5.0 out of 5 stars Quality

2026-02-01    -Slip

Excellent amplifier. I use it solely as a power amp by bypassing the volume control and using my preamp for volume control duties.

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality

2026-03-04    -Slip

Excellent amplifier. I use it solely as a power amp by bypassing the volume control and using my preamp for volume control duties.

5.0 out of 5 stars Instructions are important to read

2026-01-29    -alex t

Its right in the instructions... How to turn the auto on off feature. Just hold down the volume button for like 5 seconds. The leds will flash and it's done. So no one should complain about this feature.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Budget Class D Amplifier, But Has a Major Design Flaw

2026-01-26    -Todd Krieger

EDIT: I also got the A7..... It also has the "design flaw," except there is a workaround to disable the "standby mode" on the A7. Posted a review for that amplifier as well. And stated the "workaround" procedure in that review. (I was not able to do the workaround with the A5, only the A7.)............The 3e Audio A5 amplifier is one the best sounding budget "Class D" amplifiers that I've come across, rivaling amplifiers costing up to three times its price.....But there is a major design flaw......The "Standby" feature of this amplifier ("signal trigger") causes the amplifier to turn back on after turning it off (by pressing and holding the volume knob for ~5 seconds). This "trigger" is sensitive enough to turn the amp back on when no music is playing out the source. The only way to truly turn the amp off is to disconnect electrical power.If this turn-on "trigger" could be defeated with either a design fix or firmware upgrade (which might not be applicable), I'd raise this rating from three to five stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sounds Excellent, Probably Best Class D amp for Medium/Small Room. Plus - Auto-Shut Off Update

2026-01-24    -Groch

I have owned several TPA325X Class D amps from FX-Audio, Douk, and Fosi, as well as an earlier 3E audio kit. The A5 beats them all (and I think beats everything( in lowest noise, distortion, and most accurate frequency response with all kinds of speakers. On the other hand, they all have sounded great. In a blindfolded test I doubt I could hear the difference. Because I do not listen blindfolded, this new A5 sounds subjectively a bit better than the rest, with a more coherent overall sound and lots of bass punch. I also appreciate the care 3E took in choosing the feature combination with maximum simplicity, and flexiblity. Volume bypass is great if you like me, control the volume with your preamp or streamer. Gain Adjust makes sure it always works in the lowest distortion mode. The Auto-Shutoff feature was not perfect when this amp was 1st released. It was set to shut off after 5 minutes of silence and would not come back on unless the preamp volume was pretty high. There was originally no way to disable the auto shut off feature. In the 1st month of release 3e responded to user complaints and changed all that. It now waits for 20 minutes of silence to shut off. The turn on sensing has been reduced so it will work on most all systems. Finally, as another reviewer said, you can disable the feature. To be fair, these are all changes and were not in the 1st release. It works great for me.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Budget Class D Amplifier, But Has a Major Design Flaw

2026-03-03    -Todd Krieger

EDIT: I also got the A7..... It also has the "design flaw," except there is a workaround to disable the "standby mode" on the A7. Posted a review for that amplifier as well. And stated the "workaround" procedure in that review. (I was not able to do the workaround with the A5, only the A7.)............The 3e Audio A5 amplifier is one the best sounding budget "Class D" amplifiers that I've come across, rivaling amplifiers costing up to three times its price.....But there is a major design flaw......The "Standby" feature of this amplifier ("signal trigger") causes the amplifier to turn back on after turning it off (by pressing and holding the volume knob for ~5 seconds). This "trigger" is sensitive enough to turn the amp back on when no music is playing out the source. The only way to truly turn the amp off is to disconnect electrical power.If this turn-on "trigger" could be defeated with either a design fix or firmware upgrade (which might not be applicable), I'd raise this rating from three to five stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars 3e Audio for the w1n!

2026-01-18    -Trystan

I’m using it with an AirPort Express source and running KEF 3050i tower speakers. Easy to setup, easy to use, auto sensing power up and down works well, clean sound and right amount of power. For the price very happy with product. (Shipped from international store to NZ so had to change the AC power plug)

5.0 out of 5 stars can handle as low as 2Ohm speaker load

2026-02-14    -Midwest_Lou

Can properly drive my JBL tower speakers. It can handle as low as 2Ohm speaker load. ASR has a good review on this amp with measurements. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars 3e Audio for the w1n!

2026-02-24    -Trystan

I’m using it with an AirPort Express source and running KEF 3050i tower speakers. Easy to setup, easy to use, auto sensing power up and down works well, clean sound and right amount of power. For the price very happy with product. (Shipped from international store to NZ so had to change the AC power plug)

5.0 out of 5 stars can handle as low as 2Ohm speaker load

2026-01-23    -Midwest_Lou

Can properly drive my JBL tower speakers. It can handle as low as 2Ohm speaker load. ASR has a good review on this amp with measurements. Highly recommended.