Short answer: the Klipsch The Fives. It ranks #16 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $324.95; the Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #51, rated 3.8/5, and costs $658, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Focal Alpha 50 EVO does well: 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.
The Klipsch The Fives is the more accurate option. In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.52 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. Watch for: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting.
Buy the Klipsch The Fives. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Alpha 50 EVO and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Klipsch The Fives | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $658 per pair | $324.95 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 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) | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 | 7.89 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| DSP | - | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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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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- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
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Klipsch The Fives: $324.95 per pair Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Fives II, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5.
Same family: the Klipsch The Sevens (larger bookshelf, rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch The Nines (larger bookshelf, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: In the tested Bass Cut mode, Erin’s Klippel data gives preference scores of 5.52 standalone and 7.89 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange response span. That mode offers considerably better tonal balance than the bass-heavy default behavior. HDMI ARC, phono/line input, digital inputs and subwoofer output make it a versatile stereo alternative to a soundbar. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The favorable score specifically requires Bass Cut mode; it does not describe every firmware or bass setting. Bass reaches -3dB around 59Hz in that configuration. The review reports increasing compression around 200Hz and below 80Hz as volume rises, reducing bass dynamics. Careful placement and a subwoofer remain useful, and the horn/woofer transition is not perfectly uniform off-axis.
Full Klipsch The Fives review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W total system power (320W peak) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47.3Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Dynamic Bass, Flat and Bass Cut profiles |
| Dimensions | 12”H x 6.5”W x 9.2”D (304.8 x 165.1 x 234.95 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” horn-loaded tweeter; 4.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, USB, optical, Bluetooth, phono/line RCA |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.52 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | Primary 11.8 lbs (5.35 kg), Secondary 10.7 lbs (4.85 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Klipsch The Fives Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Klipsch The Fives
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Bookshelf Speakers For TV & Gaming - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025
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