Siblings in Audioengine's A series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Audioengine A5+ Wireless digs deeper - 50Hz against 65Hz. |
| Built-in power |
A |
Audioengine A5+ Wireless has the bigger amplifier (100W vs 30W RMS). |
| Connections |
evenly matched |
The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size |
depends |
Audioengine A1 Wireless is easier to place; Audioengine A5+ Wireless is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Audioengine A5+ Wireless: a sub output; Audioengine A1 Wireless: a sub output. |
| Price |
B |
Audioengine A1 Wireless is cheaper - $199 against $499, about 60% less; arguably a different class. |
A Audioengine A5+ Wireless
B Audioengine A1 Wireless
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Audioengine A5+ Wireless measures better, Audioengine A1 Wireless costs about 60% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 65Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Audioengine A1 Wireless much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Audioengine A5+ Wireless has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Audioengine A1 Wireless is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.