Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for better sound quality, the Edifier MR4.5 for the lower price. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #37 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $608. The Edifier MR4.5 ranks #45, rated 3.6/5, at $249.99, $358.01 cheaper.
The case for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment. The tradeoff: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
What the Edifier MR4.5 does well: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. Watch for: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Edifier MR4.5 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Edifier MR4.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $608 per pair | $249.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 67 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) | 5.5”W x 9.6”H x 9”D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| App | No | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 6.0 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 3.86 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 6.10 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Outputs | - | 3.5mm headphone |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | LDAC, SBC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Measurement Source | - | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Headphone Output | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Focal Alpha 50 EVO compares with other leading options:
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Genelec 8331A
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Genelec 8030C
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $608 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment.
Cons: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction. Careful placement is still important, especially near walls or on a desk.
Full Focal Alpha 50 EVO review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independent Measurements (spinorama.org)
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Edifier MR4.5: $249.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass reaches about 60Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, notably deep for a 4.5-inch desktop monitor and well beyond the smaller MR4. It connects to nearly anything: balanced XLR and TRS, RCA and 3.5mm aux inputs, Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC and multipoint, plus a front headphone output. Rear high and low shelving knobs and the ConneX app’s room compensation settings help tune it for desk or wall placement. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The response is uneven, with a broad upper-bass bump around 120 to 150Hz, a presence dip of roughly 3dB around 2 to 3kHz and brighter treble above it (listening-window tilt +0.22dB per octave), which holds its preference score to about 3.9 on its own and 6.1 with an ideal subwoofer. Vertical lobing means the tweeter should be aimed at ear height. Compression is already meaningful at 96dB and distortion climbs sharply between 700Hz and 3kHz when pushed, so it suits nearfield desk listening rather than filling a room.
Full Edifier MR4.5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS total (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | Yes (Edifier ConneX) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 6.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5”W x 9.6”H x 9”D (140 x 244 x 229 mm) (active); 140W x 244H x 208D mm (passive) |
| Drivers | 4.5-inch mid-bass driver + 1-inch silk-dome tweeter (each) |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, room compensation settings and rear high/low controls) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced 6.35mm TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (Manufacturer specified, 1m) |
| Measurement Source | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.86 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.63 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons