However, an inflation calculator revealed that 199 1992 US dollars is equivalent to 363.24 2019 dollars: In real terms, a pair of P5s is $14 and change cheaper than their distant ancestor. I concluded my review of the B1 by saying "Even if not in the market for a cheap mini, audiophiles should buy them for their Bose-owning friends and family, to give those unfortunates more than a taste of what a true high-end loudspeaker is capable of."Īnd now we have the fifth generation of the Alpha, the P5, which is priced at $349/pair, $150 more than that original Alpha in 1992. The woofer was still a 5.25" polypropylene-cone unit, and the aluminum dome tweeter was retained. The B1 retained the B's molded plastic front and rear baffles, but had a slightly greater enclosure volume. "Considering again the quality of construction and sound of these remarkable little boxes and checking the price yet again," BJR wrote, "I'm still shaking my head this speaker doesn't cost $250 apiece but $250 per pair."Īn increase in price to $279/pair accompanied the next revision, the Alpha B1, which I reviewed in May 2007. The ferrofluid-cooled, 0.75" aluminum-dome tweeter was recessed within a short flare and protected by a plastic "phase plate," and the enclosure now featured molded plastic front and rear baffles. The B retained the magnetic shielding and featured a 5.25" woofer with an injection-molded polypropylene cone. The next iteration was the Alpha B, which the late Bob Reina reviewed in May 2002. The revised speaker was called the Alpha A/V and cost $249/pair I enthusiastically reviewed it in April 2000. Paul Barton revised the Alpha in 1998, replacing its plastic-dome tweeter with a more refined unit, upgrading the crossover and terminals, and magnetically shielding both drive-units for use in home-theater systems. a sensational audio bargain." The Alpha went on to become one of the most popular audiophile speakers ever, with over 50,000 pairs sold by the end of the last century. Jack concluded that it was "simply one of the best buys in audio, providing a musically satisfying sound.
A modest-looking two-way priced at just $199/pair, it combined a reflex-loaded 6.5" woofer using a plastic-doped paper cone with a 0.5" plastic-dome tweeter. The first PSB Alpha was reviewed for Stereophile by Jack English in July 1992.
#PSB ALPHA P5 SERIES#
With PSB's Alpha series of bookshelf speakers, Canadian engineer Paul Barton has illustrated this truism many times over the years. It is said that while any competent engineer can design a superb loudspeaker if allowed an unlimited bill of materials, the true test is being able to produce a great-sounding, budget-priced speaker out of parts that cost a mere handful of dollars.
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