Speaker Recommendation (PSB AM5)

[lido_shuff]

Hi all,

For some background, I have been using a pair of Fluance Ai40 for the past 7-8 years. They've rotated b/w my desk and my TV, and they are currently hooked up to my OLED TV (3.5mm headphone jack on TV to RCA input on Fluance Ai40). As my first (and only) pair of bookshelf speakers, I give these props for being convenient, easy to use, and (to my ears) pleasant to listen to.

I have recently been in the market for my first turntable. I was able to find an amazing deal on a brand new Pro-ject Debut Evo 2 for $400 via second hand market.

The seller also had a couple pairs of brand new PSB Alpha AM5 powered bookshelf speakers that they were selling for $350. They offered to include these speakers along with the turntable for $700 total. I thought that was an amazing deal, so I took it.

I recently came across some threads covering the PSB Alpha P5 (which I believe are identical speaker-wise to the AM5, just passive version), and saw Amir's not-so-glowing review of these speakers HERE. Now I'm wondering, did I make a bad decision in purchasing the AM5?

Here's what the AM5 have going for it, in my eyes:

• Built-in phono pre (wouldn't have to buy one separately, at least for now)
• Bluetooth, and digital inputs (USB and optical) for use with TV instead of 3.5mm to RCA
• Sub-out, in case I want to get a sub in the future
• Some different DSP modes

But the potentially very large negative is that they don't sound great.

Would I be better off getting a WiiM Amp, a pair of high quality passives like KEF Q1 Meta, and a separate phono pre (granted, this set up would definitely be more expensive than the $300 I spent on the AM5s).

If I wanted powered + all the same features already in the AM5 (+ HDMI ARC input), I do see the Klipsch The Sevens heavily discounted at Amazon ($760 black, $800 walnut) and even further discounted at ElectronicsExpo ($650 black, $700 walnut)...

For some additional context, I live in a 1 bdr apartment, and value space savings wherever possible (so I'm not looking to get a massive receiver). The speakers will be placed on an entertainment console that is 68'' wide, and there will be around 5-6'' distance from the back of the speaker to the brick wall. The room is a bit over 12 feet deep.

Any insight would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[serhii_o]

I have a pair of AM5s that are currently sitting in storage. For $350, they're a pretty good system, especially when paired with a TV. As an alternative to a soundbar, they're probably a very good option. But I really didn't want to listen to music on them.

 

[jcarys]

Active amplification with DSP can radically change the frequency response of an active speaker vs. it's passive version. Have you listened to AM5 in your system? There are quite a few positive reviews of the speakers, so I wouldn't assume they are poor performers until you can audition them. If you feel like you want to make more changes in frequency response, adding a Wiim source would allow you full room correction.

 

[staticV3]

Kali MM-6 is also worth considering at $400 per pair.

Has Toslink in to connect to the TV and RCA Line in for the turntable.

Cons are that you'll have to buy a Phono Amp (this for example) and you can't control volume from the TV remote, instead you'd have to use the Kali remote.

Here are measurements: https://erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kali_lp-6v2/

 

[lido_shuff]

Active amplification with DSP can radically change the frequency response of an active speaker vs. it's passive version. Have you listened to AM5 in your system? There are quite a few positive reviews of the speakers, so I wouldn't assume they are poor performers until you can audition them. If you feel like you want to make more changes in frequency response, adding a Wiim source would allow you full room correction.

Good point on the differences vs. its passive version! I haven't been able to listen to them yet, but will very soon.

Would the WiiM Mini be able to give me the room correction or would I have to get one of the more expensive models?

Also, if I wanted to still get the WiiM Amp in case I want to get some passive speakers in the future, would I be able to connect the WiiM Amp to these AM5s using the WiiM Amp's USB output & AM5 USB input? Would that also provide the room correction functionality?

 

[lido_shuff]

Kali MM-6 is also worth considering at $400 per pair.

Has Toslink in to connect to the TV and RCA Line in for the turntable.

Cons are that you'll have to buy a Phono Amp (this for example) and you can't control volume from the TV remote, instead you'd have to use the WiiM remote.

Here are measurements: https://erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kali_lp-6v2/

These look nice! But a bit larger than the AM5s. Where can you get them at $400 / pair?

 

[staticV3]

Where can you get them at $400 / pair?

 

[lido_shuff]

@staticV3 , the measurements you linked are for the LP-6v2, is there a review/measurements for the MM-6?

 

[staticV3]

@staticV3 , the measurements you linked are for the LP-6v2, is there a review/measurements for the MM-6?

The MM-6 is just an LP-6v2 with additional SPDIF input and remote.

They're acoustically identical.

 

[DVDdoug]

WARNING - I'm biased against vinyl! ...Not everybody here is anti-viinyl, but most of use prefer digital, especially when considering sound quality.

I don't tell other people what to do, but I wouldn't want you to be disappointed.

I have recently been in the market for my first turntable.

Do you know what you are getting into? Worse noise, worse frequency response and sometimes audible distortion. It can sometimes sound good and some people prefer the sound of vinyl and/or the "experience" of handling the record, looking at the nice cover artwork, and turning the record over half-way through. And in some cases the vinyl can have better dynamic range (less dynamic compression). This is more common with older records before digital "loudness war" compression ruined everything. But technically, it's an outdated-inferior format and you'll get better sound by plugging your phone into your amplifier (or powered speakers).

Besides being the worst currently available format, it's the most expensive.

...I grew-up with vinyl and the "snap", "crackle", and "pop" always annoyed me although most people weren't bothered by it, and it was the best thing we had. Somehow, my records "accumulated" damage even though I really tried to take care of them. It was especialy annoying when it was MY record and I knew exactly when that nasty click was coming. I'd be anticipating the click instead of enjoying the music. Records in good condition don't necessarily have clicks & pops (or only maybe one or two) but you can ALWAYS hear the constant low-level noise between tracks when listening loud or with headphones. The thing that impressed me most when I got my 1st CD player was the dead-silent background.

I do miss the albums as artwork. When I was a kid I had 10-20 albums displayed like artwork in my bedroom.

 

[lido_shuff]

WARNING - I'm biased against vinyl! ...Not everybody here is anti-viinyl, but most of use prefer digital, especially when considering sound quality.

I don't tell other people what to do, but I wouldn't want you to be disappointed.


Do you know what you are getting into? Worse noise, worse frequency response and sometimes audible distortion. It can sometimes sound good and some people prefer the sound of vinyl and/or the "experience" of handling the record, looking at the nice cover artwork, and turning the record over half-way through. And in some cases the vinyl can have better dynamic range (less dynamic compression). This is more common with older records before digital "loudness war" compression ruined everything. But technically, it's an outdated-inferior format and you'll get better sound by plugging your phone into your amplifier (or powered speakers).

Besides being the worst currently available format, it's the most expensive.

...I grew-up with vinyl and the "snap", "crackle", and "pop" always annoyed me although most people weren't bothered by it, and it was the best thing we had. Somehow, my records "accumulated" damage even though I really tried to take care of them. It was especialy annoying when it was MY record and I knew exactly when that nasty click was coming. I'd be anticipating the click instead of enjoying the music. Records in good condition don't necessarily have clicks & pops (or only maybe one or two) but you can ALWAYS hear the constant low-level noise between tracks when listening loud or with headphones. The thing that impressed me most when I got my 1st CD player was the dead-silent background.

I do miss the albums as artwork. When I was a kid I had 10-20 albums displayed like artwork in my bedroom.

Hahaha yeah, I know it won't be the highest fidelity audio out there. But I think it's a cool hobby, i.e., collecting records, seeing the record spin on the player, getting up to flip the record, etc., it's a different way to experience music IMO!

 

[jcarys]

Good point on the differences vs. its passive version! I haven't been able to listen to them yet, but will very soon.

Would the WiiM Mini be able to give me the room correction or would I have to get one of the more expensive models?

Also, if I wanted to still get the WiiM Amp in case I want to get some passive speakers in the future, would I be able to connect the WiiM Amp to these AM5s using the WiiM Amp's USB output & AM5 USB input? Would that also provide the room correction functionality?

The Mini does not have room correction, just about everything else does. You should be able to output USB from an Amp model to the AM5.