Definitive Audioengine A2+ Review & Benchmark 2025: The Ultimate Desktop HiFi Test

A Technical Deep Dive: The 2025 Audioengine A2+ Wireless Desktop Speakers Benchmark

The realm of desktop audio is a landscape of profound compromise. For decades, users have been forced to choose between diminutive, acoustically inert plastic pods or large, cumbersome monitors that dominate a workspace. The engineering challenge has always been to deliver a true high-fidelity, or “HiFi,” experience within the tight constraints of a near-field listening environment. The Audioengine A2+ has long been considered a benchmark product that squarely meets this challenge. It is not merely a “computer speaker” but a miniaturized audiophile-grade system. This latest iteration enhances a legendary design with a suite of modern technologies, including high-resolution 24-bit digital audio and aptX-HD Bluetooth. This review is an exhaustive technical deconstruction of the A2+. We will analyze its internal components, digital architecture, wireless protocols, and the material science behind its construction to determine if it still holds the crown as the ultimate compact speaker for discerning music lovers and gamers in 2025.

Comprehensive Feature Analysis: An Engineering & Design Breakdown

To fully grasp the A2+’s capabilities, we must dissect each feature to understand its technical significance and its impact on the user experience, from the purity of the digital signal path to the tactile quality of the hand-built enclosures.

1. Digital Audio Architecture: The “HIFI 24 BIT” Core

The centerpiece of the A2+’s technical prowess is its native support for high-resolution audio. The specification of “16 and 24 bit high resolution audio capable” is critically important. To understand why, we must look at how digital audio is structured. Bit depth determines the dynamic range of a sound file—the difference between the quietest and loudest possible sounds. Standard CD quality is 16-bit, which offers a theoretical dynamic range of 96 decibels (dB). In contrast, 24-bit audio offers a staggering 144 dB of dynamic range. This vastly expanded range translates to a significantly lower noise floor (less background hiss) and the ability to reproduce incredibly subtle details, nuances, and micro-dynamics in a recording that are simply lost or masked in a 16-bit file. The A2+’s integrated Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) is the component responsible for translating this 24-bit digital information into the analog sound wave you hear. By incorporating a high-quality 24-bit DAC, the A2+ ensures that the full resolution of modern streaming services (like TIDAL Master, Qobuz, and Amazon Music HD) and lossless personal audio files (FLAC, ALAC) is preserved from the source to the speaker driver. This commitment to an end-to-end high-resolution signal path is what elevates the A2+ from a simple speaker to a genuine HiFi component.

2. Wireless Protocol: Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX-HD

For a long time, Bluetooth audio was a compromise, trading quality for convenience. The A2+ rectifies this with a state-of-the-art wireless implementation. The foundation is **Bluetooth 5.3**, which provides a highly stable connection, improved power efficiency, and an extended operational range of up to 100 feet (30 meters) in ideal conditions. However, the most critical element here is the **aptX-HD codec**. A codec is an algorithm used to compress and decompress digital audio for wireless transmission. The default SBC codec on most devices is functional but lossy, discarding significant amounts of audio data. aptX-HD, in stark contrast, is a high-definition audio codec capable of wirelessly transmitting audio at 24-bit/48kHz resolution. It uses a more efficient compression method that preserves the crucial data needed for a high-fidelity experience, delivering a sound quality that is audibly superior to CD quality. When you stream from an aptX-HD compatible source (many modern Android phones and computers), the A2+ can receive a wireless signal that is almost indistinguishable from a wired high-resolution connection. This seamless integration of a high-bitrate codec with a robust Bluetooth 5.3 platform finally allows wireless listening without a significant sacrifice in audio quality.

3. Acoustic Design and Voicing: “Custom Tuned”

The “signature Audioengine sound” is a direct result of meticulous component selection and acoustic tuning. The speakers feature 2.75-inch **aramid fiber woofers** and 0.75-inch **silk dome tweeters**. These materials are chosen for their specific physical properties. Aramid fiber (similar to Kevlar) is exceptionally rigid and lightweight, allowing the woofer cone to move quickly and accurately without deforming. This results in tight, punchy bass and a clear, detailed midrange. Silk, used for the tweeters, is a naturally damped material, which allows it to reproduce high frequencies with exceptional clarity and smoothness, avoiding the harshness or “sizzle” that can be found in metal-dome tweeters. These two drivers are integrated via a carefully designed crossover circuit. The term “custom tuned by musicians” refers to the process of “voicing” the speaker—making fine adjustments to the crossover and internal electronics to achieve a specific tonal balance. The A2+ is tuned for an engaging, musically rich sound that is slightly warm but highly detailed, making it suitable for long, non-fatiguing listening sessions for both intricate music and the dynamic soundtracks of games.

4. Versatile Connectivity: “Plug and Play” Hub

The A2+ is designed to be the central audio hub of a desktop. Its array of inputs ensures compatibility with nearly any source device.

• USB-C Audio: This is the premier connection for a computer. It provides a direct digital signal path to the speaker’s internal 24-bit DAC, bypassing the computer’s often noisy and low-quality integrated sound card. This ensures the cleanest possible signal for critical listening and gaming.
• RCA Inputs/Outputs: The stereo RCA inputs provide a high-quality analog connection for sources like an external DAC, a turntable (with a phono preamp), or a CD player. Critically, the A2+ also includes a variable RCA output, which allows for the easy connection of an external subwoofer, like the Audioengine S6 or S8.
• 3.5mm AUX Input: This ubiquitous mini-jack input provides a simple analog connection for virtually any other device, from smartphones and tablets to portable music players. This comprehensive suite of wired options, alongside its high-end Bluetooth, makes the A2+ a remarkably versatile and future-proof system.

5. Material Science and Craftsmanship: “Hand Built”

This is where the “Beauty Science” aspect of the A2+ truly shines. The speakers are not housed in cheap, resonant plastic. The cabinets are hand-built from 18mm thick, high-density fiberboard (MDF). From an acoustic physics standpoint, MDF is far superior to plastic because its density and internal damping properties drastically reduce unwanted cabinet vibrations and resonances, which would otherwise color the sound and introduce distortion. The front of each speaker features a forward-firing slot port, a precisely calculated opening that tunes the cabinet to enhance low-frequency response, allowing the small woofer to produce surprisingly deep bass. The aesthetic finish is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. The “high gloss 13 step paint process” involves the laborious application of multiple layers of primer, paint, and clear lacquer, with extensive sanding and polishing between each stage. This is a process typically reserved for high-end furniture or grand pianos, and it results in a flawless, deep, lustrous finish that is both visually stunning and incredibly durable.

Technical Pros: A Synthesis of Strengths

• End-to-End High-Resolution Audio Path: The combination of a 24-bit internal DAC and support for the 24-bit aptX-HD Bluetooth codec ensures that high-resolution audio is preserved from source to driver, whether wired or wireless.
• Superior Acoustic Components: The use of aramid fiber woofers and silk dome tweeters, housed in acoustically inert hand-built MDF cabinets, provides a level of clarity, detail, and musicality rarely found in this size class.
• Comprehensive and Versatile Connectivity: With USB-C, RCA (including a subwoofer output), and 3.5mm AUX inputs alongside Bluetooth 5.3, the A2+ can connect to virtually any device, making it a true desktop audio centerpiece.
• Exceptional Build Quality and Finish: The meticulous hand-built construction and multi-layer, high-gloss paint finish impart a sense of quality and aesthetic beauty that far exceeds typical computer speakers.

Technical Cons: An Assessment of Limitations

• Bass Extension is Physics-Limited: While impressive for their size, the 2.75-inch woofers cannot defy physics. For deep, sub-bass frequencies (below ~65Hz), pairing them with an external subwoofer (like the Audioengine S6) is highly recommended for a full-range experience.
• No Integrated DSP Customization: The speaker’s sound signature is fixed by its tuning. There is no companion app or software for adjusting EQ settings, which may be a drawback for users who prefer to customize their sound profile.
• External Power Brick: To keep the speaker cabinets compact and the internal electronics cool, the A2+ utilizes a moderately sized external power brick, which needs to be accommodated in a desk setup.

Conclusion: The 2025 Benchmark for Desktop HiFi

The Audioengine A2+ Wireless remains an undisputed benchmark in the premium desktop audio category. It is a product of intelligent engineering and uncompromising craftsmanship. It masterfully blends audiophile-grade components and a true high-resolution digital architecture with the convenience of modern, high-quality wireless streaming. The material choice and flawless finish reflect a commitment to building a product that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the ear. While a dedicated subwoofer is needed to unlock the lowest octaves of bass, the clarity, detail, and immersive stereo imaging that the A2+ provides in a near-field setting is simply extraordinary. For the discerning individual who uses their desk for critical music listening, immersive gaming, or content creation, and who appreciates elegant design, the Audioengine A2+ is not just an accessory; it is an investment in a superior audio experience and earns our highest recommendation for 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I need to buy a separate DAC to get the best sound from the A2+?

A: No, you do not. The Audioengine A2+ has a high-quality 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) built directly into the unit. You can access this internal DAC in two primary ways: by connecting your computer via the USB-C cable, or by streaming wirelessly from a compatible device using the aptX-HD Bluetooth codec. Both methods provide a high-resolution signal path, making an external DAC unnecessary for most users to achieve excellent sound quality.

Q: What is the benefit of the front slot port on the speakers?

A: The slot port on the front of each speaker is part of a bass-reflex acoustic design. This port is precisely tuned to the cabinet’s volume and the woofer’s characteristics. When the woofer moves, it creates air pressure changes inside the cabinet; the port allows some of this acoustic energy, particularly at low frequencies, to exit the front of the speaker in phase with the sound from the woofer. This reinforces the bass output, allowing the small speakers to produce a deeper and more impactful low-end than a sealed cabinet of the same size could. Placing it on the front also makes the speakers less sensitive to placement near a wall.

Q: Can I add a subwoofer to the A2+, and how do I do it?

A: Yes, absolutely. This is a key feature of the A2+. The left (powered) speaker has a pair of variable RCA line-level outputs. You can connect a standard RCA cable from this output to the input of any powered subwoofer (like the Audioengine S6 or S8, or a model from another brand). Because the output is “variable,” the subwoofer’s volume will go up and down in sync with the main volume knob on the A2+, making it easy to blend the systems seamlessly.

Q: What is the main difference between the sound of the A2+ and a single smart speaker like a Sonos One?

A: The primary difference is stereo separation. The A2+ is a true two-channel stereo system. By having two separate speakers, it can reproduce music with a proper soundstage, where you can perceive the distinct placement of instruments and vocals in a three-dimensional space. A single smart speaker, even a high-quality one, is a mono point source (or uses processing to simulate stereo) and cannot create this immersive stereo image. The A2+ is designed purely for audio fidelity, while a smart speaker’s cost also includes microphones, AI processing, and multi-room networking features.

Q: Is aptX-HD compatible with iPhones and iPads?

A: No, Apple’s iOS and iPadOS devices do not support the aptX or aptX-HD codecs. Instead, Apple devices use the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) codec for high-quality Bluetooth streaming. The Audioengine A2+ is also compatible with AAC, so you will still get a very high-quality wireless audio experience from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which is audibly superior to the basic SBC codec. You simply will not be able to take advantage of the 24-bit capability of aptX-HD when using an Apple source device wirelessly.

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