PSB Alpha C Center Channel Speaker – Made in Canada
$175.00
Two 5.25-inch metallized polypropylene woofers on rubber surrounds either side of a 0.75-inch ferrofluid-cooled aluminium dome, crossing at 3,000 Hz. Rear-ported, 62 Hz to 21 kHz, 90 dB, 8 ohms nominal and 6 at minimum, on five-way binding posts. The detachable grille is metal mesh rather than cloth. Made in Canada.
1 in stock
PSB Alpha C Center Channel Speaker – Made in Canada – w/ Rubber Surrounds & Metal Grill
Accurate, detailed, dynamic—the original PSB Alpha C center channel delivers exceptional midrange presence and dialogue clarity.
The PSB Alpha C center channel speaker is a benchmark value proposition in compact home theater systems. With its pair of 5.25-inch metalized polypropylene woofers featuring rubber surrounds and a single 0.75-inch aluminum dome tweeter, the Alpha C achieves surprisingly lifelike midrange character and low-frequency presence that belie its compact size. The rear-ported bass reflex cabinet tuning extends bass response well beyond its modest footprint, allowing it to anchor the center of your surround system with authority and nuance. Customers and critics have consistently praised the Alpha C’s accuracy and midrange resolution, making it one of the most respected compact center channel speakers of its generation. This example is in very good cosmetic condition with original metal grille, requiring no service.
The Alpha C excels at dialogue clarity and center-image specificity, a critical requirement for home theater playback where on-screen dialogue must remain intelligible during complex action sequences. The aluminum dome tweeter delivers extended presence without harshness, while the dual woofers provide the tonal weight necessary to anchor a convincing soundstage. The rear-ported design integrates well with typical living room placement, forgiving of boundary effects that can muddy center channel performance. A 90 dB sensitivity rating means this speaker responds well to modest amplifier power, making it an ideal anchor for modest surround systems or two-channel audio systems seeking center image reinforcement.
PSB Speakers, founded in Canada and headquartered in Pickering, Ontario, represents a philosophy of exceptional value without compromise on sound quality. The original Alpha series, first designed and manufactured in Canada in 1991, established PSB’s reputation for delivering professional-grade loudspeaker design at prices accessible to consumers. The Alpha C exemplifies this heritage, built with careful attention to cabinet bracing and internal damping that yields the build quality typically reserved for speakers commanding twice its original retail price.
Key Specifications:
Frequency response: 62–21,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Impedance: 8 ohms (nominal), 6 ohms (minimum)
Recommended power: 10–120 watts RMS
Tweeter: 0.75-inch (19 mm) aluminum dome with ferrofluid cooling
Woofers: Two 5.25-inch (133 mm) metalized polypropylene cone with rubber surrounds
Crossover: 3,000 Hz
Acoustic design: Bass reflex, rear-ported cabinet for increased bass response
Cabinet finish: Black vinyl wood grain
Grille: Detachable metal mesh, acoustically transparent
Internal volume: 0.46 cubic feet
Video shielded for safe placement near television sets
Connections: Five-way binding posts (accepts bare wire, spade lugs, banana plugs, dual banana plugs)
Dimensions: (Width x Height x Depth) 453 x 178 x 247 mm (17.875 x 7.125 x 9.75 inches)
Weight: 7.2 kg (15.9 lbs)
At 7.2 kg, this speaker reflects the solid cabinet construction and internal damping materials that define PSB’s design philosophy. The weight comes from substantial MDF cabinet walls, internal bracing, and premium damping material positioned for optimal acoustic absorption—professional-grade elements typically absent from budget center channel speakers.
Made in Canada, this PSB Alpha C represents an exceptional value for home theater systems seeking accurate, present center channel performance without commercial compromises. Its compact footprint, proven reliability, and consistent praise from customers make it an ideal foundation for immersive surround systems.
Backed by Radique Audio’s Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and our Perpetual Trade-Back Program, you can purchase with confidence.
| Weight | 18 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.75 × 22 × 11.1 in |
PSB began in the summer of 1972 in St. Jacobs, Ontario, where Paul Barton and two high-school friends started building speakers. The name stands for Paul and Sue Barton. PSB says every speaker it makes is voiced in the National Research Council's anechoic chambers here in Ottawa. We carry PSB towers, bookshelf speakers, centre channels and subwoofers. We've had more than 440 PSB listings so far, covering nearly 90 different models, second only to our other big Canadian brand, Paradigm. Every used PSB here is inspected, tested and serviced as required, then photographed in-house and covered by our Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and Perpetual Trade-Back Program. Don't see the model you want? Tell us on First Dibs and we'll email you when one arrives.
Our five best-selling PSB models so far: the Alpha Intro LR bookshelf speakers, the Image 8C centre, the Image 4T towers, the Alpha SubZero i subwoofer and the Alpha B bookshelf speakers.
The PSB story, 1972 to today
Paul Barton founded PSB in St. Jacobs, Ontario, in the summer of 1972 with two high-school friends, and named it for himself and Sue Barton, his high-school sweetheart and now his wife. PSB stayed in St. Jacobs for about its first eight years.
The Ottawa connection. In 1973 or 1974 (sources differ) PSB's Beta II caught the attention of Dr. Floyd Toole at the National Research Council in Ottawa, and Barton has used the NRC's Ottawa facilities since 1974. PSB says every speaker it makes is still voiced in the NRC's anechoic chambers.
Lenbrook and Stratus. The Lenbrook Group of Pickering, Ontario bought PSB in the mid-1980s (PSB's own timeline says 1985), and PSB is now based in Pickering. The Stratus series began in the late 1980s, and Stereophile first reviewed the Stratus Gold in 1991.
Alpha, Image and beyond. The budget Alpha launched in 1991, and more than 50,000 pairs had sold by 2000. The Image series replaced the Century series in 1999, the Platinum flagship followed in 2002, then Synchrony in 2007 and Imagine in 2008. PSB marked its 50th anniversary in 2022 with the Passif 50.
Which PSB is which?
Early models (1970s and 1980s): the Beta II, Avanté II, Passif II and Project B2, then the R series after the Lenbrook purchase.
Stratus (late 1980s to the 2000s): the upper line, including the Mini, Silver, Gold and Gold i. The Gold is a three-way with a 10" woofer.
Alpha (1991 to today): the entry line, including the Alpha A/V, Alpha B, Alpha B1 and later the Alpha P5. Our best-selling Alpha Intro LR and Alpha B come from this family.
Image (1999 to the 2010s): one step above Alpha. Our best-selling Image 8C centre and Image 4T towers come from this family.
Platinum (2002), Synchrony (2007) and Imagine (2008): the higher lines of the 2000s.
SubSeries and SubZero: PSB's powered subwoofers, such as the Alpha SubZero i we sell often.
Buying used PSB: what to check
Where it was made. Lines launched from about 2008 onward, such as Imagine and later Image and Alpha models, were made in China. Check the label before calling an older PSB "made in Canada"; spec sheets from the 1990s list only the Pickering address.
Amplifier load. The Stratus Gold and Gold i have a 4-ohm nominal impedance, and owners say Stratus models want an amplifier with plenty of current.
Image tweeters. On Image series speakers, check that every tweeter works and sounds as bright as its partner. A dim or dead tweeter is a frequent point of failure on that line. We sell a new Peerless 1" replacement tweeter that drops straight in (Image 1B, 2B, 4T, 5T, 8C, 10S and more) and is more robust than the original, and we can install it while you wait.
Drivers. Owners report occasional woofer failures on older towers. Listen to each driver on its own.
Surrounds. Many PSB woofers, such as the Platinum T8's, use rubber surrounds rather than foam, but press gently on any woofer surround to check it.
Everything we list is inspected, tested and serviced as required here, and comes with our warranty.
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