PSB Alpha P3/P5 Compact Bookshelf Speakers Obsessed Garage

You’ll have to excuse the excitement I’ll project as I talk about the PSB Alpha P3 and P5 Bookshelf Speakers. I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy or like these at all, but I do. The sound they produce is remarkable, and for how inexpensive they are, I’d highly suggest purchasing them if you’re looking to add quality sound to your garage.

These speakers are not going to change your world like the Dynaudio Core 59’s I have in my garage, but they will change your perspective a little bit on what quality audio is and can be even at a low price point. 

Just like what I’ve done with the pressure washing project where I purchased 80 to 90 pressure washers to test and vet, I unintentionally did the same thing here. I decided that I’d order one of every speaker PSB makes and sell the ones that best fit the application we’d be using them for, which is in the garage.

I want to prepare you for when you receive these speakers and unbox them. Don’t expect them to be heavier in weight like other high-end speakers, especially the Dynaudio line I carry. I can palm one of these in my hand and hold my arm straight out with very little gravity pulling my arm down. The magnetic grill is decent, but you’ll have to adjust it when you affix it to the speaker – it won’t fasten proportionally. These are vinyl-wrapped, and you’ll see the seam at the bottom, but the PSB sticker makes it look less homemade.

It sounds like I’m giving you all the reasons not to buy these but trust me, it’s the complete opposite. I’m just protecting myself from all of you who think I’ve lost my mind carrying these in the store. They are really good and sound amazing once you hook them up.

Silk dome tweeters are my preference because they have a warmer sound to them. The PSB’s have an aluminum tweeter that gives them a brighter sound. I’ve spoken about this many times before, but if you’re looking to get a warm sound, you want silk dome tweeters. Check out the Dynaudio line. More specifically, the Core’s and LYD’s.  

The judgment I had on these when I pulled them out of the box was way off. I hooked them up to my BlueSound Powernode, which is rated at 50 watts per channel, expecting them to be bright and annoying. Let me tell you; they weren’t. I was awestruck. 

Every penny that you spend on these will be well worth it. Paul Barton (chief designer and founder of PSB) did a fantastic job. He chose the unique route of going economical and making something great while keeping costs down. These speakers are Chinese manufactured but built in Canada.

You’ll be buying these speakers based on how my ear is tuned and what I deem to be satisfying, which is a smoother sound. Not many places are going to give you a real-life experience with realistic expectations. That’s the value I bring to you for you to make an informed decision.

You’ll have the option of choosing either the Alpha P3 or Alpha P5. Both come in Black Ash or Walnut and are vinyl-wrapped. They don’t really feel like vinyl; it’s more of a woodgrain, veneer type vinyl.  

If you decide that you want a powered version of these and want to skip adding an amplifier, you can go with the PSB Alpha AM3/AM5 speakers I sell. Not that much more expensive and will give you an ample amount of output. 

PSB is pretty freaking awesome. I am super excited to offer these to you. If you’re trying to decide which set to go with, my money is on the P5’s.  

Features & Specifications

PSB Alpha P3 – Compact Bookshelf 

Frequency Response:

• On Axis @ 0° ±3dB | 57-21,000Hz
• On Axis @ 0° ±1 1/2dB | 67-20,000Hz
• Off Axis @ 30° ±1 1/2dB | 67-10,000Hz
• LF Cutoff -10dB | 43Hz

Sensitivity:

• Anechoic Chamber | 85dB
• Listening Room | 87dB

Impedance:

• Nominal | 8 Ohms
• Minimum | 4 Ohms

Input Power:

• Recommended | 10 – 80 Watts
• Program | 60 Watts

Acoustic Design:

• Tweeter (Nominal) 3/4” (19mm) | Black Anodized Aluminium Dome with Ferrofluid and Neodymium Magnet
• Woofer (Nominal) | 4” (102mm) Textured Polypropylene Cone with Rubber Surround
• Crossover | 3,000Hz, L4
• Internal Volume | 0.11 cu ft (3.1L)
• Design Type | Tuned Port Bass Reflex, 1 3/8” (35mm) Rear Port

Dimensions /Weights/Finish:

• Size (W x H x D) | 5 1/8” x 8 5/8” x 6 7/8”* (130 x 220 x 174mm)
• Weight | 4.9lb (2.2kg)/each | 11.45lb (5.2kg)/pr
• Finish** | Black Ash | Walnut
• Notes * Non-metric measurements are approximate. ** Some finishes may not be available in all models and/or all countries. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

PSB Alpha P5 – Bookshelf 

Frequency Response:

• On Axis @ 0° ±3dB | 55-21,000Hz
• On Axis @ 0° ±1 1/2dB | 65-20,000Hz
• Off Axis @ 30° ±1 1/2dB | 65-10,000Hz
• LF Cutoff -10dB | 37Hz

Sensitivity:

• Anechoic Chamber | 87dB
• Listening Room | 89dB

Impedance:

• Nominal | 8 Ohms
• Minimum | 4 Ohms

Input Power:

• Recommended | 10 – 90 Watts
• Program | 60 Watts

Acoustic Design:

• Tweeter (Nominal) | 3/4” (19mm) Black Anodized Aluminium Dome with Ferrofluid and Neodymium Magnet
• Woofer (Nominal) | 5 1/4” (133mm) Textured Polypropylene Cone with Rubber Surround
• Crossover | 2.500Hz, L4
• Internal Volume | 0.29 cu ft (8.3L)
• Design Type | Tuned Port Bass Reflex, 2” (49mm) Rear Port

Dimensions /Weights/Finish:

• Size (W x H x D) | 6 3/4” x 11 3/8” x 9 1/2”* (170 x 290 x 240mm)
• Weight | 10.15lb (4.6kg)/each | 22.8lb (10.4kg)/pr
• Finish** | Black Ash | Walnut
• Notes * Non-metric measurements are approximate. ** Some finishes may not be available in all models and/or all countries. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Manufacturer Description

PSB Alpha P3 – Compact Bookshelf 

The Alpha P3 is a small two-way bookshelf speaker that brings hifi pedigree to your stereo or home theatre system to fill the room with crystal-clear sound. Featuring a custom 4” (102mm) woofer and aluminum dome tweeter that uses a waveguide to perfectly match the low and high frequencies for a smooth transition, the P3 delivers natural sound, at an affordable price. It also leverages specially textured woofer cones and a unique port tube design to add back energy and extend the bass frequencies even lower without any distortion.

PSB Alpha P5 – Bookshelf 

The P5 bookshelf speaker is a classic two-way design that can be placed on a stand, a shelf, a desk, or a table and is equally well-suited for home theater or stereo listening. A timeless design featuring a 5.25” woofer, the P5 allows you to transform your system with pristine sound. The P5 uses a 0.75” black anodized aluminum dome tweeter to extend the high-frequency response further than any Alpha ever before while lowering distortion to deliver layered sound with detail and clarity. Available in a choice of simulated Walnut or Black Ash, the P5 delivers outsized performance compared to its nearest competitors. Simply add a subwoofer (for even deeper bass) and/or other Alpha models for an awesome home theater experience.

Setup & FAQ 

PSB Alpha P3

• PSB Owners Manual Alpha (English) (PDF)
• Datasheet

PSB Alpha P5

• PSB Owners Manual Alpha (English) (PDF)
• Datasheet