Short answer: the Alpha 50 EVO, and it costs slightly less too. It ranks #6 of 25 powered bookshelf speakers at $320.71; the Rokit 5 G4 ranks #11 at $337.
Both get measured against the same reference point. Our notes describe the Alpha 50 EVO as more neutral than the Yamaha HS5, and the Rokit 5 G4 as having deeper bass than that same HS5. Neither review exists in isolation; the HS5 is the budget monitor everything else in this price range gets checked against.
The Rokit 5 G4 has real engineering going for it. Good horizontal directivity from its waveguided tweeter, low distortion that scales gradually with volume instead of breaking up suddenly, and onboard DSP that can correct its own 680Hz port resonance. Its tradeoff is sounding a little more hifi and less analytical than the HS5, which matters if mixing accuracy is the goal.
The Focal has no listed cons at all, which is unusual on this site and part of why it holds the higher ranking.
Buy the Alpha 50 EVO for the higher ranking and the lower price. Buy the Rokit 5 G4 if its onboard room-correction DSP or its bass extension specifically matter for your setup.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | KRK Rokit 5 G4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $320.71 | $337 |
| Ranked | #6 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 12.2"H x 9.0"W x 9.4"D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | TRS/XLR |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker | 55w Per Speaker |
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $320.71 Amazon
Pros: More neutral than the great HS5
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2"H x 9.0"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 |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO
- 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
- Links
KRK Rokit 5 G4: $337 Amazon
Pros: Deeper bass than the HS5. Good horizontal directivity - the small woofer mates well with the waveguided tweeter. Distortion is quite low at 86dB SPL and scales gradually with volume rather than breaking up suddenly, tweeter hiss is nearly inaudible, and the onboard DSP/app lets you dial in EQ, including for the 680Hz port resonance.
Cons: Not quite as detailed as the HS5, not as good for mixing. A little more hifi sounding
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 7.5"W x 9.5"D (284.5 x 190.5 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS/XLR |
| Output Power | 55w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Adam Audio T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 vs KRK Rokit 5 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 vs Presonus Eris E5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus E5 XT vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D & KRK Rokit 5 G4 PR5G4 - Same, same, but different Sound & Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 5 vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 8, 2026 at 6:24 AM UTC 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.