Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus for linearity, the Audioengine A5+ Classic for value. The Vanatoo’s smooth, flat on-axis response avoids the V curve that causes listener fatigue, though a slight 4-6 kHz sibilance needed -2dB of EQ. The A5+ Classic’s CEA2034 spinorama is flat outside the upper bass, but a valley from 200-400Hz and a distortion peak around 800-900Hz at 86dB SPL remain.
What the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus offers: Smooth, relatively flat on-axis response instead of the pronounced mid-bass-and-treble “V curve” common in this size class, which tends to cause listener fatigue over long sessions. Watch for: A slight sibilance/edge in the 4-6 kHz lower-treble region stood out to the reviewer as mildly fatiguing, though a single band of parametric EQ (about -2dB) fixed it.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $300.99 with the Audioengine A5+ Classic does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | Audioengine A5+ Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 per pair | $399.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth | RCA, Aux |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | - |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus compares with other leading options:
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- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus
- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 5.57 standalone and 7.38 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10” x 6.5” x 8” (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25” passive radiator (rear), 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| XLR Input | No |
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Audioengine A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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