Passivists rejoice, Audioengine P4 bookshelf speakers now on sale

We gave the sound quality Audioengine packed into its powered A2 speakers big thumbs up, but because there's different strokes for different folks, the company has added the more conventional P4 passive speaker to its virtual shelves. Whether you want to use a "spare" receiver, don't want to pay for an onboard amp, or think you can match up a system better than Audioengine's engineers, the P4 might be for you. No blow-molded plastic here, these $249/pair two-ways weigh in at 6-pounds each and have a 4-inch kevlar mid/woofer and a 0.75-inch silk tweeter. The price is right between Audioengine's powered A2 and A5 speakers, but we suspect the performance is closer to the bigger A5s. Available in black, white or bamboo, and with threaded inserts on the back and bottom, you could sprinkle these throughout the homestead. Full PR after the break.
Audioengine today announced the release of the Audioengine P4 Premium Passive Bookshelf Speakers.

The Audioengine P4 (AP4) is a high-performance bookshelf speaker pair with the same great looks and sound as Audioengine's award-winning powered speakers. Beautiful, small, and affordable, AP4 is the perfect choice for your living room, bedroom or office and an ideal surround speaker for use with other Audioengine speakers in your home theater or stereo system.

"The goal was to design a small but powerful bookshelf speaker for people that already have receivers or amps and are looking for the same Audioengine sound and quality in a passive loudspeaker." explained Dave Evans, Audioengine co-founder. "The AP4's work great with Class D desktop amplifiers, stereo receivers and tube amplifiers."

The AP4 passive speakers are full-sounding bookshelf speakers in a small satellite-sized package. The AP4 has excellent bass response for its size, which is obvious when it's used either as stereo speakers or satellite surrounds. AP4 sounds great sitting on stands, on a bookshelf, or mounted on a wall using the integrated threaded inserts, which are compatible with most wall or ceiling mounting systems.

"We designed the AP4 to share a similar voicing and tuning with our active speakers so you're assured a matched system no matter which speakers or our wireless products you add to your system." said Brady Bargenquast, Audioengine co-founder.

Key Features

• 4" 2-way passive, front ported design
• Hand-built and custom finished cabinets
• 5-way gold-plated binding posts
• Silk dome tweeters and Kevlar woofers
• Magnetically-shielded
• Excellent performance for music and movies
• Wall mount, stand or shelf placement

Package Contents

• (2) AP4 Passive Speakers
• (2) Drawstring Cloth Speaker Bags
• (2) High-density foam isolation pads (attached)
• Setup Guide

General Specifications

• Type: 2-way passive, front ported design
• Sensitivity: 88dB (2.83v@1m)
• Frequency Response: 58Hz-22kHz
• Nominal Impedance: 4-8 Ohms
• Crossover Frequency: 2.8 kHz
• Recommended Amplifier Power: 10-125W per channel
• Tweeter: 3/4" (20mm) silk dome with neodymium magnets
• Woofer: 4" (101mm) Kevlar cone
• Enclosure: 3/4" MDF
• Inputs: Gold-plated, 5-way binding posts
• Magnetically Shielded
• Weight each: 2.75 kg (6 lbs)
• Total shipping weight: 6.5 kg (14 lbs)
• Dimensions each (HxWxD): 228x140x165mm (9x5.5x6.5")
• Shipping box dims (HxWxD): 330x460x228mm (13x18x9")
• Finish Options: Satin Black, Hi-Gloss White, Solid Carbonized Bamboo

Pricing and Availability
The Audioengine P4 (AP4) Premium Passive Bookshelf Speakers start from US$249 per pair and are available from an authorized Audioengine reseller or online direct from www.audioengineusa.com

[glennS Posted Aug 6th 2009 11:27PM]

Very nice, understated bookshelf speakers. But looking at them makes me want to break out my LPs.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 7th 2009 6:56AM]

I own a pair of A5's - Haven't looked back since.

[kj4gr Posted Aug 7th 2009 8:33AM]

My A5's are the best CPU speakers under $500. I love them.

[andyman2 Posted Aug 7th 2009 12:40PM]

My a5's are better than yours.

[thedankone Posted Aug 7th 2009 4:08PM]

What did you CPU say to you? My cpu doesn't have a output for speakers, my motherboard does.

[ran Posted Sep 7th 2009 7:46PM]

@thedankone: CPU = Cost Per Unit

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 7th 2009 9:58PM]

People with money to burn.
Here you go.
http://www.matrixhifi.com/ENG_contenedor_ppec.htm

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2009 2:49PM]

OK, I'll bite...

From my reading, this test shows 14 people preferred the cheaper system, 14 the more expensive, and 10 didn't hear a difference/didn't have a preference. That's entirely different than saying that no one heard a difference between the cheaper and more expensive setups. The test is an objective (blind) demonstration of subjective (preference) differences -- it's like saying "14 people prefer red, 14 prefer blue, 10 don't prefer either." That's different than saying "people can't tell the difference between red and blue."

Leaving aside statistical error, the most you can say based on the test is that 63-percent (24/38) of people can save their money because they don't prefer the more expensive gear; but if you're one of the other 37-percent, your wallet will suffer. ABX testing is much more than just labeling choices as "A" and "B;" it's used over repeated trials to determine if subjects can discern differences between two stimuli.

Finally, this Audioengine post is about speakers, and the speakers were held constant in the test you reference. I don't think anyone would claim there is no audible difference between speakers varying in price like the electronics in the poll you linked.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2009 1:51PM]

wow those are definitely just M-Audio BX5a's (http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-5-inch-BiAmplified-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B0009VT9PC) in a different cabinet.....

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 8th 2009 11:37PM]

nothing but good things to say about audioengine, great customer service and an excellent product. have my a5's hooked up to my harmon kardon and I couldn't be happier.

will definitely be looking into getting me some of these for my rear channels!