the compact, yet mind-blowing Audioengine 5 speaker system. The A5's work with just about every audio source available with a 1/8" output (or 1/8" adapter). I've tested them with my iPods, MacBook, iMac, Airport Express, external CD player and even directly connected to my electric blues guitar! Everything sounds awesome..." Click here for a full review.
Audioholics.com Review (rated 4.8/5): "I have heard many iPod/MP3 player systems, but this is by far the best one yet. It is really in a class all by itself. The fact that it is so good is my only complaint because it very quickly reveals the limitations of a portable device such as the iPod and that of highly compressed audio..." Click here for a full review.Macworld.com Review (rated 4.5/5): "To my ears the Audioengine 5s provide solid sound from the devices it was designed for—computers, portable music players, and AV media centers. If, based on sound quality alone, I had to choose between the iPod Hi-Fi and these speakers, I’d opt for the Audioengine 5s for their more-balanced sound and their ability to be separated..." Click here for a full review.
The-Gadgeteer.com Review "I love the Audioengine 5 speaker system. They are definitely a 100 steps above a lot of the smaller more inexpensive systems I've reviewed in the past. They won't be in line with everyone's budget, but if the price doesn't scare you away, you'll not regret the purchase..." Click here for a full review.
PC Magazine.com Review (rated 4/5): "Sound quality at lower listening levels is very good, and the stereo image is far wider than any one-piece unit could provide. The Audioengine's bass isn't weak by any means. It's strong and reasonably tight, but it doesn't quite have the percussive thump of the iPod Hi-Fi; this is even more noticeable as the volume increases. The overall sound is slightly more balanced than that of the Hi-Fi, thanks to a slightly smoother midrange. Highs are prominent but not harsh. When I cranked the volume up to truly annoying levels, the sound held up remarkably well without distorting..." Click here for a full review.
T3 Review (rated 5/5): "If great sound, rock-steady build quality and user-friendliness are high on your agenda - well, you can't go wrong with these..."Click here for a full review.
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