In this review, we will be comparing Alpha iQ and Prime Wireless Pro, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from PSB and SVS. 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 SVS Prime Wireless Pro first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the PSB Alpha iQ and SVS Prime Wireless Pro compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Alpha iQ and Prime Wireless Pro are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
PSB Alpha iQ |
SVS Prime Wireless Pro |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-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 Prime Wireless Pro features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylen cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Alpha iQ has a frequency range of 64-20kHz whereas Prime Wireless Pro has a frequency range of 42-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Prime Wireless Pro 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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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 iQ and Prime Wireless Pro 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 iQ's and SVS Prime Wireless Pro's external dimensions. PSB Alpha iQ has external dimensions of 246 x 145 x 92mm ( 9.7 x -5.6 x 7.6 inch ) whereas SVS Prime Wireless Pro has external dimensions of 295 x 180 x 228mm ( 11.61 x 7.09 x 8.96 inch) .
SVS Prime Wireless Pro is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35mm wider, 49mm taller and 36mm 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 SVS Prime Wireless Pro is approximately 414.0cm2 / 64.2inch2. The Alpha iQ requires 33% less surface area than the Prime Wireless Pro 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 SVS Prime Wireless Pro weighs 5.30kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the Alpha iQ 39% heavier than the Prime Wireless Pro.
Here is a comparison of how Alpha iQ and Prime Wireless Pro's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Wireless Pro?
Here are the items that come with the Prime Wireless Pro:
Active wireless speaker6-feet AC power cordGrille (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive feetActive-Passive Speaker Interconnect Cable: 3m / 10ftQuick Start GuideWarranty/Registration CardSVS brochureRemote
 Height |
246mm
vs
295mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
278cm2 (145x192mm)
vs
414cm2 (180x228mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
 Headphone Output |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
| General |
PSB Alpha iQ |
SVS Prime Wireless Pro |
| Brand |
PSB |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
64-20kHz |
42-25k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
180-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylen cone |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
246.0mm (9.7") |
295.0mm (11.6") |
| Width |
145.0mm (5.7") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
192.0mm (7.6") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Weight |
7.36kg (16.2lbs) |
5.30kg (11.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black,Matte White,Tangerine Yellow,Midnight Blue |
Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-A (connect a thumb drive for music playback) |
Service and Powering only |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical, HDMI |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
eARC |
ARC,eARC |
| Headphone Jack |
Yes |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |
2 Years |