Hi, what are you looking for?
The PS Audio aspen FR30 Loudspeakers look like a state-of-the-art design for $28,499 USD.
$28,499 USD doesn’t even seem like a crazy price considering how many $50,000 high-end loudspeakers exist right now but the PS Audio aspen FR30 Loudspeakers are definitely on the pricier side of the ledger.
There is a market for $30,000 loudspeakers otherwise manufacturers wouldn’t be making them; Wilson Audio, DeVore, Focal, Tidal, JBL, McIntosh, Sonus faber, Goldmund, and about a dozen other brands have multiple models in this range and people (albeit a small number) continue to buy them. PS Audio aspen FR30 Loudspeaker in Sable Black
If you can afford to spend $28,499 on the PS Audio aspen FR30, there are some rather interesting features to warrant your attention. If you decide to purchase a pair…make sure you have 3-4 people around to help you install these 230 pound (PS Audio doesn’t specify if that’s for the pair) floor standing loudspeakers.
Marking a major milestone for the company, PS Audio today announced the introduction of its Aspen FR30 loudspeaker, an elegantly slim 3-way floor standing tower that incorporates planar-magnetic and dynamic drivers and a host of innovative technologies to deliver extraordinary musical realism.
The new FR30 features all-new push-pull planar magnetic midrange and high-frequency transducers, complemented by ultra-low-distortion, fast-response woofers, and passive radiators. The FR30 is striking in appearance, with a unique modular design that combines sonic advantages with ease of transport and setup. Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted, “The Aspen FR30 is the culmination of years of painstaking development and many, many hours of listening and evaluation. Our design goal was to create a loudspeaker that fits easily and works optimally into the widest range of rooms and listening environments, and delivers reference-quality clarity, detail, and tonal accuracy, along with effortless dynamics and most of all, emotionally compelling musical reproduction.” PS Audio aspen FR30 Loudspeaker in Pearl White
The FR30 incorporates a custom push-pull planar magnetic midrange transducer and dual high-frequency transducers, which feature 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 N52 neodymium magnets with 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 module, and their performance is optimized by the use of aramid fiber damping material. The PS Audio Apsen FR30 utilizes four 8-inch cast-frame, aluminum-cone woofers with 12 lb. magnets. The woofer’s motor structure features a split-magnetic gap and double Faraday rings for improved linearity and wider bandwidth, and the woofers’ articulate, agile response complements the speed and transparency of the planar-magnetic midrange and high-frequency drivers.
The woofers are augmented by four 10-inch side-firing passive radiators, for authoritative low-frequency extension. The FR30 presents an easy-to-drive load with an 87 dB sensitivity, making it ideal for use with a wide range of amplifiers.
The enclosure has a unique modular design. The midrange/tweeter section contains the acoustically isolated crossover network and the section is removable, enabling ease of shipping and setup.
The FR30 offers a visually distinctive “floating” appearance, with a curved bottom and complementing anodized aluminum stand with milled brass acoustic isolation spikes. Hard plastic feet are supplied for use on hard surfaces and to aid in initial speaker placement. The enclosure is made from extensively-braced MDF with a front baffle formed from a dense, rigid and well-damped fiberglass resin composite material. Integrated high-frequency acoustic waveguides are molded into the baffle to enable optimum horizontal and vertical dispersion and a smooth frequency balance both on- and off-axis.
The PS Audio aspen FR30 loudspeaker will be available in spring 2022 in a choice of Pearl White or Sable Black finishes.
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For more information: aspen FR30 at psaudio.com
Home > Latest > New Products > Loudspeakers > Floorstanding Speakers > PS Audio aspen FR30 Loudspeakers are Crazy Expensive
Gorgeous. I expect they will be likened to a giant usb stick, but stunning design. Very eager to hear these.
These have been in the works for years. I want to hear these as well but I’m not sure I can justify owning a $28,000 USB stick.
Are you freaking kidding me…I will stick to my BW 2 ways…a nice amp..and pre amp..CD player, Tidal,..and a nice 300$ D/A.. High Fi my butt…total crap
I don’t own a single pair of speakers over $2,000, so you are preaching to the choir.
PS Audio is hoping to attract the Wilson or Tidal customer with these. I’ve only seen prototypes of these at shows before COVID and there was definite interest in them.
The problem is that you wouldn’t be able to enjoy such amazing quality for so little money if it weren’t for decades of engineers pushing the envelope and trying to expand what’s possible. That $300 DAC might have been $3K a decade ago, and people pooh-poohed such extravagance then too.
That’s true. But from any angle, spending $28000 for a pair of tower speakers would certainly need a lot of introspection.
Remember when PS Audio sacked all their dealers a year or two ago? Why would I do business with a company that stabs in the back people who have been their business partners for years? People who have built their brand?
I guess the huge profit increase from keeping the dealer margin and not having any more discounts was too much for them to resist. Well they can keep their crazy expensive speaker. They’re now just another one of those creepy ‘we’re chasing after the Ferrari owner’ companies.
I do hear you on the first point. I was surprised to see them drop all of their dealers and go direct.
What value does a dealer present the consumer? Nowadays you can do so much of your own research. I have no interest in a middle man. Direct all the way.
A good dealer lets you try multiple components in the store (something you can’t do at home unless you’re willing to spend and then return or sell), helps with set-up, and also handles repairs.
Are you qualified to do your own HT install, TV/projector calibration? I’m ISF certified but I still consult with professionals with more experience when I have an issue.
A good dealer will do a proper turntable/cartridge install. I have a slight tremor in one of my hands from a previous illness. It takes me longer to get cartridge installs done exactly. I’m willing to pay someone to make sure a cart is installed properly.
Will most people set-up their loudspeakers properly? I know from experience that is not the case. A good dealer will help you with room acoustic issues and proper loudspeaker set-up.
I’m perfectly fine with buying direct (I’ve purchased 5 things from Schiit Audio) but I also have 30+ years of experience with high-end components and have setup over 100 systems for people.
Most components I have bought based on a “great review” has been crap. A good dealer lets you listen and compare. Get off the YouTube and go find out for yourself. Lots of reviews are paid for. PS Audio is a quality brand but that’s a lot of speaker to box up and send back if they are not to your liking. It would be good to have a dealer for this product line for PS Audio.
Wonder how it compare to the legendary Genesis 1.1 which happen to be beloved at PS Audio
Love the looks but oh baby the price.
Haven’t heard of course but having owned Infinity speakers with emim’s and emit’s for midrange and high frequency I have a hunch they will have a sweet and open sound.
For the price I would expect a better deeper bass but not an accountant so will let the market decide.
Congratulations to anyone scoring a pair.
I’m puzzled by the weight. I hope to hear these at a show in 2022 which won’t be a formal review but it’s some level of exposure.
We don’t review speakers over $7,500 as a general rule.
Personally, I cannot hear that much money. My ear have been done in by loud concerts from the sixties and seventies.p.s, I do prefer B&W 800 series.
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to visit a group of manufacturers and listen to 4-5 $50,000+ loudspeakers. They were all impressive in specific areas but none of them justified the asking price. I came home after the 2 week trip and listened to my system at the time and liked what I heard more. They were $45,000 cheaper than most of the speakers I heard and while they didn’t have the scale or overall impact of the $100,000+ systems I had tried abroad, it worked for me. Emotionally.
I’m listening to a pair of $650 loudspeakers right now that are phenomenal. Money doesn’t guarantee anything. Enjoy your B&W 800 Series.
“Money doesn’t guarantee anything.”- This is the most important and truthful statement a real world audio enthusiast can make.
I’m listening to $650 speakers right now that are good enough for 99% of the population.
Built some 187 lb speakers. As that’s me weight. Amusing but difficulty to move. 230 lb each would be interesting to move!
Would love to be able to afford PS audio kit and the setting to put them in. Not convinced about power conditioning that they mention rather regularly. Seems like the power supplies are iffy if that’s required.
That’s true. But from any angle, spending $28000 for a pair of tower speakers would certainly need a lot of introspection.
the price includes “white glove” installation according to their website.
I just always go down the pre owned route. I picked up a used pair of Martin Logan Spires here in the UK. Complete bargain and mint condition, saved almost £4K on the list price here. I love them and would have to pay serious money to better them.
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