audioengine a5 (2.0 speaker system)

[ElFenix]

my trusty altec ACS-48s are really starting to fall apart after 9 years of faithful service. so i need some new computer speakers. anyone have an opinion on the speakers in the title?

website

newegg

or suggestions for other speakers, maybe DIY?

i need something amplified, and i'd rather not have a separate amplifier

not really into big surround sound sets.

thanks

 

[mshan]

http://www.audioengineusa.com/news.htm

I remember reading comments about a smaller, cheaper Audio Engine product that was seen at the Stereophile Home Theater show in New York recently. Supposed to sound very similar to the A5. Maybe give the company a call and ask them for details and price (I think this one also doesn't have an integrated iPod dock)

If you listen primarily to rock, like to listen loud, and aren't too concerned about soundstaging, picking up an Apple iPod Hi-Fi that someone else doesn't want (it hasn't gotten good reviews from some people), it's also an option if you can find it way below MSRP of $350 (like well below $200)

EDIT: here's a pic (it's called the Audio Engine A2):
http://enjoythemusic.com/stere...w_2007/nagle/page3.htm

 

[Excelsior]

What is your total budget?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: mshan
http://www.audioengineusa.com/news.htm

I remember reading comments about a smaller, cheaper Audio Engine product that was seen at the Stereophile Home Theater show in New York recently. Supposed to sound very similar to the A5. Maybe give the company a call and ask them for details and price (I think this one also doesn't have an integrated iPod dock)

If you listen primarily to rock, like to listen loud, and aren't too concerned about soundstaging, picking up an Apple iPod Hi-Fi that someone else doesn't want (it hasn't gotten good reviews from some people), it's also an option if you can find it way below MSRP of $350.

EDIT: here's a pic (it's called the Audio Engine A2):
http://enjoythemusic.com/stere...w_2007/nagle/page3.htm

I don't think he's needing any sort of iPod compatibility, but for it to work with his computer. It wouldn't make sense to compromise the sound quality by buying some crappy speaker thats just a glorified iPod dock.

Also, is it just me or are the speakers the OP linked look like they use the same driver as the popular Insignia bookshelves that Best Buy sells? Might be something worth considering (grab a T-amp and them for ~$100). Since you just want a 2 channel setup a T-Amp paired with some nicer speakers would be a pretty good setup that may or may not be better. It shouldn't take up too much more space either.

Would headphones be a possibility for you by any chance? For $350 you can pick up a sweet sounding headphone setup. Could even spend $300 on the headphone stuff and $50 on some Logitechs for when you need the speakers. Just a suggestion.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Also, is it just me or are the speakers the OP linked look like they use the same driver as the popular Insignia bookshelves that Best Buy sells?

You mean these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16855999375

look like they use the drivers from these?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...03043&id=1138085354138

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Also, is it just me or are the speakers the OP linked look like they use the same driver as the popular Insignia bookshelves that Best Buy sells?

You mean these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16855999375

look like they use the drivers from these?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...03043&id=1138085354138

yea, i'm not seeing the similarity.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Also, is it just me or are the speakers the OP linked look like they use the same driver as the popular Insignia bookshelves that Best Buy sells?

You mean these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16855999375

look like they use the drivers from these?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...03043&id=1138085354138

The ones that I got from Best Buy that I tried out had drivers that looked the same as the ones the OP linked to. Hmm, that's odd. I'll see if I got any pictures as I swear the ones I tried out did not look like the ones on the Best Buy page. If you follow the link to the product on Newegg's page they have different pictures than the link the OP has to their site. They certainly aren't the same driver though as the Insignia's are 6.5" and these are only 5".

After following the link the OP provided I see why the one person was talking about an iPod. I didn't see the OP mention an iPod or connectivity to one so I assumed it wasn't needed.

 

[ElFenix]

i stopped listening to headphones years ago. not having to be quiet for other people has it's bonuses. and i like to feel my desk rattle. plus, a lot of my sound is tv shows on my computer.

no ipod integration needed. i don't listen to the thing.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

circuit city has the 2 channel sherwood receiver for $80 this week. Combine that with whatever speakers you can get for the money you are willing to spend. Place the speakers on top of the reciever and glue or tape them together so you wont have a 'seperate' amplifier.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i stopped listening to headphones years ago. not having to be quiet for other people has it's bonuses. and i like to feel my desk rattle. plus, a lot of my sound is tv shows on my computer.

no ipod integration needed. i don't listen to the thing.

Are you perhaps looking for a 2.1 system? That's what you have now and thats the only way you'll really get your desk to rattle (speakers can put out pretty good bass but most can't make up for the shake, rattle, and roll of a subwoofer). That would change things a little.

 

[mshan]

"Audioengine captured my attention, probably with a pre-show press release, and I entered to find a very modest rig and two models of very small black monitors on stands. Suspecting Stealth technology, I asked them to switch over to the very smallest pair, the new A2 with a 2.5? Kevlar woofer and silk dome tweeter all in a gloss black cabinet for $199/pr. I stuck my hand in the photo to give you a reference to their size. While the sound was not world class, it sounded extraordinarily good for its size. A lot of people could have paid for them with the cash in their wallet, and the bass response caused me to look around for the proverbial phantom sub. (The actual front ported, downward firing sub with an 8? driver will be available later this summer for $399). These little grenades deserve a closer look if small size is of the essence. It is targeted as a desktop computer speaker, but it is a small stretch to see these sold in a five-pack for surround sound application in a small room."
http://enjoythemusic.com/stere..._2007/becker/page2.htm

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i stopped listening to headphones years ago. not having to be quiet for other people has it's bonuses. and i like to feel my desk rattle. plus, a lot of my sound is tv shows on my computer.

no ipod integration needed. i don't listen to the thing.

Are you perhaps looking for a 2.1 system? That's what you have now and thats the only way you'll really get your desk to rattle (speakers can put out pretty good bass but most can't make up for the shake, rattle, and roll of a subwoofer). That would change things a little.

2.1 would also be good.