Main trade-off
Audioengine HD5
Optical does not add HDMI CEC volume control. Check the speaker-remote routine.
Head-to-head
Audioengine HD5 vs A5+ Wireless: HD5 adds optical TV audio and a shallower main cabinet
The short answer
Choose HD5 if an optical-output TV or player must connect directly. HD5 adds the direct optical connection and its main cabinet is 1.21 inches shallower than A5+ Wireless. Choose A5+ Wireless when analog and Bluetooth already cover the sources and its body fits. Neither has HDMI TV control, computer USB audio or a phono stage. HD5 solves the optical connection, not every part of a one-remote television routine.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A television can change the number of boxes on the shelf
With an optical-output TV and no suitable analog output, HD5 connects directly while A5+ Wireless needs a compatible converter or another route. That converter brings another box, cable and usually power. If a partner wants the furniture kept clear, HD5’s optical input can matter more than its nominally similar driver size. The TV must send a supported format. This does not promise that its usual remote will control volume through optical.
What this is based on
Optical input presence applied to an explicitly optical-source setup. Converter requirements are conditional, without a quoted price or guaranteed remote behavior.
Main trade-off
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
No optical input, so an optical-only TV needs a compatible converter or a different source route.
Audioengine HD5
- Choose it for
- A TV or player has optical output and you want to avoid an external digital-to-analog converter.
- The main cabinet must fit on relatively shallow furniture.
- Main trade-off
- Optical does not add HDMI CEC volume control. Check the speaker-remote routine.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Choose it for
- An existing analog player and phone Bluetooth cover the whole source plan.
- Optical input is unnecessary and the deeper main cabinet fits.
- Main trade-off
- No optical input, so an optical-only TV needs a compatible converter or a different source route.
About this comparison
HD5 vs A5+ Wireless for TV and everyday music. Compare optical compatibility, usable shelf depth and the computer or turntable adapters both may need.
These Audioengine pairs overlap for Bluetooth and analog music. HD5’s optical input changes the source chain when the television has no usable analog output.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Optical-output television without usable analog output
HD5 accepts the optical feed directly.
- Audioengine HD5
- Better fit
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
Existing analog and Bluetooth setup needs no extra input
Both cover the stated sources. The optical advantage is unnecessary for this use.
- Audioengine HD5
- Good
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Good
Powered cabinet sits on shallow furniture
HD5’s main cabinet is 1.21 inches shallower before clearance.
- Audioengine HD5
- Better fit
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
Require HDMI TV-volume control
Neither has HDMI ARC.
- Audioengine HD5
- Not suitable
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A television can change the number of boxes on the shelf
With an optical-output TV and no suitable analog output, HD5 connects directly while A5+ Wireless needs a compatible converter or another route. That converter brings another box, cable and usually power. If a partner wants the furniture kept clear, HD5’s optical input can matter more than its nominally similar driver size. The TV must send a supported format. This does not promise that its usual remote will control volume through optical.
How we reached this conclusion
Optical input presence applied to an explicitly optical-source setup. Converter requirements are conditional, without a quoted price or guaranteed remote behavior.
The slightly wider model can fit shallow furniture better
HD5 is 0.16 inch wider than A5+ Wireless, but its main cabinet is 1.21 inches shallower. A quick front-view comparison can therefore give the wrong answer for a narrow media unit. Measure front to back at the powered side, where source cables arrive. Published dimensions exclude the installation space behind the cabinet, and the A5+ passive cabinet is shallower than its active one. Compare the correct side.
How we reached this conclusion
7.16 − 7 = 0.16 inch width. 9 − 7.79 = 1.21 inches active-cabinet depth. A5+ active and passive depths differ.
Adding work audio and records can leave two unresolved connections
HD5’s optical input is useful, but it does not turn a USB-only laptop into a compatible wired source or amplify a raw turntable cartridge signal. Both pairs need a suitable computer audio path and a phono stage when the turntable lacks one. If those are the two frequent sources, compare the complete adapter plan before treating HD5 as a universal connectivity upgrade. Existing line-level sources avoid that extra work on either pair.
How we reached this conclusion
Complete documented input sets crossed with two conditional source requirements. No missing feature is inferred from an incomplete listing.
Choice A
Audioengine, HD5
HD5
A TV or player has optical output and you want to avoid an external digital-to-analog converter.
- Best matched use
- A TV or player has optical output and you want to avoid an external digital-to-analog converter.
Checked facts
- Optical source: Digital optical input
- Active cabinet depth: 7.79 inches
- Cabinet width: 7.16 inches
- TV remote: No HDMI ARC
Choice B
Audioengine, A5+ Wireless
A5+ Wireless
An existing analog player and phone Bluetooth cover the whole source plan.
- Best matched use
- An existing analog player and phone Bluetooth cover the whole source plan.
Checked facts
- Optical source: No optical input
- Active cabinet depth: 9 inches
- Cabinet width: 7 inches
- TV remote: No HDMI ARC
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Audioengine HD5 | Audioengine A5+ Wireless | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical source | Digital optical input | No optical input | HD5 can remove a converter from an optical TV connection. |
| Active cabinet depth | 7.79 inches | 9 inches | HD5 saves 1.21 inches of body depth at the powered cabinet. |
| Cabinet width | 7.16 inches | 7 inches | HD5 is slightly wider even though its main body is shallower. |
| TV remote | No HDMI ARC | No HDMI ARC | Neither provides the HDMI CEC control path. |
| USB and phono | No USB audio or phono stage | No USB audio or phono stage | The optical upgrade does not replace those missing source functions. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Audioengine HD5
- A USB-only computer and a turntable without a preamp can still require separate compatible hardware.
If you choose Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- The two analog inputs remain active together. Mute the source you do not want to hear.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Optical source audio is the missing connection
Choose Audioengine HD5. HD5 includes that digital input.
Analog and Bluetooth already cover every source
Choose Audioengine A5+ Wireless. The A5+ Wireless connection set is sufficient for that plan.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want a music pair to take over TV sound without placing another converter and power lead on the furniture.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Conflicting HD5 Bluetooth-version, chip and weight fields are not used. No sound-quality ranking is inferred.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current powered speakers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audioengine HD5 |
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| Audioengine A5+ Wireless |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Audioengine HD5
A TV or player has optical output and you want to avoid an external digital-to-analog converter.
The main cabinet must fit on relatively shallow furniture.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudioengine A5+ Wireless
An existing analog player and phone Bluetooth cover the whole source plan.
Optical input is unnecessary and the deeper main cabinet fits.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.