Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsYowsa -- simply wonderful for all my eclectic tastes
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
I started a full-time remote gig and wanted to upgrade my sound system since I no longer have to encase my ears in headphones if I want to listen to music while I work. I had a Sonos move that I love so tried that but because of the height, had to put it off to the side. Suboptimal.
Decided to try the Sonos Soundbar but alas, don't have an extra HDMI port in my dock or MacBook. Airplay was finicky at best to the point of going back to the Sonos.
Read about the A2+s on various review websites and they were highly regarded. I liked the fact that I could connect either via the headphone jack or via Bluetooth. I decided to go for this version since it has the volume knob on the front and well, shallow as it sounds, I like the wood finish.
I was concerned about the size as I don't have enough room to side of my dual 32-inch monitors. But I decided to lay them on their sides and they are perfect size that way -- not too wide so my monitors aren't obstructed. They aren't too deep so still plenty of room in front of them for my keyboard and trackpad. And height -- plenty compact (much more so than the relatively small Sonos Soundbar).
Setup was a piece of cake ... as was Bluetooth pairing. At first, I wasn't blown away with the bass -- particularly compared to what you can get with other bluetooth speakers like Sonos and JBLs etc. But that was using Pandora as a source. When I started playing using the Apple Music app and the built in equalizer to bump up the bass, they really came alive. But what gets me is the sound stage is just mind-blowing for the size of these speakers. Even though the edges are 8-12 inches from the edges of my monitors, it feels like the entire 5-foot span of my desk is covered.
I love classical music to alternative rock and some (by my standards) edgy Guns N Roses etc and everything has sounded great. If you love classical music (my predominant genre), you will REALLY appreciate the details from the mids and highs.
If your primary listening source is Pandora where you can't optimize the treble and bass to your taste, you might be disappointed. However, if you go with Apple Music (and would assume Window's media player which has the same ability to adjust the sound parameters), you should really find these up to you listening standards... as long as those listening standards don't necessarily include hip hop and Rap which is designed to make your whole body feel the vibrations.
As I said, I currently have these lying flat on their sides. I did order the 15-degree risers that are recommended for these speakers and waiting for those to be delivered any minute now and suspect that will make these sound even better.
I wanted good pure sound but didn't want something that was going to take up what little remaining real estate I have on my desk. These definitely fit my needs. I'm in a relatively small room and I am sitting RIGHT in front of them so not sure if these would be as satisfying if I was using as room speakers.
Are these worth the extra money compared to the A2+? I don't know. Supposedly they have an upgraded DAC and Headphone amplifier. Plus the nifty little volume knob on the front. If you are on a budget, then the A2+ might be just fine for your needs.
[LCAR]
