Can These PS Audio FR5 Audiophile Speakers BEAT My $6000 Speakers?

in this video I unbox and give my first impressions of the NEW PS Audio FR5 Audiophile Loudspeakers in comparison to my reference MonAcoustic Platimons loudspeakers.
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#hifi #audiophile #homeaudio

[@Jayiyagi]

*hey guys, really excited for this one. This one was filmed in real time so my thoughts may come across less organized. Remember that this is not the full review, and ALSO I wanted to compare it to the Alta Alyssa loudspeakers which are my reference and "best" at the $4500-6000 price point but I currently do not have it on hand. That comparison will come sooner or later* PS Audio FR5: www.psaudio.com/products/aspen-fr5-loudspeaker?srsltid=AfmBOooi45lZ32TPAulu7Fw9w_QyzR9qaDiORypEj-ZnZMs1nUlBxu6N Relevant videos: MonAcoustic Platimon Vlog videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3KTaKtndq55l9U Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayiyagi follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jays_iyagi/ follow on Facebook: facebook.com/jayiyagiofficial Follow soundstage take 2 reviews: kzbin.info/aero/PLPOzvlhtSqn5xdc__ftuSt4Rxy_wm5Af0 Speaker stands: amzn.to/3ssRhI3 Better speaker stands: solidsteel.it/my-product/ss-7-vintage-hi-fi-speaker-stands/ acoustic panels I use: ua-acoustics.com/ acoustic curtain: amzn.to/31d1zAM BDI Cabinet I use: bit.ly/2OJRwQQ amzn.to/3chBuFZ other BDI Cabinets: bit.ly/3ctxXV1 amzn.to/30bsUCH my fav hifi tweaks: (Isoacoustics devices) amzn.to/3j5FGvM

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Aperion Grandis GR8 is $2.9k 😮

[@Jayiyagi]

@@CarlVanDoren61 funny enough, I did request those in for review and they said they will send it in as soon as they can. Currently they just released and they seem to not have a review pair available yet. cheers

[@markmallinson935]

@@Jayiyagiwhen is the review coming for Fr5.

[@mrpmj00]

I love my GoldenEar BRX with the AMT ribbon tweeter based on the heil. So I upgraded to the PS Audio FR5 with planar ribbon tweeter. (I also love the Wisdom Audio P4m with planar tweeter) I considered the Borressen X1 which is sold through dealers who markup the price so you pay more , whereas PS Audio is sold direct to consumer cutting out the middle man. source=Apple Music lossless quality

[@swd7901]

I love that you cut the BS and share the list of your favorite speakers in each price category. We hear about so many amazing products, but this list cuts through all of the hype and gives us just one selection per price range. Awesome. Your taste is probably different than mine, so this is not the final word for everyone. Still, this is very refreshing and honest approach.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Well said mate!

[@vagabond197979]

Me too! I did some serious Googling based on that Excel spreadsheet.

[@thornwithin6195]

I'm glad you are looking into more PS Audio products. I've recently bought an amp from them and it is wonderful. Looking forward to this review!

[@bjoernarberg]

Ordered these in white, will be delivered tomorrow. Will be driven by Hegel H390.

[@jtee9548]

That's awesome. I wouldn't be able to sleep.

[@bjoernarberg]

@@jtee9548 I have to admit I had some problems sleeping last night. FR 5 are now playing in my livingroom, and the lack of sleep was well worth it. Allready out of the box, no dought that these speakers are something spesial for a standmounth of this sice. They are going really deep in the bass, midrange and treble are very listenerfriendly without any sign of edgyness or hashness, and the soundstage is really big, both in width and depth. All in all, a very musical presentation from these speakers. But they need a good amplifier, able to deliver lot of current, so my Hegel H390 do the job in a very good way.

[@Jayiyagi]

@@bjoernarberg I love it! Thanks for sharing. As many of the comments have alluded to, maybe they will sound even better after break-in! I've asked Chris (the designer for these speakers) for the appropriate break-in time and he says 100-200 hours. I hope that aids you in your set up and listening with the FR5 cheers

[@bjoernarberg]

@@Jayiyagi Thanks a lot for your info. I have heard that good speakers need longer time to break-in than speakers of a lesser quality. True or not, I don’t know.. My pair of FR 5 is the first pair sold in Norway.

[@phetmoz]

​@@bjoernarberg hey, how are you liking your FR5? Did they even stick around or returned? 😅

[@CashGravel]

They look gorgeous and that deep base output is incredibly impressive for its size. Paul sells high-end gear and the low sensitivity won’t be a problem for his intended buyers I would assume. I’m sure in a small or medium size room. Those things are absolutely killer with the right gear.

[@abxaudiophiles]

AWESOME run down Jay!! Keep us posted buddy...

[@NosEL34]

Look forward to your follow up review/video. From personal experience i find it to be different with each speaker but I do believe it burn in with speakers. Especially the woofer/driver..& more so if the driver has a large excursion radius. With the quality of this driver I bet a couple hundred hours will bring more detail & nuance. I'm thinking of ordering these.

[@davidrivera2165]

Thanks Jay for bringing us one of the few reviews on the FR series of speakers. The PS audio house sound that is known to be warm with decent amount of detail delivery, but not necessarily great pinpoint imaging is very appealing to a lot of audiophiles that are into jazz and classical music. I'm 64, but way past the warm, cozy, rolled off sound of many speakers. Great detail delivery with fantastic imaging and holographic soundstage it's my thing. As such metal drivers (aluminum, magnesium, beryllium) are a must for me, specially if they are a concentric (Tweeter/Midrange) design. Those who complain about brightness/harshness of speakers like the Platimons/KEF R meta series/Paradigm Persona line don't understand that curating components that have great synergy with speakers is essential. Speakers that appeal to a mass audience tend to match well to a lot of components, but don't excel in imaging, transparency, and micro detail delivery. Thank again Jay.

[@Jayiyagi]

I wouldn’t call this a review. Just early unboxing and impressions :) more to follow on the fr5s Cheers

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

Excellent reporting, Jay! Thank you for providing the IMPORTANT DETAILS folks are more interested in finding out.🌹

[@kenbbaker]

Chris is a freaking genius -

[@richh650]

Thanks Jay. I have been looking forward to your listening to the new PS Audio's...

[@razakkalik9072]

YES! BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS!

[@edzak7257]

The woofer material resembles the SEAS woven polypropylene cone material used in Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2 series.

[@liamporter1137]

FR5 vs PlatiMon, which is better? Looking forward to seeing your detail review.

[@peddie1972]

Super interesting! Not boring at all, the opposite. I really look forward to the full review. Will this speaker be good for a bigger room without sidewalls within 10 feet from the speakers?

[@Jayiyagi]

I heard these at Axpona and they sounded really awesome in a big room they were in. Now, my room isn't as big but its acoustically treated and its sounding pretty good so far, I think these can really be great with correct matching of components. I am excited to play around with these and report my findings in the actual review cheers

[@kenbbaker]

Chris is a freaking genius - by that, I mean hard working, smart working, and thoughtful… that’s how you make a better product… little hard work and a bit of “other” - not just hanging around - it’s figuring things out that really counts

[@cabronesse386]

Nice recommendations!

[@johndough8115]

Jay.. Any speaker that uses a Passive Radiator... is going to react like this. The more power you give them... the more "EXCITED" the passives will become... as they are driven merely by the movement of the woofer itself (via air pressure). Phillips made a special passive radiator speaker + mini system, called the "WOOX". On the Philips mini-stereo, there is an actual Toggle button, to boost (EQ) the Bass frequencies. You would toggle this EQ mode, if you wanted thumpier bass, at lower volume levels... One thing to note about Passive Radiators / Sealed speaker designs... is that their Bass is far more "Musically Accurate". These types of speaker designs will sound much more NATURAL, compared to ported speakers. Where as Ported speakers... their bass can sound very "Droning" and "Artificial". Ported speaker designs, often have an Opposing problem. They should OK at lower volume levels... but when you push them to higher volume levels... the artificial sounding bass, becomes very apparent. In addition, you also might experience Port Chuffing, and other port related Distortions. Ported designs can also come in different variations. Smaller circular ports, tend to be "Tuned" to creating a certain bass "Frequency". In a way, it acts similar to a wind instrument (like a flute / tuba). When air passes through it... it makes a certain bass tone / sound. However, that sound is always the same exact frequency... and as such, is why it sounds "Droning" (repeated over and over again), and why the bass altogether, sounds Artificial (As the alteration to the bass frequencies.. is no longer accurate to the Original Recorded sounds). As far as Power goes... Any decent Sealed speaker will tend to require much more Power to drive them. This is partially because of the increased air pressures, internally. In order to deal with the increased air pressures.. you will need to make woofers that have much stronger magnets, and even potentially stronger voice coils, too. This is actually a GREAT thing... because, the stronger the magnetics... the most CONE CONTROL that you will have. This will result in MUCH faster cone ACCELERATION speeds, as well as much more accurate cone movements. This will result in FAR less potentials for "Micro-Distortions" to occur. Such "micro-distortions" in most speakers... might not be heard... However... when you are playing some very dynamic / complex music... a speaker that has superior cone control, will be able to maintain each represented instrument, and vocal, as being "Separate", and Detailed. Where as speakers that lack good cone control... the micro-distortions will cause some slight Muddying of the sounds. Instruments and vocals might partially blend into each other... and you will notice that the instruments and vocals will both sound less detailed. They will lose their "Separation". In one piece of music that I was listening too... there was a spot in the song where I could not really make out the singers lyrics. When I upgraded to an Audiophile grade, Sealed Speaker... I was finally able to understand the singers lyrics, word for word... without any strain at all. The backing music, was also superior in details. Both retained perfect separation. I had never experienced this before, in Any of the speakers, nor headphones, that I had owned in the past. Also, I was very familiar with this track... as I had been listening to it, all of my life. This was the first time, that I had experienced it in a completely different way (On my recently purchased, re-foamed, 1970s era EPI 100v Speakers). Anyway... A lot of Audiophiles seem to turn their noses up, to the use of an EQ (yet, hypocritically often seek out expensive amps, that "Color" the sound! ). But again.. here is the deal... a small bit of EQ in the bass frequencies, can dramatically bump up these speakers Bass levels, even when played at lower volume levels. Also, I personally found that I could push my own sealed speakers, to an almost Club-Like level of Thump.. with some of the most Incredible levels of Dynamics.. with a little software EQ tweaking (I still have to set up a hardware EQ in the loop, that I recently acquired). Most of my audio comes directly from my PC... and is fed into my 32 year old, Pioneer 5.1 Surround Sound amp. The thing has been Flawless since when I purchased it, at the age of 17 (Im now 51 yrs old). Back then... I bought it, along with a Laserdisc player.. and was experiencing DVD quality movies (my first laserdisc was Terminator 2) at a time when DVDs were not even close to existing... and surround sound systems, were still quite a rarity. Over the decades, the quality of companies like Pioneer, drastically dropped... so I probably would never recommend a newer model amp by them. That said, the older amps tend to be superior anyway... due to the new models using non-leaded solider. The solider replacement, doesnt flow as well... and tends to cause poor soldier joints, as well as metal micro-hairs... that eventually cause Shorts on the circuit-boards / electronics. This is why many brand new electronics, can be non-functional, right out of the boxes. And why many modern electronics, often fail within less than a 3 years period of time.

[@analogkid4557]

PR are the same as ported. They are both Hemholtz resonators. They work exactly the same.

[@RennieAsh]

I just heard your 6th paragraph from a pair of diy speakers with ports soooo

[@matytinman]

From what I read in the specifications, I guess the woofer needs many hours of running-in given the low sensitivity of the speaker and because they say the woofer has LOW distortion -> MAYBE the suspension is very rigid and needs many hours of operation to sound better at lower volumes. Enclosure Type Passive radiator (one 6x9” oval rear-firing) High Frequency Transducer 2.5” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm Low Frequency Transducer 1 x 6.5” woofers, cast frame, Curv woven polypropylene, advanced magnet structure Crossover Frequency 1750 Hz - Linkwitz-Riley 6th order acoustic Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1M) 83.5 dB 👈 Nominal Impedance 6 ohm (5.6 ohm minimum impedance) Recommended Amplifier Power 50-150W Frequency Response 35 Hz-20 khz (-6dB) half space, 30 Hz (-6 dB) in-room - Greetings from Tarragona (Spain/EU) -

[@Audio-Maxi]

@matytinman - You are exactly Correct! If the set of Speakers was just unboxed and connected... then why even make a comparison against a fully broken-in set of Speakers that have already been properly set-up? @Jayiyagi, what is the point when you know the FR5s will more than likely change and more than likely improve once it's fully broken-in and given a fair and proper set-up? 🤔

[@maxpower78-15]

I also thought the PS Audio room at Axpona was a home run. A demo at a trade show that really sounded great!! I heard the FR 10s and couldnt believe there was no subwoofer.

[@Jayiyagi]

Yea the bass is absolutely nuts even on the fr5

[@maxpower78-15]

@@Jayiyagi right on!!!

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Nothing better than playing with new speakers. Except maybe a new car.

[@newdevilman1167]

New smart phone!! 📱

[@declin_ro3823]

new woman much better

[@guitjammin4710]

Jay, as a big fan of Paul McGowan and PS Audio( I own several of their seperate components in my system) I’d appreciate your thoughts. I know you enjoyed these speakers as well as the Triangle Comete 40th Anniversary speakers, and it seems to my eyes that the Triangle looks more upscale in the fit and finish dept? They’ve dropped the price now to $1699/pair so I wondered if you thought the PS Audio speakers were worth double the price? I do appreciate PS Audio has a trade in program worth $500 I believe so I’m curious which way you think I should go for a small room size. Thanks!

[@PAINFOOL13]

Imho, they need around 100 hours of burn in . I think these little gems have super nice imaging 😊

[@filipviljamaasvensson]

Really enjoyed this video, but I have a question. No burn in at all?

[@Jayiyagi]

no burn in at all. This was a vlog, I did what I would normally do when I get a new speaker in for the first time; put it in my system and compare to whatever I had going on previously in the same set up. This gives me more ideas on how to pair things going forward for the FR5. More to follow on the actual review :)

[@ebbytes]

I had to pause the video cause I needed to know what something called "flight of the cosmic hippo" sounded like

[@Tsxtasy1]

any idea when the full review is coming?!?

[@5Antvin]

I find that when well known USA stereo component companies embark on speaker making that they're best suited ( voiced with ) their electronics .outside of McIntosh , Krell did this in the mid 2000's with there LAT and less expensive Resolution series .

[@Wizardofgosz]

Flat amplifiers are flat amplifiers. If an audio company isn't designing their amplifier to be as flat as transparent as possible why would you spend money on it?

[@jaybowen2235]

Thanks for early first impressions. Since you compared it to the level up (Platimons) will you compare to level below (Buchardt MKII)? I am always interested in the low volume sound levels that many do not comment on. Can't await for deeper review.

[@Jayiyagi]

absolutely. In the review itself, that will become more relevant. This was just an easy first impression tease videos since I would do what I exactly did in the video anyways as soon as I got the speakers in BUT of course, more experimentations, measured data and comparisons to follow in the actual review.

[@felipencl]

Kef R3 Meta, Quad Revela 1 and ATC SCM11 comparisons would also be interesting if possible

[@Jayiyagi]

@@felipencl I do not have all of those on-hand but I will compare to what I can. cheers

[@R2D2-V2D2]

Thanks for the video, can you please review Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2? That is the most affordable speaker

[@Sagaris380]

Thanks man. Amazing as always. I am huge PMC fan and a comparison to the Twenty5-22i would be interesting. Im not sure on the price point though. maybe the 21's would be better?

[@analogkid4557]

The woofer appears to be woven polypropylene like the Seas Curv drivers.

[@rickpiasecki9744]

Interesting that ( with the factor supplied stands from both brands?) , there appears to be about a 8-12 inch difference in ribbon height across the 2 brands. For future comparisons, I suggest that you somehow lower the PS audio to match the others, especially since your couch looks comfy but low as well. Tweeters at same height as ears.

[@Jayiyagi]

I actually adjust my seat height for the speakers

[@Nightjar726]

The woofer looks like some SEAS Poly woofers but with a pointy dust cap.

[@cbrunhaver]

Yes, Seas uses this material on a couple of models

[@alainvandijk540]

We will distribute the platimon VC one and two in Europe the first batch is comming today.

[@Ed.T-p1b]

The FR5s are not yet run in, but the others are? How you compare?

[@Jayiyagi]

This is an early impression video. I mentioned how this is not a fair comparison and will do one in the review itself once I figure out the best matching components to the Fr5 and once they are fully broken in Cheers

[@dw5757]

Would be interested to hear your impressions between the FR5, with stands, and recently reviewed Totem Bison Twin Tower since their price and overall size foot print are similar. I’m considering them for a medium sized room. Thanks.

[@joeythedime1838]

Fantastic that your providing one of the first real-life reviews of the FR5's. I have really been thinking about getting a pair, any thoughts about pair the FR5's with an Accuphase E-4000 integrated?

[@Jayiyagi]

no thoughts yet. Again... just very early impressions. Will report more thoroughly on every detail I find about the speakers in the actual review

[@joeythedime1838]

@@Jayiyagi Thank you

[@artureff3046]

Watch Japanese audiophiles (audio freaks), I like their approach, Accuphase/Luxman/McIntosh + JBL/Klipsch/ATC....studio only monitors, resources needed certainly.....

[@whocares0503]

Maybe you should try a pair of Nola Boxer S3s. Made in America too, in Long Island New York.

[@stevenoconnor5693]

Wish you’d demo 805 D4 from Bowers and Wilkins

[@sunshine242-l4y]

Aric Audio preamp review coming soon Jay?

[@Jayiyagi]

Yeap :)

[@stephencosta6814]

Jay, I love your reviews, but this time I don’t know you’re comparing them which I love when you do comparisons, but I think the speakers are comparing the most largest far more superior and more expensive would like to hear your impressions just based on the PS audio speakers by themselves what are the traits, how do they image? How do they sound stage?

[@Jayiyagi]

This is an early impression video. I mentioned how this is not a fair comparison and will do one in the review itself once I figure out the best matching components to the Fr5 and once they are fully broken in

[@stephencosta6814]

@@Jayiyagi perfect I can’t wait for your in-depth review of them. PS I’ve been watching you for years ever since you started your phones iems you’re the best Jay wish you all the luck in the world

[@Jayiyagi]

@@stephencosta6814 thanks so much!

[@peanutbutterjellyjam2179]

As someone with OCD, it would have been nice if the ribbon tweeter had been positioned squarely in the waveguide housing.

[@cablebrain9691]

How was it not?

[@peanutbutterjellyjam2179]

@@cablebrain9691 @3:37: pause the video, then look carefully at particularly the top, and bottom edges of the tweeter.

[@richm4402]

@@peanutbutterjellyjam2179Damn! Now I can’t not see it! lol

[@stephenpeterson5988]

Hay jay , why not show us what you go through to set up your reference speakers????

[@Jayiyagi]

Well I have with the platimons. Previous video addresses that. Maybe not the entire process though as its just lots of trial and error. Too boring and long of a video but maybe one day

[@Justwantahover]

I build speakers and if they are small and the bass is tuned low enough to get 30 hz, the lows sound good but the upper bass and lower med suffers. And the speakers sound empty and lifeless. But if I tune the bass higher, it won't play down to 30 hz anymore, but the bass has more oomph and the lower med level is inreased and the overall sound is way more engaging and way more impact and more life in the music. More musical. I wonder if the PS Audio speakers are tuned too low in the bass, for that room. Or just move the speakers a bit closer together for higher tuning of the bass. Works in my room, and you only have to move them an inch or so closer to make the bass sound different. 😮

[@cbrunhaver]

It completely depends on the parameters of the woofer and resulting low frequency alignment. Most midwoofers made for DIY aren’t designed to be tuned this way but that doesn’t mean your comments hold true in this case

[@RahzAlGhul]

Review the Heco Aurora 1000

[@goodsound4756]

5:46 where the heck is your favorite bookshelf speaker, SF Electa Amator III, gone? And shouldn’t be there also the Maxima Amator as well.?

[@Jayiyagi]

I'll explain why those aren't there in my video explaining my reference list cheers

[@roxy_xcxc6869]

🤔Do u have any Taiwan NeoTech Cable Demo video Have!! Video have?

[@joonas4427]

Could you do a review for Genelec 8050b or G Five active speakers?

[@terryforsythe8083]

It looks to me like the FR5 tweeters were a little high for the listening position. Perhaps lower stands would be better for the FR5 speakers.

[@Jayiyagi]

I did adjust my seat height for each to be on axis

[@eddietours3728]

you should test out the Musician Knight 1 :)

[@thomprd]

Flight of the Cosmic Hippo is awesome. Thank you for that recommendation!

[@harrydavidson5548]

I'm guessing the sound will improve over time as there just out th box? 🙂

[@Jayiyagi]

I hope so. I think I am in for treat. already loving a lot of the stuff I am hearing on these speakers.

[@jondonnelly3]

I wonder what cheeze parts GR Research will find inside.

[@cbrunhaver]

We use high quality crossover components.

[@gme10955]

Were the FR5's even broken in yet?

[@Jayiyagi]

no they are not broken in yet

[@a.s.2426]

Jay, I know the TADs are in a different price tier entirely but what do you get with TADs for your extra investment that you don’t with these?

[@Jayiyagi]

Absolutely. From my experience with the TAD me1, I found that they just are more coherent because much like the KEF ls50 speakers that many know and love, they are using a dual concentric driver for their tweeter and mid woofer, but much like the KEF R3, the ME1 also has a woofer, making it a 3 way loudspeaker. This allows for phase coherency where it matters, while aiding in the extension of the bass. To me, this subjectively translated to a masterful imaging capability, speed, attack and decay. By far one of the most coherent speakers that sounded "accurate" to me without sounding "analytical"

[@a.s.2426]

@@Jayiyagi Thanks! Definitely clarifies it!

[@tubefreeeasy]

For reviewers, I wonder if companies send broken-in components so you don’t have to wait for breaking-in equipment?

[@Jayiyagi]

Sometimes they do but I break them in for recommended time anyways

[@juanvalentin3302]

How can they be as transparent if they haven't had any break in?

[@Jayiyagi]

well we shall see. If they become as transparent as the Platimons after break-in, I will report that in my review cheers

[@is3commander]

Interesting

[@Dinolobe376]

I listened to the ps audio room in montreal and thought it was bad. Paul is supposed to have set the room himself but honestly, there was nothing special there even though I wanted to like it

[@Jayiyagi]

Were you at axpona? I was far more impressed with the fr5 at Axpona and hence why I requested it for review

[@MichelLinschoten]

Also what you mean price gap the ps audio cost over 6k set price without stands the price as far as i know is 3k ish each

[@Jayiyagi]

They are not 3k each. They are 3.5k/pair

[@Fastvoice]

@@Jayiyagi Plus US $500 per pair for the stands.

[@jasonc331]

Need to check out Philharmonic line.

[@Volklguy]

Sounds to me like the PS Audios aren't broken in.

[@Darkmatterme]

Are the speakers burn-in, or straight from the box 📦?

[@Jayiyagi]

Straight from the box. Very early impressions

[@gme10955]

@@Jayiyagi Why even bother giving first impressions if the speaker was fresh out of the box? You should've at least mentioned that fact as well, otherwise you're kind of misleading people. No speaker or piece of gear sounds great without being run in first. So the your first impression is kind of meaningless.

[@Jayiyagi]

@@gme10955 well this is a vlog... like "in the moment" type of thing/behind the scenes (whatever you want to call it). Its mostly an unboxing and a "first look" type of video and it's clearly labelled and spelled out in the video as such so I don't agree that it's misleading. More to follow on the actual review. cheers

[@stevenoconnor5693]

Cool

[@run_taurus7635]

i heard these speakers have a narrow sound stage width

[@Jayiyagi]

where did you hear that? Even during my first impressions, I didn't think the Soundstage was super narrow

[@thomothomo1078]

How can a speaker dig low in the mid bass region?Which perfectly encapsulates the problem with these sorts of speakers.They use boosted mid bass to try to mask their lack of decent quality lowish bass.Which after a while is just annoying.And if they make them accurate they sound too lightweight.So you have a choice between annoying fakery [which is most of them] or thin and lightweight.But still you are probably better off with the accurate /non fake lightweight type.Something like the Meniscus Audio Kairos kit speaker [sealed version] which was specifically designed to be truthful in a world of smallish speakers that are not.

[@JingoLoBa57]

You have to test the range…

[@arlenesauder1913]

Did you let the PS audio speakers run in for a few days before you made this comparison. no

[@roxy_xcxc6869]

😀Go get a B&W 804 D4 & Wah lar. best of both World. Full Range and everything Settled 🤗

[@dajikbatarang1]

Looking for a box speaker to compliment my maggies, I wonder if these are a contender.

[@Micalange]

What model In the totem catalog that it compares

[@Jayiyagi]

Probably the totem bison twin towers

[@endrizo]

mmh that woofer looks identical to sonus faber's, liuto monitor, same material

[@bstatmeister]

No Tektons on the reference list?

[@jtee9548]

Wow! He knows how to stagger speakers when setting up multiple pairs!! They're not mirrored! I was in the retail business 30years and very few people, including manufactures & reps knew to do that. On the left, Spkr A, then Spkr B. On the right first it's Spkr A then Spkr B again. NOT Left A-B and Right B-A. Once again, it's Left Speakers A-B then Right Speakers A-B. You can then fine tune spacing & Toe In and do pretty quick A/B comparisons, even with level matching in seconds.

[@Jayiyagi]

Yes even then I do prefer to remove them entirely and listen one at a time Cheers

[@ben23a31]

Curious about your sitting position and height. How about either turning the speakers upside down or putting the tweeter at the same height as the Platimons (probably didn't spell that right). You may get a different opinion.

[@Jayiyagi]

I change my sitting height or the stands to me on-axis with the speakers. Speakers like these should never be turned upside down as you will change the response of the speakers in ways it wasn't designed for. cheers

[@ben23a31]

@@Jayiyagi Thanks and appreciate the reply. Was your first listening impression of them with the adjustments made to the stands and seating position you mentioned? Couldn't help but think of the Canton Reference 9 , the Mission M750's, Buchardt bookies, and the PSB Alfa bookies. But I'll definitely take your professional expertise and accept they may not have been designed to be upside down. ✊🏼

[@Jayiyagi]

​@@ben23a31 yes my seat heights are adjusted accordingly for each speaker, otherwise I find it a bit meaningless of a listening session

[@Reluctantaudiophile]

What is that massive amp?

[@Jayiyagi]

Mentioned in the video. Its the denafrips apollo

[@Reluctantaudiophile]

@@Jayiyagi sorry Jay, I hadn’t reached 10:55 in the video yet, cheers mate.

[@Jayiyagi]

not a problem mate :)

[@xsamitt]

1st Hi From NFLD!

[@x5-acousticguitarstuff.2]

NEVER open a Box with a Sharp Blade....... One day you will regret it. I always use my Thumb Nail to cut the Sticky Tape.

[@markmallinson935]

2 months now and no review? When is the review coming?

[@bengleason508]

Tease

[@soulshinobi]

People do unboxings after 2018?

[@Jayiyagi]

@@soulshinobi haha ya! Why not

[@hoobsgroove]

so not impressed for the price! I thought that might be the case, they worth about 2.5 grand category

[@Jayiyagi]

I will compare to my lower price tier references but from my initial impressions alone I think these give more than any of my lower price references

[@ryanray6215]

@@Jayiyagi Those FR 5 don't look impressive at all . At that price ? Made in China ? They look kind of light and flimsy . You hold them without any effort in your hands , wondering how much do they weigh ? Did PS Audio give you any money to review them ?

[@Jayiyagi]

@@ryanray6215 they are by no means cheap or flimsy feeling speakers. It actually seems quite premium in person but definitely lighter and easy to move around than the platimons, you can see me struggle a lot more with the platimons haha. I have not put them on the scale but according to the PS audio website, it's about 40lbs with the stands. And no, ps audio did not give me any money to review them. All sponsorships and paid contents on this channel are fully disclosed so otherwise stated, just like the 99 percent of videos on this channel, it is not sponsored, no cash or product exchanged hands. cheers.

[@ryanray6215]

@@Jayiyagi Thank you for replying . If you get a chance , would you review KEF 3 Meta ? How do they compare to FR5 . Both are made in China , but I think Meta is less expensive plus it is a 3 way speakers .

[@Jayiyagi]

@@ryanray6215 I would love to if I get the chance. It's been proven a lil difficult to get a hold of them here in Canada

[@JingoLoBa57]

Not a fair comparison with the platimon speakers They’re much smaller cabinets and cone realestate

[@Jayiyagi]

well I explain why I had to compare it to the platimons but you are right, its far from a fair comparison

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Bring them over here .. we can compare against my towers .. lol =P

[@psyphonyxaudio]

... all seriousness tho .. I remember walking into that room at Axpona .. These were kicking some serious ass. Very well put together impression videos .. Im actually taking some notes from your style .. haha. Enjoy them! .. Seems like a real winner.!

[@mrpmj00]

i don’t want towers blocking my 150 in screen

[@machone539]

Do you know if the speaker was "pre-broken in" at the factory or maybe it was a demo unit? I remember my JBL LX 600 (my first NEW NEW speakers) sounding so much better as time went by.

[@Jayiyagi]

I don't believe so. Like I said, its an early impressions and lots to go over as time goes by for my review itself :)

[@gerlachsieders4578]

Apparently, your Critons have fallen from your grace... shame, I adore mine...

[@Jayiyagi]

it has not! I still have mine (just re-did the finish on them) and they are in my reference list as you can see in the video

[@Wozzaatwozza]

Being that PS Audio is Lembrook / NAD, I wonder how these sound on a NAD M23 or C298 Purifi amps

[@fascinatedbyeverything]

You're thinking of PSB, not PS Audio. PSB is Lenbrook, but I believe PS Audio is still owned by Paul and others.

[@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter]

Hah they look like white polk ES15

[@Jayiyagi]

ha! they kinda do, don't they !

[@bruceandt]

Ugh…. You should never have had the Plat’s in the back ground. It is difficult to listen to your thoughts on these speakers while they loom in the background.

[@michaelcorlet2998]

Everybody has done a box.do something relavent.

[@ACM1000000PT]

if something is good sounding at low volumes, it sound bad... fletcher curve my guy.

[@Jayiyagi]

Fletcher curve dictates that things become more linear to our ears as we increase the volume. It does not dictate fidelity at low volumes

[@grommie]

Ok, goodluck everybody. I am going to listen to my actives😅

[@SpinnerPaddlefoot]

No actually not an interesting speaker at all. The stand mount offerings are too numerous already. PS Audio loudspeaker designs are quite boring looking and meh sounding.

[@naikrosh]

Unfortunately kinda ugly speakers IMO. PSA products typically have better anesthetics

[@julian65886]

I hear Paul McGowan is watching.

[@brentcollins9727]

It’s the interesting that you thought the FR5’s were some of the best sounding speakers in the entire Axpona but they couldn’t outperform your $6,000 speakers.

[@Jayiyagi]

The Platimons are my reference point at the $6-8k mark so I don't think that's all the surprising, also considering the system were set up for the platimons. And in a big show like Axpona, its hard to judge anything meaningfully and its mostly really short impression

[@gregorall9779]

Not for $3500. I'm sure there are quite a few people who would say they are affordable, but not for most. I'm not saying that they're not worth it. They're just too expensive.

[@Zoomerland]

More small box, bookshelf speakers. This is boring, please do more full range speaker systems Jay

[@Jayiyagi]

Oh its coming ;)

[@GT1Vette]

Agree. No matter what Jay says about bookshelf speakers, they completely lack that full range sound of a floor standing and bookshelf speakers take up the same amount of space in your room.

[@MrJhardencdj]

Start your own channel?

[@CashGravel]

I don’t know those things dig pretty deep and it’s got a beautiful sounding tweeter personally I enjoy the diversity ymmv

[@MasterofPlay7]

​@@GT1Vettelol I guess you haven't heard the good ones

[@BillDouglass-m9d]

Small speakers are boring and useless. 😢

[@Jayiyagi]

I have some impressive towers coming in if thats more your thing. cheers

[@BillDouglass-m9d]

@@Jayiyagi Cool I argue with the guys at local hifi store about this. When you put bookshelf speakers on expensive stands they have the same footprint as a tower. Why would anyone buy a expensive bookshelf speaker that you need a stand for and a sub? Makes no sense what so ever. I've been arguing this point since the 70's Just buy a quality tower and avoid the problems. Thanks!

[@Hare_deLune]

@@Jayiyagi Not everyone has this guy's opinion, Jay. 😉

[@Pok-001]

@@BillDouglass-m9dbecause the room plays a huge role in the sound. Bookies naturally image better and separate power sub can be placed where it is tuned better than you can get with a tower. Small to medium size room’s smaller speakers with sub will out perform a tower especially one that is too big. Yeah small towers sometimes can out perform at high SPL. That is speaker dependent though. I use to be tower or bust but after spending time with stand mounts with high quality sub in appropriate size room my ears changed my mind.

[@mrpmj00]

@@BillDouglass-m9di have a 150 on screen so i don’t want towers to block the screen. also stand mount speakers disappear and i only hear music i also use 2 independent subs to make 40 hz and below

[@marklloyd4153]

I don’t like them . I don’t like them at all. I do not like them on a shelf I do not like them on a stand I do not like them jay I am . 😂 . I don’t like the