Audioengine A2+ Wireless Desktop Speakers
Compact, audiophile-grade desktop speakers with a built-in DAC, Bluetooth aptX, and USB audio — the gold standard for small-desk sound.
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What we like
- Genuinely hi-fi sound in a compact footprint
- Built-in 24-bit DAC eliminates the need for a separate interface
- aptX Bluetooth plus USB, 3.5mm, and RCA covers every source
- Hand-finished wood cabinets look at home on a real desk
Could be better
- No remote or front-panel input switching
- Bass is tight but limited — you'll want the S6/S8 sub for movies or games
- Speaker wire between the two cabinets is non-standard length
Full Review
The A2+ has been the default answer for “best small desktop speakers” for well over a decade, and the current wireless version keeps that reputation intact. At $299 it’s not cheap, but you’re buying a pair of speakers that sound like a proper hi-fi system at roughly the size of two thick paperbacks.
Sound Quality
There’s a clarity to the A2+ that cheaper desktop speakers simply can’t touch. Vocals sit forward, cymbals have real shimmer rather than hiss, and the stereo image is wide enough that you get an actual soundstage at desk distance. The custom aramid fiber woofers push more bass than 2.75-inch drivers have any right to — tight, controlled, and musical rather than boomy. If you want floor-shaking low end for games or movies, pair them with the matching S6 or S8 subwoofer via the variable RCA output.
Inputs and Flexibility
This is where the A2+ earns its keep over cheaper options. The built-in 24-bit DAC means you can plug USB directly from your Mac or PC and skip your computer’s mediocre onboard audio entirely. Bluetooth aptX handles phone and tablet duty with better-than-AAC fidelity. 3.5mm and RCA inputs cover turntables, interfaces, or a headphone amp. It’s genuinely the only speaker box most desks need.
Build and Desk Fit
The hand-finished wood cabinets feel like furniture, not plastic gear. The powered left speaker houses the amplifier and all the connections; the right is a passive cabinet connected by included speaker wire. Footprint is small enough to flank a 27-inch monitor without crowding, though you’ll want to angle them toward your listening position since they lack any DSP room correction.
Annoyances
No remote. No front-panel source switching — you pick an input on the back and that’s your input. The included speaker wire between the two cabinets is a fixed, unusual length that can be awkward on wider desks. None of these are dealbreakers, but at this price point they’re notable omissions.
Who Should Buy This
Buy the A2+ if you take music seriously, work with audio, or simply want desktop sound that doesn’t feel like a compromise. If you mostly watch YouTube and take Zoom calls, the Kanto YU4 or a cheaper Edifier will serve you fine. But if you’ve been making do with laptop speakers and want the single upgrade that most changes how your desk feels, this is it.
