Short answer: the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB for better sound quality, the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for the lower price. The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB ranks higher than the Focal Alpha 50 EVO (#11 vs #53 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, is rated 4.4/5 at $3,998; the Focal Alpha 50 EVO is rated 3.8/5 at $608, $3,390 cheaper.
The case for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement. The catch: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
The Devialet Phantom II 98 dB is the more accurate choice. A compact wireless streaming speaker with startlingly deep bass for its size and an even, well balanced sound. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.87 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. The tradeoff: Small-enclosure bass extension at the measurement level does not guarantee the same response at high volume.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Devialet Phantom Ultimate 98dB, the replacement for the discontinued Devialet Phantom II 98 dB, is rated higher but costs $3,998.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement.
A compact wireless streaming speaker with startlingly deep bass for its size and an even, well balanced sound.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Devialet Phantom II 98 dB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $608 per pair | $2,998 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) | 6.6 x 6.2 x 8.6 in each |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 18Hz - 21kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, Roon Ready, analog/optical combo jack |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | One aluminum full-range driver; two aluminum bass drivers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 400W RMS each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 6.87 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 7.95 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | approximately 22.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB at 1m each (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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