Audioengine HD6 150W Powered Bookshelf Stereo Speakers
Introduction
The Audioengine HD6 Powered speakers we are reviewing today are not the same as the ones that were released 5+ years ago. Audioengine has made numerous changes to the internal design, and it’s worth revisiting this model that was once the brand’s flagship speaker. What do they sound like? Are they worth the money? How do they compete against rival brands like Edifier? Let’s find out!
The Concept
What are Powered Speakers?
Powered speakers are exactly what you expect, speakers with power. They can also be referred to as active speakers, whereas ones without an amplifier are referred to as passive.
What makes them different from regular speakers is that a built-in amplifier has been chosen to drive the speakers optimally. You have no need for external amplification or to buy external power sources; everything to listen to music is in the box.
How is the connectivity?
In addition to having an integrated amp, these units usually have various input options. With the Audioengine HD6, the connectivity is considered excellent. Here you have the option to play music via 3.5mm audio jack, RCA left and right channel input, digital optical (SPDIF), and wirelessly via Bluetooth with support for APTX.
Noticeably missing are Wifi audio solutions and USB to connect directly to the computer, but either way, there are lots of options to connect external components.
APTX is now what I consider a must-have for any wireless speaker wanting to compete on sound quality. It allows users to play files wirelessly at a higher bit rate than with older Bluetooth standards. Higher bitrate equals more data (and less compression) and theoretically better sound.
What does Audioengine say about the HD6 Powered Speakers?
Actually, surprisingly and refreshingly, they don’t say a lot. Their official page of the HD6 is really low on hyperbole; they tell you pretty to the point what the speakers are designed to do and how they are meant to function.
There’s no grotesque blurb about how you will hear the angels sing, how master craftsmen hand-assembled your speaker. Nothing about how the lumberjack played music to the tree before felling it to make your cabinet (obviously to ease its suffering).
None of that, and I love it; Audioengine has pictures of the speakers in every color from multiple angles, clearly lays out the specifications, and even maintains an up-to-date FAQ. I wish more companies would do that.
So what are these speakers?
The Audioengine HD6 is the brand’s flagship powered speaker with good specifications and is priced at $699 USD (RRP though may be available cheaper elsewhere).
They are an alternative for people not wanting to invest or not wanting to deal with the complications in a full Hifi System. These are still bookshelf speakers and can be used on stands.
What are the full specifications of the Audioengine HD6?
Type: Powered Bluetooth aptX HD speaker system
Amplifier Type: Class AB
Power Output: 150 W peak power total (50 W RMS / 75 W peak per channel), AES
Drivers: 5.5″ aramid fiber woofers +1″ silk dome tweeters
Inputs: 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack, RCA L/R, digital optical (SPDIF,) Bluetooth aptX
Outputs: RCA variable line-out
Analog Input Impedance: 48K ohms
Dimensions (HWD)
Left speaker (active)
Dimensions: 11.75″ (30 cm) x 7.25″ (18.5 cm) x 10″ (25 cm)
Right speaker (passive)
Dimensions: 11.75″ (30 cm) x 7.25″ (18.5 cm) x 10″ (25 cm)Weight
Left (active) – 17.5 lb (8 kg)
Right (passive) – 12.5 lb (5.5 kg)Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.0
Supported Codecs: aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
Wireless Operation Range: 100 ft (30 m) (in optimum conditions)
Latency: ~30 milliseconds (ms)
Build Quality Impressions
The build quality is excellent and definitely on a par with other active speakers under $1000 USD. It has well-finished cabinetry that is constructed from MDF and covered in applied finishes. Our review unit showed no signs of poor finishing, and no defects were found.
Looking internally, the good impression carries over. The speaker is well braced at key points, and the larger driver's mounting area has been significantly beefed up.
The switch and input geat all feel solid with now cheap plastics used in construction. I also like that Audioengine has put a passive radiator on to deter the active side speaker from overheating.
Our Opinion on Aesthetics
Aesthetics are always subjective; what I like might not be what you want, so take this section with a grain of salt.
I think that in two of the color options (there are four to choose from (black, white, walnut, and cherry), they just look like standard bookshelf speakers. A little bit dated and a little bit boring, that’s the black and walnut option. The white and the cherry look incredible. The test unit I used for this review was cherry, which is quite a stunning vibrant red.
The layout is clean with a hint of retro to it. The line under the active speaker tastefully has only a small logo on it. All the inputs are hidden on the back plate that is well laid out and intuitive.
The only interruption to the front end is the receiver for the remote and the volume pot, both welcome additions when we consider functionality.
A touch of class is added by the HD6 having magnetic speaker grills, meaning there are no unsightly clipping points to disrupt the looks on the front side.
Sound Quality
For a passive speaker, this is one hell of a performer. Choosing options at a lower price that are passive will give you better sound, but you have the hassle of buying additional components and setting everything up. Therefore I evaluate the Audioengine HD6 against other active speakers like the Edifier S1000DB we reviewed previously.
The sound is natural and fluid, with nothing to surprise or aggravate us. It’s a smooth listening speaker with good clarity and no over-emphasis of one area of the sound. It presents in a relaxed manner with slight open characteristics.
When I talk of a speaker sounding natural, I think this is the best way to put it. Many speaker reviewers talk of a track sounding how an artist intended, but how do you know what the speaker was meant to sound like? A better test is to listen to instruments you are familiar with and see how well the test speaker handles tones you are familiar with.
For me, that was the cello, I did some sessions playing cello and concerto music to get a real idea of how realistic the HD6 sounded, and I must admit it performed well. The highs were a little reduced, but in the overall feel and reverberation of the strings on my test tracks, they passed the test. They aren’t adding anything that isn’t there but also don’t degrade the sound.
The highs will be subjective because that is up to how much you want or how much you can tolerate. I consider myself a treble head that enjoys crystalline highs, but the HD6 was a bit smoother than I am used to. It’s an inoffensive treble presentation that misses out on some sparkle so as not to upset the majority of listeners.
The bass is on the lighter side. They are probably worth using with a subwoofer to get a more realistic listen to hip hop, R&B, and EDM tracks. They are punchy and tight, remaining controlled without spilling into the lower midrange, but lack sub-bass response due to the small driver size.
Final Verdict
The Audioengine HD6 is still a good speaker, but there are a lot more options on the market that also do the same job at a cheaper price. Still, the audio performance and build quality really set them apart, and they can be real lookers in a couple of the color options. If you are looking for a set of bookshelf speakers and don’t want to deal with external amps and setups, this is a great option for creating a natural and immersive listening experience.
