
Audioengine A2+ Wireless
1 pair, 60 W
Audioengine A2+ Wireless
1 pair, 60 W
If I want to connect these speakers to my Mac via cable, would it make sense to use an amp?
No. They are active speakers, i.e. they have an amplifier already on board. Just like the A5. I don't know enough about it, but I think if you drive active speakers again with an amplifier, you break them.
Audioengine also makes passive speakers, but I haven't found them on Digitec. And I have no experience with them.
What I did find useful was to connect a DAC between the computer and the speakers, I've always used the A5 that way. The A2s already have their own DAC built in if you use the USB connection. The Audioengine DAC (D1) is listed on digitec under "headphone amplifier", but this is WRONG. It is not an amplifier! A DAC is nothing more than a (in this case external) sound card. It converts the digital music signal into an analogue signal to make it usable for the speakers. Music used to be analogue (vinyl, tape, etc.).
Since most computers do not attach much importance to sound reproduction (especially laptops), computer sound cards are often of inferior quality. That is why a DAC can be worthwhile.
So: A5 I would recommend the D1 for this. For the A2 it makes no sense, as these already have a suitable, tuned DAC built in (if connected via USB). BUT IN NO CASE AN AMPLIFIER!
P.S. I'm happy to help, but with products like this it's well worth doing your own research! There's a lot on the market - and I've only been peripherally involved with news since my Audioengine purchase 5 years ago. I'm by no means an expert, but I was able to find the answers to these questions (including the answer to your other question about the A5/A2 comparison) without any problems via Google/Youtube. And in the process, you always stumble across little things worth knowing that are crucial for your own setup (connectivity, cable length, what is included, alternatives, etc.). Well-intentioned tip!