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How This 5000 Dollar Compact Loudspeaker Delivers

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PS Audio Introduces Its Compact, High-Performance aspen FR5 Loudspeaker

– New FR5 stand-mount speaker delivers expansive sound in a room-friendly design

Boulder, Colorado, July 2024 – PS Audio recently announced the introduction of its aspen FR5 loudspeaker, a stand-mounted speaker that delivers the same quality of extraordinary musical realism as the larger aspen Series models, in a compact design that fits easily into smaller and medium-sized rooms.



The new FR5 features a custom-designed PS Audio push-pull planar magnetic high-frequency driver, complemented by a newly-designed midrange/woofer, and a high-excursion passive radiator. Available in satin black or satin white with optional matching stands, the PS Audio FR5 is styled to complement any décor.

Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO pointed out: “The FR5 was designed to bring the same level of uncompromising sound quality as all aspen Series speakers into any listening environment, and is ideal for living spaces where floorstanding speakers can’t be used. Although it’s small, the FR5 delivers powerful and dynamic sound with extended bass, and will play surprisingly loud even in larger rooms.”

The FR5 measures 14.5 inches high by 8 inches wide by 13 inches deep (28.25 inches high with optional stands). The drivers in the FR5 are purpose-designed by PS Audio and are tuned for optimum performance in a two-way stand-mount configuration. The 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon tweeter is the same unit used in all aspen Series loudspeakers. It utilizes a symmetrical push-pull design with a high-strength magnet and a diaphragm made from Teonex® film, a material that provides exceptional clarity, transient response and resolution.

The aspen FR5 features a newly-designed 6.5-inch cast frame midrange/woofer made from Curv woven polypropylene, a material that is drawn into thin monofilaments and woven and reinforced using a proprietary process. The high-excursion driver employs a split-gap magnet structure with dual Faraday rings and a custom suspension. It’s augmented by a rear-firing 6 by 9-inch passive radiator to achieve in-room low-frequency extension down to 30 Hz. Both FR5 drivers are mounted on a thermoset resin front baffle that adds rigidity and minimizes diffraction effects.

PS Audio’s aspen FR5 utilizes a new enclosure technology, with viscoelastic damping sheets between the bracing and cabinet side walls, and around the woofer. This minimizes unwanted enclosure vibrations and contributes to the FR5’s superb imaging and spaciousness. The crossover uses air-core inductors, metallized poly capacitors, and wirewound resistors to ensure maximum sonic purity and seamless driver integration.

The FR5’s simple, elegant design is complemented by its optional matching stand, which has an integrated wire management system and can be mass-loaded. The FR5 comes with magnetically detachable grilles.

The aspen FR5 will be available in August 2024 at a suggested retail price of US $3,499/ CAD $4,771 per pair. The optional stands will be available at US $500/ CAD $682 per pair.

aspen FR5 Features at a Glance:

  • Enclosure type: sealed
  • High-frequency transducer: 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon tweeter with Teonex diaphragm
  • Midrange/low-frequency transducer: 6.5-inch cast-frame, Curv woven polypropylene, split-gap magnet structure with dual copper Faraday rings
  • Passive radiator: 6 by 9-inch rear-firing
  • Thermoset resin fiberglass-composite woofer baffle
  • Magnetically-attached grille
  • Custom crossover with premium metallized poly capacitors, air-core inductors and wirewound resistors
  • Frequency Response: 35 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 30 Hz – 6 dB in-room)
  • Crossover Frequency: 1,750 Hz
  • Sensitivity: 83.5 dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms (5.6 ohms minimum)
  • Recommended Amplifier Power: 50 – 150 watts
  • Dimensions: 14.5 x 8 x 13 inches (speaker only), optional stand, 28.25 x 11.75 x 14 inches
  • Weight: speaker, 26.6 lbs. (12.1 kg), stand, 13.7 lbs. (6.2 kg)

For the Silo, Frank Doris.

Teonex is a registered trademark of DuPont Teijin Films.

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Technology Pushing 10,000$ Loudspeaker

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Just in time for audiophile Christmas~
PS Audio Introduces Its aspen FR10 Loudspeaker, Ideal for a Wide Variety of Listening Rooms and Systems — New FR10 floorstanding speaker delivers the sonic magic of the aspen series in a smaller, more affordable form factor —
Boulder, Colorado, December, 2023 – PS Audio today announced the introduction of its aspen FR10 loudspeaker, an elegant, slim 3-way floorstanding tower that brings the extraordinary sound quality and innovative driver design of the aspen series to a wider range of listening environments, systems, and budgets.

The new FR10 (SRP: $9,999 usd / $13,300 cad per pair, available now) features PS Audio’s acclaimed push-pull planar magnetic midrange and high-frequency driver technologies, complemented by ultra-low-distortion, linear-magnet woofers, high-excursion passive radiators, and a host of additional refinements. Like all the models in the aspen series, the FR10 has a sleek, refined appearance.

Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted, “The aspen FR10 embodies more than 50 years of experience in audio in learning what works in a loudspeaker, and what it takes for a speaker to ‘disappear’ in a listening room and deliver a magical musical experience. Our goal with the aspen FR10 was to offer no-compromise full-range loudspeaker performance in a smaller, more affordable form factor that fits easily into smaller and medium-sized rooms.”

All the drivers in the FR10 are custom-designed from the ground up. The 8-inch planar ribbon midrange and 2.5-inch planar ribbon tweeter employ a push-pull design with an identical symmetrical motor structure on either side of their driver diaphragms. This inherently linear configuration provides lower distortion than conventional single-sided magnet structures, along with higher efficiency.

The midrange and high-frequency drivers employ high-strength magnets and diaphragms made from Teonex® film, a thin, highly stable material that provides exceptional transient response and resolution, with a fast, clean decay. The drivers are housed in a sealed sub-enclosure to ensure maximum clarity and freedom from internal cabinet colorations.

The PS Audio aspen FR10 utilizes dual 6.5-inch cast-frame woofers with a non-woven carbon fiber PMI foam sandwich cone, for an articulate response that complements the speed and transparency of the planar-magnetic midrange and high-frequency drivers. The woofers utilize a split magnetic gap with dual copper shorting rings, and have a large 3/4-inch peak-to-peak linear excursion for low distortion and a dynamically responsive bass output. The woofers are augmented by three flat-piston carbon fiber passive radiators. The FR10 offers wide range frequency response from 32 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 25 Hz – 6 dB in-room).

The FR10’s slim enclosure measures 41.5 inches high by 8 inches wide (11.75 inches wide with its stand) by 16.25 inches deep. It’s available in a striking new matte finish in either black or white, and comes with magnetically detachable grilles. The aspen FR10’s room-friendly design makes it easy to set up and enjoy, and the FR10 comes with a handy setup booklet and CD to get the most out of the speaker. The FR10 has a visually distinctive “floating” appearance, with a curved bottom and an anodized aluminum base that is supplied with mounting feet that can be used with either removable stainless-steel spikes, or a soft rubber foot underneath.

The aspen FR10 delivers remarkable loudspeaker performance in every respect, with authoritative bass, an inviting midrange, smooth, extended highs, wide dynamic range, and palpable imaging on a wide and deep soundstage. It’s sure to thrill even the most demanding audiophiles and music aficionados.aspen FR10 Features at a Glance:
Enclosure type: sealed upper midrange/tweeter module and lower cabinet for the woofers and passive radiatorsHigh-frequency transducer: 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon tweeter with Teonex diaphragm Mid-frequency transducer: 8-inch planar magnetic ribbon midrange with Teonex diaphragm Passive radiator: three 6 by nine inch flat-piston carbon fiber Woofer: dual 6.5-inch cast-frame, non-woven carbon fiber PMI foam sandwich cone Thermoset resin fiberglass-composite woofer baffle Magnetically-attached grille Computer-optimized custom crossover with premium film capacitors and air-core inductors Polished stainless-steel spikes with soft rubber feet enable a variety of mounting options Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 25 Hz – 6 dB in-room)Crossover Frequency: 550 Hz, 1,750 Hz Sensitivity: 86.5 dB Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms (3.3 ohms minimum)Recommended Amplifier Power: 50 – 125 watts Dimensions: 41.5 x 11.75 x 16.25 inches with base Weight: 75 lbs. (34.1 kg)Teonex is a registered trademark of DuPont Teijin Films.
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PS Audio Shipping New Stellar™ M1200 Monoblock Power Amplifier

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Boulder, Colorado, May, 2020 – PS Audio recently announced it is shipping its new Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier. Designed to deliver extraordinarily clear, detailed and musically accurate performance, the monoblock M1200 features an all-new hybrid design that combines a tube input stage with a customized ICE Edge output stage and delivers 1200 watts (into 4 ohms, 800 watts into 8 ohms), to effortlessly reproduce the most dynamic musical passages as well as the subtlest musical details.
 
The M1200 was designed by Darren Myers, the engineer who created the acclaimed Stellar Phono stage and other PS Audio products. The M1200 employs a 12AU7 vacuum tube at its input, chosen for its optimum gain and voltage characteristics in the circuit, and for its ability to preserve the most delicate nuances of the amp’s input signals. The 12AU7 is the identical tube used in PS Audio’s flagship BHK Signature amplifiers, chosen after extensive listening and performance tests.
 
The ICE Edge output stage is a new type of high-current Class D design, offering extremely low total harmonic and intermodulation distortion with high headroom and linear performance across the frequency range. As Darren Myers explained, “other output modules can exhibit non-linear phase and impedance issues at the frequency extremes. The ICE Edge design eliminates these problems thanks to patented circuitry and feedback techniques.” Myers continued, “Although it can deliver massive amounts of clean power into even the most demanding loudspeaker loads, the M1200 sounds equally good at lower volumes.”
 
Like every PS Audio product, meticulous attention has been paid to parts quality and construction. The M1200 has a sleek, elegant appearance that matches other Stellar Series components and is available in silver or black.
 
The PS Audio Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier will be available in June 2020 at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $5,998 per pair. Pre-orders are currently being taken.
 
M1200 Features at a Glance: Zero-loss vacuum tube input stage and custom ICE Edge output stage. Fully balanced circuitry, RCA single-ended and XLR balanced inputs. 1200 watts RMS into 8 ohms, 600 watts into 4 ohms, stable to 2 ohms. Greater than >1100 damping factor for exceptional loudspeaker control. High-efficiency operation. Dual, solid copper, plated output binding posts facilitate bi-wiring, 12-volt input trigger, 27 lb. each; 17″ wide by 3.75″ high by 12″ deep (13″ with connectors)

About PS Audio
Founded in 1973, PS Audio has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in manufacturing innovative, high-value, leading-edge audio products. Located in Boulder, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, PS Audio’s staff of talented designers, engineers, production and support people build each product to deliver extraordinary performance and musical satisfaction. The company’s wide range of award-winning products include the all-in-one Sprout100 integrated amplifier, audio components, power regenerators and power conditioners.
 
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