Short answer: the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE. It ranks #24 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,398. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #51, rated 3.8/5, at $658, $740 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
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.
The HEDD Type 05 A-CORE is the more accurate choice. ASR’s Klippel data shows useful bass reach for this size, with -3dB around 44Hz. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.35 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. The catch: The 2.7dB midrange span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.404 trail the most linear monitors here.
Buy the HEDD Type 05 A-CORE. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $740 saving on the Focal Alpha 50 EVO is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | HEDD Type 05 A-CORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $1,398 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 100 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) | 12.1” x 7.1” x 9.6” (308 x 180 x 245 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 50kHz |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer |
| App | No | None (analog-only, no DSP) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 7.23 |
| 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 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112dB per pair at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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: $658 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Focal Alpha 80 Evo (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the Focal Alpha Twin Evo (larger bookshelf, rated 3.8/5).
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)
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Eve Audio SC205 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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HEDD Type 05 A-CORE: $1,398 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the HEDD Type 07 A-Core (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data shows useful bass reach for this size, with -3dB around 44Hz. Preference scores of 5.35 standalone and 7.23 with an ideal subwoofer support it as a balanced all-round option. The AMT tweeter and analog signal path appeal to users who want a studio monitor without digital conversion or firmware dependence. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.7dB midrange span and listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.404 trail the most linear monitors here. The response rises modestly toward the treble. The analog-only design does not provide built-in room correction or digital inputs, and published amplification power should not be read as a measured clean-output rating.
Full HEDD Type 05 A-CORE review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W total, bi-amped (2x100W ICEpower Class D) |
| App | None (analog-only, no DSP) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.1” x 7.1” x 9.6” (308 x 180 x 245 mm) each |
| Drivers | AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, 5” Honeycomb-compound woofer |
| EQ | Yes, analog High/Low shelving, ±6dB continuous |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 50kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA unbalanced, XLR/TRS combo balanced |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB per pair at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.23 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM MKII
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs Kali Audio IN-5
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs JBL 305P MKII
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs Klipsch The Fives
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs KEF LSX II LT
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- HEDD Type 05 A-CORE vs Adam Audio T5V
- See all 20 comparisons