Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO on measured sound quality, the Edifier R2850DB on price. The Focal Alpha 65 EVO ranks #79 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $998. The Edifier R2850DB ranks #100, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99, $498.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Focal Alpha 65 EVO: ASR measured 42.5Hz -3dB extension, providing useful low-end reach for music. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R2850DB lacks. 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.
Why pick the Edifier R2850DB: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. The catch: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Edifier R2850DB if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Edifier R2850DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $998 per pair | $499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #79 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #100 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 10.3”W x 11.4”D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm) | 18.1”H x 10.1”W x 12.4”D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 85w Per Speaker | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Focal Alpha 65 EVO compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab C8C vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Mesanovic CDM65
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kii THREE
- Genelec 8351B vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Neumann KH420 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Edifier R2850DB: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. Consumer Reports found accurate, detailed sound with strong, deep bass, a broad enough soundfield and enough clean output for a large room. It is a compelling simple system for TV, desktop or living-room music without buying a separate amplifier.
Cons: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy. Consumer Reports also hears mildly grainy/hazy mids, subdued treble and a two-dimensional image despite the two cabinets. As an integrated system it is less upgradeable than separate passive speakers and an amplifier.
Full Edifier R2850DB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1”H x 10.1”W x 12.4”D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Edifier R2850DB vs Focal Twin6 Be
- Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S3000Pro
- Edifier R2850DB vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- Edifier R2850DB vs Klipsch The Sevens
- Edifier R2850DB vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio T7V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Adam Audio T8V
- Edifier R2850DB vs Yamaha HS7
- See all 55 comparisons