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  1. Home
  2. Powered Stereo Speakers
  3. PSB Alpha iQ vs SVS Prime Wireless Pro

PSB Alpha iQ vs SVS Prime Wireless Pro 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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SVS Prime Wireless Pro

Powered Bookshelf | 42-25k Hz

SVS Prime Wireless Pro
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PSB Alpha iQ PSB Alpha iQ
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SVS Prime Wireless Pro SVS Prime Wireless P...
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PSB Alpha iQ
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SVS Prime Wireless P...
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PSB Alpha iQ vs SVS Prime Wireless Pro Speaker Comparison

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.

Key SpecsPSB Alpha iQSVS Prime Wireless Pro
BrandPSB
Canada · founded 1972
SVS
United States · founded 1998
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier180-watt RMS200-watt RMS
Tweeter0.75" Hard-Dome1" Dome
Woofer4" Polypropylene5.25" Polypropylen cone
Frequency response64-20kHz42-25k Hz
Max depth / sample rate24-bit / 192 kHz24-bit / 192 kHz
BluetoothBuilt-inBuilt-in 5.0
App controlYesYes
Weight7.36kg / 16.2lbs5.30kg / 11.7lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)9.7" x 5.6" x 7.6"
246.0 x 145.0 x 192.0mm
11.61" x 7.09" x 8.96"
295 x 180 x 228mm

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 Prime Wireless Pro are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 0.75 inchWoofer - 4 inch
PSB Alpha iQ
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
SVS Prime Wireless Pro

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 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.

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
Prime Wireless Pro
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 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

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 SVS Prime Wireless Pro'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 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 410.4cm2 / 63.6inch2. The Alpha iQ requires 32% 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
PSB Alpha iQ
SVS Prime Wireless Pro
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of SVS Prime Wireless Pro?

Here are the items that come with the Prime Wireless Pro:
  • Active wireless speaker
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • Grille (pre-installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive feet
  • Active-Passive Speaker Interconnect Cable: 3m / 10ft
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty/Registration Card
  • SVS brochure
  • Remote


Reasons to choose PSB Alpha iQ over SVS Prime Wireless Pro

Height 246mm vs 295mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 278cm2 vs 410cm2 Takes less floor space
Phono Input Yes vs No Connect your turntable directly
Headphone Output Yes vs No Connect your headphone

Reasons to choose SVS Prime Wireless Pro over PSB Alpha iQ

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

PSB Alpha iQ vs SVS Prime Wireless Pro Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
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

Verdict

These sit in different price classes - PSB Alpha iQ costs roughly 1.7x what SVS Prime Wireless Pro does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBSVS Prime Wireless Pro digs deeper - 42Hz against 64Hz.
Built-in powerevenly matchedSimilar onboard amplification (180W vs 200W RMS).
ConnectionsdependsPSB Alpha iQ adds phono; SVS Prime Wireless Pro adds Wi-Fi.
SizedependsPSB Alpha iQ is easier to place; SVS Prime Wireless Pro is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
ExpandabilitydependsPSB Alpha iQ: a sub output; SVS Prime Wireless Pro: a sub output.
PriceBSVS Prime Wireless Pro is cheaper - $899 against $1,499, about 40% less; arguably a different class.

A PSB Alpha iQ  B SVS Prime Wireless Pro
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?

SVS Prime Wireless Pro has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. 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, SVS Prime Wireless Pro 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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