Audioengine HD4 Wireless Desktop Speakers - Satin Black

I'm delighted with these speakers. When given well-recorded music, they deliver clean, accurately located sound, even at high volumes. I noticed this especially when listening to piano solos (where I suspect the recording engineer had placed a microphone practically inside the piano),. These speakers captured the rich, vibrant sound of a well-played Steinway, creating a "presence" that was actually stunning. If you're looking for table-top speakers, I don't think you can do better than these.

Almost perfect

Let me preface my review by stating that I'm using the HD4s as computer speakers. The speakers themselves deserve 5 stars! The sound is so good that I can now hear the flaws in my old music files. :) Seriously, the fidelity is astounding! The reasons that I deducted one star from my overall review has to do with the connectivity to my computer system. I use the USB connection and, if I leave the speakers powered all the time, it's very consistent that I won't get any sound, even though the HD4s are selected. Rebooting the system doesn't solve the problem, only power cycling the speakers themselves. I mitigated this problem by placing an inline switch (which is easier to access than reaching around the speaker for its power switch). Another issue, also computer ... MoreLet me preface my review by stating that I'm using the HD4s as computer speakers. The speakers themselves deserve 5 stars! The sound is so good that I can now hear the flaws in my old music files. :) Seriously, the fidelity is astounding! The reasons that I deducted one star from my overall review has to do with the connectivity to my computer system. I use the USB connection and, if I leave the speakers powered all the time, it's very consistent that I won't get any sound, even though the HD4s are selected. Rebooting the system doesn't solve the problem, only power cycling the speakers themselves. I mitigated this problem by placing an inline switch (which is easier to access than reaching around the speaker for its power switch). Another issue, also computer related, is that if nothing is being played from the speakers, and the computer is left idle (not sleeping) for a length of time, the computer will automatically switch the sound output. I assume this occurs because circuitry within the HD4s times out. Again, that's only an assumption, and easily taken care of by switching the output on the computer. In my opinion, these "issues" are very minor and easily "band-aided," but I'll stand by deduction of one star.

Audiophile Speakers for Old School Skeptics

Admittedly, I am old school meaning big amps, big speakers and subwoofers providing bigger, louder and passionate sound. How can this possibly be beat?Enter Covid - new home office/mancave – desire for smaller system in this new room. After much research, I landed on Audioengine A2+ music system. After adding a good DAC and going through the suggested break-in period (very important), I was blown away by these little puppies. They looked great but sounded even better. Staging, imaging, yes all that, but the stereo detail is what really got me. I suddenly understood why professional reviewers called these studio monitors, because you could see professional engineers using these for mastering. The detail is that good. And for most people, these would be sufficient, ... MoreAdmittedly, I am old school meaning big amps, big speakers and subwoofers providing bigger, louder and passionate sound. How can this possibly be beat?Enter Covid - new home office/mancave – desire for smaller system in this new room. After much research, I landed on Audioengine A2+ music system. After adding a good DAC and going through the suggested break-in period (very important), I was blown away by these little puppies. They looked great but sounded even better. Staging, imaging, yes all that, but the stereo detail is what really got me. I suddenly understood why professional reviewers called these studio monitors, because you could see professional engineers using these for mastering. The detail is that good. And for most people, these would be sufficient, but I wanted more.Staying with Audioengine, I discovered the HD4music system. So after 6 weeks of the A2’s (past the return point) I inquired about a trade in. Josh and the gang at Audioengine were simply awesome and allowed me to trade these in for the HD’4s at the cost difference and made it as easy as possible even though I purchased them via Amazon.Speakers arrived and boom! here you have it, everything that was great in the A2’s is here in the HD4’s, only more, significantly more, and for me, this system gets me over the bar in loudness, sound quality and staging. I could not be happier. My system up here in the office consists of the HD’4s, a streaming DAC (plugged in via analogue) and a small subwoofer that blends effortlessly with the HD4s. Last comment, so happy these are not smart speakers, as we don’t need Alexa, and Siri, and Tidal built in to this. You can plug all that in if needed. Audioengine put their efforts into the sound and that’s why they are so great.This is perfection folks and dare I say rivals the big heavy expensive systems of yesterday.

Exceptional unit as always from

Exceptional unit as always from AE. I paired the HD4s with the S6, nicely trimmed about 70kHz and a volume of roughly 1/3, and it was great.This is for a small off-grid cabin and I’m powering the rig with a Goal Zero power station, so energy efficiency is paramount apart from the beauty of the sound, in this case.I have a set of HD6s, as well, and found that those, again paired with the S6, not only provided better sound, as expected, but didn’t use that much more energy as the S6 is trimmed more aggressively at about 62kHz and a volume of roughly 1/6.My best friend is a musician and experiences sound in a way that I don’t. I’d been telling him for years now of the virtues of AE, but he’s been unmoved,retorting incessantly about the bast options for powered ... MoreExceptional unit as always from AE. I paired the HD4s with the S6, nicely trimmed about 70kHz and a volume of roughly 1/3, and it was great.This is for a small off-grid cabin and I’m powering the rig with a Goal Zero power station, so energy efficiency is paramount apart from the beauty of the sound, in this case.I have a set of HD6s, as well, and found that those, again paired with the S6, not only provided better sound, as expected, but didn’t use that much more energy as the S6 is trimmed more aggressively at about 62kHz and a volume of roughly 1/6.My best friend is a musician and experiences sound in a way that I don’t. I’d been telling him for years now of the virtues of AE, but he’s been unmoved,retorting incessantly about the bast options for powered speakers these days. I invited him to the cabin and we reviewed my work. He was so impressed with the HD6 set-up that he bought the HD4 and and the new* S6 from me in the spot for his kitchen kit.* I’d bought a second S6 on eBay for a song, just because.** The associate picture are of my HD3s, which I tried originally and were alright, but out-matched by the size of the space. You get the idea, though. My listening post is across the table.

Great Little Powered Monitors

I'm an audiophile and have much nicer speakers and headphiones in my life. I wanted compact, powdered, and reasonably priced for my office though. The sound quality and build quality on these like guys is pretty impressive for the price. The DS2 stands make a big difference in overall system sound, imaging, and in improving the axis of the tweeter on a desk setup and reducing low end vibration.As someone that's in to high end audio I wouldn't call these audiophile but I really like them and I'm glad I bought them. I did upgrade the speaker and RCA cables to audio quest and I'm running them through my SMSL M500 DAC.Amazing value and price performance as well as size performance. I'd recommend for the application I used them in.

Great sound. USB port is loose and unreliable.

Were it not for the poor micro USB port, I would give these speakers 5 stars. They have plenty of power, with good midrange and treble, adequate bass, and reliable blue-tooth capability. For the most part, I'm absolutely delighted. But the USB port is fragile, and any stress on the cable can easily break the connection. It's regrettable to see a basically fine product marred by an easily avoided (I think) defect. Note to engineer: The short, 4-foot USB cable aggravates the problem. Give the customer a 6-foot cable and a more robust port. You would then have, in my opinion, an outstanding product.

Great speakers and service

These things are amazing. Really nice clarity and surprising bass. Have them for a desktop setup and are probably a little overkill but can fill up my apartment nicely. Automatically switches between my phone's BT and my pc usb input. Speaker cable was a tad short for my setup so I got the longer one from Audioengine.I accidentally ordered the walnut but AE customer service was so fast and helpful, they helped me switch to the black finish before it shipped. They also were super helpful in communicating a tricky shipping situation. The mail in my area is a nightmare.Great product and service all around. Highly recommend. New loyal customer here.

Horrible USB DAC when used with a 2021 MacBook Pro

USB connection randomly stops working, only way to get it to work again is to unplug/replug the USB connection or "reboot" the speakers. I love the way these speakers sound but I'm constantly frustrated by the USB connection, it's a daily occurrence. I reached out to support a while back and they didn't have a solution other than to use the analog audio connection which is complete BS, I bought them 100% entirely so I could use USB. I'm still so mad about that I'm writing this review months later.If you plan to use these with a MacBook and USB... look elsewhere.

Replaces my HD3s, A great speaker system in its own right.

I brought my HD3s two years ago and they are great desktop speakers in their own right. But I needed something a little more. I listen to a lot of classical, jazz, etc. and I needed a fuller sound in my near-field listening and the HD6 was a little overboard for my space. The HD4s are just right, I couldn't be happier. The sound quality is outstanding. For you old timers out there, they remind me of my old AR3a speakers even though they are a lot smaller. Question now is, what do I do with my HD3s?

The easiest setup of any

The easiest setup of any other speaker, computer, electronic devise, etc. I can connect from any device anywhere in the house and the same for my son. The best part though, the pure clean crisp sound these speakers produce. I listen to more instrumental pieces and my son is a big Avenged 7 Fold fan. Both sound wonderful. I do need a bit more bass so I will be buying one of their subwoofers to round out the listening experience. I recommend these speakers.