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The best computer speakers
By Daniel Varghese and John Higgins This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to computer speakers. If you listen to music, watch movies, or play games through your desktop or laptop computer, you could use a good set of computer speakers. Our favorite pair is the Mackie CR4BT set, which sounds great and is simple to set up and use. Plus, these speakers won't take up too much space on your desk and they pair easily with your mobile devices via Bluetooth. We recommend the Mackie CR4BT computer speakers because they deliver a full, balanced sound, whether you're listening to bass-heavy rap music, ambient soundscapes, or conference calls. Intuitive design choices—like placing the volume wheel on the front and allowing either the left or right speaker to connect to the power source—make this system easy to set up and use throughout your day. Though the speakers are a bit larger than others we tested, they're still small enough that they won't take over your desktop. We aren't crazy about the neon green accents on the speaker's face, though; we would prefer different color options. If you're willing to compromise a bit on sound quality and connection options to save money, consider the Mackie CR3 set. It has most of the same convenient features and design elements as the Mackie CR4BT but in a smaller form with a smaller woofer—which means the speakers can't play quite as loud or as deep as the CR4BT. The CR3 also lacks Bluetooth, so it doesn't connect as easily to your mobile devices. Still, these are by far the best-sounding computer speakers we've tested in this price range and a significant upgrade for anyone who has been using their computer's built-in speakers. For the music lover who demands better audio quality—and is willing to pay more to get it—the Audioengine HD3 set is the closest thing we've found to a perfect set of computer speakers. It has substantially better sound quality and a smaller, more elegant design than the Mackie CR4BT. Plus the HD3 has a more comprehensive connection panel, with both analog and USB inputs and a subwoofer output for people who want to add a subwoofer. Bluetooth with aptX HD is also built in. However, the HD3 costs twice as much as the CR4BT. If you watch a lot of movies or play cinematic video games at your desk, you might prefer a computer speaker system that includes a subwoofer to reproduce deep bass notes. Of all of the 2.1-channel systems we tested, the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX set had the best sound quality, about as full and balanced as the Mackie CR4BT but with more potential bass response. Dialogue and acoustic instruments sounded clear and crisp, and the subwoofer effectively filled in the low end. The speakers have a very small on-desk footprint and sport a subdued but stylish design, but the connection options are limited.
The audio gear we recommend to students
A life without music is a pretty dull one. Obviously, you need to make sure you're ready for the school year with some solid headphones, a decent pair of speakers and something good to listen to. There's an overwhelming number of choices out there when it comes to personal audio, but because we review this stuff year round, it was easy for us to just cull the list for you. Whether you need something with noise-cancelling to block out an annoying roommate, or headphones for the gym that shrug off sweat, we've got you covered. And, what you listen to on those speakers and headphones is just as important. You'll want to stay on top of the latest podcast sensation and you need a way to stream the new Bon Iver album for your crush. But remember, music isn't just a passive experience: We're also recommending a few tools for the budding songwriter and producer. It may sound cliché, but these are some of the most important years of your life, and how you soundtrack them will stay with you forever.
The best Bluetooth audio receiver for your home stereo or speakers
By R. Matthew Ward This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After doing 13 hours of research and considering 76 models, we performed dozens of hours of real-world testing and 13 additional hours of focused, in-depth testing on the top 14 Bluetooth-audio receivers for adding wireless connectivity to an existing audio system. We think the StarTech BT2A Bluetooth Audio Receiver is the best receiver for most people thanks to its combination of connectivity, range, audio quality, and usability at a reasonable price.
The best audio gear for students
There's a strong case to be made for investing in quality audio gear at any period in your adult life. For college students in particular, though, a good set of speakers can be icebreakers as much as gateways into audiophilia. As such, we've included three options in our back-to-school buyer's guide, along with a turntable and amplifier, should you be more creatively inclined. Content to just listen to music and podcasts on the way to class? We have a few headphones you should check out, too.
Engadget giveaway: win a pair of HD6 speakers courtesy of Audioengine!
Yesterday was 808 Day, and even if we're a little bit late celebrating a classic drum machine, the bass must go on. Luckily, Audioengine has provided a pair of its flagship HD6 powered bookshelf speakers, so that one lucky reader can push the audio spectrum around like a boss. These compact, yet powerful speakers include built-in amplifiers along with analog and digital inputs to cover any setup. There's also Bluetooth aptX connectivity for high-resolution wireless audio streaming. You'll get 150W peak power from this pair, through the 5.5-inch Kevlar woofers and one-inch silk tweeters. These specs and more help explain why we've also listed these speakers in our Turn it Up! Back to School Guide. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this powerful Audioengine HD6 speaker system. Winner: Congratulations to James M. of Auburn, NH!
The best tech for students who like to party
That's all students, right? Right? While not everyone will be headed to toga parties on frat row (we applaud your decision there), all of you are going to need some gear to keep you amused when class isn't in session. In addition to some of the more predictable stuff, like speakers and a Chromecast, we have some more off-kilter recommendations, including an electronic dartboard, a USB turntable, a "music festival survival kit" and even a vaporizer, if that's your idea of a good time. Check out the gallery below for all our party gear picks, and make sure to peruse our full back-to-school guide right here.
Audioengine's HD6 powered speakers pack Bluetooth and a built-in amp
If you're not familiar with the name Audioengine in regards to speakers and other audio gear, allow us to introduce you. The company may not be a big-name brand, but it has a knack for stellar sounding tech. Adding to its arsenal this week, Audioengine debuted the HD6 powered speakers. Inside the dapper wood veneers and magnetic speaker grilles, there's a built-in amplifier, 24-bit optical input from the company's D1 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and high-fidelity Bluetooth with aptX. Audioengine says it took pieces from some its best-selling gear and combined them with its signature sound inside the new retro-styled cabinets. All of the usual connections and remote control are there as well, making the HD6 a solid option for handling the audio from your mobile device, turntable, television and more. In addition to the aforementioned walnut and cherry wood finishes, you'll also have the option of satin black. The Audioengine HD6 speakers are available now for $749, so get ready to empty your piggy bank.
XBMC audio engine gets big rewrite, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio hit your media hub
Fans of XBMC who've wanted their HTPCs to replace the higher-end components of a home theater setup, like Blu-ray players and higher-end receivers, are having their wishes fulfilled through a completely reworked sound system. AudioEngine, as it's called, can processevery stage of audio encoding and decoding, even with 7.1-channel formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. As the code uses more precise floating point math, the improvements can bolster heavily compressed audio and allow for upmixing from stereo to a native surround format. Sound should sync more closely to video and avoid any jarring interruptions from system sounds, too. The AudioEngine update is still limited to experimental nightly builds of XBMC, so don't be surprised if something goes awry, but it's slated as part of the main development track and should be a boon for just about any XBMC media junkie before long.
Passivists rejoice, Audioengine P4 bookshelf speakers now on sale
We gave the sound quality Audioengine packed into its powered A2 speakers big thumbs up, but because there's different strokes for different folks, the company has added the more conventional P4 passive speaker to its virtual shelves. Whether you want to use a "spare" receiver, don't want to pay for an onboard amp, or think you can match up a system better than Audioengine's engineers, the P4 might be for you. No blow-molded plastic here, these $249/pair two-ways weigh in at 6-pounds each and have a 4-inch kevlar mid/woofer and a 0.75-inch silk tweeter. The price is right between Audioengine's powered A2 and A5 speakers, but we suspect the performance is closer to the bigger A5s. Available in black, white or bamboo, and with threaded inserts on the back and bottom, you could sprinkle these throughout the homestead. Full PR after the break.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a pair of Audioengine A5 speakers!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got a pair of Audioengine A5 speakers on offer. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting!Special thanks to Audioengine for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share the name of your favorite pet, that would be cool too (FYI: ours are Salvador and Penny) You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one pair of Audioengine A5 speakers. Approximate value is $349. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Tuesday, March 31st, 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers!
We know that you're being crushed under the seemingly endless weight of economic despair and financial strife, and we want to help. That's why Engadget is giving away one gadget every day until we run out of stuff and / or companies stop giving us products to hand out. It's our little way of putting the recess back in recession! Today you'll be playing for a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers, so read the full rules below, and start commenting! Special thanks to Audioengine for providing the gear! The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one pair of Audioengine A2 speakers. Approximate value is $199. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Wednesday, February 18th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Audioengine puts wires out of work with AW2 wireless iPod adapter
Earlier this year, Audioengine rolled out the practically universal AW1 wireless audio adapter, and we certainly enjoyed our time with it. Now, the outfit is making the anticipated leap to iPod-dom with the sequentially named AW2. Put simply, the kit contains two main pieces: a transmitter that plugs easily into your dock-connecting 'Pod and a USB-based receiver with a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. The system operates on the WiFi frequency band and promises no dropouts, static or interference from CB radios whizzing by your domicile. We should mention, however, that you'll pay quite dearly for the privilege of beaming your tunes sans cables, though it's available now for those who don't mind at $169.[Via GadgetReview]
The little engine that can: Audioengine A2 speaker review
In our review of Audioengine's AW1 wireless audio adapter, we tipped our hand a bit: our interest in Audioengine's products started with the idea of setting up wireless surround channels. Let's face it: nobody likes fugly wires running along the baseboards, pulling wires through the attic (when it's even an option) is a hassle and carrying wires through crown-moulding isn't exactly plug-and-play, either. For rear-channel purposes, pairing the AW1 along with active speakers makes sense, especially if you're trying to minimize the aesthetic downside of your audio setup. Putting a whole separate receiver in the back of the room is no way to go, and even a small zone amplifier is just another box you're going to have to hide. As luck would have it, Audioengine has a small active speaker, the A2, that fits the bill. Much like the AW1, however, the A2 had some surprises for us.%Gallery-18467%
Look mom, no wires: Audioengine AW1 wireless audio adapter review
In case you missed it from this year's CES coverage, wireless connectivity across your A/V gadgetsphere is poised to be the next big thing, and one look behind the component stack of a modern setup will tell you all the reasons why. It's a rat's nest back there! Unfortunately, like most CES "big things," it will be a little while before this new feature really breaks out into mainstream products. But while wireless video may have to wait, the lower bandwidth requirements of audio make it a good candidate for wireless. With that in mind, we decided to take Audioengine's AW1 wireless audio adapter for a spin. Follow us after the break to get our experience with these little USB dongles that promise to set your audio free from its copper cage.
Audioengine intros AW1 wireless audio bridge
Powered-speaker manufacturer Audioengine has jumped into the speaker cable-free audio market with its AW1 wireless adapter. It looks like a focused solution that simply moves audio from one place to another, which we like because it won't lock you into speakers, amps or communication protocols. And better yet, it sounds simple to use -- plug in audio to the 3.5-mm jack on the transmitter, break out 3.5-mm audio on the receiver side, supply USB power to the units, pair the two halves and you're done! Transmission is done over 802.11 (but with a claimed data rate of 340Mbps), latency is less than 20-ms and the signal-to-noise ratio is a respectable 91dB. That's certainly good enough for wireless surround channels, so what are you waiting for?[Via digitalhomethoughts]
