Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It ranks #51 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $658 and is still sold new; the JBL One Series 104 ranks #93 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Focal Alpha 50 EVO is the better-sounding pick. Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment. The catch: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
Why pick the JBL One Series 104: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Focal Alpha 50 EVO lacks. The catch: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL One Series 104 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | JBL One Series 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $129 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #51 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #93 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) | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | - | Yes |
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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.
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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)
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JBL One Series 104: $129 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: ASR’s powered-system measurement gives -3dB bass around 72Hz, and the compact coaxial layout is convenient for a small desk. Its internal equalization is part of the working speaker and should be included when assessing it, rather than judging the passive drivers with that correction bypassed. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Even with the active system measured properly, scores are only 1.36 standalone and 4.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The 4.9dB midrange span and a high-frequency cancellation around 7.4kHz indicate significant unevenness; the review also found some vocals bright and irritating. These are results for the original 104, not a verification of the later 104-BT. Discontinued.
Full JBL One Series 104 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W total Class D (30W per speaker) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz with the amplifier’s DSP bass boost active (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.7H x 6W x 4.9D in (per manufacturer, 104-BT) |
| Drivers | 4.5” coaxial low-frequency driver, 0.75” soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (fixed, amplifier-applied) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | 1/4” TRS, RCA, 3.5mm Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) (master), 3.8 lbs (1.73 kg) (slave) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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