Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

PSB Alpha P5 loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Two-way, stand-mounted, reflex-loaded loudspeaker. Drive-units: 0.75" (19mm) aluminum-dome tweeter with ferrofluid and a neodymium magnet, 5.25" (133mm) polypropylene-cone woofer. Crossover frequency: 2.5kHz. Frequency response: 55Hz–21kHz, ±3dB on-axis. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Minimum impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 87dB/2.83V/m (anechoic), 89dB typical in-room. Recommended power: 10–90W. Maximum program power: 60W.
Dimensions: 11.375" (290mm) H by 6.75" (170mm) W by 9.5" (240mm) D. Weight: 10.15 lb (4.6kg) each. Shipping weight: 22.8lb/pair (10.4kg).
Finish: Black Ash or American Walnut wood-grain vinyl.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 04380_801331 & '801332. "Designed and engineered in Canada. Custom manufactured in China."
Price: $349/pair. Approximate number of dealers 100. Warranty: five years parts and labor.
Manufacturer: PSB Speakers International, 633 Granite Court, Pickering, Ontario L1W 3K1, Canada. Tel: (905) 831-6555. Web: psbspeakers.com.

COMPANY INFO
PSB Speakers International
633 Granite Court
Pickering, Ontario L1W 3K1
Canada
(905) 831-6555
psbspeakers.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 27, 2019 - 11:16am

Other speakers in this price range include, JBL Stage A130 ($250/pair), Wharfedale D320 ($250/pair) and ELAC Debut 2.0 B5 ($250/pair) :-) ...........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 27, 2019 - 11:28am

The new Marantz PM7000N streaming integrated-amp ($999) could be a good match for these speakers :-) ..........

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on September 28, 2019 - 12:08pm

... in a network capable device for a $349 pair of speakers, would be the $300 Yamaha R-N303.

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/r-n303/index.html

https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/receiver-processor/yamaha-r-n303-network-stereo-receiver-review/

https://www.avhub.com.au/product-reviews/sound-image/yamaha-r-n303-r-networked-stereo-receiver-review-517632

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 28, 2019 - 12:37pm

Agreed ...... Seems like the HEOS (Denon) has more different products available, which the Marantz can connect wireless-ly :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 28, 2019 - 1:32pm

Denon DRA-800H ($499) with HEOS capability (and, with all the other bells and whistles) could also be another choice :-) ...........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 29, 2019 - 5:27pm

Another possibility is Denon HEOS digital integrated amp ($499) :-) ..........

svg223's picture
Submitted by svg223 on September 29, 2019 - 11:19am

This...

Ichiban's picture
Submitted by Ichiban on September 27, 2019 - 6:00pm

Hi John,

I have a couple pairs of speakers (Angstrom loudspeakers) where the tweeter is below the woofer. I have mine on 30" Sanus stands to bring the tweeter closer to ear level. I'm curious to know why you chose 24" stands for your tests? Aren't we supposed to follow the prescribed method of placing the tweeter at/near ear level when listening?

Thanks, Vish.

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on September 28, 2019 - 4:12am
Ichiban wrote:
I'm curious to know why you chose 24" stands for your tests? Aren't we supposed to follow the prescribed method of placing the tweeter at/near ear level when listening?

The intended listening axis for the P5 is with the ears level with the woofer. As I wrote in the review, "In conjunction with the drive units' acoustic polarities and the topology of the crossover . . . this unusual arrangement tilts up the main response lobe toward the listener's ears."

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 30, 2019 - 8:09am

May be Stereophile could review the new Lexicon SL-1 active, wireless speakers with 'steerable sound' technology ($40,000/pair) ........ KR mentions about them in one of his show reports ....... They are about the same price as Wilson Sasha DAW and less expensive than Wilson Alexia2 ......... Both the Wilsons require external power amps :-) ..........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 30, 2019 - 10:02am

Five of the Lexicon SL-1s for surround sound ($100k) would cost less than a pair of Wilson Alexx speakers :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on September 30, 2019 - 7:56am

You can always position them (PSB P5) upside down, if you don't like the way they sound :-) ........

JBLMVBC's picture
Submitted by JBLMVBC on October 2, 2019 - 6:15pm

"...and the black woofer cone has a textured, woven-looking finish that's said to minimize cone breakup"

Really? My first reaction looking at the picture was to believe they used a carbon woven cone, usually for quite expensive drivers.
See for instance http://www.davis-acoustics.com/serie-carbone/
So in fact, this is an old polypropylene cone made to look like an expensive carbon fiber one. The gist of "minimizing cone breakup" is disingenuous at best and smacks a made up excuse to cover their deception IMO.

billinga's picture
Submitted by billinga on April 1, 2020 - 4:47am

In the market for a neutral balanced mini monitor for natural sounding recordings. I wonder if anyone can comment on how these psb models compare? The Imagine mini has a better build quality, and probably better components. Alpha is slightly bigger. The room is not large ( about 18 x 10). Thanks for input-

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