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PSB Alpha T20 vs PSB Alpha iQ Comparison

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PSB Alpha T20

Passive Floor-standing | 36-21k Hz

PSB Alpha T20
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PSB Alpha iQ

Powered Bookshelf | 64-20kHz

PSB Alpha iQ
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PSB Alpha T20 PSB Alpha T20
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PSB Alpha iQ PSB Alpha iQ
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PSB Alpha T20
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PSB Alpha iQ
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PSB Alpha T20 vs PSB Alpha iQ Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by PSB. PSB Alpha T20 is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Alpha iQ is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of PSB Alpha T20 and PSB Alpha iQ first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

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 )

PSB Alpha iQ Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 180-watt RMS Integrated Amplifier
  • 0.75" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 64-20kHz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 192 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • App Control Feature
  • Weight:7.36kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 246.0" x 5.6" x 7.6"( 246 x 145 x 92mm )

Alpha T20 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 SensitivityImpedance Woofer
PSB P3
  
Bookshelf 57-21k Hz 87 dB8Ω 1 x 4.5"
PSB Alpha T20
Floor-standing 36-21k Hz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"
PSB P5
  
Bookshelf 55-21k Hz 89 dB8Ω 1 x 5.25"
PSB Alpha C10
  
Center Channel 55-21k Hz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 5.25"

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the PSB Alpha T20 and PSB Alpha iQ compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Alpha T20 and Alpha iQ are 2-way speakers.

Driver PSB Alpha T20 PSB Alpha iQ
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.75-inch 0.75-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 5.25-inch 1 x 4-inch

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. On the other hand, the Alpha iQ features a 0.75" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Polypropylene Woofer .

Frequency Response

Alpha T20 has a frequency range of 36-21k Hz whereas Alpha iQ has a frequency range of 64-20kHz. 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 iQ's min frequency of 64Hz.

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 Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

Alpha T20
Alpha iQ
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

PSB Alpha T20
PSB Alpha iQ
Min
Average
Max

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.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Alpha T20 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

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 Alpha T20's and PSB Alpha iQ's external dimensions. 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) whereas PSB Alpha iQ has external dimensions of 246 x 145 x 92mm ( 9.7 x -5.6 x 7.6 inch ) .

PSB Alpha T20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 67mm wider, 623mm taller and 58mm deeper than PSB Alpha iQ.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB Alpha T20 and PSB Alpha iQ in scale.

PSB Alpha T20 vs PSB Alpha iQ Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of PSB Alpha T20 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 Alpha T20 is approximately 530.0cm2 / 82.2inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha iQ is approximately 278.0cm2 / 43.1inch2. The Alpha T20 requires 91% more surface area than the Alpha iQ which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of PSB Alpha T20?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Alpha T20:
  • 2 Floorstanding loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 8 Rubber feet
  • 8 Spike feet
  • 8 Hex-nuts
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty Card

  • Reasons to choose PSB Alpha T20 over PSB Alpha iQ
    Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Low Frequency Response 36 Hz vs 64 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 21k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Price per pair* 799USD vs 1499USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose PSB Alpha iQ over PSB Alpha T20

    Speaker Type Powered vs Passive Built-in amplifier
    Height 246mm vs 869mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 278cm2 vs 530cm2 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 Alpha T20 vs PSB Alpha iQ Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General PSB Alpha T20 PSB Alpha iQ
    Brand PSB PSB
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Powered Stereo Speakers
    Sensitivity 90 dB n/a
    Impedance 8 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 36-21k 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 2 1
    Woofer Size 5.25" 4"
    Woofer Composition Polypropylene Polypropylene
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber n/a
    Tweeter Size 0.75" 0.75"
    Tweeter Type Dome Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2500Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 869.0mm (34.2") 246.0mm (9.7")
    Width 212.0mm (8.3") 145.0mm (5.7")
    Depth 250.0mm (9.8") 192.0mm (7.6")
    Weight 11.89kg (26.2lbs) 7.36kg (16.2lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF, Wood-grain vinyl n/a
    Available Colors Black Matte Black,Matte White,Tangerine Yellow,Midnight Blue
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Grille Yes n/a
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes 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

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