New Products

Canadian speaker manufacturer PSB have just announced the iQ Series, a new generation of all-in-one streaming speakers. The iQ Series launches with two models: the iQ1, an introduction to PSB’s line of streaming speakers, and the iQ2, a true wireless stereo system in a choice of seven premium finishes, including a premium walnut veneer. (More on all that in a bit.)

Built from the same acoustic platform introduced in PSB’s award-winning Alpha iQ, the new iQ Series is said to “elevate the all-in-one design” with a new Burr-Brown amplifier platform, cloth fabric grilles, and additional refined finishes.

Both the iQ1 and iQ2 deliver the “full” BluOS experience that enables listening access to music, podcasts, and radio stations from more than 20 streaming services, in addition to multiroom playback with other BluOS-enabled speakers and audio systems throughout the home. An onboard, audiophile-grade DAC supports high-resolution playback up to 24-bit/192kHz.

“With the new iQ series, we’re expanding what PSB represents for listeners today. There is a growing segment of customers that want true high-fidelity sound without the complexity of traditional separates, and iQ is our answer to that shift,” Mack Tommy, Product Manager at PSB Speakers, said in an official press statement. “It brings together PSB’s acoustic legacy with a more accessible, design-forward, and all-in-one approach — making it easier than ever to experience PSB performance in everyday spaces.”

The iQ1 — which is available in black (as shown above) or white vinyl finishes — is said to bring PSB’s signature sound into a streaming powered speaker that “every listener can enjoy.” A wired stereo cable connects the primary and secondary speakers together in order to keep both channels in “perfect” sync.

Meanwhile, the iQ2 uses a low-latency wireless link to stereo pair the left and right speakers together without audio delays or interruptions. It is available in seven high-quality finishes that include four new color options — ember red, boreal green, granite grey, and sandstone beige — along with a premium walnut veneer with copper-finished accents (as shown below). A fingerprint-resistant coating is also applied through the finishing process to assist in keeping the cabinets as clean as possible.

Both iQ models share a 4-inch polypropylene midbass driver with a steel basket and rubber surround, and a 0.75in aluminium dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet and ferrofluid damping. A new Burr-Brown Class-D amplifier delivers 270W of total system power, with a 90W dedicated amp for each woofer.

The iQ1 pairs its tweeters to a shared two-channel amp delivering 45W per channel, while the iQ2 uses independent 45W amps for each tweeter. A high-quality DSP crossover, tuned bass ports, and an optimized low frequency extension are said to allow the iQ1 and iQ2 to deliver “deeper, more powerful bass for their size.”

“Every aspect of the iQ Series was engineered to deliver real stereo performance from a simplified system,” said Matt Simmonds, Vice President of Product Development at PSB Speakers, in the same press statement that quoted PSB’s Mack Tommy. “From the new amplifier platform to the DSP tuning and driver integration, we focused on maximizing output, clarity, and control within a compact form factor. The result is a system that performs well beyond its size while maintaining the accuracy and balance that define PSB.”

BluOS brings a premium multiroom streaming experience to the iQ Series, which is purported to enable listeners to enjoy music, podcasts, and internet radio with “the highest quality sound,” in turn accessing to over 20 popular streaming services like Amazon Music, Pandora, Qobuz, Tidal, and SiriusXM, along with personal music libraries and playlists.

The BluOS Controller App lets users manage and control their music from any room, and the app also allows pairing the iQ Series with other BluOS-enabled speakers and audio systems for multiroom music playback. Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive add the flexibility to stream more music from even more apps.

Both iQ models (a lone iQ2 in the boreal green finish is shown above) are said to provide the flexibility to enjoy multiple home-audio system offerings with a built-in MM phono preamp for turntables, RCA and optical inputs, plus HDMI eARC for TV, movies, and gaming. The iQ1 and iQ2 are also outfitted with a USB-C audio input for connecting other devices such as laptops, phones, or mobile music players. A subwoofer output with DSP-enabled low-pass and high-pass filters lets the iQ series pair with powered subs.

Top-panel touch controls on the primary speakers provide access to volume, playback, and two custom presets for favorite stations, playlists, or streaming services. Through BluOS, iQ Series speakers can be integrated with smart-home control systems including Control4, Crestron, Nice, RTI, and URC.

Both iQ models are available now via PSB’s official site and authorized PSB retailers (links below). The iQ1 sports an SRP of $999 U.S. ($1,299 Canadian) for both its black and white vinyl finishes, while the iQ2 has an SRP of $1,399 U.S. ($1,699 Canadian) for its color finish options, and $1,499 U.S. ($1,849 Canadian) for its premium walnut finish.