Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It ranks #53 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $658. The Fluid Audio FX50 V2 ranks #103, rated 2.7/5, at $298, $360 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Focal Alpha 50 EVO is the better-sounding pick. 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 Fluid Audio FX50 V2 is the more accurate pick. A coaxial studio monitor with balanced inputs, boundary controls and flexible mounting for compact installs. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 1.80 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. The tradeoff: Scores of 1.80 standalone and 4.42 with an ideal subwoofer indicate poor native tonal accuracy.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $360 saving on the Fluid Audio FX50 V2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Fluid Audio FX50 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $298 per pair |
| Ranked | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #103 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) | 9.2H x 6.9W x 9.1D in |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz-22kHz +/-2dB |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR/TRS and RCA |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1-inch silk tweeter coaxially mounted in 5-inch paper woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 90W each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 1.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 4.42 |
| 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 | No |
| Enclosure | - | Active coaxial, front-ported |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB |
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