PSB Updates Acclaimed Alpha Series Speakers

PSB Updates Acclaimed Alpha Series Speakers

PSB Speakers, long renowned for affordable excellence in loudspeaker design, launched an all-new range of Alpha speakers that, like their predecessors, deliver remarkable value and performance. Four models in all, the new Alpha Series is comprised of compact monitors P3 ($199 / £249 per pair) and P5 ($349 / £299 per pair), a center channel C10 ($299 / £249 each) and a tower model T20 ($599 / £499 per pair). Additionally, all four models are available now in a choice of Walnut or Black Ash finishes.

The Story Behind PSB Alpha

PSB introduced its first Alpha speaker range in 1991 with a clear purpose: create an affordable speaker that is focused on performance first. By leveraging the research conducted at the Canadian National Research Council (NRC) over many years by PSB’s founder Paul Barton, these early Alphas went on to win every competitive speaker shootout and garner many 5 star reviews. By popular request, PSB has now revisited its Alpha offerings with four models that are “clean sheet” designs, while maintaining Paul Barton’s original intent. Today’s Alphas benefit greatly from improved materials and production techniques, not to mention an additional 30 years of experience, to create a natural sounding speaker of minimalist elegance, while costing less than the original Alphas when adjusted for currency inflation.

In PSB’s new Alpha range, the P3 and P5 are classic two-way bookshelf designs that are both compact and versatile. They can be placed on a stand, a shelf, a desk or a table and are equally well-suited for home theater or stereo listening. The T20 tower adds an additional woofer in a larger Floorstanding cabinet yet occupies a small footprint. The C10 center channel speaker can be used as the center or dialog speaker in a home theater or could also be used for music.

Improved Drivers and Materials

For the new Alphas, PSB developed two new woofers; a 4 1/2” and 5 1/4” both employing dual layer voice coils with powerful magnet structures to provide low distortion and high output levels. The cones are made from a special textured polypropylene compound that prevents cone breakup and extends frequency response for a smooth integration with our tweeter.

Crossover - An unusually complex fourth-order Acoustic Linkwitz-Riley filter design is used to get a perfect blend between drivers and keep distortion very low even at high sound pressure levels. A crossover this sophisticated is unusual for speakers in these affordable price points.

Cabinets are often overlooked in their importance and for the new Alphas, each model has a unique combination of wall thickness and bracing to control resonances and provide a perfect platform for the drive units. Notably, the internal damping material is specialised for the purpose having been developed over many years on much more expensive PSB models and positioned precisely for optimum effectiveness. High quality precision machined cabinets in simulated Black Ash and Walnut finishes combine with magnetically attached grilles to provide a rich and timeless design. Even the grille is unique in that is does not change the sound of the speaker whether attached or removed.

“The PSB Alpha speakers were among the most popular speakers we have ever made so we have had constant requests from the market to design an updated and improved range. The original Alphas were quite good for the time, so this was a tall order” commented Paul Barton, founder and Chief Designer of PSB. “However, by leveraging new materials and design techniques as well as advanced manufacturing capability, these Alpha models are a substantial improvement over the original ones with respect to looks, performance and value.”

Key Features of the new PSB Alpha models:

- ¾” (19mm) Aluminium Dome tweeter with Neodymium magnet
- Woofers with Textured Polypropylene Cones and Rubber Surrounds
- Choice of simulated Walnut and Black Ash finishes
- 5-Way, Gold-Plated Bing Posts
- Design and final voicing engineered by Paul Barton

The new PSB Alpha Series will be on display at CES 2019 in the Lenbrook Suite 29-236 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, January 8-10, 2018. PSB will be joined there by sister brands NAD Electronics and Bluesound with Lenbrook personnel on hand to demonstrate the company’s premium products and answer any questions.

For more information: PSB Speakers - Music and Home Theatre Loudspeakers






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