Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 if sound quality matters most, the Focal Alpha 65 EVO if price matters most. The HEDD Type 20 MK2 ranks #26 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $4,798. The Focal Alpha 65 EVO ranks #79, rated 4.0/5, at $998, $3,800 cheaper.
The case for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO: 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.
The HEDD Type 20 MK2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 7.69 with an ideal subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.11 against 4.71 for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. Its bass reaches about 32Hz before falling 3dB, against 45Hz for the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. Watch for: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the HEDD Type 20 MK2 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | HEDD Type 20 MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $998 per pair | $4,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #79 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 26Hz (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) | 14.1”H x 11”W x 13.3”D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 7” honeycomb composite woofer, 4” honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| DSP | No | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Amplifier Power | 85w Per Speaker | 900W (3x300W) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | 6.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 | 7.69 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Outputs | - | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to HEDD Type 20 MK2:
- AsciLab C8C vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Mesanovic CDM65 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8351B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8361A vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Neumann KH 150 vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
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.
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
HEDD Type 20 MK2: $4,798 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The measured ported configuration reaches 35.2Hz at -3dB and scores 7.69 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz supports broadly balanced mids, while ported operation reduces deep-bass strain compared with the sealed setting in the review. Measured bass extension of 32Hz (-3dB).
Cons: These results are for ported operation, not every bass or phase setting. Horizontal asymmetry and vertical crossover behavior make orientation and listening position important. Distortion rises at higher output, and linear-phase processing can add latency for live monitoring.
Full HEDD Type 20 MK2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 900W (3x300W) |
| App | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 11”W x 13.3”D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 7” honeycomb composite woofer, 4” honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Maximum SPL | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.69 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Neumann KH 310 A
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Buchardt A500
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs JBL 308P MKII
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Yamaha HS8
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs Genelec 8050B
- HEDD Type 20 MK2 vs JBL 4305P
- See all 24 comparisons