PSB Speakers launches the iQ1 and iQ2 — BluOS-powered bookshelf speakers that combine fifty years of acoustic engineering with modern streaming convenience, starting at $999 USD.
What Is the PSB iQ Series?
Canadian loudspeaker manufacturer PSB Speakers has unveiled the iQ Series, a new lineup of all-in-one streaming speakers designed to deliver high-fidelity stereo sound without the complexity of traditional separates. Launched on June 23, 2026, the iQ Series comprises two models — the iQ1 and the iQ2 — both built on the same acoustic platform that earned PSB’s Alpha iQ widespread critical acclaim.
For audiophiles who want genuine stereo performance in a streamlined, design-forward package, the iQ Series makes a compelling case that you no longer have to choose between simplicity and sound quality.
PSB iQ1 vs iQ2: What’s the Difference?
The iQ Series splits cleanly into two tiers based on how the left and right speakers communicate with each other.
The iQ1 connects the primary and secondary speakers via a wired stereo cable. PSB positions this as the purest signal path, keeping both channels in perfect sync for optimal audio performance. It is available in Black or White vinyl finishes and is priced at $999 USD / $1,299 CAD.
The iQ2 upgrades to a low-latency wireless stereo link, eliminating the cable between speakers entirely without introducing audio delays or dropouts. It also expands the finish options dramatically — seven choices in total, including four new colours (Ember Red, Boreal Green, Granite Grey, and Sandstone Beige) alongside a premium Walnut Veneerwith copper-finished accents. A fingerprint-resistant coating is applied across all finishes. The iQ2 starts at $1,399 USD / $1,699 CAD, with the Walnut Veneer commanding $1,499 USD / $1,849 CAD.
Shared Acoustic Platform: Drivers and Amplification
Both iQ models share the same carefully engineered driver complement: a 4-inch polypropylene mid-bass driver with a steel basket and rubber surround, paired with a 0.75-inch aluminium dome tweeter featuring a neodymium magnet and ferrofluid damping. These are not budget components — they reflect PSB’s decades of acoustic research in Pickering, Ontario.
Power comes from a new Burr Brown Class-D amplifier platform delivering 270 watts of total system power per pair. Each woofer receives a dedicated 90-watt amplifier channel, while the tweeters are driven by 45-watt amplifier stages — shared on the iQ1, independent on the iQ2. A high-quality DSP crossover, tuned bass ports, and optimized low-frequency extension give both models bass reach that belies their compact bookshelf form factor.
“Every aspect of the iQ Series was engineered to deliver real stereo performance from a simplified system,” said Matt Simmonds, VP of Product Development at PSB Speakers. The emphasis on DSP tuning and driver integration, he explained, was aimed at maximizing output, clarity, and control within the constraints of a compact enclosure.
Streaming and Connectivity: The Full BluOS Experience
The iQ Series is built around BluOS, the premium multi-room streaming platform from Lenbrook that also powers NAD Electronics and Bluesound products. Through BluOS, both iQ models provide access to over 20 streaming services, including Amazon Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Pandora, and SiriusXM, along with personal music libraries. The BluOS Controller App is available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
An audiophile-grade DAC supports high-resolution playback up to 24-bit/192kHz, ensuring lossless and hi-res audio streams are delivered with full fidelity. On top of BluOS, both models support Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive — covering virtually every streaming scenario a modern listener could want.
For physical connectivity, PSB has not cut corners. Both iQ models include:
- HDMI eARC for TV, home theatre, and gaming
- RCA inputs with a built-in MM phono preamp for turntables
- Optical input
- USB-C audio input for laptops, phones, and portable players
- Subwoofer output with DSP-enabled low-pass and high-pass filters
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet for wired network connections
Top-panel touch controls on the primary speaker provide instant access to volume, playback, and two customizable presets for favourite stations or playlists. The iQ Series also integrates with leading smart home platforms including Control4, Crestron, Nice, RTI, and URC.
Who Is the PSB iQ Series For?
The iQ Series targets a growing segment of listeners who want genuine high-fidelity audio without assembling a traditional stack of separates — a separate amplifier, DAC, streamer, and pair of passive speakers. As PSB Product Manager Mack Tommy put it, the iQ Series represents “PSB’s acoustic legacy with a more accessible, design-forward, and all-in-one approach.”
That said, this is not a lifestyle product masquerading as an audiophile system. The Burr Brown amplification, aluminium dome tweeters, 24-bit/192kHz DAC, and DSP-tuned crossover are genuinely serious specifications. Paired with BluOS’s multi-room capabilities and the breadth of physical inputs, the iQ Series functions as a full home audio hub rather than just a pair of smart speakers.
The iQ2’s seven finish options — particularly the Walnut Veneer with copper accents — also position these as speakers that earn their place in a living room on aesthetic grounds alone.
PSB iQ Series: Pricing and Availability
| Model | Finish | USD | CAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| iQ1 | Black / White | $999 | $1,299 |
| iQ2 | Colour finishes | $1,399 | $1,699 |
| iQ2 | Walnut Veneer | $1,499 | $1,849 |
Both models are available now through PSB dealers, authorized online retailers, and directly at psbspeakers.com.
Final Verdict
The PSB iQ Series is a serious entry into the all-in-one streaming speaker category from a manufacturer with the acoustic credentials to back up its claims. The iQ1 offers a straightforward, high-performance wired stereo system at a competitive price point, while the iQ2 elevates the package with wireless stereo pairing and a range of premium finishes that make it as much a design statement as an audio product. For listeners ready to leave the component rack behind without sacrificing the sound quality they’ve come to expect from PSB, the iQ Series deserves serious consideration.
