In this review, we will be comparing S10 and Alpha P3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and PSB. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk S10 and PSB P3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk S10 and PSB P3 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk S10 and PSB P3 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 S10 and Alpha P3 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Polk S10 |
PSB P3 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
S10 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Alpha P3 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
S10 has a frequency range of 67-40k Hz whereas Alpha P3 has a frequency range of 57-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the Alpha P3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S10's min frequency of 67Hz.
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.
Impedance and Sensitivity
S10 and Alpha P3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 87 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
S10 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Alpha P3 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the S10.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
S10 features 5-way post type posts and Alpha P3 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both S10 and Alpha P3 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 Polk S10's and PSB P3's external dimensions. Polk S10 has external dimensions of 214.0 x 127.0 x 155.0mm ( 8.4 x 5.0 x 6.1inch) whereas PSB P3 has external dimensions of 223.0 x 132.0 x 186.0mm ( 8-3/4 x 5-3/16 x 7-5/16inch) .
PSB P3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 5mm wider, 9mm taller and 31mm deeper than Polk S10.
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 Polk S10 is approximately 196.9cm2 / 30.5inch2 and base area of the PSB P3 is approximately 245.5cm2 / 38.1inch2. The S10 requires 20% less surface area than the Alpha P3 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 Polk S10 weighs 2.73kg / 6lbs and the PSB P3 weighs 2.23kg / 4.9lbs. This makes the S10 22% heavier than the Alpha P3.
Here is a comparison of how S10 and Alpha P3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk S10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S10:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grille (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetWall-mount templateOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
What's in the Box of PSB P3?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha P3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Quick Start Guide Warranty Card
Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
214mm
vs
223mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
196cm2 (127x155mm)
vs
245cm2 (132x186mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
67 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
General |
Polk Audio Signature S10 |
PSB Alpha P3 |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
PSB |
Speaker Type |
Satellite speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-100 watts |
10-80 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
67-40k Hz |
57-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4" |
4.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
3000Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
214.0mm (8.4") |
223.0mm (8.8") |
Width |
127.0mm (5") |
132.0mm (5.2") |
Depth |
155.0mm (6.1") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
Weight |
2.73kg (6lbs) |
2.23kg (4.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Meddite MDF |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut,Black Ash |
Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
28-31" |
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 |