Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO ranks #49 of 66 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $499; the Kali Audio IN-8 V2 ranks #26 at $499. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
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 Kali Audio IN-8 V2: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues. The tradeoff: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis.
Buy the Kali Audio IN-8 V2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Focal Alpha 65 EVO at the same price, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Kali Audio IN-8 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #49 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 66 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 36Hz (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) | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 85w Per Speaker | 140w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | - | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Yamaha HS8
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Edifier R2850DB
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs SHIVAUDYO Point Zero
- Edifier R2850DB vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
Prices on this page were last checked September 4, 2026 at 6:09 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 65 EVO: $499.00 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 5.71 ideal-subwoofer score indicating respectable but not leading tonality.
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 →
| 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 |
- 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 Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- 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
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 4329P
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- See all 41 comparisons
Kali Audio IN-8 V2: $499.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The IN-8 V2’s coaxial midrange/tweeter supports coherent imaging, and low distortion at ordinary levels complements its 6.54 ideal-subwoofer score. Measured -3dB extension of 45.4Hz provides useful bass; boundary settings assist placement.
Cons: The measured 3.0dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz includes unevenness that can make some vocals sound forward. Bass and limiter behavior constrain high-level playback. These measurements apply to the V2, not the first-generation IN-8.
Full Kali Audio IN-8 V2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec 8050B
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Yamaha HS8
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 4305P
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs JBL 308P MKII
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Kali Audio IN-8 V2 vs Genelec 8040B
- See all 30 comparisons