Table of Contents 

• Introduction 
• Main Differences Between Bose Music Wave and Audioengine B2 
• Key Specifications 
• Key Features 
• Overall Design 
• Playback Capabilities 
• Other Noteworthy Features 
• Reliability 
• Pros and Cons 
• Conclusion 

Introduction 

When choosing a high-quality home music system, both Bose and Audioengine are prominent names in the industry. However, while the Bose Music Wave has been around for decades, the Audioengine B2 Home Music System offers a more modern take on premium audio. This comparison aims to delve into the specifics of each system, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision. 

Main Differences Between Bose Music Wave and Audioengine B2 

The primary differences between the Bose Music Wave and Audioengine B2 lie in their design philosophy, sound quality, and connectivity features. The Bose Music Wave, released in 1993, is a legacy product with outdated features and a high price tag that does not justify its performance in today's market. On the other hand, the Audioengine B2 emphasizes superior sound performance, modern connectivity, and handcrafted design. 

Key Specifications 

Bose Music Wave: 

• Type: Integrated music system 
• Release Year: 1993 
• Original Price: $349 (equivalent to $600 in 2024) 
• Amplifier: Built-in amplifier 
• Drivers: Proprietary Bose speaker technology 
• Connectivity: CD player, AM/FM radio, auxiliary input, optional Bluetooth (added later) 
• Dimensions: 4.2” H x 14.6” W x 8.6” D 
• Weight: 8.7 lbs 

Audioengine B2: 

• Type: Powered Bluetooth speaker 
• Amplifier: 60W peak power total (15W RMS / 30W peak per channel), Class D 
• Drivers: 2.75” aramid fiber woofers, 0.75” silk dome tweeters 
• Connectivity: Bluetooth aptX, 3.5mm analog input 
• Dimensions: 4.25” H x 12.25” W x 5.50” D 
• Weight: 10.0 lbs 

Key Features 

Totorus," Cat, 2012. https://flickr.com/photos/totorus/8088287827 (accessed July 3, 2024). Licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Bose Music Wave: 

• Outdated Design: Combines multiple outdated audio sources in one unit. 
• Basic Connectivity: Includes CD player, AM/FM radio, and an auxiliary input. Optional Bluetooth was added much later. 
• High Cost: Originally priced at $349, equivalent to $600 today, without offering modern features. 

Audioengine B2: 

• High-Fidelity Sound: Utilizes premium components for superior audio quality. 
• Bluetooth aptX: Provides CD-like audio quality with extended range. 
• Handcrafted Cabinets: Made with real wood veneers, available in Walnut and Hi-Gloss White finishes. 
• Compact and Portable: Designed for easy placement and portability. 

Overall Design 

Bose Music Wave: The Bose Music Wave features a dated design that reflects its 1993 release. Its integrated form factor is bulky by today's standards, making it less suitable for modern home decor. The design focuses on combining multiple outdated audio sources in one unit, which may not appeal to contemporary users. 

Audioengine B2: The Audioengine B2 showcases a modern speaker design, with a focus on craftsmanship and premium materials. The hand-crafted wood cabinets not only enhance the acoustic performance but also add a touch of elegance to any room. The compact size and portability make it a versatile option for various spaces. 

Playback Capabilities 

Bose Music Wave: The Bose Music Wave offers basic playback capabilities, including a CD player and AM/FM radio. These features, while popular in the 90s, are now considered outdated. The optional Bluetooth adapter, added later, lacks the advanced audio quality of modern Bluetooth standards. 

Audioengine B2: The Audioengine B2 focuses on delivering high-fidelity sound through its Bluetooth aptX technology and built-in digital to analog converter. This ensures that every playback retains the artist's original intention with unmatched clarity and detail. The 3.5mm analog input provides additional connectivity options for wired sources. 

Other Noteworthy Features 

Bose Music Wave: 

• Alarm Clock Function: Built-in alarm clock with dual alarms. 
• Remote Control: Comes with an easy-to-use remote control. 
• Proprietary Waveguide Technology: Enhances sound quality using Bose's patented technology, though now outdated. 

Audioengine B2: 

13-Step Painting Process for Hi-Gloss White Finish 

Audioengine's B2 Home Music System in Hi-Gloss White undergoes a detailed 13-step painting process, the same used for a baby grand piano.  

This process includes initial sanding to smooth the wood surface, followed by the application of each layer before intermediate sanding ensures a flawless finish.  

The surface is polished to achieve a high-gloss, mirror-like finish, like a baby grand piano. Each cabinet undergoes a final thorough inspection, and hand detailing ensures the finish is perfect, resulting in a stunningly elegant and durable Hi-Gloss White cabinet for the B2 Home Music System. 

• Magnetic Speaker Grill: Protects the speakers while minimizing distortion. 
• Effortless Setup: No network setup, no passwords, just plug and play. 
• 3-Year Warranty: Industry-leading warranty and exceptional US-based customer support. 

Reliability 

Bose Music Wave: Bose's Music Wave system, while reliable in its time, is now outdated. The brand's legacy doesn't compensate for the lack of modern features and the high cost. 

Audioengine B2: Audioengine's B2 Home Music System is highly reliable, with numerous 5-star reviews and a high average rating. The brand's commitment to quality is evident in the B2's construction and performance, backed by a comprehensive 3-year warranty. 

Pros and Cons 

Bose Music Wave: Pros: 

• Basic connectivity with CD player and radio 
• Trusted brand history 

Cons: 

• Outdated features and design 
• High price point without modern capabilities 
• Bulky and less suitable for modern decor 

Audioengine B2: Pros: 

• Exceptional sound quality with Bluetooth aptX 
• Elegant, handcrafted design 
• Versatile connectivity options 

Cons: 

• Lacks integrated audio sources like a CD player and radio 
• Slightly heavier and less compact than other modern speakers 

Conclusion 

Choosing between the Bose Music Wave and Audioengine B2 ultimately depends on your audio needs and preferences. If you value modern sound quality, elegant design, and versatile connectivity, the Audioengine B2 Home Music System is the superior choice. While the Bose Music Wave offers basic connectivity and a legacy brand name, it falls short in terms of modern features and value for money. The Audioengine B2 stands out with its high-fidelity sound, premium materials, and excellent customer support, making it the better option for today's audio enthusiasts. 

Can Alexa Connect to Bluetooth Speakers?

Remember how in old science fiction movies a character could just talk out loud to a spaceship and it would do anything they commanded?

The idea of voice control technology has long been embedded in our expectations for the “future”, and even though most of those old science fiction movie-makers couldn’t imagine computers any further-advanced than those already available in 1979, they certainly hit the nail on the head with their forecast of voice control.  Nowadays, with the help of products like Amazon Echo (and its voice-controlled personal assistant ‘Alexa’), users can control aspects of their home just by verbalizing simple commands.  But even with the huge strides this technology has made in recent years, it’s impossible to get audiophile-quality sound from the speakers in an Amazon Echo product.  Audioengine can help with this, but before we dive into how, let’s talk a little more about the Amazon Echo.

Is your Amazon Echo killing your audio quality?

First, while Echo and Alexa do in fact go hand-in-hand, they are not the exact same thing.

Echo is a line of smart speakers manufactured by Amazon, and Alexa is an intelligent personal assistant software used to control Echo.  Users can speak aloud to give Alexa, and therefore Echo, verbal commands (always beginning with the wake word, ‘Alexa’) such as, “Alexa, play my favorite song,” or “Alexa, what’s on my calendar this Saturday?”  Alexa will respond accordingly, so long as the questions asked or commands given are within Alexa’s realm of capability. With tons of Echo-compatible add-on products on the market, there really isn’t a whole lot that falls outside of Alexa’s wheelhouse.

The most common commands Alexa handles are music-related: whether it’s calling up a Spotify playlist, turning up or down the volume, or finding a specific song you haven’t heard in years but are randomly thinking about and absolutely have to hear right this second!!  The accessibility is astounding, no doubt, but its main consequence is that you are forced to listen to all your music on Echo’s built-in speakers instead of your own beastly audio system.  This is not to say Amazon has ignored their sound quality altogether, but realistically there’s only so much a single speaker housing of that size can handle.  Suffice it to say, there are limitations.

Luckily, Amazon has implemented a crucial feature which expands its functionality to accommodate customers who want to be able to interact with Alexa and still enjoy listening to podcasts, music, and stock tips through exterior systems. That’s right, it’s quick and easy to connect your Echo to Bluetooth speakers:

• Open the Alexa App (Apple link  |  Google Play Link)
• Tap the “Devices” icon and select the Echo device you want to connect to speakers
• Select “Bluetooth Devices”
• Select “Pair New Device”
• Find your Audioengine Wireless speaker on the list of available Bluetooth devices

Bang, you’re done!

Now you can treat Alexa as if it were any other input device; you can still have whatever other devices you so choose connected to your Audioengine speakers, and since Alexa can control Echo’s volume with a simple, “Alexa turn down volume,” you can leave Audioengine’s volume knob exactly where you like it and adjust volume accordingly with Alexa.  If you have our S8 Powered Subwoofer connected wirelessly to your mains, this configuration will still work which means you’ll get full-spectrum high fidelity audio when listening to all your favorite songs, without sacrificing the unparalleled convenience provided by a product like Amazon Echo.  This will also work with our standalone B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver in the event you have a set of wired speakers you want to turn into wireless speakers.

Modern technology is really opening up doors... and windows... and exhaust fans... it’s basically blasting the roof off the whole place.

We are reaching the point where we can do just about anything we want with voice control technology, as long as we have all the right accouterments.  Products like Amazon Echo make life so easy it hurts... perhaps it hurts so good that you want to lie down and say, “Alexa, play ‘Hurts So Good’ by John Mellencamp.”  Don’t worry – we designed Audioengine Wireless speakers to do the rest.

Connecting Google Home to Bluetooth Speakers

Consumer electronics designers are, and have been, on a perpetual quest to give users the most streamlined experience imaginable.

At this point in time it seems like modern-day designers have exceeded the bounds of what most of us could have ever imagined in the first place.  Think about it, there is an app for literally everything; just by downloading a simple program onto your phone or tablet, your life can become easier.  Wearable technology, like Apple Watch, and smart speakers, like Google Home, tie all of your electronics together to make technology and user-friendliness a lifestyle rather than a rare luxury.  Today we are going to talk a little more about one of the leading products, what it does, and how Audioengine can take it one step further; that product is Google Home.

What Is Google Home?

Offically, this piece of technology is touted as a “Smart Speaker and Home Assistant.”

A smart speaker is one of those sleek futuristic speakers that sits on your friend’s kitchen counter, plays whatever music someone tells it to, and sometimes has a snarky robotic comeback to your sarcastic remarks.  There are a number of big brands making smart speakers (some of which we’ll discuss in other articles) and all of them have their pros and cons.  One “pro” to the Google Home is the “Home Assistant” part.  Google Home has an accompanying downloadable app that allows users to customize how the device interacts with and controls their home; lights, thermostats, coffee makers, and pretty much anything else can be controlled by Google Home and accessories.  Once you have all of your desired devices properly connected and configured, turning them on and off is just one voice command away... how much easier can life get?

When it comes to music, smart speakers make calling up the right tune an absolute breeze.  Google Home can control apps such as Spotify, YouTube, and iHeartRadio among others, so you can tell it to play just about any song in the world.  Google Home will even call up playlists you’ve saved within your music streaming apps, and you can tell the device to increase and decrease volume, pause, skip, and any other command you would typically give a media player.  There is just one drawback; while Google Home offers a few different sizes (featuring different speakers), the product’s focus is not audiophile-grade sound quality.  For that, we need to bring Audioengine into the mix.

How Can Audioengine Take Google Home Further?

You’re taking a step up in the world of consumer electronics and you’ve decided to purchase Google Home; you care about user-experience and you strive to stay ahead of the pop culture curve. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a quality listening experience.  As I always say, what good is having access to every song in the world if you’re just going to play them through an inadequate sound system?  That’s like sharpening a hunting knife so you can cut hot butter with it.

Luckily, the Google Home App (iTunes  |  Google Play) allows users to send audio to external Bluetooth speakers. Whether it’s the humble B2 Wireless Speaker, or a full-fledged pair of active Audioengine speakers such as the A5+ Wireless, Google Home is capable of transmitting your beloved music to your sonic system.  Bam!!--we just completed the full circle of user-friendliness and ear-friendliness.  It may sound complicated merely by description, but it’s actually extremely easy to configure, just follow the quick steps below:

• Download and open the Google Home App on your phone or tablet.
• Navigate to the “Devices” tab within the app
• Tap “Settings” in the devices submenu
• Scroll down to “Default Music Speaker” and tap “Pair Bluetooth Speaker”
• Select your Audioengine speaker – and you’re done!

Take control of your music.

Now you’re ready to shout voice commands all over the house and rock out while you make dinner, host a party, or do whatever it is you do.  You can even connect multiple sets of Audioengine wireless speakers for multi-room audio, by creating “groups” in the Google Home app (under that same “Devices” tab).

Isn’t it nice that designers have created all this awesome technology for us?  Now I’m just spit-balling, here, but -- what if one day someone will make some kind of like a smart speaker... except it lives in your brain and reads your mind.  Then you can just think about how good your favorite tunes will sound through a pair of Audioengine wireless speakers, and voila!

Experiencing static or buzzing in your home music system?

Whether you're using the renowned Audioengine A2+ or another high-end audio setup, understanding the root causes of these noises is essential for a pristine listening experience. This guide delves into common sources of disturbances and offers effective strategies to eradicate them. 

Why Are My Speakers Buzzing?

1. Static, Buzzing, and Ground Loops

Unwanted sounds in your audio setup, like static, buzzing, or humming, can stem from various sources. These include your computer's 3.5mm line out, RF interference, or the noise floor inherent in electronic devices. Ground loops are a frequent issue in systems where the audio source and speakers are on different power sources, such as separate power strips.

Solution:

To address ground loops, ensure all components of your audio system are connected to the same power strip or power source. This helps maintain a common ground and prevents ground loops. Using a ground loop isolator can also be effective in eliminating this issue.

2. Static from the 3.5mm Line Out

Static from the 3.5mm line out of a computer is a common issue. This often occurs due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other devices or poor quality cables.

Solution:

To reduce static, use high-quality shielded cables. Keeping cables away from power supplies and other electronic devices can also minimize interference. Alternatively, consider using an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to bypass the computer’s internal sound card, which is often a source of static.

3. RF Interference

Electronic devices in your home, such as routers, mobile phones, and even microwaves, can cause radio frequency interference (RFI), leading to that annoying buzz.

Solution:

To mitigate RF interference, position your audio setup away from other electronic devices. Using ferrite beads on cables can help suppress high-frequency noise. Additionally, ensuring your audio cables are of high quality and shielded can further reduce susceptibility to RF interference.

4. The Noise Floor

Every electronic device, including your home music system, has a baseline noise level known as the noise floor. When the system is amplified, this noise floor can become noticeable.

Solution:

To minimize the impact of the noise floor, keep your audio system’s volume at a reasonable level and adjust the gain settings appropriately. Ensuring your equipment is well-maintained and free from dust can also help, as dust can affect the performance of electronic components.

How Do I Fix My Speakers?

Eliminating buzzing noises and static involves a combination of savvy technical solutions and simple setup adjustments: 
 
Invest in Quality Cables: High-quality, shielded cables, especially for your 3.5mm line out, can significantly reduce electromagnetic interference. 
 
Strategic Placement of Equipment: Keep your speakers away from potential sources of RF interference, such as a cellphone.
 
Unified Power Sources: Connecting your audio source and system to the same power strip can help resolve ground loop issues. 

Regular Maintenance: Dust and debris can affect connections, leading to static. Keep your connectors and ports clean to maintain a clear signal path. 

 
External DAC for Enhanced Audio: Consider using an external Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Digital to Analog converters work by converting digital audio files back into analog sound, to be heard the way the artist intended. DAC’s such as the Audioengine D1 feature 32-bit audio processing technology and are particularly effective in reducing the noise floor compared to devices with built-in sound cards.
 
Conclusion 
Static, buzzing, and grounding issues can disrupt your music enjoyment, but they don't have to be a permanent feature of your audio experience. With the right understanding and some adjustments, your home music system will deliver the high-quality sound you expect. Embrace the journey with Audioengine – where we combine state-of-the-art technology with user-friendly solutions to elevate your audio experience. 

6 Simple Wireless Speaker Shopping Tips

So you’ve decided to make the leap from wired to wireless music and might have made the mistake of Googling “Best Wireless Speakers.”

We here at Audioengine know how overwhelming this can be and we extend our deepest sympathies. But it’s time to put your concerns to rest as we’re here to give you some important buying tips… and yes, you may need these tips to make it through this with your sanity intact.

Before we start, let it be known we are not trying to sway you in any particular direction but we only want to make sure you’re aware of a few items that could go overlooked. And the majority of the following advice can be applied to pretty much any purchase you’re making in the audio world.

[Find out what speakers are best for you. Take the quiz]

Price point

As with anything, it is important to start by setting a budget for yourself and finding a product that aligns with this budget.

There are a ton of great wireless products out there, some of them are practically being given away, and others might cost your life savings. No matter your budget, one fact remains: a quality wireless speaker setup doesn’t HAVE to be expensive. Conversely, you often get what you pay for, so it is wise to be wary of a product whose price tag looks more like a shoe size if you catch my drift.

Features

Another important point that will assuredly be different for everyone is the inclusion of features.

If you’re looking for a simple wireless speaker with no options and no extra inputs, then don’t bother spending hours comparing products that are saturated with bells and whistles. If, on the other hand, you know you want the option to connect an analog device like a stereo or surround sound receiver, for instance, make this determination early and stick with it. There will always be an option to suit your exact needs so don’t feel pressured.

Reviews

Reviews are king in today’s world.

Everything from the usability of a product to the competence of a company’s customer service team can be scrutinized in an online review, and that’s why it’s obviously important to read as many reviews as you can find (and to also read between the lines with some of these). A responsible company addresses negative reactions and does not let any concern go unnoticed. Reviews not only tell us how customers react to a product but how a company reacts to its customers. And the way a company reacts to its customers can tell you whether you’re making a good or bad purchase.

Warranties and trials

This is always a fun one! If you’re having trouble deciding between two or more products because they have the same features and similar reviews, why not go with the one that offers a trial or a better warranty?

The wireless audio market is extremely competitive, and most companies are offering a brief trial period with no penalties or full-coverage or even an extended warranty period. The fact is, a company with a truly great product has nothing to fear and is confident in their product’s ability to satisfy anyone and everyone.

Portability and durability

Where are you going to be using these speakers? Are you going to sling wireless audio from the kitchen to the living room, or are you taking this setup down to the park for a picnic? Do you need the speakers to be battery powered? Waterproof?

I know, I know, asking way too many questions but you should be asking these questions too! Again, there will always be a product that suits your needs for portability — and often times, if the speakers are easily portable, they will also be durable to some extent. The caveat is that certain other aspects of the speakers will inevitably suffer. Sound quality, aux inputs, wireless range, etc.; these are all things that have the potential to “get the boot” the more portable or waterproof your speakers need to be.

Sound quality and wireless range

Obviously we want our wireless speakers to sound great and to not drop out or lose signal EVER.

The sound quality of the actual speaker itself is something you may need to derive from customer reviews, unless you have the option to actually hear the speaker before making a purchase. Apart from that, it’s best to read up on the company, what materials they are using, and what the speakers can be compared to, etc.

But when it comes to the sound quality of the actual WIRELESS itself, you’ll need to look out for a few things. Wi-fi or Bluetooth and other fun terms all define different ways a speaker can receive wireless audio information and process it. Each of these has its own pros and cons, and some will be more or less suitable to your particular setup. Wi-fi is good if you want to transmit audio to multiple speakers at once but Bluetooth has a much easier setup and the ease-of-use is a HUGE advantage. But for the best sound quality AND ease-of-use, you will want to look for Bluetooth products that use the aptX or aptX HD “codecs”. These will give you the best audio quality possible, and with Audioengine, the longest range as well. If you wish to get into more technical details about this type of wireless audio, please read our article on Bluetooth aptX HD technology.

In summary, there are a myriad of products on the market and all have their pros and cons. To get started, make a list of things you want and need out of your music system. Determine what is necessary, nice-to-have, and what you don’t need. Then when you make the detrimental error of Googling, “Best Wireless Speakers,” you might make it through to the other side with your sanity intact.

Still struggling with choosing the right speaker? Take our quiz and make it easy!

With many modern audio speakers and systems adding wireless functionality to their list of features, you may wonder whether you are doing yourself a disservice by going wireless and ask yourself “is wireless audio quality any good?” 

Believe it or not, wireless can sound just as good as a wired connection, meaning you won’t have to sacrifice quality for convenience.

Our wireless speakers utilize Bluetooth technology which definitely has its advantages; it’s fairly universal and, with its lack of proprietary software, is really easy to set up. There must be a catch, right? In the past, we felt that Bluetooth technology wasn’t up to snuff, both in terms of the range of the signal and the quality of audio. In recent years, however, Bluetooth technology has seriously done a lot of growing up; advances in the technology has increased the bandwidth and range, making it not only function great, but sound great. Bluetooth now has the capability of streaming up to CD quality, or 16-bit/44.1kHz, over the air, which means that right out of gate you’re able to send great sending audio without being tethered by cables.

Codecs play a part in how Bluetooth audio is sent and received and some codecs provide slightly better fidelity than others.

In products like our B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver, we utilize the aptX HD codec, which we feel provides you with the highest fidelity decoding possible. Some devices, like most iOS devices, don’t utilize aptX, but even though we use aptX in our products, other great codecs like SBC and AAC will work and sound great. Not to mention, we utilize built-in DACs in our Bluetooth products, which will take your audio and pad the bit-depth to a 24-bit format, giving you added benefits such a lower noise floor.

Even though we use Bluetooth in more of our newer products, we do have other wireless options if you’re looking for any non-Bluetooth solutions. We offer two different wireless audio adapters, the W3 Wireless Audio Adapter the D2 Wireless DAC. The wireless technology used in both of these products is a lot like Wi-Fi, but on a closed protocol built specifically for high-resolution audio. The W3 includes a 16-bit/44.1kHz DAC, which makes it able to send CD-quality uncompressed audio over the air. If you’re looking for high-quality, though, the D2 represents the absolute highest possible performance wireless audio device we could build, able to send 24-bit/96kHz wirelessly.

So is wireless audio quality any good? The short answer is yes!

Using only the best hardware and software, you can rest assured that the wireless gear you’ve been considering will not only add convenience to your listening experience, but will retain the authenticity that you expect from your music.

Bluetooth Audio and Codecs

If you’re curious about wireless audio and have found yourself doing some research, you’re probably awash in buzzwords like codecs, sample rates, bit rates, resolution, bandwidth and heaven knows what else.

Lest you throw up your hands at the complexity of it all let’s do our best to explain some of the basics of Bluetooth audio.

Bluetooth is a radio signal that sends data from a transmitter in your phone or computer, to a receiver in your headphones or speakers.  In order to be sent from one device to another in an efficient manner, this data has to be encoded by the transmitter and then decoded by the receiver on the other end.

This is a big job, not to mention it all has to be done in a fraction of a second.

The problem here is that traditional Bluetooth codecs can’t process the amount of information necessary to recreate a faithful audio signal on the other end, so they have to compress the information.  During compression, little bits of information are lost, and as we discussed earlier, the “information” in this case is YOUR MUSIC!

Think about that for a second!

Your devices can’t keep up with the amount of information your music requires, so they essentially throw it out; little bits of the frequency spectrum, dynamic range, etc. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you consider the idea that something like aptX HD can fix it, why would you settle for anything less?

Now before we dive into some of the technical aspects of what makes aptX HD so amazing, it’s important to discuss some of the older codecs so we can understand what aptX HD really brings to the table.

Think of the word “codec” as a combination of the terms “code” and “decode,” as these are the primary functions of all audio codecs; their job is to encode large information files so they can be more easily transferred, and then to decode that same file on the other end.

You’re familiar with MP3s, right? Well, an MP3 is just a type of codec… a very widely used type of codec, in fact. Since we have all used MP3s, we are probably all familiar with how dramatically they can degrade the quality of an audio file. Luckily, tons of codecs have been developed over the years, all with the goal of vastly surpassing the audio quality of a standard MP3.  Some other codecs you may be familiar with are SBC, AAC, LDAC, and aptX. These are all considered superior to MP3s, but are also geared towards Bluetooth wireless audio.

So what’s the difference between standard aptX, and aptX HD?

For starters, aptX has actually been around since the 80s, and is currently much more widely used than aptx HD.  Standard aptX has been used in phones, tablets, and laptops for a long time now so it’s likely that you’ve actually experienced Bluetooth transmission that features aptX.  But for those of you who are looking for some numbers, here you go:

Standard aptX:

• Speed:  352 kbps
• Sample Resolution:  16-bit
• Sample Rate:  48kHz

Aptx HD:

• Speed:576 kbps
• Sample Resolution:  24-bit
• Sample Rate:  48kHz

Alright, let's talk about that for a second.

The speed of these file transfers are measured in Kilobits-per-second (Kbps), and they define how quickly all of this audio information moves from one device to another.  48kHz denotes the sample rate of the audio data — the sample rate is measurement of how many samples of audio are carried from one end to the other end per second.

So this means aptX HD is providing audio information 48,000 times per second… and that’s a lot of times.

Next, 24-bit denotes the sampling resolution — sample resolution is a measurement of how many bits of information are included in each sample. Most Bluetooth codecs simply cannot provide this much information.  Even if they could, they wouldn’t be able to encode it and decode it faithfully within 1 millisecond.

Long story short: aptX HD recreates your audio data more accurately and in greater detail than aptX and does this more quickly, efficiently, and with very low latency.  Pretty impressive right?

Now I know Bluetooth audio has been pretty crappy in the past, but those days are over.  Out with the old, in with the new! With Apple and Google doing away with headphone jacks on their phones, we are practically being forced to make the switch to Bluetooth — this is why aptX HD makes so much sense.  If we are going to be forced to go wireless, why don’t we take advantage of some Bluetooth sound quality that surpasses even traditional wired headphone connections in some cases?

Which devices support aptX HD?

In order to take advantage of the benefits of aptX HD, you’ll need to make sure you have a device that supports it.

These devices will have a Bluetooth chip called the CSR8675, which is capable of supporting 24-bit audio from aptX HD.

Bluetooth Receiver vs. Wireless Speakers

Customers occasionally write to ask questions about the differences between our B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver and our Wireless Powered Speakers. Usually the questions go something like…

“Do I really NEED your complete speaker system or just the B1 receiver?”

“Is one product easier to use than the other?”

“Are there differences in sound quality between the B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver and your Audioengine Wireless Speakers?”

…and there have been plenty more questions that come along with those — but have no fear, today we are here to hopefully clear this up!

First off, you should have some peace of mind knowing that no matter which solution you choose, we absolutely guarantee your satisfaction. Apart from that you might be wondering which option is going to best suit your needs — reasonable enough, so let’s talk about it…

Do I really NEED the entire system or can I get away with just the B1?

Audioengine wireless speakers are powered music systems that implement cutting edge Bluetooth aptX-HD to deliver high-fidelity long-range wireless from any device.

The B1 Bluetooth Receiver also offers the same aptX-HD technology; the only difference being that B1 does not have built-in speakers, so you will still need speakers to hear your music.

Now, customers sometimes say “I already have a different brand of powered speakers that I LOVE, I just want to make them wireless.” If this is the case, you can use B1 to turn your current non-wireless music system into some super-rockin’ wireless speakers. Or maybe you have an older pair of Audioengine speakers that you bought before we made our speakers wireless — here again, the B1 is a great solution! You just need to make sure, no matter what system you have, that you have the proper inputs — RCA-style inputs work the best, or even an optical audio input if your gear has one.

Is one solution more user-friendly than the other?

Hey, great question — glad you asked! This one is a bit subjective and depends on how many components you want in your setup.

The simple fact is if you have Audioengine wireless speakers you will have the easiest setup under the sun. All you have to do is connect your speakers to power, connect the left speaker to the right, find the speakers in your phone or tablet’s list of available Bluetooth devices and BOOM, you’re done! Think of it as if the B1 Bluetooth receiver is built into Audioengine speakers.

On the other hand, if you are using a pair of non-wireless speakers and you want to make them Bluetooth compatible by using our B1 Receiver, you will need to add B1 to your setup, but in all actuality the B1 itself is just as easy to use as the speakers. Long story long, if you love your current speakers and aren’t ready to make the switch, adding the B1 is still an extremely user-friendly option and you will be up and running with great-sounding wireless audio in no time flat.

Are there differences in sound quality between the B1 and the Wireless Speakers?

This is the only moment in this article where things might teeter on the brink of being controversial.

Audioengine’s Wireless speakers guarantee immaculate and highly satisfying sound quality, which is hard to beat. The B1 offers aptX-HD Bluetooth with 24-bit upsampling (which are the exact same Bluetooth specs as our wireless speakers), so the audio being SENT from your devices to the B1 is no different than the audio being SENT from your device to Audioengine’s Wireless Speakers; however, the B1 itself doesn’t have any speakers, so it has to rely on whatever speakers it is connected to. This is the only point at which your sound quality COULD suffer.

So let’s say you are sending the highest quality audio file from your laptop to the B1 Bluetooth Receiver. The B1 takes that super-high-quality file and handles it with such great care you may not be able to tell whether it was wireless or not…BUT, if you have your B1 connected to a crappy pair of speakers, guess what? No matter how pristine that audio file was, and no matter how skillfully the B1 handles that file, crappy speakers are going to make that audio sound crappy. BUT, if you are using the B1 to send audio to a pair of really great speakers that you love, the B1 will absolutely deliver the highest quality audio possible via Bluetooth, and it will do so with an extended range so you can bounce around the house and not worry about dropouts or inferior audio quality.

This was a ton of information so here’s a quick recap and summary…

The Bluetooth capability of Audioengine’s Wireless Speakers and the B1 is exactly the same. If you love your current speakers and aren’t ready to change brands, don’t sweat it, the B1 will give you beautiful wireless audio all the same. BUT, if you are looking to be truly reinvigorated by your music, you definitely need to try Audioengine’s Wireless speakers to take advantage of both our highly advanced Bluetooth technology and our unparalleled listening experience.

Why We Choose Bluetooth over WiFi

It’s no secret that most players in the “smart” speaker market are primarily using wi-fi to wirelessly send audio around the house.

So if Sonos, Bose, and other big name brands are using wi-fi through an internet router, why would Audioengine use Bluetooth for wireless audio in their home speakers?

Easy Setup

Audioengine wireless home speakers are ready to use within minutes out of the box.

Connecting power and the speakers to one another is easy enough, but getting your music playing wirelessly is actually even more straight-forward. Unlike most of the big brand smart speakers, you don’t need to download and install apps for setup, you don’t need to connect the speakers to your router, and there aren’t any passwords or other overly-complicated hoops to jump through. Audioengine makes it simple by keeping the wireless connection exclusively between your phone, tablet, or computer and the speakers. Simply go to your device’s list of available Bluetooth connections, select Audioengine, and play music directly from your favorite app! Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, iTunes, YouTube; any apps that stream audio from your device can be played through your Audioengine home speakers. And remember, our speakers don’t depend on the speed of your internet connection or wireless router so when your internet slows down or doesn’t cover all of your house, you can still stream from your phone or connect another device via one of Audioengine’s many audio ports, which brings me to the next point…

Flexible and versatile

Even before the implementation of our long-range wireless Bluetooth audio, Audioengine home speakers have been some of the most versatile on the market.

A selection of inputs allow you to not only stream wirelessly but to easily and quickly connect your turntable, TV, AVR, or any other piece of gear with an audio output. The point being, is that you are not bound to a single input source. Not many auxiliary options are offered among the rest of the smart speaker community, leaving the user completely reliant upon the wi-fi connection and other compatible devices they may already own. And what about when you’re using Alexa to search for music, but a particular song can’t be played due to copyright issues? This can happen with voice-controlled systems, but we all know a quick visit to YouTube can typically get around this barrier and play the music you want to hear. Now you can actually listen to any Beatles tune you want, whenever you want, but at the same time you can also connect to an external Alexa device for superior sound with Audioengine.

Range and quality

Bluetooth transmission range was not so great in the past, as many of you have experienced. And products using wi-fi still tout the superiority of its range over that of Bluetooth, but the truth is, those days are over.

Audioengine home speakers utilize cutting-edge tech that allows a solid transmission of up to 100 feet (and sometimes more) with no drop-outs and no blips. Again, this range is not reliant upon the ebb and flow of your wi-fi strength at any given point. But what about sound quality; isn’t Bluetooth kind of crappy? No way! Bluetooth audio has come a long way in the past few years as well, and the implementation of the aptX HD codec allows for near lossless audio transmission that rivals the sound of many wired music systems.

Elegant aesthetic and sound

Audioengine home speakers have always held sleek looks that equals their sound quality, and with the shift to high-quality wireless, these standards have been upheld.

We didn’t want to sacrifice our warm, rich, analog power amps and hand-built wooden cabinets by trying to cram all that goodness into a generic-looking plastic speaker enclosure with average-quality wireless. We want our speakers to be an integral part of the look and feel of your home and we also want you to have TWO speakers so your listening experience can be what it’s meant to be. Other systems allow you to purchase “add-on” speakers, but that means in order to have two speakers you have to, well… spend more money for “add-on” speakers. Audioengine home speakers come standard as a stereo pair that are tuned to perfection. To put it simply, Audioengine home speakers are some of the best-sounding speakers on the market today. “Smart” speakers tend to put more focus on the “smart” portion than on the “speakers” portion, often leaving the sound reproduction underwhelming. Would you rather watch the next season of GOT on a single wi-fi speaker or on a matched pair of award-winning audiophile-grade speakers with true stereo sound?

So, it’s safe to say Bluetooth and wi-fi each have their own advantages, just as anything else. But in the end, Bluetooth was the choice we made to be as user-friendly, versatile, and as hi-fi-sounding as possible.

How to Stream Music from my Phone to my Stereo?

We want things to work, is that so much to ask?

There is such a mass of technology and gadgetry available out there today that, for the most part, the good stuff sticks around and the bad stuff is pushed right out the door, never to be seen again. But when it comes to streaming music from our phones to our stereo systems, we sometimes still have to jump through hoops to get our gadgets to see eye to eye.

Rest easy, friends, for today I am here to make it very very easy. Let’s talk about a couple of ways Audioengine can get your music streaming from phone to stereo in less than 1 minute!

Using Audioengine Wireless Speakers

If you are one of the TRILLIONS of highly intelligent individuals who have already purchased a set of Audioengine wireless speakers (this includes the HD6, HD3, A5+ Wireless, and B2 speakers), you are in luck, as this is the easiest possible way to get your music streaming.

To get the system up and running in general, all you have to do is take your speakers out of the box, plug the left speaker into power, connect the left speaker to the right speaker via the included speaker wire (does not apply to B2, it's just one little speaker), and flip the power switch to the ‘On’ position. After the speakers are on, the only thing left to do is find the speakers on your phone’s list of available Bluetooth devices, and select them. They will pair within seconds after just ONE click! You’re done -- can you believe that!? Sheesh, that was easy. But what if you don’t have a pair of Audioengine wireless speakers?

Using Anything Else

Okay so maybe you don’t have a pair of super awesome wireless speakers, that’s cool, Audioengine can fix that in less than a minute using our B1 Bluetooth Receiver.

The same principals will apply from the previous section, but first, we have to MAKE our non-wireless speakers into wireless speakers. Let’s unpack our B1 Bluetooth receiver, connect it to power, and then run cables from the analog OUTPUTS on our B1, to the analog INPUTS on our existing speakers. Boom -- now our speakers are wireless, crazy right? The final step is the same as before; just locate B1 in your phone’s list of available Bluetooth devices and click. You’ll be paired in seconds and ready to rock that Duran Duran Greatest Hits album you just downloaded.

Keep in mind, once you’re paired like this, you should be able to stream any and all audio from your phone to your speakers. This means, iTunes, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, everything. Everything!

No more banging your head against the wall trying to get things paired up, no more proprietary passwords, and no more having to reconnect every ten minutes. It really is the best way to stream music from your phone to your speakers, no matter what kind of speakers you are using.

Now, why don’t you stream your way on back to our Wireless Speakers and see what you’re missing out on!

Speaker Setup – How to break in new speakers.

So you just got your brand new Audioengine speakers and you’re ready to pull them out of the box and get them set up so you can start rocking out.

Straight out of the box, your speakers should sound great, but what if your speaker setup could sound better with time?

One thing that you can easily do to make that new speaker setup sound top-notch is a thing called “break-in” and it’s actually really simple.

So why would you want to break the speakers in?

The materials we use for our speakers are quite robust, so right after manufacturing they can be a bit stiff.

One way to help out with this stiffness is to break them in so that these materials, such as the rubber surrounds of the aramid fiber drivers, loosen up. As mentioned earlier, the speakers should sound great from your first listen, but after they move around a bit and loosen up you should notice smoother low end response and sweeter mids/highs.

From time to time, we get asked about how to break in new speakers.

The break-in period doesn’t really require anything special other than listening to music and over time your speakers will become more and more broken in.

For proper break in, we generally recommend around 40 to 50 hours of at least mid-level playback before doing any critical listening. Some our customers have mentioned that they play tones or white noise while they are away, such as while they’re at work, to help the process along, but we’d recommend just listening to them normally at a medium-level during the break in period.

Breaking in your new speaker setup is a simple and crucial thing to do to make your speakers sound better and open up their potential. Some things do get better with age!

Audioengine – Doesn’t Your Music Deserve It?

To minimize unwanted resonances and distortion, Audioengine cabinets have thick high-resin MDF walls with extensive internal bracing. Heavy internal sound-damping material is also used to reduce unwanted sound reflections inside the cabinet. The B2 cabinet is a unique design in that it has dual sub-enclosures to prevent cross-interference, while each side contains its own tuned, front-port bass slot.

0.7" (18 mm) thick MDF cabinets with real wood veneer
0.75" (20 mm) silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets
2.75" (70 mm) aramid fiber woofers with advanced voice coils