PS Audio today announced its third and least expensive floorstanding loudspeaker in its aspen series. At $9,999/pair, the new aspen FR10 loudspeakers are smaller and lighter than the FR20 ($18,999) and FR30 ($29,999) for easier placement in a room.
Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted, “The aspen FR10 embodies more than 50 years of experience in audio in learning what works in a loudspeaker, and what it takes for a speaker to ‘disappear’ in a listening room and deliver a magical musical experience. Our goal with the aspen FR10 was to offer no-compromise full-range loudspeaker performance in a smaller, more affordable form factor that fits easily into smaller and medium-sized rooms.”
aspen FR10
The slim 3-way floorstanding tower features PS Audio’s acclaimed push-pull planar magnetic midrange and high-frequency driver technologies, complemented by ultra-low-distortion, linear-magnet woofers, high-excursion passive radiators, and a host of additional refinements.
All the drivers in the FR10 are custom-designed from the ground up. The 8-inch planar ribbon midrange and 2.5-inch planar ribbon tweeter employ a push-pull design with an identical symmetrical motor structure on either side of their driver diaphragms. This inherently linear configuration provides lower distortion than conventional single-sided magnet structures, along with higher efficiency.
The midrange and high-frequency drivers employ high-strength magnets and diaphragms made from Teonex® film, a thin, highly stable material that provides exceptional transient response and resolution, with a fast, clean decay. The drivers are housed in a sealed sub-enclosure to ensure maximum clarity and freedom from internal cabinet colorations.
The PS Audio aspen FR10 utilizes dual 6.5-inch cast-frame woofers with a non-woven carbon fiber PMI foam sandwich cone, for an articulate response that complements the speed and transparency of the planar-magnetic midrange and high-frequency drivers. The woofers utilize a split magnetic gap with dual copper shorting rings, and have a large 3/4-inch peak-to-peak linear excursion for low distortion and a dynamically responsive bass output. The woofers are augmented by three flat-piston carbon fiber passive radiators. The FR10 offers wide range frequency response from 32 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 25 Hz – 6 dB in-room).
The FR10’s slim enclosure measures 41.5 inches high by 8 inches wide (11.75 inches wide with its stand) by 16.25 inches deep. It’s available in a striking new matte finish in either black or white, and comes with magnetically detachable grilles. The aspen FR10’s room-friendly design makes it easy to set up and enjoy, and the FR10 comes with a handy setup booklet and CD to get the most out of the speaker. The FR10 has a visually distinctive “floating” appearance, with a curved bottom and an anodized aluminum base that is supplied with mounting feet that can be used with either removable stainless-steel spikes, or a soft rubber foot underneath.
How do they sound?
Having not heard these yet, we can only share PS Audio’s claims. They say the aspen FR10 deliver authoritative bass, an inviting midrange, smooth, extended highs, wide dynamic range, and palpable imaging on a wide and deep soundstage. Ultimately, they’re designed to appeal to the most demanding audiophiles and music aficionados craving extraordinarily low distortion, killer bass, and seamless tonality.
Comparison
| FR10 | FR20 | FR30 | |
| MSRP | $9,999/pair | $18,999/pair | $29,999/pair |
| Color Options | Satin White, Satin Black | Pearl White, Sable Black | Pearl White, Sable Black |
| Enclosure Type | Passive radiator (three 6×9” oval rear-firing) | Passive radiator (two, 10” side-firing passive radiators) | Two piece – Sealed upper cabinet mid-tweeter module, Passive radiator lower cabinet (four 10” side-firing passive radiators) |
| High Frequency Transducer | 2.5” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm | 2.5” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm | 2 x 2.5” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm |
| Mid Frequency Transducer | 8” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm | 10” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm | 10” planar magnetic with Teonex diaphragm |
| Low Frequency Transducer | 2 x 6.5” woofers, cast frame, non-woven carbon fiber PMI foam sandwich cone, advanced magnet structure | 2 x 8” woofers, cast frame, carbon fiber Rohacell sandwich cone, 12 lbs advanced magnet structure | 4 x 8” woofers, cast frame, aluminum cone, 12 lbs advanced magnet structure |
| Crossover Frequency | 550 Hz, 1750 Hz – Linkwitz-Riley 4th order acoustic | 400 Hz, 2500 Hz – Linkwitz-Riley 4th order acoustic | 400 Hz, 2500 Hz – Linkwitz-Riley 4th order acoustic |
| Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1M) | 86.5 dB | 87 dB | 88 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohm (3.3 ohm minimum impedance) | 4 ohm (3.5 ohm minimum impedance) | 4 ohm (3.6 ohm minimum impedance) |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 50-125W | 50-300W | 100-600W |
| Frequency Response | 32 Hz-20 kHz (-6dB) half space, 25 Hz (-6 dB) in-room | 23Hz-20kHz (-6dB) half space, 20 Hz (-6dB) in-room | 28Hz-20kHz (-6dB) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 41.5” x 11.75” x 16.25” with base (8” width not including base) | 50.5” x 16” x 18.75″ | 60.5” x 16” x 25.75” with base (10” width not including base) |
| Net Weight | 75 lbs (34.1 kg) | 133 lbs (60.3 kg) | 230 lbs (104.5 kg) |
Price & Availability
The PS Audio aspen FR10 loudspeakers are available now for $9,999/pair at psaudio.com in satin white or satin black.
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Mel
December 20, 2023 at 3:59 am
I wonder why they rate their frequency response at -6dB instead of -3dB. They don’t want to be compared to competitors, or show better numbers for less educated, or just a technical reason?