PSB Alpha AM5 Compact Powered Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Alpha AM5 is a compact powered bookshelf speaker system from PSB Speakers (Pickering, Ontario, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Born from the legendary Alpha series first introduced in 1991, the AM5 combines PSB's decades of research with the Lenbrook Group's amplification expertise, drawing on sister brands NAD Electronics and Bluesound to engineer a closed, co-optimized powered speaker system. It features a 5.25" polypropylene cone woofer with rubber surround, a 0.75" aluminum dome tweeter with ferrofluid and neodymium magnet, and a built-in 50-watt-per-channel Class D stereo amplifier with Waves Audio DSP, Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth, a built-in MM phono preamp, optical digital input, USB DAC, and a subwoofer output. The AM5 earned a Reviewers' Choice Award from SoundStage! Simplifi (December 2020) and was named a SoundStage! Network Product of the Year for Exceptional Value.

Co-Optimized Amplification and DSP: The Lenbrook Advantage

What separates the PSB Alpha AM5 from most powered speakers at its level is the depth of integration between its amplifier and drivers. PSB worked with the engineering resources of NAD Electronics and Bluesound, both Lenbrook Group brands, to design the speaker's Hypex-based 50-watt Class D stereo amplifier specifically around the AM5's driver characteristics. All signal processing runs through a Waves Audio DSP engine before amplification, meaning analog and phono signals are first converted to digital, then processed, then amplified. This allows the AM5 to apply frequency response optimization, bass extension correction, and the proprietary Waves MaxxBass algorithm. MaxxBass analyzes bass content below 38 Hz and generates harmonics that exploit a well-documented psychoacoustic phenomenon: listeners perceive the missing fundamental when harmonics are present. Waves claims MaxxBass can extend perceived low-frequency response by up to 1.5 octaves, a meaningful performance gain for a cabinet of this size. Four selectable sound modes, accessible via the included remote, allow further customization: Stereo (neutral), Widesound (expanded soundstage), Dialog (enhanced vocal clarity), and Widesound Plus (both simultaneously).

Complete Connectivity for Vinyl, Streaming, and Digital Sources

The active left speaker houses all amplification, DSP, and connectivity. A dedicated moving-magnet phono RCA input allows direct connection of any MM-equipped turntable without a separate phono preamp. A Toslink optical input handles digital audio from televisions, CD players, and other digital sources. A USB port enables computer audio playback as a USB DAC at up to 24-bit/48 kHz resolution. A 3.5 mm analog auxiliary input accepts phones, tablets, and portable players. Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth 5.0 provides high-quality wireless streaming from any compatible device. When a subwoofer is connected to the RCA subwoofer output, the AM5's DSP automatically engages co-ordinated low- and high-pass filtering, relieving the main drivers of deep bass duty. Rear-panel controls include volume, bass, and treble adjustment, and the active speaker connects to the passive right speaker via the included 8-foot 16AWG speaker cable using five-way binding posts.

Key Features

• 50W x 2 Class D Stereo Amplifier: Hypex-based amplifier designed specifically for the AM5's drivers, delivering optimized power delivery, low distortion, and cool, efficient operation.
• Waves Audio DSP with MaxxBass: Pre-amplifier digital signal processing licensed from Waves Audio extends perceived bass response and enables four selectable sound modes for different content types.
• 0.75" Aluminum Dome Tweeter with Ferrofluid and Neodymium Magnet: Front-mounted waveguide improves dispersion, flattens frequency response in the crossover region, and minimizes high-frequency distortion.
• 5.25" Polypropylene Cone Woofer with Rubber Surround: Steel basket woofer derived from the Alpha P5 passive speaker, tuned in partnership with the built-in amplifier and DSP for extended bass output.
• Built-In MM Phono Preamp: Dedicated RCA input with a moving-magnet phono stage allows direct connection of any turntable with an MM cartridge, no external preamp required.
• Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth 5.0: High-quality wireless streaming at 24-bit/48 kHz with aptX codec support and improved signal-to-noise ratio over standard Bluetooth SBC.
• Optical, USB DAC, and AUX Inputs: Toslink digital input for TV and disc players, USB input for computer audio, and 3.5 mm analog input for portable devices.
• Subwoofer Output with Auto Crossover: RCA subwoofer output triggers automatic high- and low-pass DSP filtering when engaged, enabling seamless integration with any subwoofer including PSB's own Alpha S8.
• Bass-Reflex Cabinet with Tuned Port: MDF cabinet with internally braced construction and a rear-firing port, optimized by DSP to extend low-frequency output below the cabinet's natural roll-off.
• Acoustically Transparent Detachable Magnetic Grilles: Available in Matte Black or Matte White, with perforated metal grilles that protect drivers without audibly affecting sound.
• Included Remote Control: Handset provides volume, source selection, bass and treble adjustment, subwoofer engage/disengage, and sound mode switching from the listening position.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm aptX (wireless)
• RCA Phono Input (Moving Magnet turntable)
• Optical / Toslink Digital Input (TV, CD player)
• USB Input (Computer audio, up to 24-bit/48kHz)
• 3.5mm Analog AUX Input (phone, tablet, portable player)
• RCA Subwoofer Output (with auto DSP crossover)
• Five-Way Binding Posts (active to passive speaker connection)
• Rear Volume, Bass, and Treble Controls

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Reviewers' Choice Award, SoundStage! Simplifi, December 2020
• SoundStage! Network Product of the Year, Exceptional Value, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PSB Alpha AM5?

The PSB Alpha AM5 is a 2-way powered bookshelf speaker system from PSB Speakers, a Canadian brand based in Pickering, Ontario. It includes a built-in 50-watt-per-channel Class D stereo amplifier, a 5.25" polypropylene woofer, a 0.75" aluminum dome tweeter, Qualcomm aptX Bluetooth 5.0, a moving-magnet phono preamp, optical digital input, USB DAC, and a Waves Audio DSP engine with MaxxBass bass enhancement. The AM5 is a complete stereo system requiring no external amplifier, making it an ideal single-purchase solution for vinyl, streaming, computer audio, and television sound.

How does the PSB Alpha AM5 compare to the Klipsch The Fives and Audioengine A5 Plus?

The PSB Alpha AM5 distinguishes itself from the Klipsch The Fives and Audioengine A5 Plus through its Waves Audio DSP engine and co-optimized amplifier-driver design. The Klipsch The Fives includes HDMI ARC input, which the AM5 lacks, and uses a horn-loaded tweeter for a higher-sensitivity, more forward presentation. The Audioengine A5 Plus offers a larger 5.5" woofer but lacks a built-in phono preamp. The AM5's Waves MaxxBass processing and four sound modes give it a level of acoustic customization that neither competitor matches at a comparable price point, and its roots in over 50 years of NRC-informed PSB speaker research give it a neutrality of tonal balance that sets it apart in its category.

Can the PSB Alpha AM5 connect directly to a turntable?

Yes, the PSB Alpha AM5 includes a dedicated moving-magnet phono RCA input with a built-in phono preamp, allowing direct connection of any turntable equipped with a moving-magnet cartridge. No separate phono preamplifier is needed. Simply connect the turntable's RCA output and ground wire to the AM5's phono input on the back of the active speaker, select the phono source, and play. Turntables with moving-coil cartridges require a separate step-up transformer or MC phono preamp before connecting to the AM5's MM input.

What is Waves MaxxBass and how does it affect the AM5's sound?

Waves MaxxBass is a psychoacoustic DSP algorithm licensed from Waves Audio of Tel Aviv, Israel. It analyzes bass frequencies below 38 Hz, then generates a series of harmonics corresponding to those low frequencies. Because human hearing perceives the fundamental pitch of a sound based on its harmonic series, listeners interpret these added harmonics as deeper bass than the speaker is physically producing. PSB and Waves claim MaxxBass can extend the perceived low-frequency response of the AM5 by up to 1.5 octaves, giving the compact cabinet a bass presence well beyond its physical size. MaxxBass runs continuously unless the subwoofer output is engaged.

Does the PSB Alpha AM5 work with a subwoofer?

Yes, the PSB Alpha AM5 includes a dedicated RCA subwoofer output that automatically activates co-ordinated DSP crossover filtering when a subwoofer is connected. The AM5's internal DSP applies a high-pass filter to the main speakers and routes deep bass to the subwoofer output, ensuring a smooth and integrated blend. It pairs particularly well with PSB's own Alpha S8 subwoofer, which uses a 150-watt Class D amplifier and reaches down to 36 Hz (-10dB). When the subwoofer is engaged, the AM5's bass control becomes inactive, with bass management handled entirely through the DSP crossover.

What amplifier power does the PSB Alpha AM5 have, and is it enough for a living room?

The PSB Alpha AM5 delivers 50 watts per channel from its built-in Class D stereo amplifier. Combined with the Waves Audio DSP optimization, this is sufficient for small to medium-sized rooms used for music listening, desktop audio, and home theatre. Multiple reviewers at SoundStage! Simplifi and StereoNET confirmed room-filling performance in typical living room environments. For very large rooms or high-volume listening, adding a subwoofer and engaging the AM5's automatic DSP crossover will extend both dynamic range and low-frequency impact significantly.

Where can I buy the PSB Alpha AM5 in Toronto or Canada?

The PSB Alpha AM5 Compact Powered Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) are available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound is an authorized PSB dealer offering the full Alpha AM5 system in both Matte Black and Matte White finishes, along with expert guidance on source pairing, turntable matching, and optional subwoofer integration. Visit Vinyl Sound in Toronto or shop through the Vinyl Sound Canada online store.