Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO, if you are buying new. The Emotiva Airmotiv 6s measures as well as it (#79 vs #81 of 119 powered bookshelf speakers, 4.0/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Focal Alpha 65 EVO is still sold new at $998.
What the Focal Alpha 65 EVO does well: ASR measured 42.5Hz -3dB extension, providing useful low-end reach for music. The catch: The measured 2.7dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and listening-window variation do not support a claim of reference-level neutrality.
What the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s does well: ASR measured 49.1Hz -3dB bass extension and a 5.75 ideal-subwoofer score. Watch for: The 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes lower-midrange unevenness that can change vocal weight.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO, since the Emotiva Airmotiv 6s is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
ASR measured 42.5Hz -3dB extension, providing useful low-end reach for music.
Amazon $499.00 eBay
ASR measured 49.1Hz -3dB bass extension and a 5.75 ideal-subwoofer score.
eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Emotiva Airmotiv 6s | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $998 per pair | $800 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #81 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #79 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 10.3”W x 11.4”D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm) | 13.5” x 8.5” x 12.8” (343 x 216 x 324 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 25kHz (+0/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) each |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 6.5” AirMotiv low-frequency transducer, 60x32mm AirMotiv tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (built-in presets) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 85w Per Speaker | 210W total (100W tweeter, 110W woofer) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Focal Alpha 65 EVO (measured by Audio Science Review) and Emotiva Airmotiv 6s (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Emotiva Airmotiv 6s compares with other leading options: