Audioengine A5 - inputs required

[sreenisatish]

I currently have the Altec Lansing MX 5021E 2.1 speaker system. I am pretty happy with the speakers for both movies and music. I would like to step up the set up one notch - and I am thinking of getting the Audioengine A5. I was trying to get hold of the Swan M200MKII, but have given up hope.

I usually prefer headphones for critical music listening. I have the Denono AH-D2000 headphones (which are great), but due to some health reasons, I can't use earphones/headphones for a while. So, planning to get speakers meanwhile.

Input will be a PC with the Asus Xonar Essence ST sound card. I mostly listen to CDs and loseless FLAC and occassional high quality MP3s.
Music preferences: Jazz, rock, blues, metal, classical, indian film, electronic. (Well, that's almost everything, eh? What can I do? I listen to everything).
I watch HD movies - have a Blu Ray drive on the PC - so, I would like to use these for movie playback too.

I have a few questions on the A5 though, which you guys may be able to help:
1. Will it be much better than the MX 5021 for music?
2. Will it be much better than the MX 5021 for movies?
3. Can I use the A5 along with the MX 5021 subwoofer (would like this for movies)? If yes, how do I go about it? 3.5mm splitter cable - one to A5 and one to the sub and of course leave the speaker connections on the sub disconnected? Is this a good idea at all?
4. Any ideas of the price for which the A5 is selling in India? I found them online for about Rs. 19500. Is this a fair price?
5. Is there anything better I can get in this price range?

Any help would be highly appreciated!

 

[haraakiri]

IMHO ae5 is two notches above mx5021. for music there is hardly any comparison, you would love ae5. In moves for action scenes you would miss mx5021's bass. Atleast I do.

 

[techboy]

Even I feel that A5 should be significantly better than MX 5021 for music. In fact, it is decently better than both my Sony music system and my previously owned Pioneer HT. And just for your info, there have been claims that they can been whole Bose HTs to the ground.

check bajaao.com You can get the bamboo edition for like 20400.

But I would honestly recommend either of these:

Go for Adam Audio at bajaao.com

Buy a Norge or Harman Kadon stereo receiver and buy a Wharf 9.1 or up.

Either of these would compare/beat the AE5s.

Adam A5 and above will definitely beat the AE5.

 

[techboy]

Even I feel that A5 should be significantly better than MX 5021 for music. In fact, it is decently better than both my Sony music system and my previously owned Pioneer HT. And just for your info, there have been claims that they can been whole Bose HTs to the ground.

check bajaao.com You can get the bamboo edition for like 20400.

But I would honestly recommend either of these:

Go for Adam Audio at bajaao.com

Buy a Norge or Harman Kadon stereo receiver and buy a Wharf 9.1 or up.

Either of these would compare/beat the AE5s.

Adam A5 and above will definitely beat the AE5.

 

[diabloReigns]

1. Will it be much better than the MX 5021 for music?
Definitely, yes.

2. Will it be much better than the MX 5021 for movies?
Yes.

3. Can I use the A5 along with the MX 5021 subwoofer (would like this for movies)? If yes, how do I go about it? 3.5mm splitter cable - one to A5 and one to the sub and of course leave the speaker connections on the sub disconnected? Is this a good idea at all?
Yes. They have audio out, which can be connected to external AVR or other speakers.

4. Any ideas of the price for which the A5 is selling in India? I found them online for about Rs. 19500. Is this a fair price?
Probably, yes.

5. Is there anything better I can get in this price range?
don't know, probably some second hand stuff.

 

[sreenisatish]

Thanks a lot for the inputs guys! Gives me confidence in going for the A5.

Good to know that they have an audio out.

Now, hoping that they will be available.

 

[diabloReigns]

if you are in bangalore sometime, you are most welcome to drop in for an audition.

 

[sreenisatish]

Anyone know any place where I can buy these?
The online sites either are not picking up their phones or are out of stock.

 

[soberoi]

try Audio Products India, Audio Engine - Powered stereo speakers for your home and office. or mail to Aman @ [email protected]

 

[techboy]

Personally, Adam Audio for slightly more could be a much better buy. From bajaao.com. They were previously unavailable for this price in India. But now that they are, it is probably a no-brainer.

 

[audiodelic]

personally, adam audio for slightly more could be a much better buy. From bajaao.com. They were previously unavailable for this price in india. But now that they are, it is probably a no-brainer.

+9734.675309

 

[sreenisatish]

@techboy
Which model of Adam Audio?

 

[techboy]

Adam Audio is a lot more expensive though. I was looking at the prices of single monitors, a pair will cost at least 36k.

That is the Adam Audio A5.

A3X pair = 33k

 

[doors666]

i would recommend you to go for a separate amplifier and speakers. your source is quite decent and you can do much better than a5. get a used amplifier, even a poweramp will do as you are using a sound card and that has volume and tone control. check the for sale section, there were some decent used amps for sale.

why i am saying this is because i have a feeling that if u go with a5, you will itch to upgrade within an year

 

[sohels]

It is hard to beat the performance/convenience of the Audioengine A5 for the price. Does the Altec Lansing sub have a line-level rca input?

 

[techboy]

I would personally recommend the Aktimates. They are new in business. You can perhaps squeeze in an Aktimate Mini for 20-25k or so. Check out their website.

They are the next AE2s and actually a little better than even AE5s

 

[sohels]

I would personally recommend the Aktimates. They are new in business. You can perhaps squeeze in an Aktimate Mini for 20-25k or so. Check out their website.

They are the next AE2s and actually a little better than even AE5s

They look interesting for sure: Aktimate Mini. The one gripe I have about the A5 is the lack of a remote control. Any idea about the sound sig relative to the A5?

 

[rana_kirti]

A5 would be much better than your current Speakers... However for a little more the Aktimate Minis should be a touch better.

Either one of them would be a satisfying buy...!!!

 

[techboy]

The Aktimate minis will cost at least around 25-30k or more. So be prepared to shell out quite a bit more compared to the AE5 which don't even cost 20k.

 

[sreenisatish]

Thanks, guys for the inputs. I finally made up my mind to dish out a lil more dough to get the KRK Rokit RP6 G2 active speakers!