A1 Home Music System - Audioengine EU

Tech Specs

A1 Home Music System w/ Bluetooth aptX

Talk about versatile. The Audioengine A1 Home Music System delivers high-quality sound from your phone, tablet, computer, or even your turntable or tape deck, without breaking the bank. Choose between wired or wireless connections—either way, it’s crystal clear. With Bluetooth aptX, you’ll get CD-like quality and all you give up are the cords. And the A1 comes with a subwoofer output that pairs perfectly with our S6 Powered Subwoofer.

Pro Tip For optimal sound from the A1 speakers, use a Bluetooth connection. This method bypasses the lower quality audio parts in your device, letting the built-in DAC in the A1 improve the sound quality.

Quickstart Guide

Technical Specifications

General Specifications

Type
Powered Bluetooth aptX speaker system

Amplifier Type
Class D

Rated Power Output: 15W RMS per channel (measured in compliance with 16 C.F.R. § 432.3)
Peak Power Output: 30W per channel (AES)
Total Peak Power Output: 60W (AES)

Drivers
2.75” aramid fiber woofers

0.75“ Silk dome tweeters

Inputs
3.5 mm stereo mini-jack, Bluetooth

Outputs
LFE Variable line-out for subwoofer

Input Voltages
100-240 V 50/60 Hz auto-switching

SNR
Greater than 95 dB (typical A-weighted)

THD+N
Less than 0.05% at all power settings

Crosstalk
Less than 50 dB

Frequency Response
65 Hz-22 kHz ±2.0 dB

Frequency Response w/ Bass Reduction Switch selected
N/A

Analog Input Impedance
N/A

Nominal Impedance
N/A

Input Impedance
10K ohms unbalanced

Crossover Frequency
N/A

Protection
Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection

Power Consumption
Idle: 10W

Standby Consumption
N/A

Phase
N/A

Recommended Amplifier Power
N/A

Battery Life
N/A

Battery Charge Time
N/A

Bluetooth Specifications

Internal D/A Converter
N/A

Internal BT Receiver
CSR8670

Input Bit Depth
16 bit

Bluetooth Receiver Type
Bluetooth 5.0

Supported Codecs
aptx, AAC, SBC

Supported Bluetooth Profiles
N/A

Wireless Operation Range
Up to 100 ft (30 m) typical

Input Data Rate
Determined by Bluetooth

Wireless Latency
~30 milliseconds (ms)

Usb Specifications

Connector Type
N/A

USB Device Class
N/A

Input Bit Depth
N/A

Input Sample Rate
N/A

Headphone Amp Specifications

Headphone Amp Type
N/A

Full-scale Headphone Output Level
N/A

Output Impedance
N/A

Recommended Headphone Impedance Level
N/A

Optical Specifications

Internal D/A converter
N/A

Input Bit Depth
N/A

Sample Rate
N/A

Weights And Measures

Dimensions (HWD)
Each speaker – 6″ (15.2 cm) x 4″ (10.2 cm) x 5.25″ (13.3 cm)

Weight
Left (active) – 3.1 lb (1.4 kg)
Right (passive) – 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)

Total Shipping Weight
7.6 lb (3.5 kg)

Shipping Box Dimensions (LWH)
15″ x (38.1 cm) 7.25″ (18.4 cm) x 11″ (27.9 cm)

Environmental Requirements

Operating temperature: 32 degrees F to 95 degrees F
Non-operating temperature: -4 degrees F to 113 degrees F
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing

Materials And Construction

0.7″ (18 mm) thick MDF cabinets
0.75″ (20 mm) silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets
2.75″ (70 mm) aramid fiber woofers with advanced voice coils

Cabinets

To minimize unwanted resonances and distortion, Audioengine cabinets have thick high-resin MDF walls with extensive internal bracing. Heavy internal sound-damping material is used to reduce unwanted sound reflections inside the cabinet. All cabinet edges are rounded which look great and reduce high-frequency diffraction effects on the front baffles. The A1 cabinet contains tuned, front-port slots.

Furniture Grade Finishes

The A1 cabinets are in versatile, grey finish offering a modern compliment to any small space or desktop.

Custom Components

Audioengine designs and manufactures our own tweeters, woofers, and other critical components. In other words, these are not “box built” speakers with off-the-shelf parts but custom-designed to our specifications. What we do not fabricate directly in our factory we have made to our designs (parts such as transformers, magnets, and wiring harnesses, for example). The cabinets, drivers, bass port designs, amplifiers, and crossovers are all painstakingly tuned together for each Audioengine model. This, in turn, makes for a much more efficient system that requires much less power than passive speakers and a separate integrated amplifier or similar A/V components.

Based On Studio Monitor Designs

Studio monitor speakers are used by producers and engineers in recording and production studios. They are designed with a theoretical flat frequency response which allows the engineer to create a final mix in such a way that the recorded music will sound good on most other speakers. Although Audioengine speakers are not designed to be up-close “nearfield” studio monitors, we do carry over much of the same higher-end technology, components, and design philosophy for all Audioengine speaker systems.

Efficient Integrated Design

The speaker cabinets, drivers, innovative bass port designs, amplifiers, and passive crossovers are all critically tuned together for each Audioengine model. This, in turn, makes for a much more efficient system that requires less power than passive speakers and a separate integrated amplifier or similar A/V components. We build all this goodness into the left speaker cabinet to make it super-easy to connect your smartphone, tablet, computer, TV, network player or any other audio product.

High-quality Bluetooth Audio

The Bluetooth built into the A1 Wireless speakers features aptX coding which is an advanced Bluetooth audio codec with very impressive sound. And even if your phone or tablet does not have aptX, the A1 Wireless Bluetooth solution is backwards-compatible with SBC and AAC codecs, so you can wirelessly stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled device and still enjoy all your music. High-fidelity Bluetooth aptX that really works and sounds great.

Extended-range wireless. Most Bluetooth implementations have very limited range, typically within just one room. But with careful signal management circuitry and antenna tuning, we offer a superior solution that has up to 3 times the range of standard Bluetooth for multi-room use, with no degradation in audio quality.

16 bit DAC
The A1 Bluetooth receiver utilizes the PCM 2704C DAC, known for extremely-low quantization noise in the audio band, with a built-in analog low-pass filter that removes the high-frequency components of the noise-shaping signal.

Amplifier Design

The amplifiers in powered Audioengine speakers are located in the left speaker and are a conservatively-rated class D analog monoblock design. This is a more traditional speaker/amplifier marriage which provides excellent quality audio and greater flexibility. All circuit boards for the power and preamp sections are vertically mounted for maximum mechanical shock protection.

Driver Designs

Audioengine uses audiophile-quality, ferrofluid-cooled silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets. Silk tweeters hold up well under high power and the edge-driven design gives very smooth response. The woofers are aramid fiber woven glass composite with rubber surrounds. Aramid fiber is obviously very strong, which means the woofer retains its shape when being driven at high levels.

Shielding

Both drivers are directly video shielded and allow the user to place the speakers within a few inches of a video monitor. This shielding also offers protection for hard-drive digital music players.

Quickstart Guide

A1 Quick Setup

Step 1: Connect the included speaker wire from the A1 left (powered) speaker to the right (passive) speaker, observing proper polarity to each speaker connector.

Step 2: Verify that the volume/power knob on the rear panel of the left speaker is in the OFF position by rotating the knob until it clicks off..

Step 3: Connect the cable from the external power supply to the A1 left speaker rear panel.

Step 4: Connect the Ac power cord to the A1 left speaker rear panel and plug the other end of the cable into a functioning power outlet.

Wireless Connection

Step 1: Turn power on via the rear panel volume/power knob.
A1 will automatically go into Bluetooth “pair mode” and the Pair button on the rear panel will start flashing.

Step 2:: On your device (phone, tablet, computer, etc), turn on Bluetooth and go to Bluetooth preferences.

Step 3: Select “Audioengine ONE” to pair and connect. The Pair indicator on the A1 rear panel should be solid.

Step 4: Play your music and adjust volume levels on A1 and your device.

Step 5: To add additional devices put A1 back into pair mode by disconnecting A1 from your device or by pressing and holding the Pair button on the A1 rear panel until the pair indicator starts flashing. Repeat steps 2 & 3 to connect another device.

A1 can wirelessly connect to only one device at a time, however it will pair with and remember up to 6 different devices.

Wired Connection

Step 1: Connect an audio cable between your device and the input on the A1 rear panel.

Step 2: Play your music and adjust the volume on the speakers and your device to the desired listening levels.

For the full setup guide, download the attached PDF:

A1 Quick Start Guide

Troubleshooting

A1 Troubleshooting Tips

The following troubleshooting tips can help diagnose and correct most concerns with the A1. We have attempted to make this list as comprehensive as possible, so some of these may not apply to your issue, but please go through each tip.

If the power indicator on the A1 is not illuminated, try these tips:

Make sure the AC power cord is connected to the power supply unit and to a working AC power outlet.
Check that the cable at the other end of the power supply is correctly connected to the rear panel of the left speaker.

If the power supply light is on but you are experiencing an audio-related issue with a wired connection, try these tips:

Verify that the volume/power control on the rear panel is not turned all the way down or powered off (we recommend setting the volume to at least the 10 o’clock position)
Check that the volume level of your audio source components or devices is not set to minimum volume or powered off.
Check speaker wire connections from the left (powered) speaker to the right (passive) speaker. Confirm this by removing the speaker wire from on each speaker and reconnecting. Also check the speaker wire polarity by verifying that the wires are going to same terminals on both speakers.
Check that the cable from your audio source to the speakers are properly connected. Confirm this by unplugging the audio cable and then reconnecting.
Decrease the volume of the input audio source and increase the volume of the speakers.
Try using different audio input sources and/or devices to see if the problem follows.
If you are using a computer with your A1, make sure the volume is up on your media players, internet radio, master control, device volume, etc. and the balance control is centered.

If your input source has its own EQ, please make sure the low end is at a moderate level, as having too much bass can cause distortion.

If you are using a wireless adapter, preamp, or external DAC with these speakers, remove them (temporarily) and connect the audio input source directly to the speakers.
Move your speakers to a different location to see if something is causing interference in the current setup. Something as simple as a wireless internet router, cordless or mobile phone, or halogen lamp near the speakers can cause interference.

A1 troubleshooting tips – Bluetooth

Verify that the A1 is connected to power and that the front volume knob is turned clockwise past the detent position (you should feel a click). If you haven’t already, power-cycle your speakers by switching them off and back on.
If your A1 is already connected to a device via Bluetooth, the Bluetooth pair light on the back panel of the left speaker will be on and solid (note that if your A1 has been idle and not connected to a device for more than 2 minutes, the Pair light will automatically turn off). Tap the Pair button and it should begin blinking (or pair to your A1 using your source device, and the LED will go from off to on and solid).
Try playing audio from more than one application on your phone/tablet, or computer.
Check to make sure your source device (computer, tablet, phone, etc) is running the most up-to-date version of software available. For Mac OS users, be sure to check the App store to see if there’s a newer version of Mac OS you could be running.
Try disconnecting from and forgetting the A1 through your device’s Bluetooth settings, and re-pairing to the A1.
Try using a different source device with your A1 to see if the issue follows. Also be sure to test your A1 using the analog input as well.
If possible, try your A1 in a different location to see if something is causing an issue in the current setup. Something as simple as a wireless internet router, cordless or mobile phone, or halogen lamp near the speakers may be causing interference in your setup.

Can Alexa Connect to Bluetooth Speakers?
- Can Alexa Connect to Bluetooth Speakers?
  
  Remember how in old science fiction movies a character could just talk out loud to a spaceship and it would do anything they commanded?
  
  The idea of voice control technology has long been embedded in our expectations for the “future”, and even though most of those old science fiction movie-makers couldn’t imagine computers any further-advanced than those already available in 1979, they certainly hit the nail on the head with their forecast of voice control. Nowadays, with the help of products like Amazon Echo (and its voice-controlled personal assistant ‘Alexa’), users can control aspects of their home just by verbalizing simple commands. But even with the huge strides this technology has made in recent years, it’s impossible to get audiophile-quality sound from the speakers in an Amazon Echo product. Audioengine can help with this, but before we dive into how, let’s talk a little more about the Amazon Echo.
  
  Is your Amazon Echo killing your audio quality?
  
  First, while Echo and Alexa do in fact go hand-in-hand, they are not the exact same thing.
  
  Echo is a line of smart speakers manufactured by Amazon, and Alexa is an intelligent personal assistant software used to control Echo. Users can speak aloud to give Alexa, and therefore Echo, verbal commands (always beginning with the wake word, ‘Alexa’) such as, “Alexa, play my favorite song,” or “Alexa, what’s on my calendar this Saturday?” Alexa will respond accordingly, so long as the questions asked or commands given are within Alexa’s realm of capability. With tons of Echo-compatible add-on products on the market, there really isn’t a whole lot that falls outside of Alexa’s wheelhouse.
  
  The most common commands Alexa handles are music-related: whether it’s calling up a Spotify playlist, turning up or down the volume, or finding a specific song you haven’t heard in years but are randomly thinking about and absolutely have to hear right this second!! The accessibility is astounding, no doubt, but its main consequence is that you are forced to listen to all your music on Echo’s built-in speakers instead of your own beastly audio system. This is not to say Amazon has ignored their sound quality altogether, but realistically there’s only so much a single speaker housing of that size can handle. Suffice it to say, there are limitations.
  
  Luckily, Amazon has implemented a crucial feature which expands its functionality to accommodate customers who want to be able to interact with Alexa and still enjoy listening to podcasts, music, and stock tips through exterior systems. That’s right, it’s quick and easy to connect your Echo to Bluetooth speakers:
  - Open the Alexa App (Apple link | Google Play Link)
  - Tap the “Devices” icon and select the Echo device you want to connect to speakers
  - Select “Bluetooth Devices”
  - Select “Pair New Device”
  - Find your Audioengine Wireless speaker on the list of available Bluetooth devices
  Bang, you’re done!
  
  Now you can treat Alexa as if it were any other input device; you can still have whatever other devices you so choose connected to your Audioengine speakers, and since Alexa can control Echo’s volume with a simple, “Alexa turn down volume,” you can leave Audioengine’s volume knob exactly where you like it and adjust volume accordingly with Alexa. If you have our S8 Powered Subwoofer connected wirelessly to your mains, this configuration will still work which means you’ll get full-spectrum high fidelity audio when listening to all your favorite songs, without sacrificing the unparalleled convenience provided by a product like Amazon Echo. This will also work with our standalone B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver in the event you have a set of wired speakers you want to turn into wireless speakers.
  
  Modern technology is really opening up doors… and windows… and exhaust fans… it’s basically blasting the roof off the whole place.
  
  We are reaching the point where we can do just about anything we want with voice control technology, as long as we have all the right accouterments. Products like Amazon Echo make life so easy it hurts… perhaps it hurts so good that you want to lie down and say, “Alexa, play ‘Hurts So Good’ by John Mellencamp.” Don’t worry – we designed Audioengine Wireless speakers to do the rest.
Connecting Google Home to Bluetooth Speakers
- Connecting Google Home to Bluetooth Speakers
  
  Consumer electronics designers are, and have been, on a perpetual quest to give users the most streamlined experience imaginable.
  
  At this point in time it seems like modern-day designers have exceeded the bounds of what most of us could have ever imagined in the first place. Think about it, there is an app for literally everything; just by downloading a simple program onto your phone or tablet, your life can become easier. Wearable technology, like Apple Watch, and smart speakers, like Google Home, tie all of your electronics together to make technology and user-friendliness a lifestyle rather than a rare luxury. Today we are going to talk a little more about one of the leading products, what it does, and how Audioengine can take it one step further; that product is Google Home.
  
  What Is Google Home?
  
  Offically, this piece of technology is touted as a “Smart Speaker and Home Assistant.”
  
  A smart speaker is one of those sleek futuristic speakers that sits on your friend’s kitchen counter, plays whatever music someone tells it to, and sometimes has a snarky robotic comeback to your sarcastic remarks. There are a number of big brands making smart speakers (some of which we’ll discuss in other articles) and all of them have their pros and cons. One “pro” to the Google Home is the “Home Assistant” part. Google Home has an accompanying downloadable app that allows users to customize how the device interacts with and controls their home; lights, thermostats, coffee makers, and pretty much anything else can be controlled by Google Home and accessories. Once you have all of your desired devices properly connected and configured, turning them on and off is just one voice command away… how much easier can life get?
  
  When it comes to music, smart speakers make calling up the right tune an absolute breeze. Google Home can control apps such as Spotify, YouTube, and iHeartRadio among others, so you can tell it to play just about any song in the world. Google Home will even call up playlists you’ve saved within your music streaming apps, and you can tell the device to increase and decrease volume, pause, skip, and any other command you would typically give a media player. There is just one drawback; while Google Home offers a few different sizes (featuring different speakers), the product’s focus is not audiophile-grade sound quality. For that, we need to bring Audioengine into the mix.
  
  How Can Audioengine Take Google Home Further?
  
  You’re taking a step up in the world of consumer electronics and you’ve decided to purchase Google Home; you care about user-experience and you strive to stay ahead of the pop culture curve. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a quality listening experience. As I always say, what good is having access to every song in the world if you’re just going to play them through an inadequate sound system? That’s like sharpening a hunting knife so you can cut hot butter with it.
  
  Luckily, the Google Home App (iTunes | Google Play) allows users to send audio to external Bluetooth speakers. Whether it’s the humble B2 Wireless Speaker, or a full-fledged pair of active Audioengine speakers such as the A5+ Wireless, Google Home is capable of transmitting your beloved music to your sonic system. Bam!!–we just completed the full circle of user-friendliness and ear-friendliness. It may sound complicated merely by description, but it’s actually extremely easy to configure, just follow the quick steps below:
  - Download and open the Google Home App on your phone or tablet.
  - Navigate to the “Devices” tab within the app
  - Tap “Settings” in the devices submenu
  - Scroll down to “Default Music Speaker” and tap “Pair Bluetooth Speaker”
  - Select your Audioengine speaker – and you’re done!
  Take control of your music.
  
  Now you’re ready to shout voice commands all over the house and rock out while you make dinner, host a party, or do whatever it is you do. You can even connect multiple sets of Audioengine wireless speakers for multi-room audio, by creating “groups” in the Google Home app (under that same “Devices” tab).
  
  Isn’t it nice that designers have created all this awesome technology for us? Now I’m just spit-balling, here, but — what if one day someone will make some kind of like a smart speaker… except it lives in your brain and reads your mind. Then you can just think about how good your favorite tunes will sound through a pair of Audioengine wireless speakers, and voila!
My Speakers Are Buzzing, How Do I Fix It?
- Experiencing static or buzzing in your home music system?
  
  Whether you’re using the renowned Audioengine A2+ or another high-end audio setup, understanding the root causes of these noises is essential for a pristine listening experience. This guide delves into common sources of disturbances and offers effective strategies to eradicate them.
  
  Why Are My Speakers Buzzing?
  
  1. Static, Buzzing, and Ground Loops
  
  Unwanted sounds in your audio setup, like static, buzzing, or humming, can stem from various sources. These include your computer’s 3.5mm line out, RF interference, or the noise floor inherent in electronic devices. Ground loops are a frequent issue in systems where the audio source and speakers are on different power sources, such as separate power strips.
  
  Solution:
  
  To address ground loops, ensure all components of your audio system are connected to the same power strip or power source. This helps maintain a common ground and prevents ground loops. Using a ground loop isolator can also be effective in eliminating this issue.
  
  2. Static from the 3.5mm Line Out
  
  Static from the 3.5mm line out of a computer is a common issue. This often occurs due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other devices or poor quality cables.
  
  Solution:
  
  To reduce static, use high-quality shielded cables. Keeping cables away from power supplies and other electronic devices can also minimize interference. Alternatively, consider using an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to bypass the computer’s internal sound card, which is often a source of static.
  
  3. RF Interference
  
  Electronic devices in your home, such as routers, mobile phones, and even microwaves, can cause radio frequency interference (RFI), leading to that annoying buzz.
  
  Solution:
  
  To mitigate RF interference, position your audio setup away from other electronic devices. Using ferrite beads on cables can help suppress high-frequency noise. Additionally, ensuring your audio cables are of high quality and shielded can further reduce susceptibility to RF interference.
  
  4. The Noise Floor
  
  Every electronic device, including your home music system, has a baseline noise level known as the noise floor. When the system is amplified, this noise floor can become noticeable.
  
  Solution:
  
  To minimize the impact of the noise floor, keep your audio system’s volume at a reasonable level and adjust the gain settings appropriately. Ensuring your equipment is well-maintained and free from dust can also help, as dust can affect the performance of electronic components.
  
  How Do I Fix My Speakers?
  
  Eliminating buzzing noises and static involves a combination of savvy technical solutions and simple setup adjustments:
  
  Invest in Quality Cables: High-quality, shielded cables, especially for your 3.5mm line out, can significantly reduce electromagnetic interference.
  
  Strategic Placement of Equipment: Keep your speakers away from potential sources of RF interference, such as a cellphone.
  
  Unified Power Sources: Connecting your audio source and system to the same power strip can help resolve ground loop issues.
  
  Regular Maintenance: Dust and debris can affect connections, leading to static. Keep your connectors and ports clean to maintain a clear signal path.
  
  External DAC for Enhanced Audio: Consider using an external Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Digital to Analog converters work by converting digital audio files back into analog sound, to be heard the way the artist intended. DAC’s such as the Audioengine D1 feature 32-bit audio processing technology and are particularly effective in reducing the noise floor compared to devices with built-in sound cards.
  
  Conclusion
  Static, buzzing, and grounding issues can disrupt your music enjoyment, but they don’t have to be a permanent feature of your audio experience. With the right understanding and some adjustments, your home music system will deliver the high-quality sound you expect. Embrace the journey with Audioengine – where we combine state-of-the-art technology with user-friendly solutions to elevate your audio experience.
Does my Home Music System Really Need a Subwoofer?
- Customer Inquiry: “I’ve recently upgraded to the Audioengine A2+ Home Music System and am thoroughly impressed by the sound quality. Is there a way to further enhance this setup for a richer audio experience?”
  
  Why a Subwoofer is Important:
  
  The Audioengine A2+ excels in high and mid-range frequency reproduction, providing an expansive soundstage. Its mid-woofers deliver a balanced bass, but for deeper, more resonant bass frequencies, adding a subwoofer will introduce you to an entirely new music experience, with bass reminiscent of your favorite live concert.
  
  Expanding Your System with a Subwoofer Integrating a subwoofer into your Audioengine home music system can dramatically improve your audio landscape:
  - Deepened Bass Response: A subwoofer like the Audioengine S8 is dedicated to reproducing the lowest frequency sounds, enhancing the depth and dimension of the audio, especially in tracks with significant low-end elements.
  - Enhanced Balance and Clarity: The subwoofer takes on the lower frequencies, allowing your system to focus on delivering clear highs and detailed mids. This separation ensures a balanced sound output and maximizes the performance of each component within its frequency range.
  Adding a subwoofer reveals the full spectrum of sound that the artist intended to be a part of your musical experience.
  
  Subwoofer Types: Sealed vs. Ported and Their Placement
  - Sealed Subwoofers for Jazz and Acoustic:
  - These subwoofers, like the Audioengine S6, offer a tighter and more precise bass, perfect for the nuanced sounds in jazz and acoustic music. Due to their controlled bass response, they are versatile in terms of placement and can be positioned either on the desk or in any compact space within the room.
  - Front-Firing Ported Subwoofers for Metal and Energetic Genres:
  - These subwoofers are designed to handle the depth and intensity of genres like metal. They are ideally placed at listening height for the best experience. An elevated shelf or the desk itself can be great spots, ensuring the sound is directed straight at the listener for maximum impact.
  Space Considerations: Choosing the Right Size and Placement
  - U and L-Shaped Desks: These desk designs offer unique opportunities for subwoofer placement. With more corner space and legroom, you can consider slightly larger subwoofers that wouldn’t traditionally fit under a standard desk.
  - Proper Placement: A front-firing subwoofer should be placed in an elevated position, such as your desktop, while a down-firing subwoofer should be placed on the floor.
  - Larger Subwoofers for Spacious Setups: If you have more room, especially with U and L-shaped desks, a larger subwoofer can be placed on the ground under the desk. Their down-firing design is particularly effective in this placement, as it allows the sound to resonate off the floor, filling the room without taking up valuable desk space.
  Conclusion:
  
  Selecting the right subwoofer for your desktop setup involves understanding your music preferences, considering your available desk space, and deciding on the appropriate size and type of subwoofer. Whether it’s a compact sealed model for jazz and acoustic melodies or a larger ported subwoofer for the dynamic ranges of metal, the ideal choice will transform your listening experience into an experience rivaled only by live performances.
An Introduction to: Wireless Home Speakers
- Why go wireless?
  
  If you haven’t used them before, wireless speakers might sound like a hassle to set up, connect to, and maintain in your home. The truth is, getting your wireless speaker system started doesn’t take much and can easily be done in a matter of minutes.
  
  With all of the mobile technology available at our fingertips, there’s no reason to be tied down to one method of listening to your music; whether it’s your phone, laptop or tablet, your streaming sources are unlimited when you go wireless.
  
  One of the greatest benefits to adopting a wireless speaker system is getting rid all of those unsightly wires running along your floors and behind entertainment centers. This alone gives you plenty of options for placing your wireless speakers where they will work best for your listening experience. Not to mention that without all of the wires and confusing installation instructions, you’re free to connect them to your phone, computer or tablet via Bluetooth and start enjoying them right away.
  
  It’s fairly simple to connect directly to Pandora, Spotify, or any other music streaming source you prefer as long as you follow instructions. Audioengine’s wireless speakers, for example, are designed so that once they’re turned on, you need only activate Bluetooth in your device’s settings menu and select the correct speaker to connect.
  
  If you do run into trouble installing or connecting to your new speakers, our Audioengine support reps are ready to step in and show you the best possible solution for the issue.
  
  [Find out what speakers are best for you. Take the quiz]
  
  Our technology
  
  At Audioengine, we provide only the best products. Currently, we have a few varieties of wireless home speakers, including the B2 wireless speaker, which boasts an easily adapted Bluetooth wireless system for your phone, and the HD6 wireless speaker with versatile power and connectivity features. We also are readily available to answer any of your questions, so you not only get the awesome sounding audio you want, but also the tools to make it fit right into your home.
Is Wireless Audio Quality Any Good?
- With many modern audio speakers and systems adding wireless functionality to their list of features, you may wonder whether you are doing yourself a disservice by going wireless and ask yourself “is wireless audio quality any good?”
  
  Believe it or not, wireless can sound just as good as a wired connection, meaning you won’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience.
  
  Our wireless speakers utilize Bluetooth technology which definitely has its advantages; it’s fairly universal and, with its lack of proprietary software, is really easy to set up. There must be a catch, right? In the past, we felt that Bluetooth technology wasn’t up to snuff, both in terms of the range of the signal and the quality of audio. In recent years, however, Bluetooth technology has seriously done a lot of growing up; advances in the technology has increased the bandwidth and range, making it not only function great, but sound great. Bluetooth now has the capability of streaming up to CD quality, or 16-bit/44.1kHz, over the air, which means that right out of gate you’re able to send great sending audio without being tethered by cables.
  
  Codecs play a part in how Bluetooth audio is sent and received and some codecs provide slightly better fidelity than others.
  
  In products like our B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver, we utilize the aptX HD codec, which we feel provides you with the highest fidelity decoding possible. Some devices, like most iOS devices, don’t utilize aptX, but even though we use aptX in our products, other great codecs like SBC and AAC will work and sound great. Not to mention, we utilize built-in DACs in our Bluetooth products, which will take your audio and pad the bit-depth to a 24-bit format, giving you added benefits such a lower noise floor.
  
  Even though we use Bluetooth in more of our newer products, we do have other wireless options if you’re looking for any non-Bluetooth solutions. We offer two different wireless audio adapters, the W3 Wireless Audio Adapter the D2 Wireless DAC. The wireless technology used in both of these products is a lot like Wi-Fi, but on a closed protocol built specifically for high-resolution audio. The W3 includes a 16-bit/44.1kHz DAC, which makes it able to send CD-quality uncompressed audio over the air. If you’re looking for high-quality, though, the D2 represents the absolute highest possible performance wireless audio device we could build, able to send 24-bit/96kHz wirelessly.
  
  So is wireless audio quality any good? The short answer is yes!
  
  Using only the best hardware and software, you can rest assured that the wireless gear you’ve been considering will not only add convenience to your listening experience, but will retain the authenticity that you expect from your music.
Bluetooth Audio and Codecs
- Bluetooth Audio and Codecs
  
  If you’re curious about wireless audio and have found yourself doing some research, you’re probably awash in buzzwords like codecs, sample rates, bit rates, resolution, bandwidth and heaven knows what else.
  
  Lest you throw up your hands at the complexity of it all let’s do our best to explain some of the basics of Bluetooth audio.
  
  Bluetooth is a radio signal that sends data from a transmitter in your phone or computer, to a receiver in your headphones or speakers. In order to be sent from one device to another in an efficient manner, this data has to be encoded by the transmitter and then decoded by the receiver on the other end.
  
  This is a big job, not to mention it all has to be done in a fraction of a second.
  
  The problem here is that traditional Bluetooth codecs can’t process the amount of information necessary to recreate a faithful audio signal on the other end, so they have to compress the information. During compression, little bits of information are lost, and as we discussed earlier, the “information” in this case is YOUR MUSIC!
  
  Think about that for a second!
  
  Your devices can’t keep up with the amount of information your music requires, so they essentially throw it out; little bits of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, etc. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you consider the idea that something like aptX HD can fix it, why would you settle for anything less?
  
  Now before we dive into some of the technical aspects of what makes aptX HD so amazing, it’s important to discuss some of the older codecs so we can understand what aptX HD really brings to the table.
  
  Think of the word “codec” as a combination of the terms “code” and “decode,” as these are the primary functions of all audio codecs; their job is to encode large information files so they can be more easily transferred, and then to decode that same file on the other end.
  
  You’re familiar with MP3s, right? Well, an MP3 is just a type of codec… a very widely used type of codec, in fact. Since we have all used MP3s, we are probably all familiar with how dramatically they can degrade the quality of an audio file. Luckily, tons of codecs have been developed over the years, all with the goal of vastly surpassing the audio quality of a standard MP3. Some other codecs you may be familiar with are SBC, AAC, LDAC, and aptX. These are all considered superior to MP3s, but are also geared towards Bluetooth wireless audio.
  
  So what’s the difference between standard aptX, and aptX HD?
  
  For starters, aptX has actually been around since the 80s, and is currently much more widely used than aptx HD. Standard aptX has been used in phones, tablets, and laptops for a long time now so it’s likely that you’ve actually experienced Bluetooth transmission that features aptX. But for those of you who are looking for some numbers, here you go:
  
  Standard aptX:
  - Speed: 352 kbps
  - Sample Resolution: 16-bit
  - Sample Rate: 48kHz
  Aptx HD:
  - Speed:576 kbps
  - Sample Resolution: 24-bit
  - Sample Rate: 48kHz
  Alright, let’s talk about that for a second.
  
  The speed of these file transfers are measured in Kilobits-per-second (Kbps), and they define how quickly all of this audio information moves from one device to another. 48kHz denotes the sample rate of the audio data — the sample rate is measurement of how many samples of audio are carried from one end to the other end per second.
  
  So this means aptX HD is providing audio information 48,000 times per second… and that’s a lot of times.
  
  Next, 24-bit denotes the sampling resolution — sample resolution is a measurement of how many bits of information are included in each sample. Most Bluetooth codecs simply cannot provide this much information. Even if they could, they wouldn’t be able to encode it and decode it faithfully within 1 millisecond.
  
  Long story short: aptX HD recreates your audio data more accurately and in greater detail than aptX and does this more quickly, efficiently, and with very low latency. Pretty impressive right?
  
  Now I know Bluetooth audio has been pretty crappy in the past, but those days are over. Out with the old, in with the new! With Apple and Google doing away with headphone jacks on their phones, we are practically being forced to make the switch to Bluetooth — this is why aptX HD makes so much sense. If we are going to be forced to go wireless, why don’t we take advantage of some Bluetooth sound quality that surpasses even traditional wired headphone connections in some cases?
  
  Which devices support aptX HD?
  
  In order to take advantage of the benefits of aptX HD, you’ll need to make sure you have a device that supports it.
  
  These devices will have a Bluetooth chip called the CSR8675, which is capable of supporting 24-bit audio from aptX HD.
Bluetooth Receiver vs. Wireless Speakers
- Bluetooth Receiver vs. Wireless Speakers
  
  Customers occasionally write to ask questions about the differences between our B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver and our Wireless Powered Speakers. Usually the questions go something like…
  
  “Do I really NEED your complete speaker system or just the B1 receiver?”
  
  “Is one product easier to use than the other?”
  
  “Are there differences in sound quality between the B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver and your Audioengine Wireless Speakers?”
  
  …and there have been plenty more questions that come along with those — but have no fear, today we are here to hopefully clear this up!
  
  First off, you should have some peace of mind knowing that no matter which solution you choose, we absolutely guarantee your satisfaction. Apart from that you might be wondering which option is going to best suit your needs — reasonable enough, so let’s talk about it…
  
  Do I really NEED the entire system or can I get away with just the B1?
  
  Audioengine wireless speakers are powered music systems that implement cutting edge Bluetooth aptX-HD to deliver high-fidelity long-range wireless from any device.
  
  The B1 Bluetooth Receiver also offers the same aptX-HD technology; the only difference being that B1 does not have built-in speakers, so you will still need speakers to hear your music.
  
  Now, customers sometimes say “I already have a different brand of powered speakers that I LOVE, I just want to make them wireless.” If this is the case, you can use B1 to turn your current non-wireless music system into some super-rockin’ wireless speakers. Or maybe you have an older pair of Audioengine speakers that you bought before we made our speakers wireless — here again, the B1 is a great solution! You just need to make sure, no matter what system you have, that you have the proper inputs — RCA-style inputs work the best, or even an optical audio input if your gear has one.
  
  Is one solution more user-friendly than the other?
  
  Hey, great question — glad you asked! This one is a bit subjective and depends on how many components you want in your setup.
  
  The simple fact is if you have Audioengine wireless speakers you will have the easiest setup under the sun. All you have to do is connect your speakers to power, connect the left speaker to the right, find the speakers in your phone or tablet’s list of available Bluetooth devices and BOOM, you’re done! Think of it as if the B1 Bluetooth receiver is built into Audioengine speakers.
  
  On the other hand, if you are using a pair of non-wireless speakers and you want to make them Bluetooth compatible by using our B1 Receiver, you will need to add B1 to your setup, but in all actuality the B1 itself is just as easy to use as the speakers. Long story long, if you love your current speakers and aren’t ready to make the switch, adding the B1 is still an extremely user-friendly option and you will be up and running with great-sounding wireless audio in no time flat.
  
  Are there differences in sound quality between the B1 and the Wireless Speakers?
  
  This is the only moment in this article where things might teeter on the brink of being controversial.
  
  Audioengine’s Wireless speakers guarantee immaculate and highly satisfying sound quality, which is hard to beat. The B1 offers aptX-HD Bluetooth with 24-bit upsampling (which are the exact same Bluetooth specs as our wireless speakers), so the audio being SENT from your devices to the B1 is no different than the audio being SENT from your device to Audioengine’s Wireless Speakers; however, the B1 itself doesn’t have any speakers, so it has to rely on whatever speakers it is connected to. This is the only point at which your sound quality COULD suffer.
  
  So let’s say you are sending the highest quality audio file from your laptop to the B1 Bluetooth Receiver. The B1 takes that super-high-quality file and handles it with such great care you may not be able to tell whether it was wireless or not…BUT, if you have your B1 connected to a crappy pair of speakers, guess what? No matter how pristine that audio file was, and no matter how skillfully the B1 handles that file, crappy speakers are going to make that audio sound crappy. BUT, if you are using the B1 to send audio to a pair of really great speakers that you love, the B1 will absolutely deliver the highest quality audio possible via Bluetooth, and it will do so with an extended range so you can bounce around the house and not worry about dropouts or inferior audio quality.
  
  This was a ton of information so here’s a quick recap and summary…
  
  The Bluetooth capability of Audioengine’s Wireless Speakers and the B1 is exactly the same. If you love your current speakers and aren’t ready to change brands, don’t sweat it, the B1 will give you beautiful wireless audio all the same. BUT, if you are looking to be truly reinvigorated by your music, you definitely need to try Audioengine’s Wireless speakers to take advantage of both our highly advanced Bluetooth technology and our unparalleled listening experience.
WiFi vs Bluetooth
- Why We Choose Bluetooth over WiFi
  
  It’s no secret that most players in the “smart” speaker market are primarily using wi-fi to wirelessly send audio around the house.
  
  So if Sonos, Bose, and other big name brands are using wi-fi through an internet router, why would Audioengine use Bluetooth for wireless audio in their home speakers?
  
  Easy Setup
  
  Audioengine wireless home speakers are ready to use within minutes out of the box.
  
  Connecting power and the speakers to one another is easy enough, but getting your music playing wirelessly is actually even more straight-forward. Unlike most of the big brand smart speakers, you don’t need to download and install apps for setup, you don’t need to connect the speakers to your router, and there aren’t any passwords or other overly-complicated hoops to jump through. Audioengine makes it simple by keeping the wireless connection exclusively between your phone, tablet, or computer and the speakers. Simply go to your device’s list of available Bluetooth connections, select Audioengine, and play music directly from your favorite app! Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, iTunes, YouTube; any apps that stream audio from your device can be played through your Audioengine home speakers. And remember, our speakers don’t depend on the speed of your internet connection or wireless router so when your internet slows down or doesn’t cover all of your house, you can still stream from your phone or connect another device via one of Audioengine’s many audio ports, which brings me to the next point…
  
  Flexible and versatile
  
  Even before the implementation of our long-range wireless Bluetooth audio, Audioengine home speakers have been some of the most versatile on the market.
  
  A selection of inputs allow you to not only stream wirelessly but to easily and quickly connect your turntable, TV, AVR, or any other piece of gear with an audio output. The point being, is that you are not bound to a single input source. Not many auxiliary options are offered among the rest of the smart speaker community, leaving the user completely reliant upon the wi-fi connection and other compatible devices they may already own. And what about when you’re using Alexa to search for music, but a particular song can’t be played due to copyright issues? This can happen with voice-controlled systems, but we all know a quick visit to YouTube can typically get around this barrier and play the music you want to hear. Now you can actually listen to any Beatles tune you want, whenever you want, but at the same time you can also connect to an external Alexa device for superior sound with Audioengine.
  
  Range and quality
  
  Bluetooth transmission range was not so great in the past, as many of you have experienced. And products using wi-fi still tout the superiority of its range over that of Bluetooth, but the truth is, those days are over.
  
  Audioengine home speakers utilize cutting-edge tech that allows a solid transmission of up to 100 feet (and sometimes more) with no drop-outs and no blips. Again, this range is not reliant upon the ebb and flow of your wi-fi strength at any given point. But what about sound quality; isn’t Bluetooth kind of crappy? No way! Bluetooth audio has come a long way in the past few years as well, and the implementation of the aptX HD codec allows for near lossless audio transmission that rivals the sound of many wired music systems.
  
  Elegant aesthetic and sound
  
  Audioengine home speakers have always held sleek looks that equals their sound quality, and with the shift to high-quality wireless, these standards have been upheld.
  
  We didn’t want to sacrifice our warm, rich, analog power amps and hand-built wooden cabinets by trying to cram all that goodness into a generic-looking plastic speaker enclosure with average-quality wireless. We want our speakers to be an integral part of the look and feel of your home and we also want you to have TWO speakers so your listening experience can be what it’s meant to be. Other systems allow you to purchase “add-on” speakers, but that means in order to have two speakers you have to, well… spend more money for “add-on” speakers. Audioengine home speakers come standard as a stereo pair that are tuned to perfection. To put it simply, Audioengine home speakers are some of the best-sounding speakers on the market today. “Smart” speakers tend to put more focus on the “smart” portion than on the “speakers” portion, often leaving the sound reproduction underwhelming. Would you rather watch the next season of GOT on a single wi-fi speaker or on a matched pair of award-winning audiophile-grade speakers with true stereo sound?
  
  So, it’s safe to say Bluetooth and wi-fi each have their own advantages, just as anything else. But in the end, Bluetooth was the choice we made to be as user-friendly, versatile, and as hi-fi-sounding as possible.
How to Stream Music from my Phone to my Stereo?
- How to Stream Music from my Phone to my Stereo?
  
  We want things to work, is that so much to ask?
  
  There is such a mass of technology and gadgetry available out there today that, for the most part, the good stuff sticks around and the bad stuff is pushed right out the door, never to be seen again. But when it comes to streaming music from our phones to our stereo systems, we sometimes still have to jump through hoops to get our gadgets to see eye to eye.
  
  Rest easy, friends, for today I am here to make it very very easy. Let’s talk about a couple of ways Audioengine can get your music streaming from phone to stereo in less than 1 minute!
  
  Using Audioengine Wireless Speakers
  
  If you are one of the TRILLIONS of highly intelligent individuals who have already purchased a set of Audioengine wireless speakers (this includes the HD6, HD3, A5+ Wireless, and B2 speakers), you are in luck, as this is the easiest possible way to get your music streaming.
  
  To get the system up and running in general, all you have to do is take your speakers out of the box, plug the left speaker into power, connect the left speaker to the right speaker via the included speaker wire (does not apply to B2, it’s just one little speaker), and flip the power switch to the ‘On’ position. After the speakers are on, the only thing left to do is find the speakers on your phone’s list of available Bluetooth devices, and select them. They will pair within seconds after just ONE click! You’re done — can you believe that!? Sheesh, that was easy. But what if you don’t have a pair of Audioengine wireless speakers?
  
  Using Anything Else
  
  Okay so maybe you don’t have a pair of super awesome wireless speakers, that’s cool, Audioengine can fix that in less than a minute using our B1 Bluetooth Receiver.
  
  The same principals will apply from the previous section, but first, we have to MAKE our non-wireless speakers into wireless speakers. Let’s unpack our B1 Bluetooth receiver, connect it to power, and then run cables from the analog OUTPUTS on our B1, to the analog INPUTS on our existing speakers. Boom — now our speakers are wireless, crazy right? The final step is the same as before; just locate B1 in your phone’s list of available Bluetooth devices and click. You’ll be paired in seconds and ready to rock that Duran Duran Greatest Hits album you just downloaded.
  
  Keep in mind, once you’re paired like this, you should be able to stream any and all audio from your phone to your speakers. This means, iTunes, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, everything. Everything!
  
  No more banging your head against the wall trying to get things paired up, no more proprietary passwords, and no more having to reconnect every ten minutes. It really is the best way to stream music from your phone to your speakers, no matter what kind of speakers you are using.
  
  Now, why don’t you stream your way on back to our Wireless Speakers and see what you’re missing out on!
A1 Materials And Construction
- 0.7″ (18 mm) thick MDF cabinets
  0.75″ (20 mm) silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets
  2.75″ (70 mm) aramid fiber woofers with advanced voice coils
A1 Weights And Measures
- Dimensions (HWD)
  Each speaker – 6″ (15.2 cm) x 4″ (10.2 cm) x 5.25″ (13.3 cm)
  
  Weight
  Left (active) – 3.1 lb (1.4 kg)
  Right (passive) – 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
  
  Total Shipping Weight
  7.6 lb (3.5 kg)
  
  Shipping Box Dimensions (LWH)
  15″ x (38.1 cm) 7.25″ (18.4 cm) x 11″ (27.9 cm)
A1 Usb Specifications
- Connector Type
  N/A
  
  USB Device Class
  N/A
  
  Input Bit Depth
  N/A
  
  Input Sample Rate
  N/A
A1 Bluetooth Specifications
- Internal D/A Converter
  N/A
  
  Internal BT Receiver
  CSR8670
  
  Input Bit Depth
  16 bit
  
  Bluetooth Receiver Type
  Bluetooth 5.0
  
  Supported Codecs
  aptx, AAC, SBC
  
  Supported Bluetooth Profiles
  N/A
  
  Wireless Operation Range
  Up to 100 ft (30 m) typical
  
  Input Data Rate
  Determined by Bluetooth
  
  Wireless Latency
  ~30 milliseconds (ms)
A1 General Specifications
- Type
  Powered Bluetooth aptX speaker system
  
  Amplifier Type
  Class D
  
  Rated Power Output: 15W RMS per channel (measured in compliance with 16 C.F.R. § 432.3)
  Peak Power Output: 30W per channel (AES)
  Total Peak Power Output: 60W (AES)
  
  Drivers
  2.75” aramid fiber woofers
  
  0.75“ Silk dome tweeters
  
  Inputs
  3.5 mm stereo mini-jack, Bluetooth
  
  Outputs
  LFE Variable line-out for subwoofer
  
  Input Voltages
  100-240 V 50/60 Hz auto-switching
  
  SNR
  Greater than 95 dB (typical A-weighted)
  
  THD+N
  Less than 0.05% at all power settings
  
  Crosstalk
  Less than 50 dB
  
  Frequency Response
  65 Hz-22 kHz ±2.0 dB
  
  Frequency Response w/ Bass Reduction Switch selected
  N/A
  
  Analog Input Impedance
  N/A
  
  Nominal Impedance
  N/A
  
  Input Impedance
  10K ohms unbalanced
  
  Crossover Frequency
  N/A
  
  Protection
  Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
  
  Power Consumption
  Idle: 10W
  
  Standby Consumption
  N/A
  
  Phase
  N/A
  
  Recommended Amplifier Power
  N/A
  
  Battery Life
  N/A
  
  Battery Charge Time
  N/A
How to Clean Your Audioengine Home Music System
- 1. Turn Off and Unplug:
  - Make sure your system is turned off and unplugged.
  2. Dust the Surfaces:
  - Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away dust.
  - For hard-to-reach places, use a soft brush or a can of compressed air.
  3. Wipe Down the Exterior:
  - We do not recommend using any solvents
  - If cleaning off stains or build-up is necessary, we recommend doing so with a very small amount of mild cleaning solution applied only to the affected area, followed by quickly wiping the area dry completely.
  - Any scoured pads or objects like a ‘magic eraser’ too easily run the risk of removing sealers and top coats of the painted finish that can leave a clearly visible change in the uniformity of the paint/finish
  4. Clean the Speaker Grills:
  - The speaker grills can be gently cleaned with a vacuum, preferably using a soft bush attachment.
  - A lint roller can also be used.
  5. Clean Buttons and Knobs:
  - A dry cloth is recommend for cleaning any knobs, buttons or other surfaces
  - Be careful not to let water get into any gaps.
  6. Clean Ports and Connections:
  - Use compressed air to blow out dust from ports and connections.
  7. Let Everything Dry:
  - Make sure everything is completely dry before plugging back in and turning on.
  8. Regular Cleaning:
  - Dust your system regularly to keep it in good shape.
  By following these steps, you can keep your Audioengine system clean and working well.
How do I know if I bought from an authorized and legitimate site?
- Audioengine operates two websites, audioenginedev.wpengine.com and audioengineeu.com. If you go to any other site but these, they are not an Audioengine site. For Canada, Mexico and most of Europe and the UK, we only sell through Amazon. There are also a host of authorized retailers and sites across the US, and they can be found here. For international sales, we have distributors that operate independently, and they can be found here.
  
  What happens if I buy from an authorized site claiming to be Audioengine? Unfortunately, there is not much we can do. We are taking all the action we can to make sure those sites don’t get indexed, but we recommend you work with the provider of the card you used to make payment to get your money back.
Bluetooth won’t connect on my Mac Computer (2019 or newer). Reset the Bluetooth to determine if that is the issue.
- Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Open Terminal:
    - You can find Terminal in your Applications folder under Utilities, or you can use Spotlight by pressing Cmd + Space and typing “Terminal”.
  2. Execute the Command:
    - In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
  bash
  
  Copy code
  
  sudo pkill bluetoothd
  1. Enter Your Password:
    - After pressing Enter, you will be prompted to enter your password. Type your Mac’s administrator password and press Enter.
    - Note that when you type your password, it won’t be displayed on the screen (not even as asterisks). Just type it and press Enter.
  By following these steps, you should be able to reset your Bluetooth service on your Mac, which can help resolve connectivity issues with your Audioengine devices or any other Bluetooth peripherals.
A1 Size: What is the dimensions of the A1?
- The speakers are 6″H x 4″W x 5.25″D each
Can I place my Audioengine speakers on their side?
- Absolutely! Our speakers are safe to place sideways and, from our experience, sound great. When doing so, we recommend that you position each so the tweeters are facing outward.
Do my speakers support a remote?
- The speakers we offer that are designed to have a remote control are the A5+ Classic, A5+ Wireless and HD6. The following systems do NOT support a remote control: 512, A1, A1-MR, A2+, B2, HD3, HD4.
How many devices can I connect via Bluetooth at one time?
- There can be only 1 active pairing at a time.
Are firmware updates or driver downloads needed for my Audioengine product?
- No, there are no firmware updates or special drivers needed unless you own our A1-MR multi-room speakers or our B-Fi multi-room wireless streaming device. If a firmware update is released for the A1-MR or the B-Fi, you will be notified of the update the next time you open the Audioengine Control App. If an update is needed, simply click “update” on the DEVICES page next to the product that needs to have the firmware update applied. The app will handle the rest of the process from there! Standard plug-n-play drivers that are provided by your computer’s OS are utilized when using the USB input on our A2+, HD3, and HD4 speaker models. And all of our Bluetooth speakers/products are compatible with any device that supports Bluetooth, and the A2DP profile for streaming stereo audio. This includes most smartphones, tablets, and computers. For computers that don’t include Bluetooth support out of the box, you can simply add a USB Bluetooth adapter.
How do I connect my Bluetooth-ready Audioengine speakers to my Bluetooth device?
- Applicable to our A1, A2+Wireless, B2, A5+Wireless, and HD6 speaker models
  Turn on the speakers using the power switch located on the rear panel. The speakers will automatically go into Bluetooth “pair mode” and the Pair button on the back panel should start flashing.
  1. On your source device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc), turn on Bluetooth and go to Bluetooth preferences.
  2. Select “Audioengine (your speaker model)” from the list of available devices to pair and connect. The Pair indicator on the back panel should now be solid. Play your music and adjust the volume levels on the speakers and your device.
  To add additional devices put the speakers back into pair mode by disconnecting them from your device or by pressing and holding the Pair button until the pair indicator starts flashing. Our speakers can wirelessly connect to only one device at a time, however it will remember up to six different devices.
My A1/A1-MR speakers sound distorted, what should I do?
- If your A1 or A1-MR speakers sound distorted, are buzzing, or just don’t sound quite right, we’d recommend the following troubleshooting steps: Start with power cycling your speakers by turning them off and then back on. From there:
  1. Determine if the distortion is due to your source by disconnecting all source devices from the speakers.
  2. Please make sure all of your connector cables are in working order. Try different cables as well as a different source device.
  3. Please try using the stereo mini input and Bluetooth (or WiFi in the case of the A1-MR), one at a time, to see how the speakers react.
  4. Make sure it is not a power issue by trying a power outlet that is on a different circuit.
  If the issue persists, please click on the following link and then click on the dropdown to submit an email to our Support team: Support Page When doing so, please copy and paste the above troubleshooting steps along with the results of each and include this information when contacting us.
One of my speakers is not working, what should I do?
- Applicable to our A1, A1-MR, A2+, HD3, HD4, A5+, and HD6 speaker models
  If one of your speakers is not working (whether it be the left or right speaker), we would recommend the following troubleshooting steps: Start by power cycling your speakers by turning them off and then back on. From there:
  1. Check to make sure the speaker wire connecting the left and right speakers is connected according to proper polarity (Red to Gold, Black to Silver) on both ends.
  2. Please make sure all of your connector cables are in working order. Try different cables as well as a different source device.
  3. If you are using any other devices in line with these speakers, please temporarily remove them from your setup and connect the source directly to the speakers
  4. Please try using each available input, one at a time, to see how the speakers react. When testing via RCA swap the RCA jacks (red to white and white to red) to see if the issue remains in the same channel.
  If the issue persists, please click on the following link and then click on the dropdown to submit an email to our Support team: Support Page When doing so, please copy and paste the above troubleshooting steps along with the results of each and include this information when contacting us.
Do I still need wires for my “Wireless” speakers?
- Yes, you still need to connect the active/left speaker to the passive/right speaker via the included speaker wire. The passive right speaker has no power source of its own and relies on the amplified signal coming over the wire.
How do I connect a subwoofer to the A1 or A1-MR ?
- You can use either a single LFE RCA cable or stereo white/red RCA cable. Connect FROM your powered speaker’s ‘Subwoofer’ output TO your subwoofer’s ‘Left’ RCA input or the subwoofer’s LFE input. For stereo RCA cables, just use the left/white RCA cable, and leave the red RCA disconnected to prevent an accidental ground loop. ** Please note: a 3.5mm/stereo mini cable will not work with the ‘Subwoofer’ output on the back of your A1/A1-MR speakers. **
Bluetooth pairing light is solid but there is no audio?
- If the Bluetooth pairing light is solid (any color), an active connection to another device has been established. Under most circumstances, our Bluetooth speakers/B1 only supports a single active connection at a time. So if someone else in your home has connected to your Bluetooth device/speakers, this could surely keep you from connecting another device to it. There is no on/off switch with the our Bluetooth devices or speakers, so once it’s plugged into power it’s on. The Bluetooth LED light will blink and be discoverable for 5 minutes once powered on. If in that 5 minute window it connects to a Bluetooth source, the light will go solid. After the 5 minutes is up, the light will turn off and it will no longer be discoverable by new sources, but it will still be on. If the LED is off, any previously connected device can still pair to it at any time from their device. If you want to pair to a new device, just tap the LED light once more and it will blink and be discoverable for another 5 minutes. If your Bluetooth device/speaker is connected to something and you want to disconnect that particular device, you can hold the button down for a few seconds before it disconnects and goes back into the flashing cycle. If the above does not help address the issue you are experiencing, we’d recommend going through the below list of troubleshooting tips: If you haven’t already, power cycle your Bluetooth speakers/B1 by unplugging the power connection, and reconnecting it. 1) Please make sure all of your connections are complete; also, check that all of your connector cables are in working order. You will want to swap out some interconnects to test for this. 2) Try playing audio from more than one application on your source device (phone, tablet, computer, etc.) 3) Check to make sure your source device is running the most up to date version of software available. If an update is available, make sure you restart your device after the update is installed. 4) Try disconnecting from, and “forgetting” the Bluetooth speakers/B1 through your source’s Bluetooth settings. Then, try re-pairing and connecting to the two. 5) Try using a different source device with your Bluetooth speakers/B1 to see if the issue follows. Try using the analog as well as the digital optical output, to see if you have this issue with both connections. 6) If at all possible, try your Bluetooth speakers/B1 in a different location and / or setup to see if something is causing interference in the current location. Something as simple as a router, cordless / mobile phone, halogen lamps, etc. near the speakers may be causing the issue in your setup.
Is it easy to set up the A1?
- Yes! We designed the A1 Speaker System for quick and easy setup. First, simply place the speakers in the desired location and connect the AC power cord. Hook up the included speaker wire from the powered (left) speaker to the passive (right) speaker. Then, connect your source device with either of the supplied cables. Additionally, you can connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth enabled phone, tablet or computer.
If my device doesn’t support aptX, can I still use the A1 to wirelessly stream my music?
- Yes. In addition to aptX, and the default Bluetooth codec SBC, the A1 supports other high-quality audio codecs, like AAC, for devices that do not support aptX.
Is the A1 designed only for use with Bluetooth devices?
- No. The A1 offers wired or wireless playback for extended range streaming via aptX Bluetooth. It can additionally connect to your turntable, computer or TV with a standard AUX cable (3.5mm, 1/8″, mini TRS, etc.).
What does the white indicator light on the A1 rear panel mean?
- - - If it’s on and solid, this means the A1 is powered on, and currently connected to a Bluetooth-enabled device.
    - If it’s on and blinking, this means the A1 is powered on but not currently connected to a device.
    - If it’s off (and A1 is powered on), this means Bluetooth is in standby and not connected to a device. The A1, however, is still visible to your device, so simply connect using your device and it will automatically wake up.
Can I stream music wirelessly to the A1 with an Audioengine wireless adapter instead of Bluetooth?
- Yes. The A1 will work with both the Audioengine W3 Audio Adapter and the B-Fi Mulitroom Music Streamer.
What is the wireless range for the A1?
- The A1 offers high-definition aptX Bluetooth with an extended range of up to 100 ft.
Do I need to install any special software apps or drivers to wirelessly stream my music through my A1?
- No. The A1 is a premium powered, plug and play stereo system that will easily connect to any Bluetooth enabled phone, tablet or computer in seconds. After a quick setup with the included power cord and speaker wire, immediately start streaming music from your favorite music services (TIDAL, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music and more) or directly from your music library.
Will my music have a delay through the A1 if I’m watching a movie or music video?
- The A1 is a high-performing, low latency stereo system with high-definition aptX Bluetooth. Seamlessly stream movies and YouTube videos without any significant or noticeable lag between video and audio.
Is the A1 Wireless compatible with TIDAL music streaming service?
- Yes! With the A1, use any Bluetooth enabled phone, tablet or computer to wirelessly stream all of your favorite music services, including TIDAL.
Why do I hear my phone’s notifications over Bluetooth?
- Your Bluetooth connection works by projecting the sound from your phone. So, if your ringtone volume is on, that sound will come through Bluetooth too. This is a simple fix by changing the phone’s ringtone settings to either vibrate or silent.
Should I use the volume control on my speakers or can I adjust from system volume on my computer?
- If the left speaker is in an easy to reach location, you can certainly use the physical knob to set volume. If not though, it’s perfectly fine to set the speakers to a good volume and then adjust from your source moving forward. Every setup is different, so some experimentation will be necessary to find your preferred settings.
How much latency do Audioengine Bluetooth products have?
- Though overall latency can be affected by some external factors (including things like signal strength, how well the source device’s manufacturer has implemented it’s Bluetooth, and even simply from being physically further away from the speakers) Audioengine Bluetooth products have very low latency when compared to most Bluetooth receivers, 30ms or less. Here are some tips you can use to minimize any latency issues you may run into with your Bluetooth setup: 1) Try restarting both your device as well as the speakers (by switching them off, and back on, with the power switch on the rear of the speakers). 2) Check to make sure your source device is running the most up to date version of software available. 3) Try disconnecting from and forgetting the your Bluetooth speaker or device through your source’s Bluetooth settings, and then re-pair to your Bluetooth speaker/device. 4) If you have multiple apps or windows open when the delay occurs, try closing all of the apps that are not currently in use. The more multitasking your system is having to do, the greater the potential delay in audio when using Bluetooth — this would apply to both your smart phone and computer. 5) When using your iPhone, we’ve found that resetting your network settings can help improve the overall functionality of Bluetooth with your device — including the latency.
Connecting a Bluetooth turntable to an Audioengine Bluetooth device
- Setting up your Bluetooth turntable with your Bluetooth-ready Audioengine speakers/components should be simple! First, you would also need to make sure your Audioengine Bluetooth device is on, in pair mode (LED light flashing), and near the turntable. Next, you would need to use the pairing button to send the turntable into pairing mode. Depending on the turntable, you will need to either press and release the turntable’s pair button or press and hold it; for example, on the Audio Technica AT-LP60-BT you would need to hold the turntable’s pairing button for about two seconds, until the light flashes different colors. Once the turntable is in pairing mode, it will search and connect to the nearest available Bluetooth device. Once the turntable if paired and connected to your Audioengine Bluetooth device, the pair light on the receiver should turn solid.
Low Volume with Turntable Setup
- If you’ve connected your turntable to your speakers and the volume is low, one of two situations may be happening: If you have a turntable with a built-in phono preamp, such as the Audio-Technica ATLP120 or the Music Hall USB-1, the output may be in the wrong setting. Double check and make sure the switch is set to “line” instead of “phono.” Be careful to keep the volume of your speakers low as it can be quite loud if you had to switch it to “line”. Your turntable could also not include a built-in phono preamp, such as older turntables. If your turntable does not include a built-in preamp, you will need to add an external preamp to bring the signal up to a line level signal. We don’t have any recommendations on a particular brand or model preamp to use with this setup.
How does the A1, A1-MR, 512, and B2 switch between audio sources/ manage multiple inputs?
- You can have two sources connected at the same time with no need to flip any switches, simply play audio from the source you wish to hear. Though, if you are using multiple sources you may be able to hear both inputs playing simultaneously.