PSB P5 vs PSB Alpha iQ Comparison

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PSB P5

Passive Bookshelf | 55-21k Hz

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PSB Alpha iQ

Powered Bookshelf | 64-20kHz

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PSB P5

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PSB Alpha iQ

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PSB P5

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PSB Alpha iQ

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PSB P5 vs PSB Alpha iQ Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Alpha P5 and Alpha iQ, two Bookshelf speakers by PSB. The main difference between these two speakers is that the PSB Alpha iQ is a Powered speaker which means that it has a built-in amplifier inside the speaker body so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp whereas the PSB P5 is a Passive speaker so has to be matched with an amplifier to get any sound from it.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of PSB P5 and PSB Alpha iQ first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	PSB P5	PSB Alpha iQ
Brand	PSB Canada · founded 1972	PSB Canada · founded 1972
Design	2-way	2-way
Built-in amplifier	—	180-watt RMS
Tweeter	0.75" Hard-Dome	0.75" Hard-Dome
Woofer	5.25" Polypropylene	4" Polypropylene
Frequency response	55-21k Hz	64-20kHz
Sensitivity	89 dB	—
Impedance	8 ohms	—
Power range	10-90 watts	—
Max depth / sample rate	—	24-bit / 192 kHz
Bluetooth	—	Built-in
App control	—	Yes
Weight	4.61kg / 10.1lbs	7.36kg / 16.2lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	11-3/8" x 6-3/4" x 10" 289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm	9.7" x 5.6" x 7.6" 246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm

Alpha P5 and Alpha iQ are members of PSB's Alpha series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

PSB Alpha Series History

Model	Body	Frequency	Sensitivity	Impedance	Woofer
PSB P3	Bookshelf	57-21k Hz	87 dB	8Ω	1 x 4.5"
PSB Alpha T20	Floor-standing	36-21k Hz	90 dB	8Ω	2 x 5.25"
PSB P5	Bookshelf	55-21k Hz	89 dB	8Ω	1 x 5.25"
PSB Alpha C10	Center Channel	55-21k Hz	90 dB	8Ω	2 x 5.25"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.

Drivers

Both Alpha P5 and Alpha iQ are 2-way speakers.

PSB P5

PSB Alpha iQ

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 P5	PSB Alpha iQ
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 P5 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Alpha iQ features a 0.75" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Polypropylene Woofer.

Frequency Response

Alpha P5 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz whereas Alpha iQ has a frequency range of 64-20kHz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Alpha P5 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Alpha iQ's min frequency of 64Hz.

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

Alpha P5

Alpha iQ

Min

Average

Median

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 P5 and Alpha iQ 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 P5's and PSB Alpha iQ's external dimensions. PSB P5 has external dimensions of 289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm (11-3/8 x 6-3/4 x 10inch) whereas PSB Alpha iQ has external dimensions of 246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm (9.7 x -5.6 x 7.6 inch).

PSB P5 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 43mm taller and 62mm deeper than PSB Alpha iQ.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB P5 and PSB Alpha iQ in scale.

Comparison image of PSB P5 and PSB Alpha iQ 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 P5 is approximately 436.9cm² / 67.7inch² and base area of the PSB Alpha iQ is approximately 278.0cm² / 43.1inch². The Alpha P5 requires 57% more surface area than the Alpha iQ 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 P5 and PSB Alpha iQ on a Media Console

What's in the Box of PSB P5?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Alpha P5:

2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
2 Grilles
8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
Quick Start Guide
Warranty Card

Reasons to choose PSB Alpha P5 over PSB Alpha iQ

Woofer Size	5.25 inches vs 4 inches	Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response	55 Hz vs 64 Hz	Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response	21k Hz vs 20k Hz	Generates higher frequency
Price per pair*	449USD vs 1499USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose PSB Alpha iQ over PSB Alpha P5

Speaker Type	Powered vs Passive	Built-in amplifier
Height	246mm vs 289mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area	278cm² vs 436cm²	Takes less floor space
Ethernet Connection	Yes vs No	High quality streaming over Ethernet
3.5mm Connection	Yes vs No	Connection via 3.5mm AUX input

PSB P5 vs PSB Alpha iQ Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	PSB Alpha P5	PSB Alpha iQ
Brand	PSB	PSB
Speaker Type	Bookshelf speakers	Powered Stereo Speakers
Sensitivity	89 dB	n/a
Impedance	8 ohms	n/a
Impedance	4 ohms	n/a
Frequency Response	55-21k Hz	64-20kHz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous)	n/a	180-watt RMS
Max Bit Depth	n/a	24-bit
Max Sample Rate	n/a	192 kHz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	1	1
Woofer Size	5.25"	4"
Woofer Composition	Polypropylene	Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Material	Rubber	n/a
Tweeter Size	0.75"	0.75"
Tweeter Type	Hard-Dome	Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	No
Crossover Frequency	2500Hz	n/a
Firing Direction	rear	rear
Physical Specs
Height	289.0mm (11.4")	246.0mm (9.7")
Width	172.0mm (6.8")	145.0mm (5.7")
Depth	254.0mm (10")	192.0mm (7.6")
Weight	4.61kg (10.1lbs)	7.36kg (16.2lbs)
Enclosure	Bass Reflex	Bass Reflex
Finish	MDF, Wood-grain vinyl	n/a
Available Colors	Walnut,Black Ash	Matte Black,Matte White,Tangerine Yellow,Midnight Blue
Mounting Bracket	No	No
Recommended Stand Height	28-30"	n/a
Grille	Yes	n/a
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	No	n/a
Aux Inputs	n/a	3.5mm
USB Port	n/a	USB-A (connect a thumb drive for music playback)
Phone Input	n/a	Yes
Subwoofer Output	n/a	Wired
Digital Input	n/a	Optical, HDMI
HDMI Input	n/a	eARC
Headphone Jack	n/a	Yes
Ethernet Port	n/a	Yes
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	1 year
Labor Warranty	5 Years	1 year

Verdict

Different kinds of product: one is active with its amplifier built in, the other passive and needs one. Judge them on how you want to own the system, not just the specs.

Area	Better	Why
Bass	A	PSB P5 digs deeper - 55Hz against 64Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
What you buy	depends	PSB Alpha iQ is a complete system - just add a source. PSB P5 also needs an amplifier: more money and another box, but you choose it.
Connections	depends	PSB Alpha iQ has Bluetooth, streaming, HDMI and phono built in. With PSB P5 that all comes from the amplifier you pair it with.
Upgrade path	depends	PSB P5 can be re-amped later and outlive several amplifiers; PSB Alpha iQ ages as one unit.
Size	depends	PSB Alpha iQ is easier to place; PSB P5 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
Expandability	B	PSB Alpha iQ: a sub output.
Price	A	PSB P5 is cheaper - $449 against $1,499, about 70% less; arguably a different class. Speakers only - an amplifier narrows that gap.

A PSB P5 B PSB Alpha iQ
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 iQ suits you if you want one box, ready to play, with nothing else to buy. PSB P5 suits you if you already have an amplifier, want to choose the electronics, or expect to upgrade in stages. Neither is the better speaker in the abstract. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 64Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. 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 Alpha iQ is the easier speaker to get right.

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.