Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO, if you are buying new. The Buchardt A500 ranks higher than it (#18 vs #79 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Focal Alpha 65 EVO is still sold new at $998.
The case for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO: ASR measured 42.5Hz -3dB extension, providing useful low-end reach for music. Watch for: The measured 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and listening-window variation do not support a claim of reference-level neutrality.
The Buchardt A500 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Erin measured unusually deep bass for the cabinet size: 24.9Hz at -3dB. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 7.02 against 4.71 for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. Its bass reaches about 24.9Hz before falling 3dB, against 45Hz for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. Watch for: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO new; the Buchardt A500 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Buchardt A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $998 per pair | $4,150 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #79 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #18 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 24.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 23.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 10.3”W x 11.4”D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm) | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 25Hz - 40kHz (+/- 1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR, WiSA |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25kg)/pair |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 85w Per Speaker | 3 x 150W per speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 | 7.92 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension | - | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Buchardt A500 compares with other leading options:
- Kii THREE vs Buchardt A500
- Genelec 8361A vs Buchardt A500
- Buchardt A500 vs Buchardt A10
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A500
- Yamaha HS8 vs Buchardt A500
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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 65 EVO: $998 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Focal Alpha 80 Evo (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5) and the Focal Alpha Twin Evo (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: ASR measured 42.5Hz -3dB extension, providing useful low-end reach for music. Analog input options and tonal controls make it straightforward to integrate into a studio, with a 6.59 ideal-subwoofer score indicating respectable but not leading tonality. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and listening-window variation do not support a claim of reference-level neutrality. Placement and external correction may help. An anomalous distortion result from an individual sample should not be treated as a proven defect in every unit.
Full Focal Alpha 65 EVO review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 85w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 10.3”W x 11.4”D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kali Audio IN-5 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio A7X sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio T7V sound.DEMO
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio A7V
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 4329P
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 306P MKII
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio T8V
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio T7V
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kali Audio LP-8
- See all 46 comparisons
Buchardt A500: $4,150 per pair Discontinued Buchardt Audio eBay
Same family: the Buchardt A10 (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.7/5) and the Buchardt A700 (floorstanding, rated 4.5/5).
Pros: Erin measured unusually deep bass for the cabinet size: 24.9Hz at -3dB. A 1.8dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and 7.02 standalone preference score support balanced, full-range listening. Master Tunings and optional wireless integration provide practical flexibility. Measured bass extension of 24.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass extension depends on the selected tuning and comes with output tradeoffs at high levels. The 7.92 ideal-subwoofer score is good but not class-leading. A rear-facing woofer does not by itself establish cardioid radiation, and alternate Master Tunings should not inherit the measured configuration’s score. Discontinued.
Full Buchardt A500 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 3 x 150W per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension | Master-tuning dependent; approximately 25–40Hz |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 23.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 24.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.4H x 7W x 11D inches |
| Drivers | 0.74-inch dome; front and rear 6-inch long-throw woofers |
| Frequency Response | 25Hz - 40kHz (+/- 1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, WiSA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.92 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25kg)/pair |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons