Mark Fleischmann

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CEDIA 2009
AudioControl Bows Maestro M3 Pre-Pro
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
If you want to extend a/v signals over Cat5 or Cat6 wiring, the Active Balanced Outputs of the AudioControl Maestro M3 pre-pro will do that for you. It has both XLR and RCA outputs and five HDMI inputs. The video scaler is "broadcast quality." Of course you'll get HDMI 1.3 and all the latest lossless and other codecs from Dolby and DTS. Oh, and there's a moving magnet phono input. That's the dealmaker for us! Pictured with the Pantages G3 power amp. Maestro price: approximately $6000 when sold through custom installers.
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CEDIA 2017
AudioControl Bows New Pre-Pro
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 07, 2017
The Maestro M5 is how AudioControl does Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in a high-end surround preamp-processor.

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AV Receiver Reviews
AudioControl Concert AVR-1 A/V Receiver
Mark Fleischmann  |  Oct 26, 2009
Price: $5,500 At A Glance: Class H amplification delivers lots of peak power • Dolby Volume tames dynamic extremes • Offers the transparency and power of separates

Powerful But Clever

The AudioControl Concert AVR-1 embodies the paradox of high-end A/V receivers. Befitting an audiophile product, its Class H amplification can take an input signal and fill a room with commendable transparency and power. At the same time, it departs from strict fidelity to the input signal by offering pragmatic features like Dolby Volume and room correction. Let’s take a closer look at its dual nature.

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Ears On
Audioengine 2 Amplified Speaker System
Mark Fleischmann  |  Sep 19, 2007
Is less of a good thing better? You're about to find out as Audioengine returns to these webpages with a smaller version of the previously reviewed Audioengine 5 powered speaker system. The new Audioengine 2 scales down the formidably chunky form factor of its larger sibling into something that won't dwarf your video monitor or earn dirty looks from boss or spouse.
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Headphone Amp/DAC ReviewsDesktop Speaker Reviews
Audioengine 2+ Powered Desktop Speakers
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jun 20, 2014

Performance
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $249/pair

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Inviting, carefully tailored sonics
USB computer input
Easy setup
Minus
Controls in back
Unprotected drivers

THE VERDICT
Our audio editor’s favorite budget desktop (and TV) speakers have gotten more convenient thanks to the addition of a PC-friendly USB input, making them an even better value.

We may love good sound, but we can’t completely banish bad sound from our lives. We can’t listen to vinyl and high-rez audio all the time. We’ve all got some lousy MP3 files in our music libraries, love streaming services, and endure blaring SUV ads on TV. What’s the best way to make this substandard content palatable? Audioengine has offered compelling answers for years with its powered speakers, the chunky Audioengine 5 and smaller Audioengine 2. Now they’re available in variations that can accept USB input from a computer, including the Audioengine 2+ reviewed here.
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Desktop Speaker Reviews
Audioengine 5 Amplified Speaker System
Mark Fleischmann  |  Dec 04, 2006  |  Published: Nov 04, 2006
Start your engines.

The increasing iPod-centricity of the audio industry has not prevented one brave manufacturer from releasing a product without the omnipresent iPod dock. Why would Audioengine do such a thing? Their Website explains: "There are so many iPod-dock products on the market right now, so we made a decision early on to spend our development budget and time on audio quality and other features (like USB charging). We feel that Apple docks are the best, so why waste resources trying to redesign a nearly perfect dock? We were also able to keep Audioengine pricing much lower without integrating a 30-pin dock system."

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Ears On
Audioengine AW1 Wireless Audio Adapter
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jun 04, 2008
There are lots of wireless ways to get two channels of audio from point A to point B. But which is the right one for you? One of several possible answers is the Audioengine AW1 wireless audio adapter. It takes the form of two shiny black objects. Each one is the size and shape of a box of kitchen matches, with a stubby USB dongle at one end and a stereo mini-jack at the other end.
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Headphone Amp/DAC ReviewsHeadphone Reviews
Audioengine D3 DAC Headphone Amplifier
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jul 02, 2014

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $189

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact
Inexpensive
Lively sound
Minus
Converts 192-kHz files to 96 kHz

THE VERDICT
The Audioengine D3 is a fine- sounding entry-level headphone amp as well as the best USB-stick DAC I’ve heard so far.

If you find the whole concept of a headphone amp scary, Audioengine’s D3 might be comforting. It takes the form of a USB stick with a USB plug at one end and a 1/8-inch minijack at the other. Mediating discreetly between your computer and headphones, it gets far better sound out of your computer than you’d get from the computer’s potentially messy analog output.

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CES 2017
Audioengine HD3 Is Both Speaker and Headphone Amp
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2017
Audioengine says its new HD3 is more than just a warmed over version of its famous AE2. It is not only an active mini-monitor but can also function as a headphone amp.

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Bluetooth Speaker ReviewsBookshelf Speaker Reviews
Audioengine HD3 Loudspeaker Review
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jun 20, 2017

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $399 pr

AT A GLANCE
Plus
For desktop or in-room listening
PC-friendly USB and line inputs
Class A/B analog amp
Minus
Limited (but adjustable) bass

THE VERDICT
Audioengine, always a champ in powered compact speakers, sweetens the deal on this one with a PC-friendly USB input and headphone jack.

Twelve-year-old Audioengine is best known for active compact speakers, though the company also makes passive compact speakers, a subwoofer, a small amplifier, a USB stick DAC, and a couple of streaming DACs. The HD3 loudspeaker is more or less an amalgamation of most of those products, infusing a sweet little speaker with a Class A/B amp, DAC, Bluetooth streaming, and a couple of less common features that just might make it irresistible to those in the market for a pair of small wireless speakers.

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