PSB PASSIF 50 SPEAKERS LAUNCHED TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

The new anniversary edition PSB Passif 50 loudspeaker commemorates five decades of acoustic design from the Canadian brand.

PSB Speakers, who have been making speakers since 1972, has released the Passif 50 Anniversary Edition Standmount Loudspeaker in celebration of its 50-year milestone.

Read more about the PSB 50^th anniversary celebrations here!

PSB Passif 50 with grille, on stand

PSB PASSIF 50

The design and technologies of the PSB Passif 50 model both makes use of five decades of research and pay homage to the early Passif II model first released in 1974. As a show of gratitude for the brand’s fans, the first 500 units sold of the Passif 50 will contain a handwritten letter from Paul Barton and includes a QR code with an offer to receive a gift pack that includes a cotton canvas backpack, double-walled water bottle, and commemorative keychain.

PSB Passif 50 left speaker

PAUL BARTON’S LEGACY

In 1974, PSB Founder and Chief Designer Paul Barton developed the Passif II at a time when his initial acoustic research had led to the establishment of PSB’s design philosophy. The Passif II was the first model to incorporate those principals and demonstrate the brand’s signature “True to Nature” sound. Paying tribute to the Passif II, the PSB Passif 50 represents the PSB legacy that has remained strong over 50 years of speaker design.

PSB Passif 50 right speaker

PSB PASSIF 50 RETRO-MODERN AESTHETIC

The PSB Passif 50 features 1970s-inspired elements like an open-grained walnut veneer cabinet, magnetically attached woven cloth grilles and dedicated stands. The loudspeaker evokes a sense of nostalgia with its retro details while being constructed with modern materials that align with current tastes. Other embellishments include a pull tab on the front grille, which sports the retro PSB logo which was originally hand-drawn by Paul in his high school geography class, and a rear-panel plaque adorned by a maple leaf with an inscription that reads, “Passif 50 – 1972-2022.”

1970S LOOKS, MODERN PERFORMANCE

The design of the PSB Passif 50 mirrors its 1970s forefather but incorporates the most current flagship-level components and benefits from 50 years of acoustic research. The result is a loudspeaker with classic ’70s looks but that PSB says ‘achieves a level of performance well beyond the capabilities of its ancestors’.

PSB Passif 50 Speakers on stands

PSB PASSIF 50 DRIVERS

The titanium dome tweeter employs a powerful neodymium magnet and ferrofluid damping, for higher output, improved power handling, and reduced distortion. A phase plug in front of the tweeter’s dome directs the tweeter’s output to ensure a wide and consistent dispersion well beyond the traditional listening window. The designers say that this result is a speaker which creates a wide and deep soundstage with acute imaging which isn’t reliant on a precise listening position. A felt pad surrounding the tweeter minimizes edge diffraction.

The woofer and passive radiator have cast aluminium baskets that resist flexing, and filleted rubber surrounds that dampen cone resonances. Considerable engineering effort was invested in refining the interaction between the woofer and the passive radiator.

All joints in the heavily braced enclosure are mitred for improved fit and finish and reduced cabinet vibration. Featuring dual five-way binding posts, the Passif 50 can be bi-wired or bi-amped.

PSB PASSIF 50 DETAILS

1″ titanium dome tweeter with ferrofluid damping and neodymium magnet

6.5″ woofer and 8″ passive radiator with cast aluminium baskets, paper cones, and filleted rubber surrounds

Retro-styled open-grained walnut veneer enclosure and dedicated speaker stands

Magnetically attached woven cloth grilles

50th-anniversary design touches, including the original PSB logo and pull tab on the grille and rear-panel plaque that reads “Passif 50 – 1972-2022,” adorned by a maple leaf

Felt surrounding the tweeter minimizes edge diffraction

Bi-wirable/bi-ampable five-way gold-plated binding posts

Speaker alone dimensions: 660mm H x 280mm W x 2540mm D (26” x 11” x 10”)

Speaker with stand dimensions: 870mm H × 280mm W × 254mm D (34” x 11” x 10”)

PSB Passif 50 Speakers side view on stand

PSB PASSIF 50 PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The PSB Passif 50 will be available to pre-order from August with shipping this September, and it retails at USD $2499/GBP £2499/EUR €2999/CAD $3299.

HiFi Pig Says: Future-Retro designs of HiFi, particularly loudspeakers like the PSB Passif 50, are currently very popular, with modern tech packed into 70s and 80s homage cabinets, what are your thoughts? Let us know over on Facebook…