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PSB Speakers Alpha Subsonic 1 Powered Subwoofer
PSB Speakers Alpha Subsonic 1 Powered Subwoofer
MSRP: $

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Rating
Reviewed by:
Roger W. Stevens WA3FLE
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
June 21, 2000

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
3 months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

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Review 1 of 5

Summary:
I have two of these. I also have a pair of PSB 400i's, a pair of 800i's, an a pair of Goldi's, so this isn't a PSB bashing. Except for this:

This sub has a documented design weakness in the amplifier that can result in sudden failure, and there is a note on the schematic from PSB about it. But get this--if it fails after the one year warranty, you are on the hook for a complete REPLACEMENT AMPLIFIER MODULE for a $220 list price. (That's over half what I paid for the entire sub.)

There are no repairs or exchanges, or even separate amp boards available for it. You must get the entire assembly--panel, power transformer, pots, knobs, connectors, line cord, everything--or have your tech try and fix it. And if he does, then he has to have PSB order the parts for him from the company they buy the amps from (they're a speaker company, after all), and then send them to him, and then he has to repair it, that can take MONTHS. Take my word for it--it's been almost six months already for me with no joy in sight.

Simply unacceptable.

Let's review:

The product is flawed. They know about it. They don't tell you. If it fails after your year warranty (as one of mine did), then it's Adios, MF, YOYO (you're on your own).

I'd strongly advise anybody that's thinking about buying this product to think again. It's a major problem waiting to happen. NHT makes better sounding subs in this category, anyway, and their amp is in a separate enclosure.

PSB, you must be kidding.

Be a Tissue and Organ Donor and Tell Your Family Your'e Serious About It.

Strengths:
Price, ease of adjustment, sound.

Weaknesses:
Reliability, availability of parts, non-existent repair availability, poor customer service.

Similar Products Used:
NHT Sub One


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Dale
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
June 21, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 months to 1 year

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Review 2 of 5

Summary:
I plugged this sucker in and after a couple of minutes was hooked. Nice punch with complex base lines like Fantasy by Earth Wind and Fire. For HT, try the POD race in Starwars Episode 1 with this thing cranked. You won't beleive your ears. Great with AV or straight stereo! Got the Alpha A/Vs and the SS1 makes a perfec match. Anyone who wants to compliment an entry level pair of bookshelfs could do a lot worse than the PSB SS1.

Strengths:
Price, Performance, Built in Xover, Highlevel inputs, crossover freq. dial, LED, Great with HT or Stereo

Weaknesses:
Grill fabric not properly bonded to frame.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood, AR


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Henrik
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
March 15, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

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Review 3 of 5

Summary:
I bought this subwoofer for 2500 kr (about 300 US dollars)
on a local discount store. They would have been a great buy even for moore money. I'm really happy with my purchase. The bass is strong and tight and fits perfectly with my small bookshelfs.
Five stars for value and performance!!

Strengths:
Extremely good value for money.
Low bass response.
Small footprint.
Tight and strong bass.

Weaknesses:
None yet.


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Neil Yates
(Audiophile)

Review Date
March 11, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

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Review 4 of 5

Summary:
A world of difference compared to my previous Sony woofers. Full binding posts are a plus, with L/R RCA inputs for Digital Receivers. Freq cut-off, and off switch is nice. Green/Red LED under speaker grill gives good feedback as to whether or not the cabinet is on, overloaded, off, on standby etc, or has a blown fuse. Haven't heard any audio artifacting yet, but then again, I have yet to really push the woofer. Makes for an excellent entry-level woofer for a decent price and above-average frequency range. Another nice point is that the SubSonic 1 is quite possibly a better woofer than the newer SubZero model, and cheaper too.

Strengths:
Surprisingly good LFE range for such a small 'entry-level' Sub-woofer. Binding posts, RCA inputs. LED for Fuse status.

Weaknesses:
Heard that some units are succeptible to blowing fuses. My unit has not had this problem yet.

Similar Products Used:
Sony SAW-10, Sony SAW-30.


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Pip Jones
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
January 4, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

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Review 5 of 5

Summary:
I like this so much I am giving alot of thought towards
buying another to give balance and sound quality to my
home theater set-up. For less than $300 bucks you can't
go wrong.

Strengths:
Great sound for such a little sub. Blends nicely with
almost any small speaker to give just the right amounbass.

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Similar Products Used:
Mirage 8 inch and Mission 8inch


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