The full review
Audioengine P4 Bookshelf Speakers Review
An Impressive First Impression
At first glance, the Audioengine P4 speakers didn’t seem all that different from other bookshelf speakers I’ve seen, but what caught my attention was their construction. The build quality is indeed exceptional, with the speakers housed in solid bamboo rather than cheap plastic, they feel like a quality product - you can feel the heft and solidity. The rear cable inputs are well-finished without imperfections, which is a welcome change compared to other brands.
I was also particularly taken in by the craftsmanship on the 4” Kevlar woofer and the silk tweeter - no defects to comment on here. For those seeking a visually appealing product, you won’t be disappointed - these are handsome, sturdy, and well-built.
Practical Considerations and Performance
Before purchasing, it’s worthwhile to understand what you're getting in terms of function. However, with Audioengine's reputation for lofty claims about their products, I wasn't sure what to expect. These speakers got me pleasantly surprised.
The Audioengine P4s have a surprising soundstage for their size, easily filling a smaller room with music. As with other high-quality speakers, these have a disappearing effect - you find yourself immersed in the sound without being aware of where the music is coming from. The clarity is maintained at all but the highest volumes. I did notice though, that the space in which I've placed them is a bit compact - they would probably produce an even better sound if they were spaced a little further apart.
The P4 speakers come across as genuinely robust and hum with life. Subtle facets of your music become more pronounced, with the result often being so intense that it can be difficult to tear yourself away from the couch.
Quality of Sound
The mids produced by the Audioengine P4 were lush and rich; the singer's voices sounded fantastic and upfront. Similarly, the highs were high, but not whiny or grating. Instrument separation and placement were impressive, with tremendous clarity, precision, and detail. Even on dense tracks with numerous layers, these speakers reproduced a stunning amount of detail.
One thing to note is that the bass extension was very impressive, dipping into the upper 50 Hz range when paired with the N22. It was also pleasant to find the lows very tight and not boomy. That said, a subwoofer might be a useful addition though not exactly mandatory.
In terms of neutrality, the Audioengine P4s held their own, and definitely in comparison to other brands I have used. Bass tones were well-defined, with no fuzziness, and the highs were clear and sharp. The overall speaker performance was great, especially with rock music.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
-
- Impressive, powerful sound output despite the compact size.
- Good build quality and minimalist design.
- Flexible usage with turntable and Vinyl records.
Cons:
-
- Slight inconsistencies in sound when it comes to heavy bass and electronic sounds.
- A veneer of cost-cutting in the design and construction.
- The price is a bit steep for what's on offer.
Conclusions
All in all, I find the Audioengine P4 Bookshelf Speakers to be commendable for their price range. Their sound quality is fairly good, and any issues I encountered were minor. However, factors such as sound inconsistencies and hefty price compared to the construction and sound quality could potentially detract from the overall value for some consumers. In my personal experience, I found that these speakers are perfect for casual and moderately critical listeners, delivering good, decently balanced sound quality.