Short answer: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, if you are buying new. The Kanto YU6 ranks higher than it (#41 vs #53 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, 3.9/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Focal Alpha 50 EVO is still sold new at $608. The Kanto YU6’s replacement, the Kanto YU6 G2, is rated 3.9/5 at $549.99.
What the Focal Alpha 50 EVO does well: A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement. The catch: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
The Kanto YU6 is the more accurate option. A powered bookshelf pair with a phono input, optical, Bluetooth and a remote, a simple multi source system. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.28 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. The tradeoff: Local response variation remains despite the mild overall tilt: the midrange span is 3.8dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.419.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO, since the Kanto YU6 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement.
A powered bookshelf pair with a phono input, optical, Bluetooth and a remote, a simple multi source system.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Kanto YU6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $608 per pair | $380.00 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #41 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) | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (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 | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 4.28 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 6.89 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, MDF cabinet |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.0 |
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