PSB 50 MkII Bookshelf Speakers, Black Ash, Made in Canada

PSB 50 MkII Bookshelf Speakers, Black Ash, Made in Canada

The PSB 50 MkII is a classic Canadian-made large-format bookshelf loudspeaker from Paul Barton’s PSB Speakers, engineered in collaboration with Canada’s National Research Council and delivering full-range, neutral sound that still stands up impressively against modern designs.

Developed during PSB’s golden era of NRC-informed acoustic research, the 50 MkII benefits from the same measurement and listening methodology that earned PSB an international reputation for honest, uncolored sound. The rear-ported two-way design uses an 8-inch polypropylene cone woofer in a cast basket with rubber surrounds for tight, well-controlled bass extension down to 35 Hz, paired with a 1-inch Vifa textile dome tweeter for smooth, detailed highs with minimal listening fatigue. A sophisticated third-order acoustic Butterworth crossover at 2,000 Hz with high-voltage capacitors ensures clean driver integration and coherent presentation across the full frequency range. With 90 dB sensitivity and robust 125W RMS power handling, these speakers work well with a wide variety of amplifiers from modest vintage receivers to more powerful modern integrated amplifiers.

The cabinets are finished in black ash vinyl and present in very good cosmetic condition, reflecting careful ownership over the years. Internally, extensive bracing minimizes cabinet resonance, keeping the sound honest and free of the cabinet colorations that plague less carefully designed enclosures. Gold-plated binding posts accept a variety of cable terminations and ensure reliable long-term connection quality. These are substantial, full-range speakers that fill a room with authority while remaining genuinely musical and detailed at moderate listening levels — a combination that made the PSB 50 series a perennial favourite among Canadian audiophiles and music lovers.

2-way bass-reflex large bookshelf loudspeaker pair (rear-ported)

Made in Canada, engineered with Canada’s National Research Council

8-inch (200mm) polypropylene cone woofer, cast basket, rubber surrounds

1-inch (25mm) Vifa textile dome tweeter (D26TF-06)

Frequency response: 35 Hz – 21 kHz

Sensitivity: 90 dB (2.83V/1m)

Power handling: 125W RMS, 150W peak

Impedance: 8 ohms nominal

Crossover: 2,000 Hz, third-order acoustic Butterworth (18 dB/octave) with high-voltage capacitors

Black ash vinyl finish

Heavily braced MDF cabinet construction

Gold-plated binding posts

Very good cosmetic condition, fully tested

Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 11 x 25 x 13 inches (279 x 635 x 330 mm) per speaker

Weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg) per speaker

This Canadian-made pair of PSB 50 MkII speakers offers serious full-range performance, genuine NRC-informed acoustic engineering, and the kind of honest, musical presentation that Paul Barton’s designs have always been known for, all wrapped in a classic black ash finish that suits any room and system. For listeners seeking a large, capable Canadian bookshelf speaker with real bass authority and smooth, detailed highs, the 50 MkII remains a compelling and enduring choice.

Backed by Radique Audio’s 90-day Bumper to Bumper Warranty and our Perpetual Trade-Back Policy, you can purchase with confidence; asking $345.