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  1. Home
  2. Powered Stereo Speakers
  3. PSB Alpha iQ vs Q Acoustics Q Active 200

PSB Alpha iQ vs Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Comparison

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Speaker to replace
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PSB Alpha iQ

Powered Bookshelf | 64-20kHz

PSB Alpha iQ
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Q Acoustics Q Active 200

Powered Bookshelf | 46-20k Hz

Q Acoustics Q Active 200 System
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PSB Alpha iQ PSB Alpha iQ
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Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Q Acoustics Q Active...
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PSB Alpha iQ
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Q Acoustics Q Active...
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PSB Alpha iQ vs Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Speaker Comparison

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 SpecsPSB Alpha iQQ Acoustics Q Active 200
BrandPSB
Canada · founded 1972
Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier180-watt RMS100-watt RMS (280-watt peak)
Tweeter0.75" Hard-Dome—
Midrange—2 x 2-1/4"
Woofer4" Polypropylene4.5"
Frequency response64-20kHz46-20k Hz
Max depth / sample rate24-bit / 192 kHz24-bit / 96 kHz
BluetoothBuilt-inBuilt-in 4.1
App controlYesYes
Weight7.36kg / 16.2lbs7.50kg / 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.

Tweeter - 0.75 inchWoofer - 4 inch
PSB Alpha iQ
Woofer - 4.5 inch
Q 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

Alpha iQ
Active 200
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 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 -5.6 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.

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
PSB Alpha iQ
Q Acoustics Q Active 200
Min
Average
Max

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


Reasons to choose PSB Alpha iQ over Q Acoustics Q Active 200 System

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

Reasons to choose Q Acoustics Q Active 200 System over PSB Alpha iQ

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

PSB Alpha iQ vs Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
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

Verdict

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.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBQ Acoustics Q Active 200 digs deeper - 46Hz against 64Hz.
Built-in powerAPSB Alpha iQ has the bigger amplifier (180W vs 100W RMS).
ConnectionsBQ Acoustics Q Active 200 adds Wi-Fi.
SizedependsPSB Alpha iQ is easier to place; Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
ExpandabilitydependsPSB Alpha iQ: a sub output; Q Acoustics Q Active 200: a sub output.
PriceAPSB 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?

Q Acoustics Q Active 200 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 40% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - PSB Alpha iQ looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Q Acoustics Q Active 200 appeals to you. 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.


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