N22 (Gen 2) Premium Desktop Audio Amplifier with Bluetooth aptX
Technical Specifications
General specifications
Type
Compact Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Rated Power Output: 22W RMS per channel at 4 ohms (measured in compliance with 16 C.F.R. § 432.3)
Peak Power Output: 100W per channel at 4 ohms (AES)
Amplifier type
Dual Class D TDA 7492 amplifier
Input voltages
110-240V, 50/60Hz auto-switching
Inputs
RCA and 1/8″ (3.5mm) mini-jack
USB-C
Outputs
RCA variable preamp
Speaker outputs
5-way binding posts
SNR
>95dB A-weighted
THD+N
<0.02% at all power settings
Crosstalk
-50dB
Frequency response
20Hz-22kHz ±1dB
Input impedance
10K ohms unbalanced
Input sensitivity
410mV (@max volume)
Protection
Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
Headphone amplifier
Burr-Brown/TI OPA2134
Dimensions
7″(H) x 2.75″(W) x 5.5″(D)
Weight
3.55 lbs (1.6kg)
Shipping weight
5.0 lbs (4.6kg)
Shipping box dims
11.5″(H) x 7.5″(W) x 9.5″(D)
Finish
Satin Black
Upstanding design
The vertical design of the N22 with its integrated stand allows the 22 watt/per channel stereo class D TDA 7492 amplifier to run cool through passive convection without a fan or massive heatsink. The N22 fits easily on your desk and doesn’t take up much space.
Discrete headphone amplifier
For headphone enthusiasts the N22 includes a high-performance, low-noise discrete amplifier which works well with all types of headphones and earphones.
Variable line out
The N22 includes a variable preamp output so you can connect a subwoofer, external amplifier, or Audioengine wireless adapter and control the volume of the line-out from the front panel.
Simple operation
Both audio inputs on the N22 are active so two audio sources may be connected to the amplifier at the same time without the need for an input switch. A standby idle mode is also included to conserve power when you’re not playing music.
Wireless rear speakers
Use the N22 amp, Audioengine P4 passive speakers, and our W3 wireless adapter for a low-cost but great-sounding wireless rear channel setup for your home theater.
Quickstart Guide
N22 Quick SetupStep 1 - Placement
Set the N22 amplifier on a solid surface and make sure there is plenty of ventilation and space around the amplifier top and bottom. The integrated stand is not designed to be removed as the N22 uses a passive convection system for heat dissipation. Keeping your N22 upright with the stand attached is important for optimal ventilation and to keep your N22 running cool.
Step 2 - Connecting the Speaker Wire
The N22 is a stereo power amplifier that will power one pair of passive speakers between 4 and 8 ohms. To connect N22 to your speakers you will need 2-conductor stranded speaker wire, which is included. The N22 uses high quality, ve-way gold plated binding posts that will accept heavy gauge bare wire, banana plugs, spade lugs, or pin terminators. If you use your own speaker wire we recommend using at least 16 gauge wire and using the same length of wire from the amplifier to each speaker. It's also a
good idea to turn off your amplifier before connecting power, audio sources or speakers.
Preparing the Speaker Wire
- Separate the last 3” of each speaker wire conductor.
- Strip ½” of insulation from the end of each wire.
- Twist the exposed copper strands with your fingers 3 or 4 times so the strands stay together.
Note: As you make your connections, be sure to connect the positive (+) terminals on your amplifier to the positive (+) terminals on your speakers. Even if your wire does not have (+) or (-) markings, most 2-conductor speaker wire has printing on one side to help you differentiate between the wire pairs.
If you are Using Bare Wire
- Use your thumb and finger to unscrew the binding post connectors on the back of each speaker.
- Insert each speaker wire into the holes on the side of the binding post connectors, observing proper polarity.
- Retighten the binding posts with your fingers.
- The stripped portion of the wire should be secured firmly in each connector.
- Make sure that none of the speaker wire strands have come in contact with an adjoining terminal.
- Repeat steps 1 and 5 to connect speaker wires to the amplifier.
Step 3 – Connecting the Power Supply
Be sure that the volume/power switch on the front panel is in the OFF position by rotating it counterclockwise until you hear a click.
Connect the cable with the round end from the power supply to the N22 rear panel power connector. Note that this connector is “keyed” so line up the arrow on the cable end with the arrow on the rear panel. Please do not use excessive force on the connector and use only the power supply provided with the amplifier.
Connect the AC power cable from the power supply to a power outlet and verify that the indicator light on the power supply is illuminated. We recommend using a high-quality surge suppressor and/or AC line lter on all electronics equipment.
Step 4 – Connecting Audio Sources
Using the appropriate audio cable (3.5" mini-jack and/or RCA cable), connect your audio source (computer, iPod, etc.) to the N22 audio inputs. One of each cable type is included with your amplifier.
Step 5 – Operation
Turn on the N22 volume/power knob and set the volume control to an initial setting of about 3 o’clock. The front panel power indicator will be illuminated. Turn on your audio input source and adjust the volume to your desired listening level.
Note that both audio inputs on the N22 are active so two audio sources may be connected to the amplifier at the same time without the need for an input switch. We recommend using the volume control on each audio source to adjust the overall system volume.
For the full setup guide, download the attached PDF:
N22 SetupGuide
N22 Setup Video
Troubleshooting
N22 Troubleshooting TipsThe following troubleshooting tips can help diagnose and correct most concerns with the N22. We have attempted to make this list as comprehensive as possible. So, even though some of these may not apply to your issue, please still go through each one.
If the power indicator LED on the N22's external power supply unit is not on, then try these tips:
- Connect the AC power cord to the power supply unit and to a working AC power outlet.
- Plug the cable at the other end of the power supply into the rear of the N22.
If the power supply light is on but you are experiencing an audio-related issue, try these tips:
- Verify that the volume/power control on the front panel is not all the way down or off.
- Ensure that your audio source is on and that the volume level is not too low.
- Check speaker wire connections from the amp to the speakers by removing the speaker wire from each speaker and then reconnecting. Also check the speaker wire polarity by verifying that the wires are going to same terminals on both speakers.
- Unplug and reconnect the cable(s) from your audio source(s) to the amplifier.
- Try decreasing the volume of the input audio source and increase the volume of the N22 amp.
- Try using different audio input sources and/or devices to see if the problem follows.
- Listen with headphones if possible to see if the issue is present there as well.
- Try swapping your left and right speaker to see if the issue remains in the same channel or if it follows the speaker.
- When using the N22 with a computer, make sure the volume is up on your media player, internet radio, master control, device volume, etc. and that the balance control is centered.
- If you are using a wireless adapter, preamp, or an external DAC with your N22, remove these (temporarily) and connect the audio source directly to the speakers.
- If your input source has its own EQ (equalizer), please make sure the low end is at a moderate level. Too much bass in your signal can cause some unwanted distortion.
- Move your N22 and speakers to a different location to see if something is causing interference in the current setup. Something as simple as a wireless internet router, cordless or mobile phone, or halogen lamp nearby can cause interference.
FAQ's
Type
Compact Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Rated Power Output: 22W RMS per channel at 4 ohms (measured in compliance with 16 C.F.R. § 432.3)
Peak Power Output: 100W per channel at 4 ohms (AES)
Amplifier type
Dual Class D TDA 7492 amplifier
Input voltages
110-240V, 50/60Hz auto-switching
Inputs
RCA and 1/8″ (3.5mm) mini-jack
USB-C
Outputs
RCA variable preamp
Speaker outputs
5-way binding posts
SNR
>95dB A-weighted
THD+N
<0.02% at all power settings
Crosstalk
-50dB
Frequency response
20Hz-22kHz ±1dB
Input impedance
10K ohms unbalanced
Input sensitivity
410mV (@max volume)
Protection
Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
Headphone amplifier
Burr-Brown/TI OPA2134
Dimensions
7″(H) x 2.75″(W) x 5.5″(D)
Weight
3.55 lbs (1.6kg)
Shipping weight
5.0 lbs (4.6kg)
Shipping box dims
11.5″(H) x 7.5″(W) x 9.5″(D)
Finish
Satin Black
Upstanding design
The vertical design of the N22 with its integrated stand allows the 22 watt/per channel stereo class D TDA 7492 amplifier to run cool through passive convection without a fan or massive heatsink. The N22 fits easily on your desk and doesn’t take up much space.
Discrete headphone amplifier
For headphone enthusiasts the N22 includes a high-performance, low-noise discrete amplifier which works well with all types of headphones and earphones.
Variable line out
The N22 includes a variable preamp output so you can connect a subwoofer, external amplifier, or Audioengine wireless adapter and control the volume of the line-out from the front panel.
Simple operation
Both audio inputs on the N22 are active so two audio sources may be connected to the amplifier at the same time without the need for an input switch. A standby idle mode is also included to conserve power when you’re not playing music.
Wireless rear speakers
Use the N22 amp, Audioengine P4 passive speakers, and our W3 wireless adapter for a low-cost but great-sounding wireless rear channel setup for your home theater.
If you are experiencing issues with your speakers when connected via USB on a Windows 10+ operating system, it might be due to the DCH (Declarative, Componentized, Hardware Support Apps) drivers. While DCH drivers offer many benefits, they can sometimes cause compatibility issues with USB audio devices, resulting in problems such as delays when sound starts, poor audio quality, or the speakers not being recognized properly.
Solution: To resolve these issues, we recommend switching from DCH drivers to non-DCH (standard) drivers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do that:
- Uninstall the Current DCH Drivers:
- Open the Device Manager on your PC.
- Locate your audio device under "Sound, video, and game controllers."
- Right-click on the device and select "Uninstall device."
- Ensure you check the option to delete the driver software for this device to completely remove the DCH drivers.
- Download the Non-DCH Drivers:
- Visit the support website of your motherboard or computer manufacturer.
- Navigate to the driver download section and find the non-DCH Realtek (or appropriate) audio drivers for your system.
- Install the Non-DCH Drivers:
- Download and run the installer for the non-DCH drivers.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Restart Your PC:
- After installing the non-DCH drivers, restart your computer to apply the changes.
By switching to non-DCH drivers, the compatibility issues with your USB speakers should be resolved, allowing you to enjoy optimal audio performance.
Additional Tips
- Check for Firmware Updates: Ensure your speakers have the latest firmware installed. Visit the manufacturer’s website for firmware updates that may improve compatibility and performance.
- USB Ports: Try connecting your speakers to a different USB port to see if the issue persists.
- Contact Support: If you continue to experience issues, please contact our customer support team. Provide details about your operating system, motherboard model, and the specific problems you are encountering.
We hope this helps you resolve any issues and enhances your experience with our speakers. If you have further questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.
Audioengine operates two websites, audioengine.com and audioengineeu.com. If you go to any other site but these, they are not an Audioengine site. For Canada, Mexico and most of Europe and the UK, we only sell through Amazon. There are also a host of authorized retailers and sites across the US, and they can be found here. For international sales, we have distributors that operate independently, and they can be found here.
What happens if I buy from an authorized site claiming to be Audioengine? Unfortunately, there is not much we can do. We are taking all the action we can to make sure those sites don't get indexed, but we recommend you work with the provider of the card you used to make payment to get your money back.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open Terminal:
- You can find Terminal in your Applications folder under Utilities, or you can use Spotlight by pressing Cmd + Space and typing "Terminal".
- Execute the Command:
- In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
bash
Copy code
sudo pkill bluetoothd
- Enter Your Password:
- After pressing Enter, you will be prompted to enter your password. Type your Mac's administrator password and press Enter.
- Note that when you type your password, it won't be displayed on the screen (not even as asterisks). Just type it and press Enter.
By following these steps, you should be able to reset your Bluetooth service on your Mac, which can help resolve connectivity issues with your Audioengine devices or any other Bluetooth peripherals.
Make sure to maximize your audio source volume/s connected to the N22 and lower the N22 volume dial to minimize naturally occurring noise floor that can come thru the speakers when amplifiers are turned up high.
We take great pride in our products, and go through great lengths to ensure consistency and quality. For that reason, this item was randomly selected for an additional step of Quality Assurance.
No, there are no firmware updates or special drivers needed unless you own our A1-MR multi-room speakers or our B-Fi multi-room wireless streaming device.
If a firmware update is released for the A1-MR or the B-Fi, you will be notified of the update the next time you open the Audioengine Control App. If an update is needed, simply click "update" on the DEVICES page next to the product that needs to have the firmware update applied. The app will handle the rest of the process from there!
Standard plug-n-play drivers that are provided by your computer's OS are utilized when using the USB input on our A2+, HD3, and HD4 speaker models.
And all of our Bluetooth speakers/products are compatible with any device that supports Bluetooth, and the A2DP profile for streaming stereo audio. This includes most smartphones, tablets, and computers. For computers that don't include Bluetooth support out of the box, you can simply add a USB Bluetooth adapter.
On the A2+ Wireless/HD3 models with an external power supply brick, first test it by plugging into wall power and observing the LED light on the brick to see if its solid, blinking, out. If it's blinking or out, the power supply is likely faulty.
If the light is solid, proceed to plugging into the speaker and observe the power supply brick LED once more. If it's blinking or out, there is likely an issue with the internal amp. Contact support if either has an issue.
This is actually normal behavior. It's is a tradeoff of using an analog potentiometer for the N22. Analog potentiometers are tactile, and don't require a microprocessor like a digital encoder would, but they sometimes do have some volume imbalance at lower levels. An easy solution for this is to raise the volume of your N22, and lower the volume at your source device.
Yes, plugging in headphones will bypass the speaker output so audio will play through your headphones only.
Sure, the N22 has a power-saving idle mode that activates after you stop playing music.
The N22 needs to be kept upright with the stand attached for proper cooling.
Yes, the N22 uses an external switching power supply so it will automatically convert to a different voltage when plugged in. The power cable is also detachable which makes it convenient to replace the AC plug with a different type if you don't want to use an adapter plug.
Yes, the N22 amp + P4 passive speakers + W1 or W3 wireless stereo adapter will make a great-sounding wireless rear channel setup.
Yes, simply connect the full-range output of the N22 into your sub's line-level input. The sub and speaker volume can be controlled together by the N22 volume control.
Sure. We've included two 5-foot, 16-gauge speaker wires with the N22 but any "stranded" speaker wire will work. The standard-size speaker binding posts on the back of the amp will accept bare stranded wire, however if you want to terminate the wires we recommend using spade or pin-type terminals.
Yes, the N22 will work well with headphones or earphones with an impedance from 16 to 300 ohms.
The N22 is an efficient design and works great with any 4, 6, or 8 ohm passive speakers, including the Audioengine P4!