The catch
Audioengine HD5
Optical brings no HDMI CEC volume control, so check how you will operate the speaker remote.
Side by side
Audioengine HD5 vs A5+ Wireless: HD5 brings optical TV audio and a main cabinet that is shallower
Quick verdict
HD5 is the one if a TV or player with an optical output has to connect directly. HD5 adds that direct optical connection, and its main cabinet is 1.21 inches shallower than the A5+ Wireless. A5+ Wireless makes sense when analog and Bluetooth already cover your sources and its body fits. HDMI TV control, computer USB audio and a phono stage are missing from both. HD5 takes care of the optical connection, but not every part of a one-remote television routine.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The TV can decide how many boxes end up on the shelf
If the TV outputs optical and has no suitable analog output, HD5 connects directly, while A5+ Wireless needs a compatible converter or another route. A converter adds a box and a cable to the setup and usually needs power. When a partner wants the furniture kept clear, HD5's optical input can count for more than its nominally similar driver size. The TV does have to send a supported format. None of this promises that the TV's usual remote will control volume over optical.
Where this comes from
Having an optical input, applied to a setup that is explicitly optical-source. Converter requirements depend on circumstances, and no price is quoted and no remote behavior is guaranteed.
The catch
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
An optical-only TV needs a compatible converter or a different source route, since there is no optical input.
Audioengine HD5
- Why pick it
- You'd rather not buy an external digital-to-analog converter, and your TV or player has an optical output.
- Your furniture is fairly shallow, and the main cabinet has to fit on it.
- The catch
- Optical brings no HDMI CEC volume control, so check how you will operate the speaker remote.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Why pick it
- The whole source plan comes down to an analog player you own plus Bluetooth from a phone.
- You don't need an optical input, and the deeper main cabinet fits.
- The catch
- An optical-only TV needs a compatible converter or a different source route, since there is no optical input.
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What this page compares
HD5 or A5+ Wireless for TV and everyday music: optical compatibility, usable shelf depth and the computer or turntable adapters that either may call for.
For Bluetooth and analog music, these Audioengine pairs cover the same ground. When the television has no usable analog output, HD5's optical input is what changes the source chain.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A television that outputs optical and has no usable analog output
The optical feed goes straight into HD5.
- Audioengine HD5
- Better fit
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
The analog and Bluetooth setup you have needs no additional input
Both handle the sources listed, and the optical advantage is not needed in this case.
- Audioengine HD5
- Good
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Good
The powered cabinet goes on shallow furniture
Before clearance, the HD5 main cabinet is 1.21 inches shallower.
- Audioengine HD5
- Better fit
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
HDMI control of TV volume is required
Both lack HDMI ARC.
- Audioengine HD5
- Not suitable
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
The TV can decide how many boxes end up on the shelf
If the TV outputs optical and has no suitable analog output, HD5 connects directly, while A5+ Wireless needs a compatible converter or another route. A converter adds a box and a cable to the setup and usually needs power. When a partner wants the furniture kept clear, HD5's optical input can count for more than its nominally similar driver size. The TV does have to send a supported format. None of this promises that the TV's usual remote will control volume over optical.
How we worked this out
Having an optical input, applied to a setup that is explicitly optical-source. Converter requirements depend on circumstances, and no price is quoted and no remote behavior is guaranteed.
A model that is a bit wider may suit shallow furniture better
HD5 is 0.16 inch wider than A5+ Wireless, yet its main cabinet is 1.21 inches shallower. That means a quick look at the front can give you the wrong answer for a narrow media unit. Measure from front to back on the powered side, which is where the source cables come in. Published dimensions leave out the space needed behind the cabinet, and the A5+ passive cabinet is shallower than its active one, so compare the correct side.
How we worked this out
7.16 − 7 = 0.16 inch of width. 9 − 7.79 = 1.21 inches of active-cabinet depth. The A5+ active and passive depths are not the same.
Bringing in work audio and records may leave two connections unsolved
The optical input on HD5 is useful, but it neither makes a USB-only laptop a compatible wired source nor amplifies a raw turntable cartridge signal. On both pairs you need a suitable computer audio path, plus a phono stage if the turntable doesn't have one. When those are the two sources you use most, compare the full adapter plan before you call HD5 a universal connectivity upgrade. Sources that already output line level skip that extra work on either pair.
How we worked this out
The complete documented input sets, set against two source requirements that depend on circumstances. No missing feature is inferred from an incomplete listing.
Option A
Audioengine, HD5
HD5
You'd rather not buy an external digital-to-analog converter, and your TV or player has an optical output.
- Best for
- You'd rather not buy an external digital-to-analog converter, and your TV or player has an optical output.
Facts we checked
- Optical source: Digital optical input
- Active cabinet depth: 7.79 inches
- Cabinet width: 7.16 inches
- TV remote: No HDMI ARC
Option B
Audioengine, A5+ Wireless
A5+ Wireless
The whole source plan comes down to an analog player you own plus Bluetooth from a phone.
- Best for
- The whole source plan comes down to an analog player you own plus Bluetooth from a phone.
Facts we checked
- Optical source: No optical input
- Active cabinet depth: 9 inches
- Cabinet width: 7 inches
- TV remote: No HDMI ARC
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Audioengine HD5 | Audioengine A5+ Wireless | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical source | Digital optical input | No optical input | On an optical TV connection, HD5 can do without a converter. |
| Active cabinet depth | 7.79 inches | 9 inches | At the powered cabinet, HD5 gives back 1.21 inches of body depth. |
| Cabinet width | 7.16 inches | 7 inches | Though HD5's main body is shallower, it is slightly wider. |
| TV remote | No HDMI ARC | No HDMI ARC | The HDMI CEC control path is not offered by either. |
| USB and phono | No USB audio or phono stage | No USB audio or phono stage | Those missing source functions are not made up for by the optical upgrade. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Audioengine HD5
- Separate compatible hardware may still be needed for a USB-only computer and for a turntable with no preamp.
With Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Mute whichever source you do not want to hear, because the two analog inputs stay active together.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
What is missing is a connection for optical source audio
Go with Audioengine HD5. That digital input is part of HD5.
Every source is already covered by analog and Bluetooth
Go with Audioengine A5+ Wireless. For that plan, the A5+ Wireless connections are enough.
Decision guide
Before you buy
A pair meant for music should take over the TV's sound without adding another converter and power lead to the furniture.
What this page can’t tell you
- HD5 fields for Bluetooth version, chip and weight conflict, so they were left out. No ranking of sound quality is inferred.
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 HD5 |
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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 HD5
You'd rather not buy an external digital-to-analog converter, and your TV or player has an optical output.
Your furniture is fairly shallow, and the main cabinet has to fit on it.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudioengine A5+ Wireless
The whole source plan comes down to an analog player you own plus Bluetooth from a phone.
You don't need an optical input, and the deeper main cabinet fits.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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