You might not have heard of PSB, however the Canadian-based audio firm has been doing its factor for practically 50 years now. With all that follow centered on a space-conscious product line, it’s no surprise the model has mastered the artwork of making huge sound in small packages.

Even so, the Alpha IQ powered audio system shock, providing sufficient muscle and presence to fill small-to-medium-size rooms with wonderful sound, no amp required. The IQ have rather more up their sleeves, too, with connections for all of your gear alongside Sonos-like multi-room streaming in high-resolution with Bluesound.

There are some quirks to utilizing the system, to not point out a reasonably hefty price ticket. But for those who’re looking for a versatile pair of hi-fi streaming speakers, the Alpha IQ are a fantastic choice.

Versatility, With a Learning Curve

Standing lower than 10 inches tall and 6 inches extensive, the Alpha IQ appear shockingly small whenever you unbox them, giving an impression, false although it might be, that they’ll wrestle to usher forth convincing audio efficiency. The 4-inch polypropylene mid-bass drivers are set above the .75-inch tweeters for a particular configuration that permits them to be set on larger cabinets and desktops alongside common speaker stands and TV consoles.

The pair we acquired arrived with a good few scuffs alongside their matte exteriors, suggesting they’d been pushed exhausting and put away moist. Their design feels a bit extra blue-collar than even some cheaper choices like SVS’ Prime Wireless Pro, wanting extra like laptop audio system than bookshelves. But touches like a topside management bar and aluminum strains behind the baffles add some model factors, and their minimalism grew on me over time. I additionally love that every speaker requires solely a wall outlet, without having for a connecting wire between them, not to mention an amplifier.

With a variety of accessible inputs, from HDMI eARC to a turntable enter full with a moving-magnet cartridge, it’s straightforward to attach all of your supply units to the first speaker’s bottom. But first, you’ll wish to obtain Bluesound’s BlueOS app to get the system related and able to stream.

Perhaps as a result of my evaluation mannequin noticed some put on and tear forward of arrival, I had some issue getting the left speaker to seek out my community at first. The flashing inexperienced mild indicated a necessity for a manufacturing facility reset, which meant digging up a paperclip to push within the reset button and going via some rigmarole—a lot for Sonos-like simplicity.

Once finished, the audio system proved to be extraordinarily secure on my community it doesn’t matter what I performed. There are loads of methods to stream, whether or not you go immediately from the app with companies like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Bluesound’s Radio Paradise (Apple Music isn’t supported), or through AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, or Tidal Connect. There’s additionally Bluetooth with aptX HD, however you’ll must stream over Wi-Fi to get the advantage of the Alpha IQ’s 24-bit/192-kHz max decision.