“While not a portable system like Apple’s iPod Hi-Fi (and one could argue the iPod Hi-Fi isn’t really a portable system either), the A5 is priced the same as the Hi-Fi and delivers amazing sound that makes the iPod Hi-Fi suddenly sound ‘small’. You don’t need to be a snobby audiophile to appreciate the difference in audio quality of the A5′s over the iPod Hi-Fi. With the A5′s positioned in my downstairs family room, I could not only hear the bass line of the White Stripe’s ‘Seven Nation Army‘ in every room in my house, I could FEEL it. I have a good, but not great, Sony surround system in my living room (about $600). Ever since receiving our review set of A5′s I have been using them as my primary ‘home theater’ speakers instead. Yes, they are stereo and not delivering a true 5.1 surround experience, but the sound is so much cleaner than my current system that for most programs I really haven’t minded. If you turn the A5′s up high enough, you are enveloped in a wall of sound that rattles your insides in a way my surround system doesn’t. In fact I have grown so accustomed to the A5′s clarity that my Sony system now sounds muffled to me, like a small pillow is covering each speaker. This is also something I noticed with the iPod Hi-Fi as well. Audioengine claims its A5 speakers are ‘the best sounding and most versatile powered speakers at any price’ and I am hard pressed to argue the point. This is one of the rare reviews where not only am I not going to complain about the A5′s price, but I actually think we may be getting a bargain here. The clarity of sound the A5′s deliver is amazing, and you will find yourself hearing instruments you never before noticed in songs you’ve heard a dozen times.” —— macenstein.com