What Makes PS Audio FR5 Bookshelf Speakers SO Special?

Written review/data can be found here:
(coming soon)

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:06 - Subjective
11:00 - Objective
17:51 - End

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All of my tests are conducted using KLIPPEL Hardware and Software. KLIPPEL is an innovative leader in providing unique test equipment for electro-acoustical transducers and audio systems. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Wolfgang Klippel, the novel techniques developed for control and measurement systems of loudspeakers and other transducers are the result of over 30 years of fundamental research. This provides more accurate physical models of loudspeakers, micro-speakers and headphones valid for both small and large amplitudes. The focus is on revealing the root causes of signal distortion and defects and giving practical indications for improvements in design and manufacturing of audio products. For information on KLIPPEL products, please visit their site below:

[douggoldberg]

Your speaker reviews are the best on the net. Nobody does a better job at providing a combination of subjective and objective data. Kudos to Chris and the PS team for providing these.

[spencerl]

Thanks Erin for another EPIC review. Your reviews are helping me learn so much about how to tune a speaker. I'm using Xsim and WinISD and developing a speaker from scratch a 88-90db sensitivity high RMS tolerant, but still high SQ and deep bass extension 3way. How all these respected good speakers sound the way they sound is helping me think ALOT about how to pick the right drivers, how to maximise the SQ of them and how to think about box resonance importance. Thankyou again for your informative speaker reviews!

[JamesWilliams-gfgm]

Nice review, I love seeing the new bust decay data.

[roccobruno]

Looking at the measurements it appears that the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 would be the better overall speaker. Now that you have critically listened to both speakers, which would be your preference? Thank you again for such a great review.

[Woofy-tmsi]

I am not surprised that these sound so great. The Seas Curv Cone mid-woofer is superbly well damped. I have a pair of Seas Idunn two ways that use that driver with Seas' DXT waveguide tweeters in cabinets based on the exact Seas-specified baffle dimensions with double-thick side walls that are beveled at 45 degrees to not interfere with Seas baffle dimensions, which are critical if you want to keep the kits frequency response flat to within 1.5dB. Dispersion is outstanding. Frequency balance changes negligibly whether you're standing or sitting and remains that way even when walking around the room. The DXT tweeter is an aluminum/magnesium dome that doesn't sound hard or shrill, unlike most metal dome drivers. Off-axis response is world class. If you want a speaker that sounds great even when you're dancing around the room, this is it. If you want louder and more dynamic, Seas also has an MTM version they call the Bragi. Madisound supplied my kits and built the crossovers with top shelf parts, which I upgraded with a copper foil inductor on the mid-woofer and a Miflex cap on the tweeter. They make a friend's famous brand's signature 700-series standmounts serious reason to worry. With the kits, upgrades and cost of damping sheets, cabinet materials and Sapele pomelle veneer left over from a prior cabinet project it was hair under under $1200 including sales tax.

[stevethetoolman]

Another great review. I learn something every time I watch one of your reviews. You keep it simple and easy to understand especially for us old guys. When I flew jets we would say KISS…. Keep it simple stupid. Good job Erin. Keep it up.

[shipsahoy]

Happy Thanksgiving & thanks for the review telling us that PS Audio is only human after all and subject to the same physics as the rest of us.
I appreciate all that you do Erin in helping stamp out BS in our lifetime! 😉

[customconsult]

Would love to see how the Arendale 1528 bookshelf 8 compares acknowledging they’re a fair bit more money.

[OG-gx]

So I am going to admit it, I like the Ask Paul videos. I think he does a good service to the community and the fact that he is willing to answer similar questions over and over again is to his credit. Since the Aspen series manage to squeeze in to almost every video and this one in particular, I was very curious about this speaker. Great review, interesting the extremely low sensitivity, overall seems like a good but. Wander if the directivity means that other issues can be EQed easily as well.

[rvaillant]

I find most, not all, speakers sound best around 15 degrees off axis, as you ended up with. This gives a more open, spacious, and relaxing sound. Thanks for the review.

[Monkeyseemonkey]

Happy Thanksgiving, Erin! I hope you and your daughter are doing great.

[ogopogo]

This is the best channel to get REAL data and expereinced opinion.

[chinmeysway]

the amount of power needed aprx to achieve different target loudnesses would be a super great layer to add to these videos 🎉
great work as usual Erin

[rezaestacio]

great review as always! please review the wharfedale diamond 12.4. i know there are a lot of reviews out there but your review is what i want to hear. keep up the great job!

[DearSX]

Thank you for the detailed objective information about so many aspects of the speaker.

[mfr]

Interesting how they are so dynamic with such a low sensitivity. Low level listening with such speakers usually suffers in my experience. I wonder why PS audio left that 600Hz bump, they must know it's there and they spent a lot of time engineering this range of speakers....

[rwgamer]

I appreciate all the work you put in to these reviews. I don't know if you have a seperate room for those anechoic measurements but that's really something.

[noahbirdrevolution]

I think you're on to something with the 80s music being some of the best in terms of sound engineering. Roxy Music's Avalon is one of my favorite albums in terms of production/mixing.

[MrBravo]

I just want to see a PMC Transmission Line speaker review done by Erin❤

[johnsittard]

Love your reviews! I ended up trading out my original KEF LS50’s with the Concerto Metas because of your review. You nailed it!

I’ve been curious about this speaker. Very informative. Thank you!