In an era where Bluetooth convenience often comes at the cost of sound quality, finding a set of wireless speakers that actually deliver on both fronts feels like discovering a glitch in the system.
Enter the Audioengine A5+ Wireless — a pair of powered bookshelf speakers that have quietly carved out a space where fidelity and functionality actually get along.
When you first lay eyes on them, the A5+ Wireless doesn’t scream for attention. They’re confident but understated, all clean lines and solid craftsmanship. Available in matte black, white, or an especially handsome bamboo finish, the design leans more toward timeless than trendy. There’s an elegance to their minimalism, a kind of quiet assurance that says, “don’t worry, we’ve got this.”
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And they do. Once powered on and paired – a process so seamless it barely registers – these speakers show what they’re really about. There’s an immediacy to the sound, a presence that makes you pause and actually listen. This is where the A5+ separates itself from the glut of “good enough” Bluetooth speakers flooding the market. Audioengine, an American audio company with a reputation for building gear that punches above its price point, clearly wasn’t content to just chase convenience. Instead, they built something that meets the demands of modern listeners while still tipping a hat to hi-fi tradition.
Inside each speaker is a 5-inch Kevlar woofer and a ¾-inch silk dome tweeter, powered by a 150-watt Class A/B analog amplifier. That might sound like spec-sheet jargon, but in practice, it means music is delivered with surprising richness and clarity. There’s a warmth and spaciousness here that honestly catches you off guard – especially considering there’s no separate receiver or amp involved. Low-end frequencies are tight and full-bodied without ever muddying the mids, while the highs shimmer without tipping into harshness. Whether it’s vinyl rips of old jazz records, sprawling post-rock epics, or the compressed chaos of modern pop, the A5+ seems to handle each genre with the same poised finesse.
Perhaps even more impressive than the speakers’ performance is the restraint they show. There’s no DSP (digital signal processing) fiddling with the sound, no over-engineered EQ curves flattening everything into radio-ready sameness. What you get is a faithful reproduction of the audio you feed it, thanks in part to the built-in AKM AK4396 DAC — a chip known for its clean, detailed conversion, and the same one found in Audioengine’s well-regarded B1 Bluetooth Receiver.
Still, none of this would mean much if the user experience felt like a throwback to the wired hi-fi systems of decades past. Thankfully, the A5+ strikes a careful balance between classic sound and modern convenience. The Bluetooth pairing is rock solid, supporting aptX-HD for high-res wireless streaming. You also get traditional RCA and 3.5mm inputs, and even a variable output if you want to connect a subwoofer — which you might, though you certainly won’t need to.
Controls are kept simple. A volume knob on the front of the left speaker gives it a bit of old-school tactility, and a compact remote lets you control the volume or switch inputs from across the room. There’s also a USB port around back for charging your phone or other device, a thoughtful little bonus that subtly underscores how these speakers are meant to slot into real lives, not just showroom setups.
What’s perhaps most refreshing about the A5+ Wireless is how unfussy it all feels. There’s no app to install, no proprietary streaming ecosystem to learn, no aggressive branding to remind you what you’re listening on. Instead, you’re left with something that just works – and works really well.
You can set them up in a living room and they’ll comfortably fill the space without distortion. You can park them on a desk and they’ll elevate your workday soundscape far beyond what any USB-powered plastic cubes could ever manage. And unlike many Bluetooth speakers that rely on proximity to your device, the A5+ is happy to let you wander the house without dropping the signal.
These speakers are for people who care about how their music sounds, even if they don’t want to dive headfirst into the esoteric world of separate components, DACs and hi-fi forums.
With the A5+ Wireless, you can hear the intention: to build gear that bridges the gap between high-fidelity sound and everyday ease of use.
They haven’t reinvented the speaker, but they’ve refined what it means to have great sound in the streaming age. No gimmicks, no compromises – just good music, made easy.
After all, your music deserves more than just good enough; it deserves the A5+ Wireless.
Beat readers can score 15% off at checkout with the code HF5IV1U until 31 August, 2025.
This article was made in partnership with Audioengine.
