In this review, we will be comparing Alpha P3 and Alpha P5, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB P3 and PSB P5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB P3 | PSB P5 |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Hard-Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" Polypropylene | 5.25" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-21k Hz | 55-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-80 watts | 10-90 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.23kg / 4.9lbs | 4.61kg / 10.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-3/4" x 5-3/16" x 7-5/16"
223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm | 11-3/8" x 6-3/4" x 10"
289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
Alpha P3 and Alpha P5 are members of PSB's Alpha series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the PSB P3 and PSB P5 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
PSB P3 |
PSB P5 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Alpha P3 and Alpha P5 are 2-way speakers.
PSB P3PSB P5
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 P3 |
PSB P5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Alpha P3 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the Alpha P5 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Alpha P3 has a frequency range of 57-21k Hz whereas Alpha P5 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Alpha P5 can go slightly deeper then the Alpha P3's min frequency of 57Hz.
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.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Alpha P3 and Alpha P5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Alpha P3 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Alpha P5's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the PSB P5 a more sensitive speaker compared to PSB P3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Alpha P5 can handle a max power of 90 watts RMS, whereas Alpha P3 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Alpha P5.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Alpha P3 features 5-way post type posts and Alpha P5 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB P3's 5-way post terminals
PSB P5's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Alpha P3 and Alpha P5 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 P3's and PSB P5's external dimensions. PSB P3 has external dimensions of 223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm (8-3/4 x 5-3/16 x 7-5/16inch) whereas PSB P5 has external dimensions of 289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm (11-3/8 x 6-3/4 x 10inch).
PSB P5 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40mm wider, 66mm taller and 68mm deeper than PSB P3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB P3 and PSB P5 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB P3 and PSB P5 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 P3 is approximately 245.5cm2 / 38.1inch2 and base area of the PSB P5 is approximately 436.9cm2 / 67.7inch2. The Alpha P3 requires 44% less surface area than the Alpha P5 which gives it a small advantage 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 P3 and PSB P5 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 P3 weighs 2.23kg / 4.9lbs and the PSB P5 weighs 4.61kg / 10.1lbs. This makes the Alpha P5 107% heavier than the Alpha P3.
Here is a comparison of how Alpha P3 and Alpha P5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB P3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Alpha P3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of PSB P5?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha P5:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Height |
223mm
vs
289mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
245cm2
vs
436cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
279USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
90 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
57 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
PSB Alpha P3 |
PSB Alpha P5 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
10-80 watts |
10-90 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-21k Hz |
55-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.25" |
| 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 |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
223.0mm (8.8") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
132.0mm (5.2") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
186.0mm (7.3") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
2.23kg (4.9lbs) |
4.61kg (10.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black Ash |
Walnut,Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-30" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
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 (57Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | PSB P5 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (80W vs 90W). |
| Size | depends | PSB P3 is easier to place; PSB P5 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | PSB P3 is cheaper - $279 against $449, about 38% less; arguably a different class. |
A PSB P3 B PSB P5
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 P5 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 61% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - PSB P3 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the PSB P5 appeals to you. In a large or open-plan room, PSB P5 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, PSB P3 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, PSB P5 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.