PS Audio Introduces the Aspen FR30 Loudspeaker

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,018
13,347
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
Paul McGowan, owner of PS Audio, Is very proud of what his design team has achieved with this new loudspeaker, the Aspen FR30.


86F2C8C0-AC83-47BB-A001-8CF5F646EA1D.jpeg



I think this is a very interesting design, with a lot of elements to like.

As this is, I believe, the smallest model in this product line, I am eager to see Paul's top-of-the-line model.

Maybe the top-of-the-line model will invert another FR30 on top to achieve a D'Appolito array configuration? Or maybe locate the woofers in front to fire forward? Or maybe a line array of the planar magnetic or ribbon drivers parallel to the front-firing mid-bass drivers?

I suspect that Paul will not perceive the market demand to justify such a gargantuan effort, but these drivers seem to be very carefully engineered and maybe could be used to create a state-of-the-art, four column, all-front firing, re-imagined Infinity IRS V. I'm thinking of a midrange/tweeter cabinet with parallel vertical line arrays of the top two drivers and a vertical line array of the mid-bass drivers, and a separate woofer enclosure festooned with the woofers, or with the woofers and the passive radiators.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dan31

Nemal1

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2018
365
215
120
61
They are very different from the original “AN” models previewed on Paul’s earlier you tube videos. Seems like a lot of potential movement on the flimsy looking base unless they are designed that way?
not sure how long it will be before arriving in the uk
 

bryans

VIP/Donor
Dec 26, 2017
919
874
250
They are very different from the original “AN” models previewed on Paul’s earlier you tube videos. Seems like a lot of potential movement on the flimsy looking base unless they are designed that way?
not sure how long it will be before arriving in the uk
Yes the base/stand is designed that way.
 

Solypsa

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2017
1,811
1,399
275
Seattle
www.solypsa.com
Not sure if I have seen "high compliance drivers" used in marketing-speak before ;)
 

gds7368

VIP/Donor
Jan 9, 2015
214
190
420
And you get a full month of in-home demo to decide if they sound good in your room. I really liked the AN model at RMAF a couple years back

CABD11C7-EF5E-42E6-82B3-3DF80E251F36.jpeg
 

Addicted to hifi

VIP/Donor
Sep 8, 2020
4,610
2,039
265
52
Australia
Paul McGowan, owner of PS Audio, Is very proud of what his design team has achieved with this new loudspeaker, the Aspen FR30.


View attachment 86016



I think this is a very interesting design, with a lot of elements to like.

As this is, I believe, the smallest model in this product line, I am eager to see Paul's top-of-the-line model.

Maybe the top-of-the-line model will invert another FR30 on top to achieve a D'Appolito array configuration? Or maybe locate the woofers in front to fire forward?
Very nice.i like the design of them.i would expect these speakers to sound very good as Paul McGowan has a lot of experience in designing speakers.
 

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,517
1,774
1,850
Metro DC
Is not 30 day demo standard for mail order?
 

psalvet

New Member
Nov 7, 2021
1
2
3
73
The speakers are a triumph of industrial engineering. I'm not sure how well they'll be accepted by spouses. Children might love them enough to compete tipping them over. I was hoping for a less pricey first entry fitting the PS Audio reputation for affordable performance. It was not to be.

Publishing Sold Out rounds is a great marketing idea. However, it's ultimately misleading if you don't show how many speakers are in each round. Lower versions are promised, but how will the sound be different? Paul's said not all drivers will be the same.

Failing to sell enough may require a further increase in the price of PS Audio electronics across the board. I'll be waiting to read reviews. Mainstream print publications are not likely to be critical. The amount of background and storytelling in many of their reviews is often the real review and will tell the real story. I expect YouTube reviewers will at least try to get their hands on them.

I'm hoping the sound of the Aspen FR30 supports the claims made so far. We have enough hyperbole. I would love to see real innovation in speaker technology.
 

Michael Davitt

VIP/Donor
Nov 3, 2020
327
239
140
The speakers are a triumph of industrial engineering. I'm not sure how well they'll be accepted by spouses. Children might love them enough to compete tipping them over. I was hoping for a less pricey first entry fitting the PS Audio reputation for affordable performance. It was not to be.

Publishing Sold Out rounds is a great marketing idea. However, it's ultimately misleading if you don't show how many speakers are in each round. Lower versions are promised, but how will the sound be different? Paul's said not all drivers will be the same.

Failing to sell enough may require a further increase in the price of PS Audio electronics across the board. I'll be waiting to read reviews. Mainstream print publications are not likely to be critical. The amount of background and storytelling in many of their reviews is often the real review and will tell the real story. I expect YouTube reviewers will at least try to get their hands on them.

I'm hoping the sound of the Aspen FR30 supports the claims made so far. We have enough hyperbole. I would love to see real innovation in speaker technology.
If an Aspen falls in the forest, does anyone hear it ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: rubinken

Sa-dono

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2016
45
11
113
The speakers are a triumph of industrial engineering. I'm not sure how well they'll be accepted by spouses. Children might love them enough to compete tipping them over. I was hoping for a less pricey first entry fitting the PS Audio reputation for affordable performance. It was not to be.

Publishing Sold Out rounds is a great marketing idea. However, it's ultimately misleading if you don't show how many speakers are in each round. Lower versions are promised, but how will the sound be different? Paul's said not all drivers will be the same.

Failing to sell enough may require a further increase in the price of PS Audio electronics across the board. I'll be waiting to read reviews. Mainstream print publications are not likely to be critical. The amount of background and storytelling in many of their reviews is often the real review and will tell the real story. I expect YouTube reviewers will at least try to get their hands on them.

I'm hoping the sound of the Aspen FR30 supports the claims made so far. We have enough hyperbole. I would love to see real innovation in speaker technology.
Expect Fremer to gush!

They’ve gone a little too industrial for my liking. First, they released the “microwave” P20. Now, look at a white FR30 directly from the side, and tell me they didn’t add the matching refrigerator.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Bobvin

Ronboco

Member
May 9, 2022
28
24
8
59
I went over to PS audio last Friday to listen to the FR 30s. I wanted to see how they compared to my system. Their dedicated room appeared to be much better dimensionally than mine with some absorption and diffusion. They had all the top of the line PS audio electronics. I am an inexperienced listener but I was really quite disappointed with what I heard. They used the 1/3 rule with speaker placement and there was plenty of space on each side but the soundstage width barely reached the the speakers. Image was ok. I was expecting a much larger scale within that size of room. There was some toe in towards the listening position. One thing I didn’t do was push the volume up very much. Was this a mistake ? Does volume alone help achieve a bigger soundstage and scale?
 

Ronboco

Member
May 9, 2022
28
24
8
59
I forgot to mention if there are any audiophiles in Colorado who would like to come over for a listen I would love to have a more experienced ear let me know what they think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lordcloud

bryans

VIP/Donor
Dec 26, 2017
919
874
250
Oh wow I was just in Denver 2 weeks ago and spoke with PSA. I was told their demo room wasn't open to visitors. I guess I was a bit early. I'm starting to consider my next speaker move and plan on giving them a listen.
 

bryans

VIP/Donor
Dec 26, 2017
919
874
250
I forgot to mention if there are any audiophiles in Colorado who would like to come over for a listen I would love to have a more experienced ear let me know what they think.
Now not to start a forum war but I don't buy into needing to have an experienced ear, etc. Either you like something or you don't. If you sat down and didn't like the speakers they aren't for you, plain and simple. Your ears are just fine.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing