PS Audio FR10 Loudspeaker Review | AA Reports...

[@crimlarksSteve]

Great review! I love the fact that you listed the individual songs you listened to while audtioning the speakers and what specifically you felt worked well with these speakers.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@marcbegine]

Thx Chris Brunhaver for designing these great loudspeakers 😎

[@ewhite5381]

I like your candid review style. Keep up the good work!

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@ewhite5381 Thank you!

[@joz411no8]

I really like this review. We can use descriptive terms to explain an experience, but I completely understand saying music "sounds the way it's supposed to sound." We can go decades having a favorite tune and even get emotional about listening to it, but to hear it and say that a presentation represents your ideal is quite the compliment.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@Daniel-hk3ru]

Informative review and helped me better understand these speakers. Thank You !

[@adrianalexander2651]

You’re welcome

[@anthonysmith4449]

I was too keen on the style, that is until I saw them here in black. Thanks for a wonderful review.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@RC10AE]

Fantastic Review! Appreciate your candid feedback and impressions on these FR10s!

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Appreciate that you mentioned that you had not had the disappearing speaker phenomenon before. I remember when I first experienced this and it is pretty cool. In my room it is weird because there are these big speakers but no sensation of sound from them. They are 4 or5 feet out from the wall and the sound mostly comes from behind that wall. Very cool when you think about it.

[@adrianalexander2651]

I agree, thank you!

[@dondisbennett2048]

A very nice review, Adrian! Nice style and commentary.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@williambracken1447]

Great review, you won another subscriber. Choice in music was spot on for me too!

[@Retro_Analog]

Another great review Adrian‼️

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@Retro_Analog thank you!

[@JD-mm4ub]

Looking forward to hearing them!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Hope you like the sound I know I did

[@Darrylizer1]

Being a drummer myself it's nice to hear a review from a drummer's perspective!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you- “Fool in the Rain” 😊

[@SAGNI0971]

Nice review and selection of music !

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@SAGNI0971 thank you!

[@danieljones8587]

Excellent review 👏

[@fumedtwice8921]

Very helpful! I've been considering a pair and I'm trying to decide between the FR 10 and the FR 20. I might even get a pair of the FR5's for my second system.

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@fumedtwice8921 thanks for the kind words. By the way I heard the F5 they sounded incredible. They produce a lot of bass.

[@Graphiaphoto]

One interesting observation is that with the Big Mac's, the Avenger, and the P15, you could get some very good sound out of the PS Audio FR20's or even the FR30s, but my guess is with your system, you got great sound maxing out the FR10s, great review Mr Adrian, very informative.

[@adrianalexander2651]

You know I’d love to listen to the 20s and 30s just to hear the difference and sound. The pass radiators are on the sides of those speakers. Thank you for the kind words.

[@Graphiaphoto]

@@adrianalexander2651 So would I, need to get to a show, as my PS Audio M1200s need a speaker upgrade in the next year. thanks again

[@rw3915]

Great review. Your presentation & style is right on the money.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@paulv4337]

I've owned these for about a month now and I absolutely love them. I toured there facility and met both Paul and Christ. I must say it was a pleasure and a privilege. The whole team at PS Audio could not have been nicer.

[@adrianalexander2651]

I totally agree with you very nice team/company

[@markwilding3828]

IF Jesus is working for PS Audio, I think they have an unfair advantage.

[@simondepass4647]

@@markwilding3828 🤣

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Very cool. I would love to make that trip. Paul is a legend in this industry IMHO. I have always been a nerd. Can you imagine explaining to someone outside this community that you drove out of your way to visit a little factory in Colorado where they make sound equipment? Yet for me I am green with envy that you had that experience.

[@robertdb5111]

Dang Dude, you look 43 not 63. Good for you and keep up the great reviews for give us🎉

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@svbarr]

Great taste in music to test the speakers. Pop Staples had a guitar groove that no one has ever topped...

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@svbarr I agree with you thanks for the kind words

[@freekwo7772]

Great review! Covered from the ground up!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@freekwo7772]

@@adrianalexander2651 it was my pleasure!

[@MegaM563]

I can imagine them sounding great with all the exotic mechanics. But for 10k I would love to see some creativity in the finishes instead of a mix beteen apple and Ikea. Ps audio finishes some components in gloss wood fineer and brushed metal. That would be awesome.

[@brentcollins9727]

Wow!! I really REALLY like that Tears for Fears song. Thanks for the heads up!!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you! And you are welcome!

[@jeffreypicciolo7706]

Beautifully done review

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@carminedesanto6746]

9:00 That’s a fantastic piece of music!😊

[@jaysullivan9545]

Nice review buddy 👍

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@mauricioloaiza7230]

I've been tempted to upgrade my Focal Sopra 1, which I totally love. I can't imagine how much better it could get. What I know for sure is that, if I end up upgrading, it will be to floorstanders. Two options considered are the FR10 and the Borresen X2. Any insights into what would I get or lose with this change will be greatly appreciated. I enjoyed this review very much.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Hi from Toronto 👍☕️🥓💊 Finally someone made a high dollar speaker ..that has enough bass 😎 I hope to hear them at Toronto Audiofest 😊

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@carminedesanto6746 if they happen to be at the show, I think you’ll enjoy them. Thanks for the kind words.

[@hectoralvarez941]

Good review

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@hectoralvarez941 Thank you!

[@markwilding3828]

I think I've noticed a pattern when people mention "speakers disappearing" it seems to be a function of edge diffraction and flat surfaces. PS Audio have done a good job of removing sharp edges from all the sides and the baffle, also put some curvature on the baffle.

[@adrianalexander2651]

That’s a very good point, thank you

[@Tsxtasy1]

9:52 this is how I have my kef R7’s set up. Soundstage sounds like it extends beyond the wall. Its crazy

[@adrianalexander2651]

Interesting- welcome to the club. Glad to hear it’s not just me that experience the same thing that you did regarding separating the speakers.

[@raynabozny2338]

Great Review

[@byronb.]

Great review! You're better on camera than your Absolute Sound colleagues. But I really wished you would have reviewed the FR-20s. Similar size, but closer in quality to the gigantic flagship FR-30s.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

Well done review. The f3 of these speakers is 47hz… if you unplugged your rels maybe they are not “subwoofers” either….

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you! Good point

[@NoEgg4u]

Adrian, have you listened to Vandersteen's Trio speakers? If you had to live with either the Aspen FR10 speakers, or the Vandersteen Trio speakers, which ones would you choose? I am asking, because approximately one month ago, Paul McGowan took aim at Vandersteen Quatro speakers,, when discussing his Aspen line of speakers. In his warehouse, Paul showed the boxes that contained Vandersteen Quatro speakers, claiming that a customer was trading up to Aspen speakers. That was rather bold, and I would like to know if that was sale's rhetoric or are Aspen speakers preferable over Vandersteen speakers. I am asking overall, and not in every conceivable way, which brand comes out on top. So which brand would you live with, at a given price point? The Vandersteen Trio speakers are priced closer to the Aspen FR10 speakers you just reviewed. That makes me curious about comparing the two brands speakers, at their various price points. Between Paul's shot at Vandersteen (video is on Paul's channel, and he makes his Vandersteen remarks at the 0:38 time mark), and now your review of the Aspen FR10 speakers, you are in a unique position to sort this out. Please provide your insight. Thank you.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you for your comments. I have not listened to the Vandersteen speakers, but you just gave me a good idea. I’ll see if I can review a pair. I’ve had some good friends that have enjoyed Vandersteen. I appreciate your comments, thank you.

[@peterl8594]

Great review!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@charlesf2804]

Maybe the best way to audition speakers is to play "regular (non-audiophile)" recordings. If those sound good, it will go a long way with me. I have set tracks I use for any audition, but throw in a "regular" track at the end. It's nice that you did that in your evaluations.

[@adrianalexander2651]

I totally agree with you - a lot of recordings are not that good thank you for the kind words

[@dougg1075]

Bad Man Song is great. Thanks for that

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Want deep bottom frequency 😊 Proper sub crossover simplifies

[@thebiffer100]

You have great taste in music, all tracks you speak of are my favs too. This may sound shocking to you but I have the new Borresen X6s using two nice mono blocks and could NOT get any decent bass/low end unless I use my RELs. Then I had a rare opportunity to have a home audition for some time living with the Focal Maestro Evo Utopia speaker and the SAME thing...no satisfying bass either on their own. I know it's not my listening environment because the subs always perform well. Now I am searching again, still confused. I once had the Legacy Audio Focus and they were smokin' low end satisfaction. Not sure what's next. Nice review.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thanks for the kind words I love Borresen speakers - they do sound great i’m curious what mono block amps were you using? I have another question about the focal speakers. I’m told they sound a little bit bright was that your experience just curious thanks for the kind words.

[@thebiffer100]

I'm using the Dan D'Agastino Progression 550s and preamp. Unless I am that far off with speaker placement it makes no sense that bass suffers especially in a large and long rectangular room with adequate sound treatment. As mentioned I feel that my speakers alone should be able to perform and play around the 20hz range without compromise. I think I just set off the Focal crowd!

[@henrymeyer1574]

good job!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@keithbertschin1213]

Interesting review. Little surprised the reviewer only just seems to have come across tweeter at ear height being a thing

[@sheek1982]

I think the his focus was on how low the woofers are compared to other tower speakers.

[@keithbertschin1213]

@@sheek1982 I commented on that on a video and the speaker designer Chris B responded saying they would be fine for my listening requirements, 9ft triangle

[@ericelmore887]

Great review , what is your reference speaker?

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you! My reference speaker is audio physics 25. I’m actually gonna be doing a review about that speaker in about about a month or

[@mostirreverent]

It would be nice if you mentioned by name other speakers and how they compare

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

I wonder how they'd compare to the Definitive Technology floor-standers?

[@bobpachner7528]

Dealer in Las Vegas, Lifestyle A/V, is excellent. Talk to Greg. He knows the speakers very well. Suggestion from NY!😊

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@bobpachner7528 hey thank you for the update. I was not aware of of that.

[@Joakim-ow3yu]

I've only heard these briefly but i liked what i heard. I think they would be "perfect" for me and my room, unfortunately i don't have that kind of money. Besides that i'm so tired of these black or white speakers, at least it should be an option in oak or walnut veneer. The baffel could have remain black but the sides should have some veneer.

[@adrianalexander2651]

I think a gray speaker would look great but I get what you’re saying the black-and-white speaker. Hopefully they do come out with another color. Thanks for the comments.

[@FOH3663]

​@@adrianalexander2651 Agreed, a Nardo Grey could be sweet if well executed.

[@jungtarcph]

Hear the F40 at a dealer, with full PS gear. I was a bit disappointed. i heard some Sonus Faber for 10K the same day, and they were a lot more impressive.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Hmmm - good to know

[@patmeadows4759]

Excellent and honest review.

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@patmeadows4759 Thank you!

[@dalelr77]

There is one PS Audio dealer in the U.S. that I know of, Lifestyle AVI, in Las Vegas, NV.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you for the update

[@darylcross4336]

Should try Windham hill #5 and Rush's Xanadu 😊

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you! I will definitely listen to that song. I appreciate it.

[@danielwilliams1921]

I have the Eminent Technology LFT-8b speakers. Absolutely love ‘em! (Had Maggies before.) How are these better?

[@FOH3663]

Better? Perhaps the bass response and impact would be superior. But hard to compare overall because of dipole vs monopole platform.

[@eddievega1100]

Nice clean simple system. The goose neck lamp , what brand is it ?

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you for the kind words. I ordered the light on Amazon. I wish I remembered the brand do a search you may be able to find one.

[@markclark1605]

Mcintosh gear is what i see here. That makes a difference on any loud speakers because the sound is really good. Garbage in Garbage out.

[@adrianalexander2651]

I agree with you regarding the McIntosh equipment thanks for the comment

[@franker8373]

Nice down to earth review. Question, how important, including the room, is synergy when putting together a system?

[@adrianalexander2651]

First of all, thank you for the kind words. That’s a great question. The room is important. Obviously the speakers are reviewed. Would work good in a small room medium size room or large room but if you just starting out, maybe think about a bookshelf speaker if you’re in a smaller room.

[@franker8373]

@@adrianalexander2651 Thank you for your response.

[@markpocock183]

Not sure why you would start with speakers 3' apart unless you were listening at 3' away. Otherwise appreciate the descriptions.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Far Point- thank you for the kind comment

[@roberthaysley4245]

There are a couple of US dealers, one is in Las Vegas.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Hey, thank you for the update. I didn’t know that my bad.

[@saint6563]

"Staples SINGERS"! Don't forget "Pops". 😅 W/o Pops wouldn't be any Staple Sisters.

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@saint6563 agreed great observation thank you

[@goodsound4756]

It was a nice watch, but also more a presentation than a review.

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@goodsound4756 thank you!

[@77MovieFan]

I can't speak for the FR10 but i own the FR30 and they 100% dont need a sub IMO

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@77MovieFan I bet they sound incredible quick question did you sit the FR 30s up by yourself or did you have help? I know they’re very heavy that’s why I asked.

[@77MovieFan]

@@adrianalexander2651 the German Importeur did bring them himself and did set them up

[@TheBTG88]

I would like to hear the Aspen speakers one day. Only downside for me is that they are made in China.

[@lloyd.8272]

If they were made in the US they would probably cost twice as much.

[@TheBTG88]

@@lloyd.8272 All my current equipment is made in the USA, so no going back for me.

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

At the $10K price the Devore speakers might be competitive.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Never have heard of those speakers I’ll have to look them up

[@mmgee]

At 10K for the FR10’s it shouldn’t be any problem for anyone to pick up a couple of Rel subs…

[@SuperMcgenius]

👍

[@chebrubin]

You really need a PS Audio Power Plant behind the processor and amps.

[@Graphiaphoto]

His P15 is there mate

[@chebrubin]

@@Graphiaphoto as long as he is using McIntosh or Gryphon I am ok.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Agree

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@chebrubin😂😂 that’s hilarious thanks for the comment

[@chebrubin]

@@adrianalexander2651 Pass Labs and Mark Levinson depreciate by 70% once opened new. And generally suck. Get a McIntosh hybrid drive (tube and solid state). They will hold their value and entertain for years.

[@williamsarver2491]

Gee- ear level tweeters wow lol

[@sidesup8286]

In 1980 when I started getting into higher end audio, almost no one would go much over $1,000 for a pair of speakers. Most would only go about $800 or so.Many companies top of the line speakers were around $1,000, plus or minus a few hundred dollars or so. Now $1,000 back in 1980 is $3,820, inflation adjusted in 2024. The FR 10 until very recently was PS Audios bottom of the line speaker. So people in this case will go near 3 times more money for a company's bottom of the line speaker as what they'd go on a company's top of the line speakers back in 1980. Who convinced them to stretch their wallets so many times wider. What seems to a lot of audiophiles a reasonable thing to do now, was not considered a reasonable thing to do in 1980. A thousand dollars for a pair of new speakers was about it; and considered very fancy upper end territory. It seems there are less high end audiophiles, but there are more willing to go significantly more money than they used to. Who convinced them of this being a "reasonable" thing to do?

[@particularlynothing]

I dunno. They have the money?

[@Scottlp2]

In about 1980 I traded up from LS3/5as to Dahlquest dq 10s. Can’t find original cost but might have been more than $1000. 1990 I bought a demo pair of mirage m3s which was middle of their line $2500 new. So people have been spending lots of money on audio forever.

[@sidesup8286]

They had the money back in 1980 too; but they thought that over the inflation adjusted equivelent of $3,820 was too outrageous money to pay for a top of the line speaker, yet a bottom of the line or next to bottom of the line speaker. Interestingly, even inflation adjusted, many companies current bottom of the line speaker models are now 3 times more money than companies top of the line speaker models of 1980. I love high quality audio, and I think it is one of the most pleaaurable things you can spend your money on. If I didn't know how to DIY, and get amazing sound quality on my own, I sometimes wonder how much money I would have been willing to go on audio equipment? I am so glad I I did so many hundreds of experiments, and learned so much as to how to get great sound, that I was able to sidestep this whole costly thing. I have been known to buy around $1,000 cables though, at a fraction of their price used. The one thing that does work in ones favor is that the "darling" audio products of 10 or 15 years ago, are no longer flavor of the month and their price becomes way more reasonable on the used market. Because of this, even for the multitudes who can't afford the retail price of many products reviewed in TAS, their is a good reason to read it and ststore some things in your memory.for a future time.

[@sidesup8286]

@Scott. You are absolutely wrong about the Dahlquist DQ 10. They were not over $1,000/pait speakers in 1980. They started out at $400 each and they begrudgingly had to raise the price eventually to $425 each or $850/pair. pair.I remember from a local store that used to carry them and double confirmed by multiple price guides. The Rogers LS3/5A speaker originally cost ajust a pittance when they were released in the 1970s. Many many decades discontinued now, they are now perhaps the cult item speaker of all time, and can fetch big money on the used market; more money than the Dahlquist...is likely to get! By the way,, you only "think" you upgraded when you went to the Dahlquist. The Dahlquist used cheap drivers, some of them in common with the Advent loudspeaker originally costing only a little over $100 each or $200/pair..The LS3/5A still has near world class midrange & vocal reproduction. The Dahlquist doesn't do anything world class but was a good open sounding speaker back then. Just because there were a few odd companies chargin a kings ransom on their speakers back then, doesn't mean that was the usual thing. over 95% of the companies back then, had top of the line speakers whose prices were $1200 and less.less.Wise, but not smart.

[@Cecy1b]

A lot of people are trying to catch a unicorn. cables, dacs, turntables… its just the companies caught up on the idea there’s an obsessed bunch that is ready to spend absurd amount of money on their system and eventually it inflated the whole range from low to high end

[@Pete.across.the.street]

I am 6'6". Think they'll still be OK with tweeter placement?

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@Pete.across.the.street that’s probably true. I’m 510.

[@FOH3663]

6'6" ... ok, you a slacker?

[@mariancol2428]

Even Paul at the show has a subwoofer....

[@adrianalexander2651]

Good to know

[@dicmccoy]

I am 6'7" and I'm tired of speakers tailored for hobbits. Giraffes need love too.

[@Fastvoice]

There are also the taller FR20 and FR30 for you.😉

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@dicmccoy 😂

[@jC-kc4si]

​@Fastvoice those cost more than most cars that he also can't fit into.

[@garystahl-hq7qv]

Maybe you should raise them to your liking!

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@garystahl-hq7qv 👍🏿

[@thomasschafer7268]

😅😅😅but not for 12.500€/pair in germany

[@יהודהאוחיון-ג3ז]

yes tahy bater tahn the gimik boo B&w . ps audio its gret laudapeker❤ but you must to lisen tihs old from cabasse 600 avolosion. and tel me laetrt.

[@davewin1792]

Some generic audio terminology being used here, "Fast, tight, clean", I would hope so for 10k. Seems like more of overview and nothing more.

[@Tsxtasy1]

Did you not hear the part where he tested them in 5 different configurations?

[@Antoon55]

I'm sorry man but this review says nothing else then that you like the bass, mids and hights of this speaker. There are a lot more aspects to consider. Oh and you think the speakers let you hear the music just as the artist intented? How do you now what the artist intended? It's not a review but an opinion. Btw I like PS audio so I guess the speakers are great.

[@adrianalexander2651]

You’re absolutely right I did mention base a lot and I should’ve been a little bit more descriptive overall but that’s what I concentrated on. They do sound great. I appreciate your comments and honesty, thank you.

[@fremont66]

Def Tech, Golden Ear for a fraction of the price, HT speakers. Never been impressed with PS audio copying other brands and putting a higher price tag on their stuff, Paul is an eccentric prick anyway.

[@googoo-gjoob]

Macintosh?!! those speakers wee at a disadvantage from the start.

[@SantanKGhey1234]

You are so wrong. I heard the FR30s with a pair of MC601’s and was blown away. Incredible synergy

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@SantanKGhey1234 , dull & lifeless to me. highs were neutered, lows were subdued.

[@MOOeymania]

I'm not sure. A company that only has a 3-year warranty on their products can be a gold standard but I hear what you're saying

[@jkim4712]

Doesn’t matter how nice it sounds, that style really is a let down.

[@ericwhyte9804]

How it sounds is the only consideration for me.

[@mdiaz0429]

Great review!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!