Short answer: the JBL 4329P for full-range bass, the Focal Alpha 65 EVO for an accurate smaller monitor. The 4329P reaches 30Hz anechoically (measured F3 31Hz) and into the low 20s in-room, but has no HDMI input, a real drawback for TV ARC. The Alpha 65 EVO is very neutral with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8, though it ignores sub-bass.
What the Focal Alpha 65 EVO gets right: Very neutral, not quite as good as the Klasik 2020 in the midrange, but with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8. The catch: Ignores sub-bass, and the LF/HF trim dials lack a center detent so getting back to flat takes trial and error.
What the JBL 4329P offers: Genuinely full-range performance for a bookshelf-style speaker - anechoic response extends to 30Hz (measured F3 31Hz), reaching into the low 20s Hz range in-room depending on placement. Watch for: No HDMI input, a real drawback if you want to run these directly off a TV’s ARC.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO new; the JBL 4329P 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 | JBL 4329P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $998 per pair | $4,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #51 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #45 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 27Hz (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) | 20.3”H x 12.6”W x 12.7”D |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) each | 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (primary), 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (secondary) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 8” midwoofer, 1” compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.3 |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 85w Per Speaker | 300W RMS per speaker (600W total system power) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.71 | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.59 | 6.72 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Sensitivity | - | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX Adaptive |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL 4329P:
- Kii THREE vs JBL 4329P
- Genelec 8351B vs JBL 4329P
- Neumann KH420 vs JBL 4329P
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 4329P
- JBL 4329P vs Genelec 8341A
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
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 Adam Audio T8V
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Cambridge Audio L/R X
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio T7V
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- See all 47 comparisons
JBL 4329P: $4,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 32.2Hz provides deeper native bass than the smaller 4305P. Integrated amplification and streaming make it convenient for a full-range living-room system, and its larger format is useful when scale matters. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 102.2dB.
Cons: The measured 4.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes a notable midrange dip, so it is not as neutral as its size and price might suggest. Its 6.72 ideal-subwoofer score trails the 4305P. There is no HDMI connection for the simplest TV hookup. Discontinued.
Full JBL 4329P review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 300W RMS per speaker (600W total system power) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.3”H x 12.6”W x 12.7”D |
| Drivers | 8” midwoofer, 1” compression driver with JBL High-Definition Imaging horn |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (anechoic, manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Bluetooth, Analog, 3.5mm, AirPlay 2 |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | No |
| Sensitivity | 102.2dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.72 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (primary), 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg) (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons