In this review, we will be comparing Alpha AM5 and Alpha AM3, two Powered Bookshelf speakers by PSB. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Alpha AM5 and PSB Alpha AM3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Alpha AM5 | PSB Alpha AM3 |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 100-watt RMS | 70-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Hard-Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Polypropylene | 4" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-20k Hz | 56-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 48 kHz | 24-bit / 48 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 9.75kg / 21.5lbs | 4.50kg / 9.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.5" x 6.75" x 11"
292.1 x 171.5 x 279.4mm | 8.6875" x 5.1875" x 8.125"
220.7 x 131.8 x 206.4mm |
|---|
Alpha AM5 and Alpha AM3 are members of PSB's Alpha series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Alpha AM5 and Alpha AM3 are 2-way speakers.
PSB Alpha AM5PSB Alpha AM3
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
PSB Alpha AM5 |
PSB Alpha AM3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
Alpha AM5 features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Alpha AM3 features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Alpha AM5 has a frequency range of 55-20k Hz whereas Alpha AM3 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Alpha AM5 can go slightly deeper then the Alpha AM3's min frequency of 56Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Alpha AM5 and Alpha AM3 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare PSB Alpha AM5's and PSB Alpha AM3's external dimensions. PSB Alpha AM5 has external dimensions of 292.1 x 171.5 x 279.4mm (11.5 x 6.75 x 11inch) whereas PSB Alpha AM3 has external dimensions of 220.7 x 131.8 x 206.4mm (8.6875 x 5.1875 x 8.125inch).
PSB Alpha AM5 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 39.7mm wider, 71.4mm taller and 73mm deeper than PSB Alpha AM3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB Alpha AM5 and PSB Alpha AM3 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB Alpha AM5 and PSB Alpha AM3 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the PSB Alpha AM5 is approximately 479.2cm2 / 74.3inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha AM3 is approximately 272.0cm2 / 42.2inch2. The Alpha AM5 requires 76% more surface area than the Alpha AM3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of PSB Alpha AM5 and PSB Alpha AM3 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The PSB Alpha AM5 weighs 9.75kg / 21.5lbs and the PSB Alpha AM3 weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs. This makes the Alpha AM5 117% heavier than the Alpha AM3.
Here is a comparison of how Alpha AM5 and Alpha AM3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Alpha AM5?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Alpha AM5:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- 2 Grilles
- AC power adapter (attached 45-inch DC cord)
- 4-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (PSR-1)
- 2 AAA batteries
- 8-feet Speaker cable
- 58-inch Stereo minijack cable
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Connection Diagram
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of PSB Alpha AM3?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha AM3:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- 2 Grilles
- AC power adapter (attached 45-inch DC cord)
- 4-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (PSR-1)
- 2 AAA batteries
- 8-feet Speaker cable
- 58-inch Stereo minijack cable
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Connection Diagram
- Warranty Card
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Height |
220mm
vs
292mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
272cm2
vs
479cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
| General |
PSB Alpha AM5 |
PSB Alpha AM3 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
55-20k Hz |
56-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
70-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
48 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
292.1mm (11.5") |
220.7mm (8.7") |
| Width |
171.5mm (6.8") |
131.8mm (5.2") |
| Depth |
279.4mm (11") |
206.4mm (8.1") |
| Weight |
9.75kg (21.5lbs) |
4.50kg (9.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White |
Matte Black, Matte White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
microUSB |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
No |
No |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
1 Year |
Siblings in PSB's Alpha series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (55Hz vs 56Hz). |
| Built-in power | A | PSB Alpha AM5 has the bigger amplifier (100W vs 70W RMS). |
| Connections | evenly matched | The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size | depends | PSB Alpha AM3 is easier to place; PSB Alpha AM5 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | PSB Alpha AM3 is cheaper - $449 against $599, about 25% less. |
A PSB Alpha AM5 B PSB Alpha AM3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
PSB Alpha AM5 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 33% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - PSB Alpha AM3 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the PSB Alpha AM5 appeals to you. In a large or open-plan room, PSB Alpha AM5 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, PSB Alpha AM3 is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $150 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.