Aktimate Mini+ v/s Aktimate Micro v/s Swan H5 v/s Audioengine A5
The first ever review in the world which puts these four legends to test in the same environment by the same reviewer.
All these are 2.0 systems.
Test Bed:
Asus STX
Auralex Mopads
None of the speakers were burned in except AE5 because I needed to ensure that they were within the return window. So only a couple of hours of burn in for the rest.
Aktimate Mini+
Neutral
Relatively flat
Forward with forward mids
Most clear and with the most prat
Thin, clean and analytical sound
Needless to say, one of the only truly HiFi powered loudspeakers which delivers crystal clear sound with a high index of prat. Supreme clarity, thin analytical sound with a huge soundstage. Neutral to slightly forward. One of the best deals in the sub $1000 US market.
Swan H5
Most musical
Sweet mids
With the least prat
Most depth in the sound
Most weighty and powerful sound
Very warm and sweet sounding monitors which may not suit everybody's taste but give the Aktimates very good competition in the eyes of those who are avid Swan sound signature fans.
Aktimate Micro
Not in the same league as Mini+ but performs like a speaker half or even one third of Mini+
A step down from Mini+, much smaller and often cheaper.
Audioengine A5
Neutral and flat. A bit lower than Micro. But has more weight to its sound than Micro and more depth than Mini+.
Popular desktop loudspeakers which ruled the roast before Aktimates came in.
Lows:
Mini+ - Tight, thumpy, controlled bass which doesn't bleed into mids
H5 - Punchy, heavy weight bass which removes the need for a separate sub woofer. Slightly thumpy but not as tight and controlled.
A5 - Similar to Mini+ in quantity but much lower in quality. Not thumpy. Not as tight. A bit boomy as well compared to the above.
Micro - Barely any bass, though it is tighter than A5 and more controlled. But the quantity is far from sufficient.
H5/Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Highs:
Mini+ - Slightly rolled off but more or less neutral and natural.
H5 - A bit better than Mini+.
Micro - A step down from Mini+.
A5 - Brightest and most forward in purely treble intensive situations, despite being a neutral loudspeaker.
H5 > Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Mids/Vocals without eq:
Mini+ - Neutral natural, cinema hi fi like vocals. Crisp, clean and clear. Forward mids
H5 - Recessed mids which sound bloated and overly warm.
Micro - Similar to Mini+ but a big step down in all respects without the hifi/cinema air. Neutral.
A5 - Relatively muddled but neutral
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Mids/Vocals with eq inc treble eq
Mini+ - No treble boost needed. Perfect.
H5 - Excellent but a bit too bright if they need to be made like able.
Micro - Clarity is almost as good as H5 without the depth etc
A5 - Tolerable compared to the rest but deep sounding as compared to Micro or even Mini+.
Mini+ > H5 > Micro > A5
Soundstage Width
Aktimate Mini+ > Micro/A5 > H5
With Mini+ the speakers disappear. Difficult to compare Micro to A5 without more time on my hands. H5 being a studio monitor is more fussy for me.
Soundstage Depth
H5 > A5 > Mini+ >> Micro
Separation
Swan H5 is a step above the rest here. The difference to the others is huge so difficult to compare.
Clarity and Sharpness
Hands down winner Aktimate Mini+. Aktimate Mini+ competes with several a few times as expensive whereas swan can't even stand a chance in front of aktimate here,
Micro is a distant second and H5 is a close third.
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Clearness
Aktimate Mini+ is the hands down winner. Not even a contest.
Mini+ >> H5 > Micro > A5
Listening Sweet Spot
Aktimate Mini+ is the best.
Mini+ > Micro > A5 > H5
Low volume listening feasibility
Mini+ > Swan H5 >> Micro > A5
Volume
A5 > Mini+ > H5 >> Micro
Mini+ is very fairly priced at around USD 750-1000 or so. So is the Swan H5. At their current pricing both are a steal.
Micro and A5 are a step down from the above two.
Micro has a clearer, slightly tighter/sharper sound than A5 while A5 has more weight and depth to its sound with more bass. I would rate the Micro better than the A5 by about 30-50% but is also comes down to preference to a significant extent. Micro is fairly priced at around $500 but that should be the upper limit of its pricing. I would say it should be priced less than half of Mini+ so closer to $400 or less. A5 is also decently priced at around $400 compared to Micro's $500. But if Micro is $400 then A5 should be more like $300 or so.
Between Mini+ and H5:
Both have their plus and minus points. Aktimate has a thinner voice as compared to Swan's thicker voice. Swan is warm and needs eq for similar clarity due to excess warmth. aktimate is neutral to bright yet more lively. Bass and treble are a bit more natural on Swan though while Aktimate is more artificial but nice sounding.
If you like Audioengine sound signature without the muddled and muffled sounds, then Aktimate is better. If you like Swan signature, then get a Swan.
Swan is more musical, albeit slightly, with sweet mids while Aktimate is crisper.
Aktimate Mini+ v/s Aktimate Micro v/s Swan H5 v/s Audioengine A5
The first ever review in the world which puts these four legends to test in the same environment by the same reviewer.
All these are 2.0 systems.
Test Bed:
Asus STX
Auralex Mopads
None of the speakers were burned in except AE5 because I needed to ensure that they were within the return window. So only a couple of hours of burn in for the rest.
Aktimate Mini+
Neutral
Relatively flat
Forward with forward mids
Most clear and with the most prat
Thin, clean and analytical sound
Needless to say, one of the only truly HiFi powered loudspeakers which delivers crystal clear sound with a high index of prat. Supreme clarity, thin analytical sound with a huge soundstage. Neutral to slightly forward. One of the best deals in the sub $1000 US market.
Swan H5
Most musical
Sweet mids
With the least prat
Most depth in the sound
Most weighty and powerful sound
Very warm and sweet sounding monitors which may not suit everybody's taste but give the Aktimates very good competition in the eyes of those who are avid Swan sound signature fans.
Aktimate Micro
Not in the same league as Mini+ but performs like a speaker half or even one third of Mini+
A step down from Mini+, much smaller and often cheaper.
Audioengine A5
Neutral and flat. A bit lower than Micro. But has more weight to its sound than Micro and more depth than Mini+.
Popular desktop loudspeakers which ruled the roast before Aktimates came in.
Lows:
Mini+ - Tight, thumpy, controlled bass which doesn't bleed into mids
H5 - Punchy, heavy weight bass which removes the need for a separate sub woofer. Slightly thumpy but not as tight and controlled.
A5 - Similar to Mini+ in quantity but much lower in quality. Not thumpy. Not as tight. A bit boomy as well compared to the above.
Micro - Barely any bass, though it is tighter than A5 and more controlled. But the quantity is far from sufficient.
H5/Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Highs:
Mini+ - Slightly rolled off but more or less neutral and natural.
H5 - A bit better than Mini+.
Micro - A step down from Mini+.
A5 - Brightest and most forward in purely treble intensive situations, despite being a neutral loudspeaker.
H5 > Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Mids/Vocals without eq:
Mini+ - Neutral natural, cinema hi fi like vocals. Crisp, clean and clear. Forward mids
H5 - Recessed mids which sound bloated and overly warm.
Micro - Similar to Mini+ but a big step down in all respects without the hifi/cinema air. Neutral.
A5 - Relatively muddled but neutral
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Mids/Vocals with eq inc treble eq
Mini+ - No treble boost needed. Perfect.
H5 - Excellent but a bit too bright if they need to be made like able.
Micro - Clarity is almost as good as H5 without the depth etc
A5 - Tolerable compared to the rest but deep sounding as compared to Micro or even Mini+.
Mini+ > H5 > Micro > A5
Soundstage Width
Aktimate Mini+ > Micro/A5 > H5
With Mini+ the speakers disappear. Difficult to compare Micro to A5 without more time on my hands. H5 being a studio monitor is more fussy for me.
Soundstage Depth
H5 > A5 > Mini+ >> Micro
Separation
Swan H5 is a step above the rest here. The difference to the others is huge so difficult to compare.
Clarity and Sharpness
Hands down winner Aktimate Mini+. Aktimate Mini+ competes with several a few times as expensive whereas swan can't even stand a chance in front of aktimate here,
Micro is a distant second and H5 is a close third.
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Clearness
Aktimate Mini+ is the hands down winner. Not even a contest.
Mini+ >> H5 > Micro > A5
Listening Sweet Spot
Aktimate Mini+ is the best.
Mini+ > Micro > A5 > H5
Low volume listening feasibility
Mini+ > Swan H5 >> Micro > A5
Volume
A5 > Mini+ > H5 >> Micro
Mini+ is very fairly priced at around USD 750-1000 or so. So is the Swan H5. At their current pricing both are a steal.
Micro and A5 are a step down from the above two.
Micro has a clearer, slightly tighter/sharper sound than A5 while A5 has more weight and depth to its sound with more bass. I would rate the Micro better than the A5 by about 30-50% but is also comes down to preference to a significant extent. Micro is fairly priced at around $500 but that should be the upper limit of its pricing. I would say it should be priced less than half of Mini+ so closer to $400 or less. A5 is also decently priced at around $400 compared to Micro's $500. But if Micro is $400 then A5 should be more like $300 or so.
Between Mini+ and H5:
Both have their plus and minus points. Aktimate has a thinner voice as compared to Swan's thicker voice. Swan is warm and needs eq for similar clarity due to excess warmth. aktimate is neutral to bright yet more lively. Bass and treble are a bit more natural on Swan though while Aktimate is more artificial but nice sounding.
If you like Audioengine sound signature without the muddled and muffled sounds, then Aktimate is better. If you like Swan signature, then get a Swan.
Swan is more musical, albeit slightly, with sweet mids while Aktimate is crisper.
The first ever review in the world which puts these four legends to test in the same environment by the same reviewer.
All these are 2.0 systems.
Test Bed:
Asus STX
Auralex Mopads
None of the speakers were burned in except AE5 because I needed to ensure that they were within the return window. So only a couple of hours of burn in for the rest.
Aktimate Mini+
Neutral
Relatively flat
Forward with forward mids
Most clear and with the most prat
Thin, clean and analytical sound
Needless to say, one of the only truly HiFi powered loudspeakers which delivers crystal clear sound with a high index of prat. Supreme clarity, thin analytical sound with a huge soundstage. Neutral to slightly forward. One of the best deals in the sub $1000 US market.
Swan H5
Most musical
Sweet mids
With the least prat
Most depth in the sound
Most weighty and powerful sound
Very warm and sweet sounding monitors which may not suit everybody's taste but give the Aktimates very good competition in the eyes of those who are avid Swan sound signature fans.
Aktimate Micro
Not in the same league as Mini+ but performs like a speaker half or even one third of Mini+
A step down from Mini+, much smaller and often cheaper.
Audioengine A5
Neutral and flat. A bit lower than Micro. But has more weight to its sound than Micro and more depth than Mini+.
Popular desktop loudspeakers which ruled the roast before Aktimates came in.
Lows:
Mini+ - Tight, thumpy, controlled bass which doesn't bleed into mids
H5 - Punchy, heavy weight bass which removes the need for a separate sub woofer. Slightly thumpy but not as tight and controlled.
A5 - Similar to Mini+ in quantity but much lower in quality. Not thumpy. Not as tight. A bit boomy as well compared to the above.
Micro - Barely any bass, though it is tighter than A5 and more controlled. But the quantity is far from sufficient.
H5/Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Highs:
Mini+ - Slightly rolled off but more or less neutral and natural.
H5 - A bit better than Mini+.
Micro - A step down from Mini+.
A5 - Brightest and most forward in purely treble intensive situations, despite being a neutral loudspeaker.
H5 > Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Mids/Vocals without eq:
Mini+ - Neutral natural, cinema hi fi like vocals. Crisp, clean and clear. Forward mids
H5 - Recessed mids which sound bloated and overly warm.
Micro - Similar to Mini+ but a big step down in all respects without the hifi/cinema air. Neutral.
A5 - Relatively muddled but neutral
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Mids/Vocals with eq inc treble eq
Mini+ - No treble boost needed. Perfect.
H5 - Excellent but a bit too bright if they need to be made like able.
Micro - Clarity is almost as good as H5 without the depth etc
A5 - Tolerable compared to the rest but deep sounding as compared to Micro or even Mini+.
Mini+ > H5 > Micro > A5
Soundstage Width
Aktimate Mini+ > Micro/A5 > H5
With Mini+ the speakers disappear. Difficult to compare Micro to A5 without more time on my hands. H5 being a studio monitor is more fussy for me.
Soundstage Depth
H5 > A5 > Mini+ >> Micro
Separation
Swan H5 is a step above the rest here. The difference to the others is huge so difficult to compare.
Clarity and Sharpness
Hands down winner Aktimate Mini+. Aktimate Mini+ competes with several a few times as expensive whereas swan can't even stand a chance in front of aktimate here,
Micro is a distant second and H5 is a close third.
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Clearness
Aktimate Mini+ is the hands down winner. Not even a contest.
Mini+ >> H5 > Micro > A5
Listening Sweet Spot
Aktimate Mini+ is the best.
Mini+ > Micro > A5 > H5
Low volume listening feasibility
Mini+ > Swan H5 >> Micro > A5
Volume
A5 > Mini+ > H5 >> Micro
Mini+ is very fairly priced at around USD 750-1000 or so. So is the Swan H5. At their current pricing both are a steal.
Micro and A5 are a step down from the above two.
Micro has a clearer, slightly tighter/sharper sound than A5 while A5 has more weight and depth to its sound with more bass. I would rate the Micro better than the A5 by about 30-50% but is also comes down to preference to a significant extent. Micro is fairly priced at around $500 but that should be the upper limit of its pricing. I would say it should be priced less than half of Mini+ so closer to $400 or less. A5 is also decently priced at around $400 compared to Micro's $500. But if Micro is $400 then A5 should be more like $300 or so.
Between Mini+ and H5:
Both have their plus and minus points. Aktimate has a thinner voice as compared to Swan's thicker voice. Swan is warm and needs eq for similar clarity due to excess warmth. aktimate is neutral to bright yet more lively. Bass and treble are a bit more natural on Swan though while Aktimate is more artificial but nice sounding.
If you like Audioengine sound signature without the muddled and muffled sounds, then Aktimate is better. If you like Swan signature, then get a Swan.
Swan is more musical, albeit slightly, with sweet mids while Aktimate is crisper.
Aktimate Mini+ v/s Aktimate Micro v/s Swan H5 v/s Audioengine A5
The first ever review in the world which puts these four legends to test in the same environment by the same reviewer.
All these are 2.0 systems.
Test Bed:
Asus STX
Auralex Mopads
None of the speakers were burned in except AE5 because I needed to ensure that they were within the return window. So only a couple of hours of burn in for the rest.
Aktimate Mini+
Neutral
Relatively flat
Forward with forward mids
Most clear and with the most prat
Thin, clean and analytical sound
Needless to say, one of the only truly HiFi powered loudspeakers which delivers crystal clear sound with a high index of prat. Supreme clarity, thin analytical sound with a huge soundstage. Neutral to slightly forward. One of the best deals in the sub $1000 US market.
Swan H5
Most musical
Sweet mids
With the least prat
Most depth in the sound
Most weighty and powerful sound
Very warm and sweet sounding monitors which may not suit everybody's taste but give the Aktimates very good competition in the eyes of those who are avid Swan sound signature fans.
Aktimate Micro
Not in the same league as Mini+ but performs like a speaker half or even one third of Mini+
A step down from Mini+, much smaller and often cheaper.
Audioengine A5
Neutral and flat. A bit lower than Micro. But has more weight to its sound than Micro and more depth than Mini+.
Popular desktop loudspeakers which ruled the roast before Aktimates came in.
Lows:
Mini+ - Tight, thumpy, controlled bass which doesn't bleed into mids
H5 - Punchy, heavy weight bass which removes the need for a separate sub woofer. Slightly thumpy but not as tight and controlled.
A5 - Similar to Mini+ in quantity but much lower in quality. Not thumpy. Not as tight. A bit boomy as well compared to the above.
Micro - Barely any bass, though it is tighter than A5 and more controlled. But the quantity is far from sufficient.
H5/Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Highs:
Mini+ - Slightly rolled off but more or less neutral and natural.
H5 - A bit better than Mini+.
Micro - A step down from Mini+.
A5 - Brightest and most forward in purely treble intensive situations, despite being a neutral loudspeaker.
H5 > Mini+ > A5 > Micro
Mids/Vocals without eq:
Mini+ - Neutral natural, cinema hi fi like vocals. Crisp, clean and clear. Forward mids
H5 - Recessed mids which sound bloated and overly warm.
Micro - Similar to Mini+ but a big step down in all respects without the hifi/cinema air. Neutral.
A5 - Relatively muddled but neutral
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Mids/Vocals with eq inc treble eq
Mini+ - No treble boost needed. Perfect.
H5 - Excellent but a bit too bright if they need to be made like able.
Micro - Clarity is almost as good as H5 without the depth etc
A5 - Tolerable compared to the rest but deep sounding as compared to Micro or even Mini+.
Mini+ > H5 > Micro > A5
Soundstage Width
Aktimate Mini+ > Micro/A5 > H5
With Mini+ the speakers disappear. Difficult to compare Micro to A5 without more time on my hands. H5 being a studio monitor is more fussy for me.
Soundstage Depth
H5 > A5 > Mini+ >> Micro
Separation
Swan H5 is a step above the rest here. The difference to the others is huge so difficult to compare.
Clarity and Sharpness
Hands down winner Aktimate Mini+. Aktimate Mini+ competes with several a few times as expensive whereas swan can't even stand a chance in front of aktimate here,
Micro is a distant second and H5 is a close third.
Mini+ > Micro > H5 > A5
Clearness
Aktimate Mini+ is the hands down winner. Not even a contest.
Mini+ >> H5 > Micro > A5
Listening Sweet Spot
Aktimate Mini+ is the best.
Mini+ > Micro > A5 > H5
Low volume listening feasibility
Mini+ > Swan H5 >> Micro > A5
Volume
A5 > Mini+ > H5 >> Micro
Mini+ is very fairly priced at around USD 750-1000 or so. So is the Swan H5. At their current pricing both are a steal.
Micro and A5 are a step down from the above two.
Micro has a clearer, slightly tighter/sharper sound than A5 while A5 has more weight and depth to its sound with more bass. I would rate the Micro better than the A5 by about 30-50% but is also comes down to preference to a significant extent. Micro is fairly priced at around $500 but that should be the upper limit of its pricing. I would say it should be priced less than half of Mini+ so closer to $400 or less. A5 is also decently priced at around $400 compared to Micro's $500. But if Micro is $400 then A5 should be more like $300 or so.
Between Mini+ and H5:
Both have their plus and minus points. Aktimate has a thinner voice as compared to Swan's thicker voice. Swan is warm and needs eq for similar clarity due to excess warmth. aktimate is neutral to bright yet more lively. Bass and treble are a bit more natural on Swan though while Aktimate is more artificial but nice sounding.
If you like Audioengine sound signature without the muddled and muffled sounds, then Aktimate is better. If you like Swan signature, then get a Swan.
Swan is more musical, albeit slightly, with sweet mids while Aktimate is crisper.
