In our
review of
Audioengine's AW1 wireless audio adapter, we tipped our hand a bit: our interest in Audioengine's products started with the idea of setting up wireless surround channels. Let's face it: nobody likes fugly wires running along the baseboards, pulling wires through the attic (when it's even an option) is a hassle and carrying wires through crown-moulding isn't exactly plug-and-play, either. For rear-channel purposes, pairing the
AW1 along with active speakers makes sense, especially if you're trying to minimize the aesthetic downside of your audio setup. Putting a whole separate receiver in the back of the room is no way to go, and even a small zone amplifier is just another box you're going to have to hide. As luck would have it, Audioengine has a small active speaker, the A2, that fits the bill. Much like the AW1, however, the A2 had some surprises for us.