★ Editor's Choice
Uncategorized · Updated July 2026
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers Review
> Direct answer: I’d buy the Audioengine A5+ Wireless if you want premium powered bookshelf speakers for a turntable or desktop setup, and you’re fine using a built-in or external phono preamp when needed. I’d skip them if you need HDMI, a built-in phono stage, or more output for the money.
Reviewed by Calvin Reese
Vinyl & Gear Editor · Last updated July 13, 2026 · 11 min read
Independent · reader-funded
Hands-on tested
Unbiased rankings
Darkside Vinyl is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our verdict or our score. How we make money.
Darkside Vinyl's verdict
> Direct answer: I’d buy the Audioengine A5+ Wireless if you want premium powered bookshelf speakers for a turntable
4.6
/ 5
4.6 out of 5
In our listening room
I like these for buyers who want fewer boxes and better sound than the usual entry-level powered options. Audioengine got the basics right: strong analog performance, solid build, and easy daily use.
I’d skip them for anyone who assumes “wireless” means every turntable plugs in directly. That’s the setup mistake I see most often.
Pros
- Bluetooth aptX-HD connectivity
- Room-filling 150 watts
- Crystal clear audio
- Plug and play options
- Remote control included
Cons
- Higher price point
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
At a glance
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers, by the numbers
The specs and scores that matter most when deciding if this product fits your setup.
Our score
4.6 / 5
Price
See retailer
Store
Amazon
Category
Uncategorized
How it scored
4.6 / 5 overallGet the full picture
What everyone else is saying
Our take set against the consensus from owners and the wider vinyl community.
C
Calvin Reese
Our reviewer
I like the A5+ Wireless most for buyers who want a clean, furniture-friendly stereo and don’t want separates taking over the room.
Amazon
Customer consensus
Buyer feedback usually lines up with the obvious strengths: sound quality, build, and easy setup.
Reddit
Community take
Forum chatter is usually more useful here because people spot setup mistakes fast.
Overview
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers Overview
Sound quality and room fit
The sound leans full, smooth, and easy to live with. You get enough weight from the cabinet and Kevlar woofer to make rock, jazz, and electronic records feel grounded.
The silk dome tweeter keeps the top end clean without getting sharp. That matters in long listening sessions, especially in smaller rooms where bright speakers can wear you out.
These work best in nearfield setups, bedrooms, offices, and small-to-medium living rooms. In a large open room, they can still sound good, but they won’t feel as effortless or room-filling as some buyers expect at this price.
Placement matters more than most people think. Pull them off the back wall, give them breathing room, and the imaging improves fast.
Turntable compatibility and phono preamp needs
Do you need a phono preamp? Yes, if your turntable doesn’t have one built in.
This is the main setup checkpoint. The A5+ Wireless accepts line-level analog input through RCA or 3.5 mm, not raw phono-level signal.
A turntable with a built-in preamp can connect straight in. An Audio-Technica LP120X with the internal preamp switched on is the easy example.
A turntable without one needs an external phono stage first. A Fluance RT82 is a classic case, and it won’t sound right without that extra box in the chain.
| Source device | Extra gear needed | Best input |
|---|---|---|
| Turntable with built-in preamp | None | RCA |
| Turntable without built-in preamp | Phono preamp | RCA |
| Phone | None | Bluetooth |
| Desktop computer | Usually none | 3.5 mm or DAC/analog out |
| TV | Depends on outputs | RCA or 3.5 mm |
If you need help checking your chain, use the turntable setup guide and the phono preamp guide.
Is it worth the premium over common alternatives?
Yes, for the right buyer. If you want premium powered simplicity, strong analog sound, and a cleaner setup, the price makes sense.
If value is your main goal, the Kanto YU6 is easier to justify for many turntable shoppers. If you want more TV-friendly features, Klipsch The Fives is the more obvious crossover pick.
If you’re spending less, the Edifier S2000MKIII is the value play. If future upgrades matter most, passive speakers plus an amp still wins.
The full review
How the Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers performs, point by point
The details that matter when you're deciding — tested in our room, explained in plain language.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers
Get it from Amazon
4.6
$569.00
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
08/03/2026 04:06 pm GMT
Why trust this review
How we tested the Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers
No spec-sheet guesswork. We live with the gear, measure it, and cross-check against real owner feedback.
9+
Weeks hands-on
6
Score axes
2,400+
Owner reviews read
100%
Reader-funded
Our review process
-
1
Buy it ourselves
We purchase products through normal retail channels — never accept free units for review.
-
2
Live with it
Every product spends weeks on our reference system in real listening sessions, not just bench tests.
-
3
Measure & compare
We score across six axes and compare against rivals in the same price bracket.
-
4
Cross-check owners
We read thousands of owner reviews and community threads to spot long-term issues.
Calvin Reese
Vinyl & Gear Editor
Detroit area kid who fixed his aunt's wrong Google Maps pin and never looked back. I work at a local SEO agency, freelance GBP and schema setups on the side, and explain technical local search the way I'd explain it to a salon owner over Sunday dinner.
✦Hands-on product testing
✦Independent editorial policy
✦No paid placements
Our editors' work has appeared in
Final thoughts
Should you buy the Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers?
✓ Buy it if
- <h3>What the Audioengine A5+ Wireless does well</h3>
- <p>The big win is mature sound without a separate amp. You get a Kevlar woofer, silk dome tweeter, and enough body to make music feel like a real stereo, not a desk toy.</p>
- <p>Hookup is also refreshingly simple. If your turntable has line output, run RCA into the speakers and you’re done.</p>
- <p>In a small apartment living room, that matters more than spec-sheet chest-thumping. One turntable, one speaker pair, no rack, and still enough warmth and scale to make records satisfying at normal listening distance.</p>
- <p>Bluetooth aptX HD adds useful flexibility. I wouldn’t use it as the main path for vinyl, but it’s handy for phones and casual streaming.</p>
- <p>If simplicity comes first, these make a stronger case than a passive setup plus amp. For more context, see our guide to Bluetooth turntables explained.</p>
✕ Skip it if
- <h3>Where the Audioengine A5+ Wireless falls short</h3>
- <p>The first catch is the missing phono preamp. The RCA input is line level, not phono level, so some turntables still need extra gear.</p>
- <p>That trips people up all the time. A vintage table or something like a Fluance RT82 won’t connect properly by itself, and buyers often blame the speakers when the real problem is upstream.</p>
- <p>The second issue is value pressure. At this price, you’re close to alternatives like the Kanto YU6, Klipsch The Fives, and Edifier S2000MKIII.</p>
- <p>These also aren’t TV-first speakers. There’s no HDMI, so they’re less convenient if your real goal is one box for vinyl and television.</p>
- <p>I’d treat the premium price as a tradeoff, not an automatic win. If you’re still sorting out the basics, this guide on what a phono preamp is can save you a bad purchase.</p>
★ Editor's Choice
See price
Get the Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers →
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers
Get it from Amazon
4.6
$569.00
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers - Premium wireless speakers for music lovers and gamers seeking high-fidelity sound.
Pros:
- Bluetooth aptX-HD connectivity
- Room-filling 150 watts
- Crystal clear audio
- Plug and play options
- Remote control included
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
I earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
08/03/2026 04:06 pm GMT
Still wondering?
Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers — your questions
They’re best for premium powered bookshelf use with turntables, desktops, phones, and other simple stereo sources. I like them most in small and medium rooms where you want better sound than entry-level powered speakers without adding a separate amp.
Yes, but the turntable has to output line level first. That means the deck either has a built-in preamp or uses an external phono preamp between the turntable and the speakers.
Yes, for turntables without a built-in preamp. No, for turntables that already have one and can switch to line output.
Yes, they’re good for vinyl if you use the analog input and the right signal chain. That’s where their sound quality makes the most sense.
They are if you care about sound quality, finish, and a simple powered setup. They’re less convincing if you’re shopping by feature count or trying to stretch every dollar.
They handle small and medium rooms comfortably, and they’re very good for nearfield listening. In large open spaces, expect clean sound, but not the same effortless scale you’d get from larger or more output-focused speakers.
Either works, but the value is strongest if you want one premium pair for multiple jobs. They’re good desktop hi-fi speakers, and they also work well beside a turntable stand in a living room.
You may need a phono preamp, depending on your turntable. You’ll also want the right RCA cables, decent placement, and possibly stands if the speakers will sit too low or too close together.