{"product_id":"audioengine-open-box-hd3-premium-desktop-speakers-system-black-pair-a-grade-fcfudr","title":"Audioengine OPEN BOX HD3 Premium Desktop Speakers System - Black - Pair - A Grade","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eCompany \u0026amp; Product Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAudioengine is one of the most popular names in audio right now, having built a reputation over the last 11 years for building fantastic speakers that provide an incredible value. Their founders have a great pedigree, having spent time at some of the best names in the audio and consumer electronics industry, including Apple, Alesis, Gibson Guitar, and Harman\/Kardon. \u003ca href=\"\/shop-by-brand\/audioengine.html\"\u003eAudioengine has developed a line of products\u003c\/a\u003e that are incredibly easy to set up while delivering performance that rivals speakers costing 2-3 times the price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2016, they released a flagship product, the \u003ca href=\"\/audioengine-hd6-powered-speakers.html\"\u003eHD6\u003c\/a\u003e, which represented a bit of a departure from their focus on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/home-audio\/speakers\/computer-speakers.html\"\u003edesktop computer speakers\u003c\/a\u003e. The HD6 is a true full-range speaker and is best appreciated on speaker stands or bookshelves where you can sit further away than the typical 2-3 ft we all sit from our computer speakers. The HD6 is beautifully finished tons of options for connectivity built in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family: 'Proxima N W01 Light';\"\u003eThe HD3, which we will be reviewing today, takes many of the great features of the HD6 and shrinks it down into a compact pair of speakers that are perfect for desktop listening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/wordpress2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/audioengine-HD3-lifestyle-laptop.jpg\" alt=\"Audioengine HD3 desktop speakers with laptop.\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Build Quality\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike the HD6, \u003cstrong\u003ethe HD3 comes in a choice of three beautiful finishes, walnut, cherry, or black\u003c\/strong\u003e. The model we tested was in walnut and was really beautiful. They all come with a black grill that attaches magnetically to the front. The grill doesn’t cover the speaker from top to bottom, leaving a little room for a brushed metal plate across the front. The left speaker has a volume\/off control knob, headphone input, and Bluetooth pairing button. The HD3 has a slot loaded front firing port, which means you can place them just about anywhere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/wordpress2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/hd3-high-notes.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic art image showing the front and rear panel with all of the inputs and outputs available on the Audioengine HD3 powered speakers.\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize wise they are just slightly larger than the famous \u003ca href=\"\/audioengine-a2-powered-desktop-speakers.html\"\u003eAudioengine A2+\u003c\/a\u003e, standing 7 ¼” tall compared to the 6” of the A2+ with the width (4 1\/8”) and depth (5 ¾”) very similar to the A2+.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HD3 is a two-way powered speaker system with 2.75” Kevlar woofer and ¾” silk dome tweeters. The HD3 uses a cast basket which provides more rigidity than the stamped basket featured in the A2+. The amp for the HD3 is built in, so all you need is a source to get music playing. As you’ll see, there are no shortages of possibilities there!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConnectivity is an area where the HD3 really shines. They come with a heavy gauge 2-meter speaker cable used to connect the left powered speaker to the right. The cable used is a big step up from that included with the A2+. It’s much larger gauge and comes pre-terminated with gold plated banana plugs. This makes hookup a snap and eliminates any chance of stray wires touching at the speaker terminals. Should you wish to use your own cable, the connections accept either banana plugs or bare wire and are far more solid than you normally find on speakers in this price range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back panel of the left speaker has several connection options. There is a left\/right set of RCA audio inputs, a mini plug audio input (with a nice gold plated audio cable included), a micro USB input for connection from a computer (basic cable included), and a Bluetooth antenna. You’ll also find a set of audio outputs should you wish to connect a sub, and a new feature for Audioengine, a bass reducing toggle switch. Finally, there is the locking connection for the external power supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairing for Bluetooth works great and the HD3 will even remember 6 different Bluetooth connections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/wordpress2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/AE-HD3-WAL_alt2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Audioengine HD3 Real Panel Connectivity Options - Bluetooth, USB, RC\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003ePerformance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAudioengine recommends about 40-50 hours of break in time, so while they were playing we tested out the Bluetooth range. This is no “you have to stay in the room” Bluetooth connection. Using an iPhone we were able to stay connected up to about 50 feet away, even through multiple walls -- very impressive!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe really like the design theory of a powered speaker. If the designer is choosing to build a powered speaker because they care about the sound (not to cut costs), the outcome can be fantastic. They know all of the electrical characteristics the amp will need to contend with since the only thing it will ever be connected to are the drivers that are built into that particular speaker. This lets them design the amp to perfectly match the speakers. It saves money and if done right, results in great sound. As with many Audioengine speakers, the HD3 is self-powered. We were surprised to see how well the built in amp could push them. It easily filled up a reasonably sized room with sound, though we preferred the sound up close. Though they certainly will work as a bookshelf speaker, it seems\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ethey were designed to really excel where they will likely be most used -- as a great set of desktop speakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur experience with Audioengine means we are starting to get to a point where we can predict how an Audioengine speaker will sound. They tend not to over-emphasize any frequencies. Everything is smooth and flat in the range they cover. This means you can sit at your desk and listen to them for hours on end without the fatigue you sometimes get from lower quality speakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bass switch is a really interesting feature. It cuts off the deep bass if you are going to use a subwoofer with them. This has the advantage of removing the deep bass demands from the woofer, which actually opens up the midrange. It’s really easy to hear, if you switch bass cut on, during some complex music with vocals you’ll notice the vocals to be clearer. Couple these with an \u003ca href=\"\/audioengine-s8b-powered-subwoofer.html\"\u003eAudioengine sub\u003c\/a\u003e (or your own) and you have a great full-range system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are going to use them on a wooden desk, we do highly recommend the \u003ca href=\"\/audioengine-ds1-desktop-stands-black.html\"\u003e$29 DS1 stands\u003c\/a\u003e as an add-on. Anytime you put a speaker on a big, flat, resonant surface, the sound can become colored by the resonances. The DS1 stands eliminate this and also aims the drivers up towards your ears for a better listening experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HD3 apparently has the same \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/videos-reviews\/what-is-a-dac\/\"\u003eDAC (digital audio converter)\u003c\/a\u003e built in as their great D1 DAC. This is one of our favorite DAC’s for the money and it was not surprising that we got our best sound while using the USB output from our computer, which then had the built in DAC turning the digital stream into music. Ripped CD’s sounded great too, as did \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/videos-reviews\/tidal-wave-great-music\/\"\u003eTidal\u003c\/a\u003e in HiFi (CD quality) streaming mode.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eOverall Recommendation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like listening to music at your desk, we highly recommend the HD3. All you need are the speakers (and we recommend the stands). For private listening, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/headphones-portables\/headphone-amplifiers-dacs.html\"\u003eheadphone amp\u003c\/a\u003e will also drive even the highest demand \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/headphones-portables\/headphones.html\"\u003eheadphones\u003c\/a\u003e on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey could also work well in a small room as a primary speaker coupled with your smartphone for Bluetooth streaming or even a \u003ca href=\"\/turntables\/phono-preamps.html\"\u003ephono stage\u003c\/a\u003e with an \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/videos-reviews\/3-entry-level-turntables\/\"\u003eentry-level turntable\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you couple the better DAC, better woofer basket, and slightly larger cabinet, these are definitely a substantial improvement over the A2+ for just another $150. Add in the fact that you get Bluetooth and a headphone amp and it’s a no brainer to upgrade to these over the A2+ if it’s within your budget.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Audioengine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45319450296343,"sku":"AE:HD3-BLK-BSA","price":41.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/0639\/6439\/files\/phqz40o3msvj_6f69dabf-506d-45a9-8cb9-293902a25301.jpg?v=1784650104","url":"https:\/\/audiodvice.shop\/products\/audioengine-open-box-hd3-premium-desktop-speakers-system-black-pair-a-grade-fcfudr","provider":"Wild Fern Baby Essentials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}