Audio Pro A28 W review: Classy stereo speakers with AirPlay 2 for Apple devices

At a glance

Expert rating

Benefits

• Excellent sound quality
• Good manufacturing quality
• Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 for wireless audio

Disadvantages

• Dear
• No 3.5mm or USB-C connectors

Our Verdict

These stereo speakers are more expensive than their one-piece rivals, but they produce powerful, expansive sound that’s ideal for listening to music or enhancing the sound on your TV. They’re also well connected, with Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 for wireless audio.

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Best prices today: Audio Pro A28 W

$720

Audio Pro recently updated its entire speaker lineup with a new “Generation W” that emphasizes wireless connectivity and streaming. We liked its C10 MKII W, which offers Hi-Fi sound quality in a compact, one-piece design that makes it a good rival for Apple’s HomePod. But, of course, many people still prefer proper stereo speakers, and the new Audio Pro range includes a number of stereo speakers in various sizes, starting with the new $720/£500 A28 W.

The A28 W is described as a set of “bookshelf” speakers, but they are quite large, with each speaker measuring 238mm high, 150mm wide and 200mm deep. Both speakers just about fit on my desk, sitting on either side of my trusty 27-inch iMac, but they’ll probably be more at home on a larger shelf or stand when connected to a TV.

The speakers are made from MDF, which is very sturdy and also helps reduce vibrations that can affect sound quality. The A28 W is available in black or white, or with a walnut wood finish (although, for some reason, the walnut finish costs a little more in the UK, at £540).

AudioPro

Inside each speaker, you’ll find a 4.5-inch woofer to handle mid and low frequencies, as well as a 1-inch tweeter for higher frequencies. Removable fabric grilles come with each speaker, so you can decide whether you prefer a minimalist look with the grille covering the speakers, or perhaps remove the grille for a more retro look with the speakers exposed.

The A28 W requires mains power, with a power socket on the left speaker, which then uses a single cable to deliver power and audio to the right speaker. Each speaker delivers 75W of power – 150W in total – leaving more than enough power for the A28W to act as your main music system or boost the sound on your TV.

As mentioned, the “W” refers to the speakers’ emphasis on wireless connectivity, and the A28 W provides Bluetooth for quick and easy connection to your mobile devices, with support for Apple’s AAC codec (although there’s no aptX for Android users). However, the speakers also provide dual-band Wi-Fi for connecting to your home network (2.4GHz and 5.0GHz), with support for AirPlay 2 for Apple devices, as well as Google Cast.

Despite the focus on wireless audio, the A28 W also provides useful wired inputs. The left speaker rear panel provides stereo RCA inputs and a digital optical input for use with other hi-fi equipment, as well as an HDMI-ARC interface for a TV. And, for Hi-Fi enthusiasts who like to build their own system, there is also an additional RCA connector that allows you to connect to an external subwoofer as well.

It’s a shame, however, that such an expensive speaker doesn’t also include a standard 3.5mm or USB-C connector for wired audio. No audio cables are included either, so you’ll have to supply them yourself if you want to use a wired connection. However, Audio Pro includes a portable remote control to control playback and switch between different input options. We have more AirPlay speakers in our roundup, see Best AirPlay Speakers for iPhone and Apple Music.

AudioPro

You can also control the various audio settings using the Audio Pro app, which includes a 10-band EQ to fine-tune the sound, as well as a variety of presets, such as ‘bass booster’ and ‘games’. AirPlay support means you can play audio from any app or streaming service on your Apple devices, but the Audio Pro app also includes direct support for Amazon Music and Spotify, as well as services such as SoundCloud and BBC Radio in the UK.

But, of course, the A28 W’s biggest selling point is its ability to create expansive stereo sound that’s far more immersive and atmospheric than one-piece speakers like Apple’s HomePod. It creates an airy sound cloud when streaming Enya. Flow of the Orinoco from Apple Music. Its multi-track vocals are silky smooth as they float through the air, and the A28 W is loud enough to fill the room around me, even at just 40 percent of maximum volume. The A28 W anchors the hazy sound with the heavy kick drum, but is still able to pick up lighter details such as soft cymbals and synthesizer keyboards.

The A28 W has no trouble handling a change in mood as I turn up the volume a bit and switch to the sinister dance groove of First Evil by L’Orbe. He digs deep for the track’s slinky bass riff, and there’s a nervous, tremulous energy to the percussion that sounds like someone’s pulling out their hair. The percussion builds up as the song progresses, but the A28 W keeps the sound clear and focused while building into the kind of musical maelstrom that could fill the dance floor at a house party.

Should you buy the A28 W?

Some people will prefer the more compact design of one-piece speakers such as the HomePod or Audio Pro’s C10 MKII W. But if you want the more expansive, spacious sound delivered by true stereo speakers, then the A28 W is hard to beat. It’s quite expensive, but the sound quality is excellent, with more than enough power to serve as the main music system or as part of a home theater setup. And of course, its AirPlay 2 support makes it ideal for use with Apple devices.