Short answer: the Kanto YU6 for better sound quality, the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for the lower price. The Kanto YU6 ranks #29 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $579.99. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #36 at $329, $250.99 cheaper.
What the Focal Alpha 50 EVO offers: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment. Watch for: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction. Careful placement is still important, especially near walls or on a desk.
What the Kanto YU6 offers: ASR’s measurements give preference scores of 3.37 standalone and 5.98 with an ideal subwoofer, stronger than several smaller lifestyle pairs. Phono input, optical connections and remote control make it useful for a simple multi-source system. The overall response trend is close to level rather than strongly tilted. Watch for: Local response variation remains despite the mild overall tilt: the midrange span is 3.8dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.419. Bass reaches -3dB around 75Hz, so the preference model’s 58Hz LFX value should not be quoted as full-level bass extension. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove tonal irregularities.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Kanto YU6 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Kanto YU6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $579.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #29 of 65 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) | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (active), 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) (passive) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1" silk dome tweeter, 5.25" Kevlar woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.40 | 3.37 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.05 | 5.98 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, MDF cabinet |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 0.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.05 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independent Measurements (spinorama.org)
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Kanto YU6: $579.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR’s measurements give preference scores of 3.37 standalone and 5.98 with an ideal subwoofer, stronger than several smaller lifestyle pairs. Phono input, optical connections and remote control make it useful for a simple multi-source system. The overall response trend is close to level rather than strongly tilted.
Cons: Local response variation remains despite the mild overall tilt: the midrange span is 3.8dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.419. Bass reaches -3dB around 75Hz, so the preference model’s 58Hz LFX value should not be quoted as full-level bass extension. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove tonal irregularities.
Full Kanto YU6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Country | Canada (design) |
| Dimensions | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each |
| Drivers | 1" silk dome tweeter, 5.25" Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, MDF cabinet |
| Inputs | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.37 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.98 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (active), 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) (passive) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons