Audioengine 2+ Powered Desktop Speakers Review

For a lot of people, their first hint as to how much better audio can sound is when they upgrade their computer's speakers. Going from their monitor's speakers to those satellite/bass modules is the first step, but the next is often Audioengine.

Audioengine has made a name for themselves with small, self-powered desktop speakers whose size defies their sound. The first reaction most people have to Audioengine speakers is "Wow", and it is well deserved. We recently reviewed the Audioengine 5+ speakers and now it is time to look at the smaller, and more affordable, 2+ speakers.

The Audioengine 2+ speakers really are small at just 6" tall and only 4" deep. They have a single 2 and 3/4" Kevlar woofer and a 3/4" silk dome tweeter. There is a rubber pad on the bottom so you won't have to worry about them vibrating on your desk, a threaded insert for mounting, and a front slot-style port for additional bass.

The enclosures are, frankly, stunning in how seemless they look with our review samples coming in a flat black. Picking them up, they seem heavier than you'd expect, even the right one that doesn't have the amplifier. The left has a rear plate with all the inputs and volume controls along with traditional speaker binding posts for connection to the right speaker.

There is a proprietary power cord insert that actually locks into place, which may be a good or bad thing. It is good if you are worried about the power cord slipping out but bad if you want it to release if someone trips over the cable.

There are a number of inputs on the Audioengine 2+ including USB, 3.5mm, and an RCA analogue input. Analogue outputs are included for integrating with a sub for additional bass. There is no crossover in the 2+ speakers though Audioengine says they have integrated a limiter to stop distortion. In our tests, we found that low bass sweeps would produce some port chuffing and flutter but in actual playback it wasn't much of an issue.

Sound quality with the Audioengine products has always been their strong point but we were frankly stunned by the soundstange and imaging on these little speakers. We placed them on a desk about arm's length away flanking a display and the soundstage was absolutely huge. The imaging was practically 3D and had qualities that we often associate with headphones and not desktop speakers. While the $249 price tag may scare some people away, those that take the plunge will absolutely know where their money went.

Audioengine claims the 2+ speakers reach down to 65Hz and in our tests that was about right. The lowest bass will not be available to you but with speakers this size, it really isn't a surprise. The top end and midrange were crystal clear. Between the volume on your computer and the volume knob on speakers, they can fill an awfully large room.

We connected to a Mac laptop via USB and through the headphone output switching quickly between the two. Frankly, the sound quality was about the same but the headphone output on our Mac is pretty clean. When we compared the USB connection to one on an external DAC, the Audioengine speakers became even clearer and more pristine. The only thing limiting these speakers are their lack of bass, due to their size, and the quality of the source. 

The Audioengine 2+ speakers don't have grilles, which makes them look very nice, but are magnets for kids to poke in tweeters and dust caps. Speaking of magnets, the Audioengine speakers are magnetically shielded for those of you still rocking CRTs in your office.

We've always been impressed with Audioengine speakers and the 2+ are no different. Small speakers, big sound, and pretty packaging - the Audioengine 2+ speakers have it all.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.