Audioengine offers powered bookshelf speakers for iPods

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Audioengine offers powered bookshelf speakers for iPods

Audioengine has introduced a new set of bookshelf-sized speakers designed for iPods and other portable audio players. Priced at $349, the Audioengine 5 speakers feature “audiophile-quality sound,” internal power amps, and a top-mounted USB port and audio input.

An integrated AC power jack and a second audio input port on the rear panel provides the ability to stream music directly to the Audioengine speakers using Apple’s Airport Express.

“5-inch Kevlar woofers for powerful bass, 20mm silk dome tweeters for smooth highs, built-in power amplifiers, truly useful connections, and a clean industrial design all allow the Audioengine 5 to integrate perfectly in your living room, bedroom, or on your desktop,” says the company. “Custom-designed and handcrafted wood cabinets with high-gloss professional piano finish make the Audioengine 5 a true work of art.”

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Comments

1

“60Hz-22kHz +/-1.5dB”

Apple got owned.

Posted by meh on March 2, 2006 at 11:06 AM (PST)

2

good timing

Posted by m on March 2, 2006 at 11:33 AM (PST)

3

Price seems a wee bit steep but if the sound quality is there, then it’s more like a good value.

They look good, have the right features…this looks like the product Apple should have made.

Posted by stark23x on March 2, 2006 at 1:24 PM (PST)

4

Numbers don’t make a great speaker. You can have a speaker with 20-22k numbers that sounds terrible because it’s not sensitive, neutral or linear. I’ve heard the HiFi, and it is all three.

What the HiFi isn’t is great for stereo soundstage (i’d say you could MAYBE get two people in the stage, but that’s it). A set of powered bookshelf speakers like these would be similar to my set up (a pair of Event 20/20bas studio monitors with a preamp) only lighter and with less hassle.

Of course, the HiFi is also portable, and some people (like my wife) just don’t like wires.

Posted by dasmegabyte on March 2, 2006 at 1:33 PM (PST)

5

At first I thought these look pretty cool, especially with the Airport Express being connected in the rear and a place for a Shuffle and/or Dock connection. But I’ve always heard that it’s better to have each speaker with it’s own power amp as opposed to just one with a simple stereo wire connecting the two. Also, it doesn’t appear that you can actually play the Shuffle through the USB dock connection, you still need to connect the wire to the audio input jack.

Posted by Boris34 on March 2, 2006 at 2:12 PM (PST)

6

I don’t care how great they are I am not spending over $100 on speakers when there’s cheap comp speakers and headphone splitters for $3 to be bought. No way - nuh uh. Maybe when I have my own place it will be necessary eventually but for now headphones are completely satisfactory.

Posted by Werewolf on March 3, 2006 at 5:44 AM (PST)

7

Just got pair, sound so good , bass is tight and punchy, mid range are clear , treble is clean, the pair is beauty white glossy piano finish, with $349 and shipping are free, this speakers is the one to get.

Posted by Michael on March 21, 2006 at 12:23 PM (PST)

8

I also just purchased a pair and am VERY happy with them. These speakers hit a great price point - they’re cheaper than an audiophile setup but far exceed computer speakers in terms of sound quality.

I think the key was focusing on accurate response rather than loud, one-note bass. The flat response is not just a statistic, and the speakers really do sound natural. One of the founders comes from Alesis, a respected studio monitor company. You could easily use these as part of a main system; if you need the bottom octave or two then add a small powered subwoofer. I have neighbors so these are fine as-is.

I’m using a pair with an airport express on one input and a Tivoli Model Satellite on the other for a nice alarm clock.

Pros:
-Great sound quality, not boomy/muddy like many computer speakers.
-Beautiful build quality
-Dual inputs - you shouldn’t need a separate switcher.

Cons:
-Amp is not auto-off and can get a bit warm.
-Nothing else yet.

Posted by SZ on April 9, 2006 at 5:05 PM (PST)

9

Michael and SZ, if you are subscribed to this comment, drop me a note at bradbuchanan at yahoo dot com. I’d like to hear more. I am looking at these.

Posted by Brad on April 16, 2006 at 7:52 PM (PST)

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