In this review, we will be comparing Alpha iQ and Active 200, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from PSB and Q Acoustics. 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 Q Acoustics Q Active 200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Alpha iQ | Q Acoustics Q Active 200 |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 180-watt RMS | 100-watt RMS (280-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Hard-Dome | — |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 2 x 2-1/4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Polypropylene | 4.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64-20kHz | 46-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 192 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in | Built-in 4.1 |
|---|
| App control | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Weight | 7.36kg / 16.2lbs | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9.7" x 5.6" x 7.6"
246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm | 11-3/16" x 6-3/4" x 11-7/16"
285.0 x 172.0 x 291.0mm |
|---|
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 Active 200 are 2-way speakers.
PSB Alpha iQQ Acoustics Q Active 200
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 |
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
2 x 2-1/4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Alpha iQ features a 0.75" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Active 200 features a " Tweeter, a 2-1/4" Midrange and 1 x 4.5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Alpha iQ has a frequency range of 64-20kHz whereas Active 200 has a frequency range of 46-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Active 200 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 Active 200 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 Q Acoustics Q Active 200's external dimensions. PSB Alpha iQ has external dimensions of 246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm (9.7 x 5.7 x 7.6 inch) whereas Q Acoustics Q Active 200 has external dimensions of 285.0 x 172.0 x 291.0mm (11-3/16 x 6-3/4 x 11-7/16inch).
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 39mm taller and 99mm deeper than PSB Alpha iQ.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 needs about 80% more floor or shelf area. Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is 99mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is 39mm taller.
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 Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is approximately 500.5cm2 / 77.6inch2. The Alpha iQ requires 44% less surface area than the Active 200 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Q Acoustics Q Active 200 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the Active 200 2% heavier than the Alpha iQ.
Here is a comparison of how Alpha iQ and Active 200's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics Q Active 200?
Here are the items that come with the Active 200:
- 2 Powered speakers
- Two 6-feet AC power cords
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Important Safety Informtion and Warnings Wireless hub
- USB/AC power adapter with US connector
- EU/UK/AU AC adapter plugs
- 40-inch USB-C to USB-A cable
- 5-inch HDMI cable
- Remote control
- 2 AAA batteries
- Quick Start Guide
 Height |
246mm
vs
285mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
278cm2
vs
500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
2098USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 Headphone Output |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
| General |
PSB Alpha iQ |
Q Acoustics Q Active 200 System |
| Brand |
PSB |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered stereo speakers |
| Frequency Response |
64-20kHz |
46-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
180-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
280-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
2-1/4" |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
246.0mm (9.7") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Width |
145.0mm (5.7") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
192.0mm (7.6") |
291.0mm (11.5") |
| Weight |
7.36kg (16.2lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black,Matte White,Tangerine Yellow,Midnight Blue |
Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
No |
| USB Port |
USB-A (connect a thumb drive for music playback) |
Update only |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
mono-RCA |
| Digital Input |
Optical, HDMI |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
eARC |
ARC |
| Headphone Jack |
Yes |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your sources and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Q Acoustics Q Active 200 digs deeper - 46Hz against 64Hz. |
| Built-in power | A | PSB Alpha iQ has the bigger amplifier (180W vs 100W RMS). |
| Connections | evenly matched | The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size | depends | PSB Alpha iQ is easier to place; Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | PSB Alpha iQ: a sub output; Q Acoustics Q Active 200: a sub output. |
| Price | A | PSB Alpha iQ is cheaper - $1,499 against $2,098, about 29% less. |
A PSB Alpha iQ B Q Acoustics Q Active 200
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 64Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper PSB Alpha iQ much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics Q Active 200 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.