PSB Alpha P5 Bookshelf Speakers

The Alpha That Stereophile and The Absolute Sound Both Praised

The Alpha P5 is the larger of PSB's two passive Alpha bookshelf speakers. A 5.25-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch aluminum dome tweeter sit in a cabinet a little over 11 inches tall. The speakers are sold as a pair in black ash or walnut, with magnetic grilles.

Paul Barton founded PSB in 1972 and designed the first Alpha in 1991, an affordable speaker built on research at Canada's National Research Council. The current Alpha series arrived in 2019. The P5 is the model most reviewers picked as the sweet spot of the line.

The Drivers

PSB mounts the tweeter below the woofer, behind a waveguide, so the balance holds whether you sit or stand. The woofer uses a textured polypropylene cone and a dual-layer voice coil. The crossover is at 2,500 Hz, and a 2-inch port vents at the rear of the cabinet.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of You

PSB quotes 55 Hz to 21 kHz within 3 dB, with a minus 10 dB bass cutoff of 37 Hz. Anechoic sensitivity is 87 dB. The impedance is 8 ohms nominal with a 4 ohm minimum, and PSB recommends 10 to 90 watts per channel.

That is an easy load. A 30-watt integrated amplifier or a modest receiver will drive the P5 to comfortable levels in a small or medium room. Stereophile's Bob Reina noted it does not go superloud or superlow, and found the compromises carefully managed.

Size and Finish

Each cabinet measures 6.75 inches wide, 11.4 tall and 9.5 deep, and weighs 10.2 pounds. The finish is woodgrain vinyl in black ash or walnut. PSB uses the same internal damping material as its flagship lines, and the bracing is chosen to control cabinet resonance.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Bob Reina reviewed the P5 for Stereophile in September 2019: "For communicating the message of your favorite music, this little speaker scores super big-time." He also wrote: "No, it doesn't go superloud, nor does it go superlow."

Neil Gader of The Absolute Sound called the P5 "one of the most musical and affordable mini-monitors available" and "the essence of what it means to be a budget compact in 2020."

Who Is This Bookshelf Speaker Best For?

• You want a proven budget speaker — Stereophile and The Absolute Sound both reviewed the P5 and both came away impressed
• You have a small integrated amplifier or receiver — 87 dB sensitivity and an 8 ohm load make 30 watts plenty
• You want real bass from a small box — a 5.25-inch woofer and a 37 Hz cutoff go deeper than most speakers this size
• You are building an Alpha home theater — the P5 matches the Alpha C10 center and the Alpha T20 towers
• You need something smaller still — the Alpha P3 is under 9 inches tall and fits a desk or a narrow shelf

How Do They Connect to Your System?

Speaker cable runs from your amplifier or receiver to the binding posts on the back of each speaker, red to red and black to black. These are passive speakers, so nothing plugs into the wall. PSB recommends 10 to 90 watts per channel.

Put the tweeter near ear height, on stands or a sturdy shelf. PSB's below-the-woofer tweeter and waveguide keep the balance steady if you sit a little high or low. Leave a few inches behind the cabinet for the rear port.

Pairs Well With

What completes the system. These are the categories most Alpha P5 owners shop next.

• PSB Alpha C10 center channel — the matching center for an Alpha home theater
• PSB Alpha Sub 8 subwoofer — for film, or for the last half octave below 37 Hz
• NAD C 3030 integrated amplifier — PSB's sister brand, and more than enough power for an 87 dB speaker
• Speaker stands — to put the tweeter at ear height

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Alpha P5 sold as a pair?

Yes. The price is for two speakers with magnetic grilles, in black ash or walnut. Check the title of this listing for the finish you are ordering.

How much power do they need?

PSB recommends 10 to 90 watts per channel. The 8 ohm nominal impedance and 87 dB sensitivity make the P5 an easy load for any integrated amplifier or receiver.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Not for most music. PSB quotes 55 Hz within 3 dB and a 37 Hz cutoff at minus 10 dB. For film or deep electronic bass, a small subwoofer completes it.

Why is the tweeter below the woofer?

PSB places the tweeter under the woofer so the two drivers blend the same way whether you sit or stand. It also keeps the woofer at ear height on a typical stand.

How is the P5 different from the Alpha P3?

The P5 has a 5.25-inch woofer instead of 4, reaches 37 Hz instead of 43, is 2 dB more sensitive and is about 3 inches taller. It is the choice for a living room rather than a desk.

Where are they designed?

PSB designs and measures its speakers at Canada's National Research Council acoustics lab, where founder Paul Barton has worked since the 1970s.

See It in Action

Zero Fidelity reviews the Alpha P5:

cheapaudioman reviews the Alpha P5:

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