great budget speakers - audioengine a5

srb · « **Reply #60 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 07:01 pm »

From your post and pictures, the impression was that you were somehow using both together, the iPod docked in the Cocoon and the speakers connected to the Jolida.

Obviously if you are only using one or the other, then that makes sense.

But how are you intending to use either amplifier with the Audioengine A5 powered speakers, as neither amplifier has preamp outputs?

Steve

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #61 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 07:14 pm »

Just to get a lil bit more volume and get better bass

ted_b · « **Reply #62 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: chgolatin2 on 25 Feb 2010, 07:14 pm

Just to get a lil bit more volume and get better bass

We're not asking "why" we're asking "how"! The A5 is a powered speaker with its own amp, and accepts only line level inputs (meaning your gonna use the A5 internal amp whether you like it or not). Any integrated amp is gonna need to feed the line level in via pre-outs (meaning the integrated's own amp is out of the path anyway). So, tell us how you plan on working this. Thx

funkmonkey · « **Reply #63 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 09:23 pm »

I would heartily suggest getting the Audioengine P4 speakers if you are going to be using them with an integrated amp connected via speaker outs. They are a passive design and do not include an internal amp. The A5s are designed to be fed directly from a source (i.e. iPod, CD player, audio out...). I am not sure what would happen if you ran wires from speaker outs to the A5s (I am sure the right one (passive) would be fine, but the left???). It would void the warranty, if nothing else.

Anyway, check out the P4s, I am sure they will sound great with even the most modest amp, and they will save you a couple of dollars since you don't seem actually to need the powered version.
Cheers

low.pfile · « **Reply #64 on:** 25 Feb 2010, 10:11 pm »

Ted B's comment was more thorough and clearer than my question. Powered speakers usually do not have speaker level inputs like passive speakers. Specifically, the A5 has only mini jack (3.5mm) input or ipod dock connector input (at top). i.e. Source -> powered speakers

A5 rear panel:

pic link: http://www.fredsoundofmusic.com/audioengine_back_A5.jpg
(NOTE: the binding posts on the right top are outputs ot the right speaker)

Only some integrated amps (or receivers) have unamplified pre-outs (RCA) which bypass that unit's amp. If that is the case with your Jolida you would not be able to aggregate the amps' power the way you have planned.

Chgolatin, check out the A5 setup guide: http://www.audioengineusa.com/downloads/A5%20Setup%20Guide.pdf

JP78 · « **Reply #65 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 05:54 am »

Quote from: chgolatin2 on 25 Feb 2010, 06:53 pm

I may not be to savy but why can't I do it? The Speakers should work w the Jolida or the Roth since both unit only put out about 13 wpc hmmmmm

The speakers need an RCA level input, and plugging in an amplified speaker-level to the RCA's from an integrated amplifier will burn them out for sure. *Unless* you bought the passive P4 series of speaker, in which case rock on.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #66 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 08:08 am »

No, I wasn't aware of this issue I may have to returned them

my thinking was that if my amp was putting out ONLY 10 or 13 WPC that I could buy a speaker with an amp and increase the volume output to louder levels

~

srb · « **Reply #67 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 09:46 am »

In your "High Efficient Bookshelf" topic, when someone recommended the Audioengine A5 powered speakers my reply was:

"I thought the whole idea of this thread was to find more efficient, non-metal domed tweetered passive speakers that would be used with the existing Jolida FX10 tube integrated?"

Steve

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #68 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 09:33 pm »

Yes, you are correct Steve... Well, lesson learned but I still got the speakers at an awesome price

time to do some shopping AGAIN!

srb · « **Reply #69 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 10:07 pm »

Well, I'm not stopping until every room in the house has sound. Right now only one of the two bathrooms has audio!

Re: Audioengine P4 - I'm not sure why they offer a P4 model with 4" midbass driver, instead of a P5 passive version of the A5 with 5" midbass driver, but without the amplifiers.

Steve

ted_b · « **Reply #70 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:20 pm »

Quote from: srb on 26 Feb 2010, 10:07 pm

Well, I'm not stopping until every room in the house has sound. Right now only one of the two bathrooms has audio!

Re: Audioengine P4 - I'm not sure why they offer a P4 model with 4" midbass driver, instead of a P5 passive version of the A5 with 5" midbass driver, but without the amplifiers.

Steve

Prolly so we can't do the math (cost of amp, etc) as easy.

srb · « **Reply #71 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:31 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 26 Feb 2010, 11:20 pm

Prolly so we can't do the math (cost of amp, etc) as easy.

That's actually a very good possible reason. But those that are using a passive speaker with an external amp probably aren't looking to shave an inch or two off of cabinet dimensions, like you might need or want to do for limited space desktop use.

Given the choice, I know I'd go for the 5" driver over the 4" version every time.

Steve

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #72 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:36 pm »

You know these speakers are so good I was thinking of buying another pair. There just isn't anything that can touch them in their price class. The sound and build quality is top notch. And... guess where they are made!

ted_b · « **Reply #73 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:43 pm »

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 26 Feb 2010, 11:36 pm

You know these speakers are so good I was thinking of buying another pair. There just isn't anything that can touch them in their price class. The sound and build quality is top notch. And... guess where they are made!

California....ok, close enough to Made in USA for me..

srb · « **Reply #74 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:48 pm »

According to the back panel photo in a previous post, they're "Assembled in China".

Steve

ted_b · « **Reply #75 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:50 pm »

That's actually true. They are 'designed in the US" but like almost everything hi-tech manufactured these days they are assembled overseas in China.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #76 on:** 26 Feb 2010, 11:55 pm »

Nothing wrong with that. For the most part I don't have a problem buying anything made on planet earth.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #77 on:** 14 Mar 2010, 01:36 pm »

Hmm, got my A5 in Bamboo, nice sounding speaker however I'm going to sell them so if anyone is interested shoot me a PM, these are in mint condition. Nice sounding for what they are however they dont fulfill my needed needs.

Doublej · « **Reply #78 on:** 14 Mar 2010, 03:04 pm »

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 26 Feb 2010, 11:36 pm

You know these speakers are so good I was thinking of buying another pair. There just isn't anything that can touch them in their price class. The sound and build quality is top notch. And... guess where they are made!

Wind Chaser,

What have you compared these to? Have you heard the new self active Swans or any of the pro monitors from KRK etc. The question I have is at $400/pair can an active speaker (i.e. biamplified with an active crossover) outdo a powered speaker (single amplifier with a passive crossover) or do you need to spend more money for an active speaker to really shine.

chgolatin2 · « **Reply #79 on:** 16 Mar 2010, 09:23 pm »

I really havent compared them to anything as of yet, cant be spending money on other speakers to just test them. Since I am running a 10 wpc tube amp I wanted something to work with it, but these do not fit the bill. Thats for sure. Now if you have an ipod these speakers will do the trick