Everyone I know who's happy with the A2s EQ them with 'puters. I'd say 'acoustic' on the iPod is your best bet, but you know the drill with the iPods EQ.
That said the A5s are a huge step up and would fit on your desk (if I'm measuring your desk correctly). Back port firing, but I've bought the A2s for a friend and swapped them for A5s, which I also have*, after hearing both side-by-side. 'Huge' is not an exaggeration.
I think the A2s are great speakers for the price, but the bloat is what I heard too.
* House-sitting this month and have the A5s here and not sure why I really need anything else. As you probably know the A5s have iPod support with USB charging. Anyway, the Quads are better, but without the iPod support (surprisingly useful) and cheaper price.