PSB SubSonic 5i Subwoofer

Punch on a pittance!

By Max Christoffersen

March 2004

PSB SubSonic 5i subwoofer. $999

It's a great time to be a home theatre fan. Never before has so much quality equipment been available to so many for so little.

And the evidence for that view is seen in the growing line of subwoofers that seemingly perform better and better for less and less.

And so it is with PSB.

"PS-who?" I had to say when the subwoofer review sample was offered up.

A quick lesson in audio companies later, I learned that the New Zealand importers of this Canadian brand were enjoying remarkable success with the PSB range of subwoofers outselling their better known brand name counterparts.

And there's a simple reason for this fact that I discovered later.

Making introductions

So by way of first introductions, the PSB SubSonic 5i is a 150 watt subwoofer contained in a small footprint (314x419x378mm) cabinet. Its frequency range is a claimed 30-150 Hz and is powered by a Class H amplifier (400 watt peak). The driver is a 250mm polypropylene cone (with 'NZ friendly') long life rubber surround. It comes complete with magnetic shielding, phase control, crossover defeat switch and high level inputs. The fit and finish is superb and cosmetically, it looks like a subwoofer several classes above its price point.

Located on the front are two 2x2" front ports and (at last!) handy front mounted volume and crossover controls.

PSB wins points too for the simple detailed instructions in the owner's manual. Like many others, I seldom read them in the rush to audio fulfillment. But do read this one the tips and advice are worth reading and doing. Someone at PSB has cared enough to provide solid reliable advice. Read it!

So nothing too extraordinary on first showing but what did it sound like?

First up, I brought out a true heavyweight of bass: Metallica's Black album on DVD-Audio. This is possibly one of the most realistic sounding bass recordings I have heard. It is deep, weighty and played with authority. Play this album and your sub has two choices: choke and smoke or stand and deliver

The ferocity and power of the Metallica's performance is recreated through the PSB and although caution suggested not go too far past moderate listening, the fact this is anywhere near the bass-ballpark is quite an audio achievement at the PSB's price point.

And so it was with the PSB Subsonic 5i. The power and live slam of the Metallica performance was enough to make you think"okay I'm convinced"!   But bass isn't all about dynamics and power, it can be about reproducing the body, warmth and texture of bass. Few recordings provide such bass texture so far forward in the mix as Chris Isaak's work.

On went Isaak's Heart Shaped World and there was the warmth that I had come to enjoy from much of his work. There is an airy quality about the bass the PSB 5i produces, but that is combined with the ability to slam hard and move up or down the scale with some dexterity.

When combined with the deep tactile bass provided by the Buttkicker's in my system it was obvious that the PSB/Buttkicker combo was providing among the most satisfying grin-inducing bass performances I had ever experienced. The PSB was producing the bass with the weight was rolling off just where the sub-sonic Buttkicker comes in.

I'd like a little more balance between air and body with the PSB 5i reaching its limit way down low, but this is nit-picking analysis that flies against the overriding view that asks "How can they do it all at this price?"

The PSB sub is a ripper. It punches above its weight, is ergonomically easy to use (Yes! A front mounted volume control!) and it sounds like a much bigger driver amplifier combination. Its construction is high quality and the performance matches its fit and finish. It will qualify easily as a best in its class and at its price point it's damn-near theft to buy it.

The evidence backs what the importers (and owners) are saying. It's an audio bargain that should be on your bass-wish list.

If you haven't heard of PSB - hear what everyone else is raving about. Because they're right!

For your nearest PSB dealer