Audioengine A2+ / Sub or A5+?

[JackieTran]

In terms of overall sound, which would be the better option?

 

I was looking to buy either one but the a5 would be my max price range. So f bought a sub, it wouldn't go over. So which is better in overall terms and what sub would you guys recommend.

 

Buying from eBay is also an option. Is can I trust anything seller refurbished?

[NannerBeans]

I say just get the A5+. Most cheap subs are bad for music. I hink you will be happy with it without a sub anyway, Those usually have enough bass. 

[JackieTran]

I say just get the A5+. Most cheap subs are bad for music. I hink you will be happy with it without a sub anyway, Those usually have enough bass.

I forgot to mention - I will occasionally plug it into a TV for movies and ps4 gaming. I still want that theatre-esk feel

[NannerBeans]

I forgot to mention - I will occasionally plug it into a TV for movies and ps4 gaming. I still want that theatre-esk feel

Personally I would still go for the A5+. Setting up subs is annoying. I think the Polk PSW10 sub is good for movies for that boomy sound but not for music. 

[JackieTran]

Personally I would still go for the A5+. Setting up subs is annoying. I think the Polk PSW10 sub is good for movies for that boomy sound but not for music.

I just read something about variable outputs? What does this do and does the a2+ have it?

[NannerBeans]

I just read something about variable outputs? What does this do and does the a2+ have it?

You mean crossover? Don't know much about subs but you have to set it right so that the sub handles certain frequencies and the speakers handle the rest so it doesn't sound muddy.

[JackieTran]

You mean crossover? Don't know much about subs but you have to set it right so that the sub handles certain frequencies and the speakers handle the rest so it doesn't sound muddy.

Is it okay not to have crossover?

The a2+ has output rca ports but isn't that just redundant since the a2 could output from it from the input rca already there.

[Feveredbike]

Go with the a5+, I have them. The sub on the monitors has a good amount of bass.

[NannerBeans]

Is it okay not to have crossover?

The a2+ has output rca ports but isn't that just redundant since the a2 could output from it from the input rca already there.

No idea what you're trying to say.

[JackieTran]

No idea what you're trying to say.

So with the crossover, would it be okay to send highs to the sub without a filter?

The a2+ have rca outputs right? do the +'s have a filter on the output now and what makes using the dedicated outputs on the + better than the original a2's rca output

[ShearMe]

I forgot to mention - I will occasionally plug it into a TV for movies and ps4 gaming. I still want that theatre-esk feel

 

I think you should look at bigger speakers than anything from audioengine if you want to use them with a TV.

[NannerBeans]

 

So with the crossover, would it be okay to send highs to the sub without a filter?

The a2+ have rca outputs right? do the +'s have a filter on the output now and what makes using the dedicated outputs on the + better than the original a2's rca output

 

It will sound bad without crossover. 

 

No clue.

[JackieTran]

 

 

 

It will sound bad without crossover. 

 

No clue.

 

Do both the speaker and sub need crossover or just one of them

[NannerBeans]

I think it's usually the sub and you run the wire to the sub first and then to the speaker. Another option is to have a receiver with crossover.

[JackieTran]

I think it's usually the sub and you run the wire to the sub first and then to the speaker. Another option is to have a receiver with crossover.

 

Doesn't that mean that you won't get any benefits from the DAC if it goes from the sub first

[creatip123]

The A5+ is on sale on massdrop: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/audioengine-a5plus

 

Better hurry though, it's 4 days left....

[Pomfinator]

Doesn't that mean that you won't get any benefits from the DAC if it goes from the sub first

How did you figure that? The signal is the exact same, it just sends it to the subwoofer first, which gobbles up bass signals you are telling it to play (letsay up to 80hz) and then sends the rest up to the speakers to play.

[NannerBeans]

Doesn't that mean that you won't get any benefits from the DAC if it goes from the sub first

 

There shouldn't be one if you're using powered speakers which the A2+ is. 

[JackieTran]

How did you figure that? The signal is the exact same, it just sends it to the subwoofer first, which gobbles up bass signals you are telling it to play (letsay up to 80hz) and then sends the rest up to the speakers to play.

 

How would you send it to the sub first if the dac is built on the speaker. The signal will always go into the speaker first then?

[JackieTran]

There shouldn't be one if you're using powered speakers which the A2+ is. 

 

'there shouldn't be one' are you referring to the sub or dac

[creatip123]

Just read the specifications of the A2+. It got subwoofer output, meaning it got the LFE crossover built in inside. Oh and the other guy above is not wrong too. There are types of speakers set that take the analog input into the sub first, meaning the LFE crossover would be inside the sub. The sub 'confiscates' the low frequencies, and bypass the rest to the satellites.

[NannerBeans]

How would you send it to the sub first if the dac is built on the speaker. The signal will always go into the speaker first then?

Don't worry about the DAC. It goes from your motherboard to the sub. Subs are powered too. 

 

'there shouldn't be one' are you referring to the sub or dac

A DAC/AMP as in there shouldn't be another piece of equipment unless you decide to get a receiver for crossover. Don't worry about the stupid dac/amp in the speaker. 

[JackieTran]

Just read the specifications of the A2+. It got subwoofer output, meaning it got the LFE crossover built in inside. Oh and the other guy above is not wrong too. There are types of speakers set that take the analog input into the sub first, meaning the LFE crossover would be inside the sub. The sub 'confiscates' the low frequencies, and bypass the rest to the satellites.

 

So if the A2's have LFE crossover, would I need a sub that has LFE in too? or is it not required

[JackieTran]

Don't worry about the DAC. It goes from your motherboard to the sub. Subs are powered too. 

 

A DAC/AMP as in there shouldn't be another piece of equipment unless you decide to get a receiver for crossover. Don't worry about the stupid dac/amp in the speaker. 

 

 

Oh, I understand what you mean now but isn't there no point if the a2 already has LFE crossover built in or are sub LFE's better?

Also, in this scenario would you plug into the input RCA or out RCA (from sub)

[NannerBeans]

Oh, I understand what you mean now but isn't there no point if the a2 already has LFE crossover built in or are sub LFE's better?

Also, in this scenario would you plug into the input RCA or out RCA (from sub)

I don't know which is better since I don't like subs anyway. I said so from the beginning. If both have crossover just chain them up in either order or test for yourself which is better. No point in asking me.