In this review, we will be comparing Alpha iQ and Alpha AM5, 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 iQ and PSB Alpha AM5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Alpha iQ | PSB Alpha AM5 |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 180-watt RMS | 100-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Hard-Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Polypropylene | 5.25" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-20kHz | 55-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 192 kHz | 24-bit / 48 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| App control | Yes | — |
|---|
| Weight | 7.36kg / 16.2lbs | 9.75kg / 21.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9.7" x 5.6" x 7.6"
246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm | 11.5" x 6.75" x 11"
292.1 x 171.5 x 279.4mm |
|---|
Alpha iQ and Alpha AM5 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 iQ and Alpha AM5 are 2-way speakers.
PSB Alpha iQPSB Alpha AM5
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 iQ |
PSB Alpha AM5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Alpha iQ features a 0.75" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Alpha AM5 features a 0.75" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Alpha iQ has a frequency range of 64-20kHz whereas Alpha AM5 has a frequency range of 55-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Alpha AM5 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
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 iQ and Alpha AM5 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 iQ's and PSB Alpha AM5's external dimensions. PSB Alpha iQ has external dimensions of 246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm (9.7 x -5.6 x 7.6 inch) whereas PSB Alpha AM5 has external dimensions of 292.1 x 171.5 x 279.4mm (11.5 x 6.75 x 11inch).
PSB Alpha AM5 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 26.5mm wider, 46.1mm taller and 87.4mm deeper than PSB Alpha iQ.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB Alpha iQ and PSB Alpha AM5 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB Alpha iQ and PSB Alpha AM5 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 iQ is approximately 278.0cm2 / 43.1inch2 and base area of the PSB Alpha AM5 is approximately 479.2cm2 / 74.3inch2. The Alpha iQ requires 42% less surface area than the Alpha AM5 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 Alpha iQ and PSB Alpha AM5 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 iQ weighs 7.36kg / 16.2lbs and the PSB Alpha AM5 weighs 9.75kg / 21.5lbs. This makes the Alpha AM5 32% heavier than the Alpha iQ.
Here is a comparison of how Alpha iQ and Alpha AM5'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 come with the 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
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
246mm
vs
292mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
278cm2
vs
479cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
USB-A (connect a thumb drive for music playback)
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 HDMI Input |
eARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
 Headphone Output |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
|
Subwoofer Output |
Wired
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
PSB Alpha iQ |
PSB Alpha AM5 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
64-20kHz |
55-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
180-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
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 |
246.0mm (9.7") |
292.1mm (11.5") |
| Width |
145.0mm (5.7") |
171.5mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
192.0mm (7.6") |
279.4mm (11") |
| Weight |
7.36kg (16.2lbs) |
9.75kg (21.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black,Matte White,Tangerine Yellow,Midnight Blue |
Matte Black, Matte White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
3.5mm |
| USB Port |
USB-A (connect a thumb drive for music playback) |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
No |
| Digital Input |
Optical, HDMI |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
eARC |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
Yes |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
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 | B | PSB Alpha AM5 digs deeper - 55Hz against 64Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | A | PSB Alpha iQ has the bigger amplifier (180W vs 100W RMS). |
| Connections | A | PSB Alpha iQ adds streaming and HDMI. |
| Size | depends | PSB Alpha iQ is easier to place; PSB Alpha AM5 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | PSB Alpha iQ: a sub output. |
| Price | B | PSB Alpha AM5 is cheaper - $599 against $1,499, about 60% less; arguably a different class. |
A PSB Alpha iQ B PSB Alpha AM5
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?
The usual trade-off: PSB Alpha iQ measures better, PSB Alpha AM5 costs about about 2.5x the price% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. 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 Alpha AM5 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.