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Audioengine Users???

Randy

Randy

Well-Known Member
Superstar
I didn't want to hijack T7's thread, so I thought I would start a new one.

I have always wanted better desktop speakers, just because. But, now that I started playing bass I use my desktop in my office all the time when I practice. I have to try to learn songs by ear, as part of my lessons and I have quickly realized that I need better speakers so I can actually hear the bassline and try to figure out exactly what notes and key they are playing. I am having a really hard time with this whole playing by ear thing that so many people seem to do with ease.

I also have a couple of istructional DVD's and play along to CD's and youtube, so nearly all of my practice is sitting in the office next to my PC.

So, I know some of you guys have experience with Audioengine, and I have heard great things about them, but give me your honest opinions and reviews PLEASE.
 
I'm definately getting a set in the not too distant future so I'm interested in feedback too.

I don't use my computer speakers very often lately (I spend enough time staring at a computer screen at work) so I'm probably going with the A2.
 
Randy, I'm not sure if this will be convenient for you but I've always noticed how easy it is to pick out the bass line when I'm in another room. You know, the whole lack of treble thing. Perhaps play the song you want to learn on the system that produces the best and loudest bass but listen and play elsewhere.

Another thought - despite the speakers - simply turn down treble while practicing, thereby "extracting" the bass.

Yet another thought - listen to the song through a subwoofer only.

:twocents-mytwocents:
 
Zing said:
Randy, I'm not sure if this will be convenient for you but I've always noticed how easy it is to pick out the bass line when I'm in another room. You know, the whole lack of treble thing. Perhaps play the song you want to learn on the system that produces the best and loudest bass but listen and play elsewhere.

Another thought - despite the speakers - simply turn down treble while practicing, thereby "extracting" the bass.

Yet another thought - listen to the song through a subwoofer only.

:twocents-mytwocents:
Click to expand...

doesn't really work like that, just makes it muddy and harder to hear. Picking up bass lines is tough because a lot of the time, in my experience trying to pick it up in hard rock music, the mix buries it. I did notice though that later in life as I started getting better speakers I started hearing them more clearly, and my car seems to be a friendly place to hear them too.

If I remember correctly, Flint gave the Audioengine speakers a kind review some years back.
 
Ya, a lot of bass players debate differetn ways of "cutting through" the mix in order to be heard because the frequencies are harder to hear over the guitar and other instruments. Good speakers really help and like B, I also found the system in my old truck was really adept at articulate bass.

Unfortuantely I said my old truck.

I thought Flint had reviewed them, but couldnt remember if it was here or the old place.
 
Randy -

I've owned Audioengine A-5s since 2008, and have used my fair share of the dinky, squeaky little computer speakers. No comparison, and for a powered speaker with 5" mid-woofers, surprising bass response. I'd purchase them again tomorrow, only I would pop for the Carbonized Bamboo finish.

Rope
 
So which would be better? The Aduioengine A-5's or a set of the passive A-4's with one of those really cool little Dayton Audio DTA-100a's like T7 just picked up?

Totally subjective I know, but come on guys what do you think?
 
Randy said:
So which would be better? The Aduioengine A-5's or a set of the passive A-4's with one of those really cool little Dayton Audio DTA-100a's like T7 just picked up?

Totally subjective I know, but come on guys what do you think?
Click to expand...

What's the application? For office, I'd say the A-5s. For a situation similar to T7's, the separate amp and passive speakers.

Rope
 
That's what I was thinking.

I compared the 2 and there are a couple of things that seem to be giving the A5 a bit of an edge in my book.
 
If desk space is a consideration, the A-5 win hands down, if not and you want a bit more portability/flexability, then separates come in to contention.

Rope
 
Are you going to be using these in an office/work environment or on you computer at home. I ask because I used powered monitors (not Audioengines) at work and had two issues. The first was space which may be an inssue at home as well. Desk space is a premium at my office so I just couldn't deal with the loss of so much real estate. The other issue was volume control. I grew tired of having to reach across the desk to turn down the volume of hunt for the mute button on the keyboard when I needed to take a call. I would prefer to use something like the little Dayton amp next to the phone for easy access, but then were back to the space issue.
 
Home office, which is used strictly for goofing off and has now been taken over with basses and stands and wires and amps and sheet music and instructional DVD's and other assorted crap.
 
i have been using a set of A2's on my computer desk for couple years and i'm blown away by the clarity every time i turn them on. i love 'em. and for the tiny size i am also very impressed by the bigness of the sound. however, there is definitely not a massive low end. it you want some real boom the A5's would probably be better, if you have the room on your desk for them.
 
Have you considered the posibility that you hear it better in the car because you remove the bottom and sub? You could process with a parametric to accent the range of the base and the upper harmonics. Chop everything below 80 hz and run up to around 4 k.

With a Kick you get the lower power in the 80 hz and the thwak of the beater in the 4k to 6k. You will see this same pattern in some of the kick mics if you look at their spec sheet. By working the higher harmonics you will more of the finger noises. You should be able to remove the 8k and above with the other half of the parametric. Or use a three way crossover and play threw the middle and leave sub and highs disconnected.
 
By no means am I an expert. I was able to get a pair of Rokit 5 speakers (KRK) through Guitar Center for $200 a pair. Now I'm sure the Audioengines are better (not really sure.) but my message was the fact that they were originally $300 a pair but I got a "deal" on them. So regardless of what you decide, keep your eyes out and it doesn't hurt to ask for a nice discount.
 
If possible I would go to a Guitar Center near you and have a listen. I ended up buying a pair of M-Audio stereophiles with 4" driver on a super discount.
 
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