In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by PSB. PSB Alpha P3 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Alpha T20 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB P3 and PSB Alpha T20 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
PSB P3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 0.75" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer
- 57-21k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:10-80watts
- Weight:2.23kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 223.0" x 5-3/16" x 7-5/16"( 223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm )
PSB Alpha T20 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 0.75" Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer
- 36-21k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:15-120watts
- Weight:11.89kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 869.0" x 8-5/16" x 9-13/16"( 869.0 x 212.0 x 250.0mm )
Alpha P3 and Alpha T20 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 Alpha T20 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 Alpha T20 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Good |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the PSB P3 and PSB Alpha T20 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Alpha P3 and Alpha T20 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
PSB P3 |
PSB Alpha T20 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
2 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 T20 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum with front waveguide Dome Tweeter and 2 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 T20 has a frequency range of 36-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 36Hz, the Alpha T20 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Alpha P3's min frequency of 57Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Alpha P3 and Alpha T20 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 T20's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the PSB Alpha T20 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Alpha P3 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Alpha P3 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS , 40 watts less than the Alpha T20.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Alpha T20 features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Alpha P3 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB P3's 5-way post terminals
PSB Alpha T20's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Alpha P3 and Alpha T20 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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Alpha T20'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 Alpha T20 has external dimensions of 869.0 x 212.0 x 250.0mm ( 34-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 9-13/16inch) .
PSB Alpha T20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 80mm wider, 646mm taller and 64mm deeper than PSB P3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB P3 and PSB Alpha T20 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB P3 and PSB Alpha T20 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 Alpha T20 is approximately 530.0cm2 / 82.2inch2. The Alpha P3 requires 54% less surface area than the Alpha T20 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Alpha T20?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha T20:
2 Floorstanding loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feet8 Spike feet8 Hex-nutsQuick Start GuideWarranty Card
Height 
Base Surface Area 
Price per pair* 
Max Input Power 
Sensitivity 
Woofer Size 
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring