The catch
Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
Neither built-in Bluetooth nor computer USB audio is present. The USB socket only charges accessories.
Side by side
Audioengine A5+ Wired vs Wireless: Wireless adds music from a phone, but neither adds USB computer audio
Quick verdict
A5+ Classic Wired fits when an existing analog source stays connected and you don't need phone playback. A5+ Wireless is for households where people often bring music on their phones and built-in Bluetooth saves a separate receiver. A wire runs between the speakers on both, both have always-open RCA and 3.5 mm analog inputs, and neither takes USB computer audio. On the Wired model, the USB output only charges. Pause or mute an analog source you don't want to hear, instead of counting on an input selector to isolate it.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Guests can play music more easily, yet the household still has to manage the handoff
On A5+ Wireless, a guest can use Bluetooth without hunting for an analog adapter or adding a receiver. Only one source device connects at a time, though, so a phone that is already connected may be what stops the next person from playing. Agree on who disconnects before handing the music over. Wired makes sense when one analog player stays in charge, but occasional playback from a phone then takes another compatible device or cable. Neither setup is a multi-user Wi-Fi music system.
Where this comes from
Built-in Bluetooth and one connected source, set against playback by visitors or a shared household. No universal phone codec or automatic handoff is assumed.
The catch
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
In this name, Wireless means Bluetooth for source audio. The pair still has a speaker wire and needs mains power.
Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
- Why pick it
- Your regular source is a turntable with a suitable preamp or some other analog player.
- You either have no need for Bluetooth or already get it from a compatible external receiver.
- The catch
- Neither built-in Bluetooth nor computer USB audio is present. The USB socket only charges accessories.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Why pick it
- Guests or people in the home want to play audio from compatible phones with no receiver added.
- There is a safe path for the speaker wire and power that the speakers still require.
- The catch
- In this name, Wireless means Bluetooth for source audio. The pair still has a speaker wire and needs mains power.
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What this page compares
A5+ Classic Wired or A5+ Wireless for a shared desk with phone music? Here are the USB trap, the analog inputs that stay open and the wire that remains.
An Amazon listing can make these two exact A5+ configurations easy to mix up. What mainly separates them is built-in Bluetooth. Neither is a cable-free stereo system.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
An unchanging analog source, no playback from a phone
The analog job described is handled by either model. Built-in Bluetooth is not needed here.
- Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
- Good
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Good
Guests often want to play music off their phones
Wireless has Bluetooth, which connects one device at a time.
- Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
- Caution
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Better fit
Direct USB audio from a work laptop is required
USB audio input is missing on both.
- Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
- Not suitable
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Not suitable
An input selector has to keep two analog sources isolated from each other
Both analog inputs stay open at once.
- Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
- Not suitable
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Guests can play music more easily, yet the household still has to manage the handoff
On A5+ Wireless, a guest can use Bluetooth without hunting for an analog adapter or adding a receiver. Only one source device connects at a time, though, so a phone that is already connected may be what stops the next person from playing. Agree on who disconnects before handing the music over. Wired makes sense when one analog player stays in charge, but occasional playback from a phone then takes another compatible device or cable. Neither setup is a multi-user Wi-Fi music system.
How we worked this out
Built-in Bluetooth and one connected source, set against playback by visitors or a shared household. No universal phone codec or automatic handoff is assumed.
A work alert may break into someone else's record
Both A5+ models leave their two analog inputs open at the same time. Leave a computer plugged into the 3.5 mm input while a turntable's preamped output feeds RCA, and an email alert can sound over the record. When you want that, it is handy. In a room shared for work and music, it is awkward. Mute the computer or send its alerts elsewhere before handing the room over. Choosing the Wireless version does not isolate the two analog sources from each other.
How we worked this out
The manufacturer documents that analog inputs play simultaneously, and that is applied here to a computer and a line-level turntable. Nothing is inferred about how Bluetooth mixes.
A USB socket in plain view can steer you into the wrong laptop purchase
The USB port on A5+ Classic Wired supplies power and does not carry audio. Wireless has no USB audio either. When a new work laptop offers only USB-C, both models need a suitable audio adapter or some other supported path. On Wireless, Bluetooth may cover some uses, but workplace restrictions and source compatibility could rule that out. Check the computer first, and do not pick Wired just because its back panel seems to have the socket you need.
How we worked this out
The charging-versus-audio distinction, applied to a USB-only computer and possible restrictions on work devices. No employer policy is assumed.
Option A
Audioengine, A5+ Classic Wired
A5+ Classic Wired
Your regular source is a turntable with a suitable preamp or some other analog player.
- Best for
- Your regular source is a turntable with a suitable preamp or some other analog player.
Facts we checked
- Phone playback: No built-in Bluetooth
- Computer USB: Charging-only USB output
- Two analog sources: RCA and 3.5 mm remain active together
- Speaker connection: Powered left cabinet and wired right cabinet
Option B
Audioengine, A5+ Wireless
A5+ Wireless
Guests or people in the home want to play audio from compatible phones with no receiver added.
- Best for
- Guests or people in the home want to play audio from compatible phones with no receiver added.
Facts we checked
- Phone playback: Bluetooth, one connected source at a time
- Computer USB: No USB audio input
- Two analog sources: RCA and 3.5 mm remain active together
- Speaker connection: Powered left cabinet and wired right cabinet
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired | Audioengine A5+ Wireless | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone playback | No built-in Bluetooth | Bluetooth, one connected source at a time | With Wireless you skip the separate Bluetooth receiver, though handover steps remain. |
| Computer USB | Charging-only USB output | No USB audio input | Direct USB audio from a laptop is something neither offers. |
| Two analog sources | RCA and 3.5 mm remain active together | RCA and 3.5 mm remain active together | Unless you mute them at the source, computer alerts can sound over another analog source. |
| Speaker connection | Powered left cabinet and wired right cabinet | Powered left cabinet and wired right cabinet | The interspeaker wire is still there on the Wireless model. |
| Active cabinet body | 10.75 H by 7 W by 9 D inches | 10.75 H by 7 W by 9 D inches | Adding Bluetooth does not get you a smaller main cabinet. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
- Before reaching either analog input, a turntable with no preamp needs a suitable phono stage.
With Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Only one source device can be connected over Bluetooth at a time, so passing playback to someone else may mean disconnecting the current device first.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Every use is already covered by the analog player you have
Go with Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired. Wired provides that source path and leaves out built-in Bluetooth.
The household regularly needs to play directly from a phone
Go with Audioengine A5+ Wireless. Wireless includes the receiver, though the wired link between speakers remains.
Decision guide
Before you buy
Guests should be able to play music easily, with no extra complication for the wired desk setup. Keep in mind that the Wireless name doesn't cover every connection in the room.
What this page can’t tell you
- No winner on sound quality or latency is named. The always-open behavior applies to the documented analog inputs.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the powered speakers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired |
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| Audioengine A5+ Wireless |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Audioengine A5+ Classic Wired
Your regular source is a turntable with a suitable preamp or some other analog player.
You either have no need for Bluetooth or already get it from a compatible external receiver.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudioengine A5+ Wireless
Guests or people in the home want to play audio from compatible phones with no receiver added.
There is a safe path for the speaker wire and power that the speakers still require.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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