Home / Audio / Shop Smarter

Some of the Best Affordable Desktop Speakers Are Suddenly Cheaper Than Ever

They’re also among the most popular desktop speakers you can buy.

Pair of glossy red bookshelf speakers placed on either side of a silver laptop on a desk.Audioengine
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Tucker Bowe

Published

·

Updated

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

In early 2025, Audioengine introduced the latest version of its long-running and incredibly popular A2 series, which are the company’s most affordable powered speakers.

Welcome to Shop Smarter: A series dedicated to highlighting not just what’s on sale, but why it’s worth owning. Discover more here.

The new models are called Audioengine A2+ Next Gen. And right now, they’re on sale.

Pair of white bookshelf speakers with black drivers on a reflective table next to a smartphone playing music.
The Audioengine A2+ Next Gen is the company’s most popular and affordable powered speaker system.
Audioengine

A compact desktop speaker system

The A2+ Next Gen is the latest incarnation of the Texas-based audio maker’s A2 range, which it first introduced in 2007 and, more recently, added Bluetooth streaming capabilities with the 2019-released A2+ Wireless.

The “Next Gen” A2+ is the same compact speaker as before, but has been upgraded in several key ways. Maybe most notably, Audioengine added a USB-C input (the traditional 3.5mm AUX jack remains) so the speakers are even easier to use with today’s laptops and desktops.  

Two pairs of compact bookshelf speakers, one pair in glossy red and the other in glossy white, each with black speaker cones.
Available in several colors, but the red and white models are on sale for Prime Day.
Audioengine

Additionally, Audioengine gave the newest speaker system an improved 24-bit DAC (up from its previous 16-bit DAC) and Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD support. This allows them to play higher-quality audio: up to 24-bit/96kHz (wired) and up to 24-bit/48kHz (wireless).

Naturally, the A2+ Next Gen system is primarily designed for desktop use, but it also has stereo RCA inputs and can be connected to traditional audio sources, such as a turntable (with a built-in preamp) or a CD player. You can also just stream music to them from your smartphone.

Pair of white Audioengine 2+ speakers showing rear panels with various input/output ports and volume knob.
The back of the A2+ Next Gen is a powered speaker system. Thanks to digital and analog inputs, the A2+ Next Gen can be used with a variety of sources.
Audioengine

So, what’s the deal?

Since its release, the Audioengine A2+ Next Gen has been available in several different colors, including black, blue, white, red and yellow. And the system has cost $279.

However, for Prime Day, the company is discounting the white and red versions of the A2+ Next Gen by 20% and 25%, respectively. The A2+ Next Gen in white costs $223, while the red models cost $209. The A2+ Next Gen in other colors are not on sale.

Audioengine’s Prime Day sale is currently live and runs through June 26.

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
, ,