Audioengine A1-MR

Audioengine is best known for crafting accuracy-focused speakers that avoid digital signal processing (DSP)—no small feat in the era of wireless audio. Its new A1-MR speakers ($229) are a Wi-Fi-based update to the Bluetooth-only A1 ($199). Like the A1, the speakers deliver crisp, balanced audio with real stereo separation. And thanks to Wi-Fi they also support lossless playback and work with an app that enables multiroom streaming. We wish the app had some form of EQ and that the speakers didn't drop Bluetooth support completely, but that doesn't change the fact that they sound just as good as the A1 and offer more versatility. If it's Bluetooth you're after, the original A1 speakers are still available, while the $299.95 Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 are our Editors’ Choice in the category.

Distinctive Design

The A1-MR's handsome black-gray speaker cabinets are made of sturdy MDF and measure 6.0 by 4.0 by 5.3 inches (HWD) each. The powered left speaker weighs 3.4 pounds, while the passive right speaker is 2.4 pounds. In traditional Audioengine style, you won't find a speaker grille anywhere—the drivers are exposed, as is the ported area beneath the woofer. The speakers are video-shielded, which means you can place them close to monitors without affecting the picture.

Each cabinet houses a 2.75-inch, aramid fiber-woven glass composite woofer (with rubber surrounds) and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter (with a neodymium magnet); they deliver a frequency range of 65Hz to 22kHz. If that low-frequency cutoff feels a bit high, keep in mind that you get an LFE output for connecting a subwoofer. The class-D amplifier for the 60W system delivers 30 watts of peak power per channel and 15 watts RMS.

The back panel of the left speaker includes a 3.5mm input for the two included audio cables, one of is a which is a 3.5mm cable, while the other has a 3.5mm connector on one end and an RCA connector on the other for stereo gear. Audioengine doesn't include a cable for the LFE subwoofer out, but the system does ship with a speaker wire that connects to the backs of both speakers. The bundled power cable connects at the bottom of the panel, and the power and volume knob sits at the top of the left speaker’s back panel. 

The back of the left speaker also has a status button that lights up, for example, when it's connected to your Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, the Bluetooth functionality from the original A1 doesn't carry over; we're not sure why Audioengine completely separated these features.

We also wish the speakers were angled upward slightly. Even if you place them on small desktop stands, the tweeters likely won't align with your ears due to their relatively low stature. Wedged stands solve this problem (Audioengine sells such stands for $29 and $39) because they position the speakers at a more optimal angle for listening. Your impression of the sound signature won't be accurate without those stands.

App Capabilities

Setting up the system with the Audioengine Control app (available for Android and iOS) is a simple and quick process. Once you pair the speakers with the app, you need to give the app permission to access your music files before you can play audio from it. This integration doesn’t offer any clear advantage over the typical way of playing music through your device’s music app—with an iPhone, for instance, you can simply select A1-MR from the AirPlay menu to play audio through the system.

However, the app also lets you set up multiroom streaming over your wireless network and name your various speakers. It also includes support for several music streaming services, such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Tidal, so you can access all of your music in one place.

One notable omission here is EQ. A simple EQ would allow you to tweak the sound signature if it isn't quite as crisp or robust as you prefer, or otherwise compensate for room acoustics that might dull or brighten the sound.

Clear and Balanced Presentation

On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the speakers deliver powerful low-frequency depth, though the sub-level lows aren’t present; as mentioned, the system has a subwoofer output to handle those. The speakers don't sound thin by any means, but they focus more on the lows and low-mids, as far as bass goes.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, better reveals the sound profile. The drums on this track sound full and natural—some lows are present, but not particularly thunderous. Callahan’s baritone vocals command just as much presence in the lows. The mids and highs receive equal emphasis, which allows the acoustic strums to come across full and bright. The speakers sound excellent because of this mids-focused delivery. 

On Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild,” the kick drum loop receives an ideal amount of high-mid presence (and a bit of additional thump) that allows its attack to retain its punch. The vinyl crackle and hiss also take a slight step forward in the mix. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat hint at the low-frequency power, but to experience these sounds, you need to add a subwoofer. The vocals sound pleasing, clear, and free of sibilance.

Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, benefit from lovely detail and balance. The lower-register instrumentation plays a subtle role in the mix—the focus is on the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals, but because of the strong midrange presence, nothing sounds thin. A subwoofer can bring out the depth of the deepest lows and percussive hits on tracks like this, but without one, the speakers still deliver a rich and detailed audio experience.

In testing, we sporadically encountered interruptions to wireless playback even over a solid 2.4GHz connection. For instance, when we loaded a website on the same device we were using to stream audio to the speakers, we experienced temporary playback issues. This may or may not be a deal breaker depending on how you plan to use the speakers.

Impressive Audio Over Wi-Fi

Audioengine's A1-MR speakers deliver quality DSP-free audio in a relatively compact design with real stereo separation. Of course, bass lovers should consider adding a subwoofer for true low-end extension, and we wish the app included EQ, but this system will still appeal to many based on its strong and balanced signature alone. If you’re looking for a true 2.1 experience, the $300 Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 are an excellent alternative with powerful bass and a unique design. For less, Logitech's Z407 system delivers a strong, theater-like experience for just $109.99. And if you prefer Bluetooth connectivity over Wi-Fi, Audioengine’s original A1 speakers produce the same high-quality sound for slightly less money.