Short answer: the AsciLab C8C. It ranks #1 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.9/5); the Focal Alpha 65 EVO ranks #81 (rated 4.0/5).
The AsciLab C8C is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Excellent large powered monitors, with extremely accurate sound and bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.70 against 4.71 for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. Its bass reaches about 30.8Hz before falling 3dB, against 45Hz for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. The catch: The result applies to the revised measured configuration; confirm that the speaker’s tuning matches it.
What the Focal Alpha 65 EVO does well: Studio monitors with useful bass for music, tone controls, and XLR, TRS and RCA inputs for easy studio setup. The catch: The measured 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and listening-window variation do not support a claim of reference-level neutrality.
Buy the AsciLab C8C. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Alpha 65 EVO.
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Excellent large powered monitors, with extremely accurate sound and bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer.
Studio monitors with useful bass for music, tone controls, and XLR, TRS and RCA inputs for easy studio setup.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab C8C | Focal Alpha 65 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €5799 per pair | $804 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #81 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | sealed | - |
| Drivers | 1” alumina ceramic dome tweeter with waveguide, 2x 6” alumina ceramic midrange/woofers, 2x 8” side mounted opposed cardioid subwoofers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 22”H x 10”W x 13.8”D (560 x 254 x 350 mm) | 13.4”H x 10.3”W x 11.4”D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm) |
| Weight | 60.6 lbs (27.5 kg) each | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 600W total (100W tweeter, 250W midrange, 250W subwoofer) | 85w Per Speaker |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 23.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 30.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 20.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 150Hz, 1.2kHz | - |
| Warranty | 2 years | - |
| Country | South Korea | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.70 | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.48 | 6.59 |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | Yes | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
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