In this review, we will be comparing Imagine XB and Alpha P5, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine XB and PSB P5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Imagine XB | PSB P5 |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Clay/Ceramic/Poly | 5.25" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23k Hz | 55-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | 10-90 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.60kg / 12.3lbs | 4.61kg / 10.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12" x 6.75" x 10.75"
302 x 170 x 271mm | 11-3/8" x 6-3/4" x 10"
289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the PSB Imagine XB and PSB P5 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
PSB Imagine XB |
PSB P5 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Imagine XB and Alpha P5 are 2-way speakers.
PSB Imagine XBPSB P5
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 Imagine XB |
PSB P5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Imagine XB features a 1" Titanium Dome with Ferrofluid Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Clay/Ceramic/Poly Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz. On the other hand, the Alpha P5 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Imagine XB has a frequency range of 55-23k Hz whereas Alpha P5 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz.
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.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Imagine XB and Alpha P5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Imagine XB sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Alpha P5's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the PSB P5 a more sensitive speaker compared to PSB Imagine XB, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Imagine XB can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Alpha P5 has a max power handling value of 90 watts RMS, 60 watts less than the Imagine XB.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Imagine XB features 5-way post type posts and Alpha P5 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB P5's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Imagine XB and Alpha P5 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 Imagine XB's and PSB P5's external dimensions. PSB Imagine XB has external dimensions of 302 x 170 x 271mm (12inch x 6.75inch x 10.75inch) whereas PSB P5 has external dimensions of 289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm (11-3/8 x 6-3/4 x 10inch).
PSB P5 is 13mm shorter and 17mm less deeper than PSB Imagine XB but it is also 2mm wider.
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.
Near-identical footprints. PSB Imagine XB is 17mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. PSB Imagine XB is 13mm 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 Imagine XB is approximately 460.0cm2 / 71.3inch2 and base area of the PSB P5 is approximately 436.9cm2 / 67.7inch2. The Imagine XB requires 5% more surface area than the Alpha P5 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Imagine XB weighs 5.60kg / 12.3lbs and the PSB P5 weighs 4.61kg / 10.1lbs. This makes the Imagine XB 21% heavier than the Alpha P5.
Here is a comparison of how Imagine XB and Alpha P5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine XB?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Imagine XB:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of PSB P5?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha P5:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
90 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
289mm
vs
302mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
436cm2
vs
460cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
649USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
PSB Imagine XB |
PSB Alpha P5 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
10-90 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-23k Hz |
55-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
302.0mm (11.9") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
170.0mm (6.7") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
271.0mm (10.7") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
5.60kg (12.3lbs) |
4.61kg (10.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut,Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: PSB P5 is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | PSB P5 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | PSB Imagine XB takes more power (150W vs 90W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. PSB P5 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | PSB P5 is cheaper - $449 against $649, about 31% less. |
A PSB Imagine XB B PSB P5
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. Match it to your room: we rate PSB Imagine XB the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and PSB P5 for near-field listening and a small room. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, PSB P5 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.