Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. It ranks #16 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $499; the JBL 708P ranks #20 and costs $4000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Focal Alpha 65 EVO side: Very neutral, not quite as good as the Klasik 2020 in the midrange, but with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8. Set against that: Ignores sub-bass, and the LF/HF trim dials lack a center detent so getting back to flat takes trial and error.
The case for the JBL 708P: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. The tradeoff: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL 708P and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | JBL 708P | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $4000 |
| Ranked | #16 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (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) | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | - |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | No |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 85w Per Speaker | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL 4329P vs Adam Audio T7V
- Neumann KH 310 A vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- JBL 4329P vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Kali Audio IN-8 vs JBL 708P
- JBL 708P vs JBL 308P MKII
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 65 EVO: $499.00 Amazon
Pros: Very neutral, not quite as good as the Klasik 2020 in the midrange, but with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8
Cons: Ignores sub-bass, and the LF/HF trim dials lack a center detent so getting back to flat takes trial and error. The reviewer’s original sample showed an odd distortion spike between 1.5-8kHz at 86dB SPL, though a second sample from Focal didn’t reproduce it - likely a defective unit rather than a design flaw.
Full Focal Alpha 65 EVO review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 85w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- 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
- Reddit Search for Focal Alpha 65 EVO Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Buchardt A10
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 4305P
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Neumann KH 310 A
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 4329P
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kali Audio IN-8
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs APS Klasik 2020
- See all 23 comparisons
JBL 708P: $4000 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows extremely good frequency response both on- and off-axis, with excellent horizontal directivity. Bi-amplified 500W design (250W woofer, 250W compression driver) handles an 8” woofer and JBL’s 2409H compression tweeter.
Cons: A port resonance creates a mild rise around 600-900Hz. Vertical dispersion is narrower than horizontal, so staying within a few degrees of the tweeter axis matters. Distortion climbs at 96dB SPL, with the tweeter reaching about 2.5% THD at elevated levels.
Full JBL 708P review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 9.8"W x 11.5"D (438 x 248 x 292 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 2409H 1" compression driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 500W total (250W woofer, 250W tweeter) |
| Weight | 25.1 lbs / 11.4 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons