Short answer: the Neumann KH80 DSP for the higher ranking, the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for the lower price. The Neumann KH80 DSP ranks #4 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers at $598.98. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #6 at $314, $284.98 cheaper.
On the Focal Alpha 50 EVO side: More neutral than the great HS5.
The case for the Neumann KH80 DSP: Near identical sound to the 8020D. The catch: High price.
Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Neumann KH80 DSP if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 50 EVO | Neumann KH80 DSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $314.00 | $598.98 |
| Ranked | #6 of 24 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #4 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) | 13.6"H x 10.8"W x 9.6"D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA | XLR |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg each |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 4.1" woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (via DSP) |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 51Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Max SPL | - | 110.7dB @ 1m |
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $314.00 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
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs APS Klasik 2020
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kali LP-UNF
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Genelec 8020D
- Links
Neumann KH80 DSP: $598.98 Amazon
Pros: Near identical sound to the 8020D. 8020D is slightly cleaner, KH80 is slightly warmer.
Cons: High price. Companion app for EQ/setup is iPad-only - no Android or Bluetooth option despite being control-only. There’s a dip in energy around the crossover that gets worse with ceiling/rear-wall reflections, and in one reviewer’s listening test the smoother-measuring KH80 actually sounded smaller and less present than the cheaper JBL 305P MKII, which had more perceived bass and clarity despite measuring worse.
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 51Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 10.8"W x 9.6"D (345.4 x 274.3 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.1" woofer, 1" fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 57 Hz - 25 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 110.7dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 140W (90W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Review Measurements
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Focal Shape 40 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs JBL 305P MKII Sound & Frquency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Adam Audio A3X vs Neumann KH80 DSP Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 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.