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.
M6 x 40mm, 6mm diameter pan head
The S8's crossover is a variable low-pass filter, and will not adjust the audio for the RCA output connection. This is a full range line level output.
The S8s crossover is a variable low-pass filter. This means it variably adjusts how high the S8 will play. Unless the subwoofer is pretty far away, you can usually leave the phase switch set to 0°.  When setting up a new S8, I like to start with the crossover all the way counter clockwise and, with some music I'm familiar with playing, first get the volume "about" right.  After that try making very small adjustments clockwise on the crossover, evaluating each small change from where you'll be listening from most often.  Once it starts sounding like you can localize where the sub is coming from, back it off until you can't again.  You may also need to lower the volume a touch after the crossover is dialed in, or perhaps even while you're dialing it in, depending on the acoustics of the room you're in, and your own preference on how present you'd like the sub to sound.
Audioengine powered speakers have fixed passive crossovers designed specifically for them; this simply means that they are designed to play the frequency range they produce, so it's not necessary to alter this when adding a subwoofer. Â Adding a subwoofer, such as the S8, will pick up where the speakers leave off, extending the low end response.
Yes! You would just need an amp, like our N22, to supply power to the P4 speakers and connect to the S8.
We typically recommend using the S8 on a carpeted floor or with some padding under the feet if you have it on a hard floor, as you may notice unwanted noise and/or vibrations from the subwoofer feet on a hard surface at higher volumes. It's worth noting that placing your S8 on a carpeted area will not affect the sound.
With the original A2s (not the A2+ model), there are two ways to connect a powered subwoofer to them. The S8 has two inputs and an output, so you could send the audio signal into the subwoofer from your source, and then use the output to connect to the A2s. The other option would be to send the audio signal from your source into the A2s, and then use the opposite connection, meaning the input that is not being used, as an output to connect to the input on your subwoofer. Both inputs on the A2s will act as outputs when audio is sent into either the A or B input; this simply means that if you're sending audio to the mini-stereo input of your A2s, the RCA input will actually output to the subwoofer.
Yes!  If you already own an S8, you'd just need a wireless adapter like our W3. If you're looking to buy an S8, consider getting our S8 Wireless that comes with the W3 included.
Most Audioengine powered speakers have variable RCA outputs for use with a subwoofer like the S8 (the exceptions being the B2 and the 512). This means that the output of the speakers and the RCA output will go up and down together. So once you dial in the volume of your S8, you should be able to adjust the volume from the speakers, or your source device. Either way the subwoofer and speakers should stay in balance as the volume is raised and lowered.
The B2 is designed as a standalone speaker, it has inputs for Bluetooth and 3.5 mm mini jack. It does not have an output, so unfortunately you cannot output from a B2 to a subwoofer.
The USB port can provide around 500mA, which is standard for high powered USB 2.0 devices; these are perfect for using a W3 or B1 for instance.
However, when trying to charge a iPad or iPhone for example, they require around 1000mA to charge with the screen on (the iPad's included USB charger actually provides around 2100mA to speed up charging with the screen on). Â If your device is at a higher battery level it should work fine to plug it in to the USB power port to maintain the battery while listening to music (with the screen on it will always show "not charging"). Â If the battery is low though, we'd recommend plugging it into the charger that came with it.