A2+ Wireless speakers deliver a rich, bright frequency response, free of dynamics-squashing digital signal processing (DSP), and there’s a subwoofer output for those who want to dial in some deep lows. The design is classic, the quality is top-notch, and the audio is accurate. If you’re seeking a quality stereo sound signature in the age of Bluetooth, you won’t be disappointed with the A2+ Wireless.
Design
Available in matte black, glossy red, or glossy white models, the A2+ Wireless consists of two 6.0-by-4.0-by-5.3-inch speakers, equally appropriate for desktops, counters, or bookshelves. The caveat is that, unlike most of the wireless speakers we test, this is a stereo pair, and still requires a connection between the two speakers for power to go from the left unit to the right. So yes, the speakers are wireless, but there is still some cabling to deal with. That said, the piano-like finish of the speaker enclosure is attractive (we tested the white model), and the exposed, grille-free black drivers look great, too.
Performance
We tested the speakers on a desktop, angled slightly upward. Without the upward angling, the highs are notably muted—so whether you angle them up or screw them into stands using the threaded screw holes on the bottom rubberized panel, we recommend it. This review refers to audio when the tweeters are more or less aligned with the listener’s ears. Typically, we tested at roughly 75 percent-to-maximum volume on the speakers, and varied the volume on our sound source, an iPhone 8.
Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the general sound signature. The drums on this track can sound overly thunderous on bass-forward systems, but through the A2+ Wireless, the drums sound relatively tame. Again, things are neither weak nor brittle, but we hear far more low frequency and low-mid richness in Callahan’s vocals than we do the drums. The higher register percussive hits, as well as the acoustic guitar strums, receive a clear, bright presence through the tweeters—this is a balanced, accurate sound signature. It’s the type of setup you can imagine a subwoofer complementing nicely, but you still get plenty of low-mid richness through the woofers—electric bass and deep vocals stand out in particular.
On Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild,” the kick drum loop receives an ideal measure of high-mid presence, allowing its punchiness to remain front and center in the mix, while the vinyl crackle and hiss often relegated to background status is pushed forward slightly. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered without the thunder they are capable of—again, this is a system that doesn’t deliver the truly deep lows—but the overall sound signature still packs some bass heft in the drum loop itself. The vocals on this track are delivered with excellent clarity—they have a hint of added sibilance in spots, but not in an unpleasant way. There’s excellent balance here, with perhaps a touch of added brightness, as well as added richness in the low-mids, but nothing over-the-top in either case.
Conclusion
Audioengine’s A2+ Wireless speakers deliver something much of the competition can’t: stereo separation. That, along excellent accuracy, makes for a clean, transparent sound signature you don’t find among most wireless speakers. In this price range, we’re also fans of the Fluance Ai60, another stereo pair that works with an optional subwoofer, as well as the all-in-one Marshall Kilburn and JBL Boombox, both of which offer a more robust bass experience but less accuracy. Of these models, Audioengine is the clear audiophile’s choice.
