PS Audio
Amplifiers
CD Players
DACs
Digital Sources
Best Known For
Speakers
/
Used Products
122
 Available
Average Price
$1,001-$2,500
Brand Popularity
31
 of 900+
Products Listed
25
Review Count
169
Founding Year
1973
Headquarters
United States
PS Audio
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What's unique about the brand

PS Audio is a well-known American brand with a strong following among enthusiasts, due in part to the educational YouTube videos produced by its founder. The company offers products across a wide range of categories, each developed with input from top engineers, resulting in unique sonic signatures. PS Audio’s offerings frequently appear on top 10 lists from professional reviewers, with many products recognized for their high-quality performance and innovative design.

What reviewers are saying

We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:

  • PS Audio stands apart by employing a hybrid amplifier design, often combining a vacuum tube input stage with a solid-state output stage, seeking to blend the sonic characteristics of both technologies.
  • PS Audio products, particularly power regenerators, are designed to actively regenerate AC power, aiming to provide a clean and stable power source that is independent of the quality of the incoming electricity.
  • They emphasize a holistic system design and often tune their components by ear, with active involvement from founder Paul McGowan and engineers who focus on achieving a musically engaging sound rather than strictly adhering to measurements.
  • A key focus for PS Audio is making high-end audio accessible, often incorporating generous features, a small form factor and technology trickled down from their top tier offerings into value-oriented "gateway drug" products.

Our favorite reviewer quotes:

  • "I will not use the word "transparent" to describe its sound, that does the Stellar a disservice, I'll say its clarity blew me away. I can comment on the speed retrieval of information from the record is just superior to any other phono I've listened to with a MM." (https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/3/6/ps-audio-stellar-phono-preamplifier)
  • "The Stellar S300, like these other amplifiers, allows the actual music to emerge from the speakers with great clarity and the ability to mentally separate the distortion from the music. Just when you think you understand this amplifier's character and abilities, it will surprise you by revealing some unknown nuance of a vocal or instrument that you have not heard before." (https://10audio.com/psaudstellars300)
  • "It only takes a few tracks to realise that the aspen FR30 is every bit a sensational design and nothing short of one of the hifi bargains of the moment, making some much pricier speakers seem a bit silly in comparison. Used on the end of a Melco/dCS Vivaldi/Constellation system – so with plenty of power to meet the speaker's 100-600W recommendation – the aspen FR30 is immediately compelling in its combination of power, resolution and lack of effort in delivering the music." (https://7review.com/ps-audio-aspen-fr30-review)
  • "Rarely have we heard a loudspeaker – and more to the point a large speaker – able to 'hang together' quite so well, such that it is impossible to single out individual aspects of the performance for acclaim or criticism. It sets out its stall immediately with a driving, snarling rendition of Yes' Roundabout from the 1971 Fragile album, the sensational attack, drive and sheer low-end power ensuring the music pounds from the speaker while all the noodling above is ruthlessly, and thrillingly, revealed." (https://7review.com/ps-audio-aspen-fr30-review)
Want to report a correction? Please contact us. We'd love to hear from you. Note that much of the data, recommendations, and summaries on ExtremeHiFi are researched after thousands of hours of loving labor. We archive our site's data and its pages on Archive.org and monitor for those repurposing the data. We also fingerprint data to know when text and numbers came from us.

Our interview with the brand

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From Julian's interview with
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Products

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Lineup comparison

We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.

Aspen FR5 Loudspeaker

  • Positioning: The entry-level model in the Aspen series, ideal for small to medium-sized rooms.
  • Description: Offers a compact design with impressive sound quality, featuring a planar magnetic tweeter for clear high frequencies. It stands out with its ability to deliver deep bass in a small form factor, making it suitable for those with limited space and budget. Compared to the larger models, it is more affordable and easier to integrate into smaller setups without sacrificing sound quality.

Aspen FR10 Loudspeaker

  • Positioning: A mid-range model in the Aspen series, designed for versatility in various room sizes.
  • Description: Features full-range sound and compact size, using planar ribbon technology for both tweeter and midrange. It provides room-filling bass down to 30Hz.

Aspen FR20 Loudspeaker

  • Positioning: A high-end model in the Aspen series, offering reference-level performance for medium to large rooms.
  • Description: Combines planar ribbon and ultra-linear woofer technologies to deliver low distortion and powerful bass. It is designed to be a true reference loudspeaker, providing a seamless audio experience with a wide frequency range. Compared to the FR30, it offers similar performance at a lower price point.

Aspen FR30 Loudspeaker

  • Positioning: The flagship model in the Aspen series, representing the pinnacle of PS Audio's loudspeaker design.
  • Description: Features groundbreaking custom-built components, including planar magnetic drivers and multiple woofers, to achieve unparalleled sound quality. It offers a full-range, dynamic audio experience with exceptional clarity and bass response. As the most advanced model, it is best suited for large rooms and those who demand the highest level of performance and are willing to invest in premium audio equipment.
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Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer

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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

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Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

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Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
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What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

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Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
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