Short answer: they’re close enough that price should probably decide it. Our notes describe the 305P MkII as extremely close to the Alpha 50 EVO, almost indistinguishable. The Alpha 50 EVO ranks #53 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers at $658; the 305P MkII ranks #18 at $319, one place lower and $339 cheaper.
The Alpha 50 EVO has no listed cons at all, which is part of why it holds the marginally higher ranking despite the two being described as nearly identical in sound.
The 305P MkII’s flaws are minor and situational. Possible slight amp hiss at low volume, and a rear port that wants some clearance from a wall behind it. Neither is likely to matter on a typical desk setup.
Buy the 305P MkII for nearly the same sound at a lower price. Buy the Alpha 50 EVO if the one-place ranking edge and zero listed complaints are worth the extra $339 to you.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement.
Budget studio monitors with balanced sound and wide coverage that keeps the stereo image stable across a desk.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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 | JBL 305P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $319.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 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) | 11.7”H x 7.3”W x 9.1”D (297.2 x 185.4 x 231.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 49 Hz - 20 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR, TRS |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 81w Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 5.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 7.52 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| 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 (-3dB) | - | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | - | 91.1dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Watch Them Compared
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