The PSB iQ2 is everything I wanted from Sonos, wrapped in a sophisticated streaming speaker system

I've used a wide range of smart speakers over the years, partly for voice control of devices, but mostly for multi-room music that follows me around the house.

The problem is that I've compromised sound quality for convenience, and it's tied me down to various manufacturer ecosystems. I've got a small graveyard of Nest speakers, a similar stack of Echos, and the only set in active use is a selection of Sonos speakers and headphones. They get the job done, but I don't exactly love the plastic housing of what are expensive speakers.

I also don't particularly like having to use the associated app. I'd rather use individual apps like Spotify Connect or AirPlay. Not to mention, I can't easily use my local media files on the same system. What if you could blend the sound quality of traditional hi-fi speakers with modern streaming services and local files, and put it into a beautiful set of speakers that you'd actually want to keep in view? Well, you can, with the PSB iQ2. They're not cheap, but nothing good ever is, especially in audio.

PSB sent XDA the iQ2 Speakers and stands used in this review and had no input into its contents.

Price, specs, and availability

The PSB iQ2 is $1,399, or maybe that should be "a pair of," since you get the set for that money. The AST-25 floor stands we also used for the review are $479 a pair, made of sturdy steel, and include cable-management channels, so the iQ2's power cables stay mostly out of sight. They're available in black, green, red, beige, white, and gray, and the premium walnut veneer version costs $1,500.

I should also point out that the iQ1 is $1,00 a pair and has everything the iQ2 has, except wireless interconnectivity between the speakers, so you'll have one more wire to hide.

What I liked about the PSB iQ2

Musically balanced with a smart streaming system that stays mostly out of the way

If you didn't know the iQ2 were streaming smart speakers, you'd never guess from the front. Maybe the light-up touch controls on top of the main speaker would give you a clue, but otherwise, they look like a modern, minimalist speaker set. Which is kind of the point, really, because they want the sound to speak for itself. They're not smart speakers that also play music; they're instruments for playing your music.

The other clue that they're connected speakers is, ironically, the lack of a necessary connection. The iQ2 is wireless, so you don't need a cable to connect them. The only cables you need to hide are the two power cables, and you can easily stash them away. One speaker is the primary, with inputs for HDMI (with eARC), USB, Ethernet, Phono, Optical, or analog, but you can set either speaker to right or left to suit your space. Plus, you get Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive), AirPlay, network sharing, and pretty much any connection you want.

Sound quality

When I'm not wearing Audeze headphones, my usual speaker setup is a Sonos Arc, Subwoofer, and two Era 300 as surrounds. It's fantastic for the bombastic auditory assault that watching movies almost demands, but it can be a little much for music listening. The iQ2s have a more refined sound, and I'd almost forgotten how much enjoyment a good stereo pair of speakers could provide.

They're full and warm, with no hint of distortion, which is impressive for their size. They handled every genre I threw at them, from experimental jazz to EDM and more vocal-forward tracks, with ease, and they're easy to listen to. They're an easy recommendation too, with the KEF LSX II (at $1,500) as the closest competitor, but it lacks a phono input.

BluOS gives you all the music control you need

BluOS is popping up on more speaker systems from traditional hi-fi manufacturers, and it's really good. It features multi-room streaming from over 20 streaming services, AirPlay, Cast, and your personal music library. But it doesn't just handle your sources; it also keeps your speakers synchronized if you're using fully wireless systems, sets up your system, and isn't tied to any one manufacturer, so you can mix and match options to get the system you want, not the one you settle for.

And that's a good thing. BluOS has to stay attractive to those manufacturers, so the user experience stays consistent wherever you use it. It's one of my favorite music platforms, and I've used most of the competition now. Some streaming services like Apple Music aren't directly integrated, but most of the other major ones are, and your BluOS speakers still show up as AirPlay endpoints in the Apple Music app.

What I didn't like about the PSB iQ2

I wish there was a matching subwoofer

The BluOS app lets you slightly adjust the bass and treble on the iQ2s, but physics is physics, and you can't get rich sub-bass from speakers this size. You do get subwoofer control if you wire one in, which is a smart choice if you already have a subwoofer. But I really love the look of the iQ2, and it feels like a disservice to add a wire and use a subwoofer that might not match the styling (because most don't). I'd love a wireless subwoofer in the same design to complete the system and turn it into a proper 2.1 setup, which would also make it better for home theater use.

Should you buy the PSB iQ2?

You should buy the PSB iQ2 if:

• You have a mix of streaming services and local music files
• You want multi-room streaming without proprietary systems
• You want music streaming with more traditional speakers

You should NOT buy the PSB iQ2 if:

• You want a cheaper smart speaker system
• You don't need all the input options
• You only listen to one or two streaming services

You can build streaming speaker setups for less, but they won't look this good or be as polished. PSB has made smart choices with the iQ2 and the wired iQ1, and what you get is a good-sounding pair of bookshelf speakers that can also play music from streaming services. The iQ2 can be your home theater setup or your hi-fi, and it'll excel at either.