PSB Alpha AM5 Powered Bookshelf Speakers - Pair

The Alpha P5's Drivers, With a 50-Watt Amplifier Inside

The Alpha AM5 is PSB's powered version of its Alpha bookshelf speaker. Each cabinet has a 5.25-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch aluminum dome tweeter. Inside the primary speaker sit two 50-watt amplifiers, a phono preamp, a USB DAC and aptX Bluetooth. The speakers are sold as a pair in matte black or matte white.

PSB's engineers designed the AM5 around a known amplifier rather than for any amplifier a buyer might own. Digital signal processing sets the bass extension and output to suit the drivers. PSB adds listening modes that lift dialogue or widen the soundstage, and says you can hook up a subwoofer for deeper bass.

What Is Built In

Inputs are a phono RCA pair with the preamp inside, a 3.5 mm analog jack, optical for a TV and USB for a computer. Bluetooth uses the aptX codec. There is no Wi-Fi and no HDMI, which keeps setup simple: plug in, pair a phone or connect a source, and play.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of You

PSB quotes 55 Hz to 20 kHz within 3 dB, with a minus 10 dB bass cutoff of 36 Hz. The amplifier delivers 50 watts per channel RMS. Each cabinet measures 6.75 inches wide, 11.4 tall and 9.5 deep, and PSB lists a net weight of 21.5 pounds.

The cabinet is MDF wrapped in vinyl with a perforated metal grille and a rear-ported bass-reflex design. Those figures suit a desk, a bedroom or a small living room. For a larger room, or for film, the subwoofer connection is the way to add weight rather than turning the volume up.

A Family Resemblance

The driver set comes from the passive Alpha P5, which Stereophile and The Absolute Sound both reviewed well. The AM5 gives the same drivers a matched amplifier and the inputs a modern system needs, at the cost of a second power cord and one cable between the speakers.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Gordon Brockhouse reviewed the AM5 for SoundStage! Simplifi in December 2020: "PSB's Alpha AM5 is a poster child for the value proposition of powered speakers."

Peter Lo Raso of HomeTheaterHifi, February 1, 2021: "The PSB Alpha AM5s serve as a tremendous starting point for a newcomer to high fidelity, while still retaining features that will enthuse them to explore further."

Who Are These Powered Speakers Best For?

• You want a real stereo system on a desk or in a bedroom — amplifier, DAC and phono stage are inside, so the speakers are the whole system
• You own a turntable — the phono input has its own preamp, so a moving-magnet deck connects with one RCA cable
• You want TV sound without a soundbar — the optical input takes the TV, and the dialogue mode lifts voices
• You stream from a phone — aptX Bluetooth pairs in seconds and needs no app or network
• You want Wi-Fi streaming or HDMI — the AM5 has neither; PSB's iQ1 adds BluOS network streaming and HDMI eARC

How Do They Connect to Your System?

The primary speaker plugs into the wall and connects to the secondary speaker with a cable. A turntable goes to the phono RCA input, a TV to optical, a computer to USB and a phone or tablet over Bluetooth. Switch inputs from the front or the remote, and the DSP handles the rest.

Set the speakers with the tweeters near ear height, on a desk stand or a shelf, and leave a few inches behind the rear port. Add a subwoofer later if you want deeper bass. Then pick a source and press play.

Pairs Well With

What completes the system. These are the categories most Alpha AM5 owners shop next.

• Turntables — the built-in phono stage means any moving-magnet deck connects directly
• PSB Alpha Sub 8 subwoofer — PSB's matching sub for the octave below 36 Hz
• Speaker stands — to put the tweeter at ear height when there is no shelf
• Interconnect cables — RCA for the turntable, 3.5 mm for anything analog

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an amplifier or receiver?

Everything is built in. The primary speaker holds two 50-watt amplifiers, the DAC and the phono preamp. You plug it into the wall, connect the second speaker, and add your sources.

Can I connect a turntable directly?

Yes. The phono input has its own preamp for a moving-magnet cartridge, so the turntable connects with a standard RCA cable and nothing else.

Can I connect my TV?

Yes, through the optical input. There is no HDMI, so the TV remote will not control the volume; use the AM5's own remote or the front controls.

Do they stream over Wi-Fi?

Streaming is by aptX Bluetooth from a phone, tablet or computer. For network streaming with an app, PSB's iQ1 adds BluOS and HDMI eARC on top of the same idea.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Not for most music at a desk or in a small room. PSB quotes 55 Hz within 3 dB and a 36 Hz cutoff, and DSP shapes the bass. For film or a bigger room, PSB says to hook up a subwoofer.

Which finishes are available?

Matte black or matte white, each with a magnetic grille to match. Check the title of this listing for the finish you are ordering.

See It in Action

Steve Guttenberg, the Audiophiliac, on the Alpha AM5:

SoundStage! Network reviews the AM5:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about powered speakers, connecting a TV or turntable, or when to add a subwoofer? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.