Audioengine’s A2+ Wireless is a fantastic entry-level speaker system for anybody who doesn’t want to spend more than $300. The sound is crisp and accurate. It can connect to a turntable, desktop or laptop; or you can use it as a glorified Bluetooth speaker, just with way better stereo separation. If you need a final selling point on the A2+ Wireless, it’s this: the best bookshelf speakers under $300 just got way easier to use.

Audioengine’s A2+ Home Music System speakers sound bigger than their compact footprint might suggest. They produce great audio that really impressed in my tests when listening to music, but some connectivity options are outdated.

Audioengine's A2+ Wireless speakers are ideal for anyone who doesn't want to sacrifice stereo separation, accuracy, or DSP-free audio in the Bluetooth era.

designing and producing a sub-$300/pair speaker and keeping it in production, with upgrades, for more than a decade is not very common in the land of the audiophile. At least in my experience. There are many reasons why this shouldn’t work, but Audioengine makes it work. The A2+ Wireless Speakers are little treasures of sound that offer more than you’d expect given their price and size [footnote 1]. Did I mention they’re cute? If you set your expectations on musical enjoyment, the A2+ deliver.

I’m not going to go audiophile on you and describe the minutest nuances of the speakers, because that would completely miss the point: these are desktop speakers and are only $249, and for $249 you get such quality sound it’s ridiculous. And what’s more, they sounded so good that I started listening to them instead of my main stereo—that’s how much I liked the A2+ Powered Desktop Speakers. As aforementioned, I even went a little crazy and switched all the stock cables with audiophile-grade versions from Audioquest and WireWorld. Unnecessary? You bet. But I mention this because how many 6″ desktop speakers have USB, RCA, and 3.5mm inputs, RCA output, can accept banana, spade, or bare speaker wire, and sound this good for only $249? At that price, the A2+ speakers seem like the perfect gift for the recent high school graduate, or college student, or really anyone who needs great sound in a small form factor. Sprinkle a little sugar on top with the D3 DAC, and you’ve got a winning combination that can now improve on-the-go sound for a grand total of $438. Ahem, I have USB cables that cost more than that. Now if only I had had a pair of these when I was in college, life would have been sweet.

The Audioengine A2+ Bluetooth music system is a diminutive Bluetooth desktop audio solution with a sense of style. Offering pronounced stereo imaging, plenty of fine detail, and premium build quality, these versatile speakers are well worth a look when space is limited. Power output is relatively low though, and bass addicts will need to budget for a subwoofer.