Are PSI Subwoofers Good? (Buy Or Avoid?)
The right choice of a subwoofer can dramatically transform your listening experience. Music lovers agree on the vibe and depth low-frequency subwoofers bring, especially when accurately reproduced. But for those who have not tried out PSI subwoofers, are they a brand you should buy or avoid?
PSI subwoofers stand out for the precision at which they reproduce deep frequencies. PSI subwoofers are measured to integrate with your existing speakers, accurately extending their low end. These speakers have remarkable phase responses, with their signature design preventing irritating fluctuations in sound delivery. That said, PSI subwoofers are expensive. The renowned PSI A225-M costs over $3,500.
Who makes PSI subwoofers, and where?
PSI subwoofers are exclusively designed and produced in Switzerland. PSI Audio, the brand behind PSI subwoofers, is owned by Relec SA.
Relec SA is a leading manufacturer in the Swiss acoustic engineering space, having consolidated its reputation for building premium loudspeakers.
PSI subwoofers are handmade by a team of elite sound engineers in Relec SA’s Yverdon-Les-Bains factory. This collection of production centers and administrative offices sprawls 1000sqm.
This site handles the mechanics, PCB mounting, winding, PCB laboratory, magnetization, and all the processes that go into producing PSI subs.
Relec SA prioritizes the handmade production of PSI subwoofers over a fully mechanized process, as the former allows their engineers to focus on the minutest details when producing.
This way, components can be more efficiently tested, with tolerance (across components) effectively being canceled out.
Sound Quality
If you have tried out subwoofers with up-down variations in delivery, you would appreciate the consistency and smoothness of PSI subwoofers’ sound delivery.
This is thanks to the flat frequency response of these subs. This feature makes PSI subwoofers the perfect low-end frequency extension for your speaker.
The bass from these subs is rich, embodying the tiniest details even as low as 28Hz. Their detailed calibration ensures they easily blend into your existing stereo or home cinema setup.
PSI makes a point of calibrating each speaker uniquely in its anechoic chamber. Very few manufacturers supply their subs along with frequency response sheets as PSI does.
Power and Volume
Most of the PSI subs we came across had a range of 340-400W. For us, this power was sufficient for the depth and loudness of music we wanted.
Generally, any subwoofer whose amplifier can power 300W or more is good to go for loud applications. This brings us to the next section.
What type of amplifiers do PSI subwoofers have?
Most PSI subwoofers were fitted with class G/H amplifiers. This had significant advantages over the conventional class AB amplifiers we see around more readily.
For those who don’t know, class G amplifiers leverage more than one power supply rail with differing voltages. This enables such subs to switch to higher voltage levels in instances where the peak value of the audio signal wave exceeds the supply voltage level.
When the audio signal’s peak value drops, these amplifiers respond by switching to a lower supply voltage.
Class H amplifiers are a further upgrade on class G amplifiers. For the former, when the audio signal goes beyond a predetermined level (typically the threshold), the amplifier alternates the supply voltage.
Such class G/H amplifiers equip PSI subs with superior power handling capabilities than class AB amplifiers.
Compatibility and versatility
We admired the versatility of PSI subwoofers like the A125-M subwoofer. These subs integrate easily with your surrounding system.
Such ease of integration can be traced to PSI subs being equipped with a router & bass management system (R&B).
PSI’s R&B system is one of the best routing management systems for setting up speakers. Commonly integrated into the PSI A225-M, this R&B system – which works efficiently with all monitor brands – is equipped with a complete analog transparent system.
This R&B system further comes with genuinely balanced outputs, specially streamlined to unbalanced and balanced inputs.
Frequency Range
PSI subwoofers have a typical frequency range of 28Hz to 100Hz. That said, some PSI subs go as low as 24Hz.
What amazes us, even more, is the precision to which such low frequencies are reproduced in PSI subwoofers. Listeners have repeatedly marveled at how enveloping PSI subs like the A225-M are.
This particular sub yet guarantees you high fidelity reproduction – with impeccable accuracy – even when the frequencies drop as low as 24 Hz.
Cost
There is no denying it. PSI subwoofers are very expensive. While you may see subwoofers from other brands going as low as $260, you should be looking to spend thousands of dollars on buying your PSI sub.
For context, reputed PSI subwoofer models like A225-M and the A125-M are high-end subs. The A225-M costs over $3,500, while the A125-M comes close at around $3,300.
Warranty cover
Yes, PSI subwoofers are covered by a 5(+1) year warranty policy. A unique policy, you would say. But here is how it works.
Typically, your PSI subwoofer is covered by a standard 5-year warranty policy. But there is an option of a 1-year extension if you register your subwoofer through this dedicated form.
This warranty policy covers everything from material replacement to workmanship on defective subwoofers you get from PSI.
As you would expect, this warranty policy doesn’t cover every damage to your subwoofer. Specifically, damages like burnt lead wire, burnt voice coils, overheating, and ripped surrounds are excluded from coverage.
What happens after these five or six years of warranty coverage?
If your PSI sub sustains damages after the expiration of your warranty cover, PSI offers greatly discounted repair packages for you. This way, their engineers can rebuild your sub for way reduced prices.
Best Reviews
PSI subwoofers cost a fortune, as we pointed out earlier. Therefore, they are not woofers you can buy and easily discard if they don’t fit your specs.
We went out to test these subs to save you the horror of buying an expensive PSI subwoofer that doesn’t meet your taste. These are the best two PSI subs we found.
A125-M
The A125-M is a beauty when it comes to stretching the low-frequency bandwidth of your studio setup. Let us start with its compactness.
We love how PSI optimized its build, focusing on a space-saving design that works well in providing frequency response, dropping as low as 28Hz.
On the more technical side of things, this sub is powered by a class-G amplifier. This gives the A125-M a frequency range of 28Hz-90Hz at a 111dB sound pressure level.
This sub features a double-box port with anti-resonance technology further built into it. Another thing we loved about the 125-M is the acoustic uncoupling of its amplifier system.
The result is incredibly minimized distortion in performance, freeing your recording of unwanted sounds.
We were also impressed with the Roll-Off feature this woofer comes with. This allows you to better synchronize your sub’s frequency response with the existing ambient sound conditions.
The woofer’s input sensitivity control was also critical in calibrating the signal. The result was superior precision in sound reproduction, even at the deepest frequencies.
A225-M
You can use this sub as a dedicated bass extension in your stereo setup or a mono sub deployed in a surround sound system.
This is one rare subwoofer that can reproduce bass frequencies as low as 24Hz. The high fidelity reproduction at which the A225-M executes this is not common.
We admit the A225-M subwoofer doesn’t boast the versatility of the 125-M. Specifically, the former mostly works with PSI “A” speakers.
Nonetheless, this sub retains the characteristic flat response we loved about PSI subwoofers. This sub has robust class G outputs, presenting PSI’s custom AOI output stages.
This resulted in spectacular impulse behavior we don’t readily see in subs.
Lastly, we appreciated how PSI buffered this subwoofer’s electronic components from the speaker cabinet. This went a long way in eliminating resonance typical of high SPLs.