Short answer: the JBL 705P on measured sound quality, the Focal Alpha 50 EVO on price. The JBL 705P ranks #42 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.9/5, at $2,198. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #51, rated 3.8/5, at $658, $1,540 cheaper.
The case for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL 705P lacks. Watch for: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
The JBL 705P is the more accurate pick. ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.70 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. The tradeoff: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JBL 705P when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | JBL 705P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $2,198 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #42 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) | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 6.71 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL 705P compares with other leading options:
- JBL 705P vs Genelec 8331A
- JBL 705P vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- JBL 705P vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 705P
- JBL 705P vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Dayton Audio M4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumi BS5P
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumi BS5P-ARC
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Onkyo GX-30ARC
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kanto YU
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kali LP-UNF
- See all 63 comparisons
JBL 705P: $2,198 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the JBL 708P (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: ASR’s data gives bass reaching -3dB around 48Hz and a 6.71 ideal-subwoofer preference score. Its waveguided compression driver and dedicated amplification are suited to studio use, and the broad response trend is close to level. It has useful low-frequency reach for a five-inch monitor. Measured bass extension of 47.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The standalone score is 4.70, and a localized cancellation near 750Hz contributes to the large 7.8dB midrange response span. A crossover-region rise also prevents reference-flat reproduction. An average flat trend does not erase these features, and amplifier wattage is not a measured clean-SPL rating. The data does not support calling it uniformly flat simply because it shares technology with larger JBL models.
Full JBL 705P review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.9”W x 10.8”D (268 x 151 x 274 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2409H 1” compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR/TRS combo (analog), XLR AES3 (digital) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.71 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons