Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO for better sound quality, the Kali Audio LP-8 for the lower price. The Focal Alpha 65 EVO ranks #15 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers at $407. The Kali Audio LP-8 ranks #20 at $299, $108 cheaper.
What the Focal Alpha 65 EVO offers: Very neutral, not quite as good as the Klasik 2020 in the midrange, but with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8 Watch for: Ignores sub-bass, and the LF/HF trim dials lack a center detent so getting back to flat takes trial and error.
What the Kali Audio LP-8 offers: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better. Watch for: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio LP-8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Kali Audio LP-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $407.00 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #15 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 13.4"H x 10.3"W x 11.4"D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm) | 16.5"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each | 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg each |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 8" woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 85w Per Speaker | 100w Per Speaker |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Adam Audio T7V vs Presonus Eris Studio 8
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Thomann Swissonic A306
- Adam Audio T7V vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Alpha 65 EVO: $407.00 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 Buchardt A10
- 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
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Yamaha HS8
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio T7V
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs KRK Rokit 8 G4
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs KRK Rokit 7 G4
- See all 9 comparisons
Kali Audio LP-8: $299.00 Amazon
Pros: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better.
Cons: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit. A bit of a hooded response
Full Kali Audio LP-8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs JBL 306P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Kali Audio LP-8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons