Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. It ranks #18 of 61 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $400; the Klipsch The Sevens ranks #56 and costs $999.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. 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.
What the Klipsch The Sevens offers: Genuinely good bass - reaches about 40 Hz in-room with a solid, controlled thump and no real strain, backed by measured extension to F3 49Hz/F10 36Hz. “Wireless” design only requires one power outlet: a single signal cable runs from the primary speaker to the secondary, so only the primary needs a power cable. Extensive inputs - HDMI, phono, 3.5mm, USB, optical, plus Bluetooth. Companion app exposes treble/mid/bass adjustment, subwoofer output, and a dynamic bass mode, giving real tuning flexibility. Good linearity overall once EQ’d - dropping the treble by 1-2dB got the reviewer to a more satisfying tonal balance. Watch for: Notably narrower horizontal radiation than its stablemate, the Klipsch The Nines, meaning less favorable room interaction and a smaller sweet spot - the reviewer suspects this is a meaningful part of why he preferred the Nines. Out of the box (flat EQ), the top end is a bit too lifted/bright. A persistent dip in the upper mid-range (2-4kHz) that the reviewer found dull and lifeless regardless of EQ tweaking to the treble control - he felt this region specifically needed better tuning from Klipsch, not just a treble slider adjustment. Response isn’t quite flat even after adjustment - there’s peaking up around 8kHz that reinforces a scooped-sounding in-room balance at the listening seat.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Klipsch The Sevens and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Klipsch The Sevens. It ranks near the bottom of the 61 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Klipsch The Sevens | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400.00 | $999.99 |
| Ranked | #18 of 61 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #56 of 61 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49Hz (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) | 16.375"H x 8.125"W x 13.1875"D |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | HDMI, Phono, 3.5mm, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each | 22.3 lbs (primary), 19.9 lbs (secondary) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 6.5" high-excursion woofer, 1" titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn |
| App | No | Yes (treble/mid/bass EQ, subwoofer output, dynamic bass mode) |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 85w Per Speaker | 200W total (400W peak) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear flared port |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Klipsch The Nines
- APS Klasik 2020 vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Yamaha HS8
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Klipsch The Nines
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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: $400.00 Amazon eBay
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 |
- 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)
- 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 Yamaha HS8
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 4329P
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs JBL 708P
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Neumann KH 150
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Neumann KH 310 A
- See all 32 comparisons
Klipsch The Sevens: $999.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Genuinely good bass - reaches about 40 Hz in-room with a solid, controlled thump and no real strain, backed by measured extension to F3 49Hz/F10 36Hz. “Wireless” design only requires one power outlet: a single signal cable runs from the primary speaker to the secondary, so only the primary needs a power cable. Extensive inputs - HDMI, phono, 3.5mm, USB, optical, plus Bluetooth. Companion app exposes treble/mid/bass adjustment, subwoofer output, and a dynamic bass mode, giving real tuning flexibility. Good linearity overall once EQ’d - dropping the treble by 1-2dB got the reviewer to a more satisfying tonal balance.
Cons: Notably narrower horizontal radiation than its stablemate, the Klipsch The Nines, meaning less favorable room interaction and a smaller sweet spot - the reviewer suspects this is a meaningful part of why he preferred the Nines. Out of the box (flat EQ), the top end is a bit too lifted/bright. A persistent dip in the upper mid-range (2-4kHz) that the reviewer found dull and lifeless regardless of EQ tweaking to the treble control - he felt this region specifically needed better tuning from Klipsch, not just a treble slider adjustment. Response isn’t quite flat even after adjustment - there’s peaking up around 8kHz that reinforces a scooped-sounding in-room balance at the listening seat.
Full Klipsch The Sevens review and specifications →
| App | Yes (treble/mid/bass EQ, subwoofer output, dynamic bass mode) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.375"H x 8.125"W x 13.1875"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" high-excursion woofer, 1" titanium tweeter on Tractrix horn |
| Inputs | HDMI, Phono, 3.5mm, USB, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Output Power | 200W total (400W peak) |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs (primary), 19.9 lbs (secondary) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear flared port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Edifier R2850DB
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Emotiva Airmotiv 6s
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Adam Audio T7V
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Edifier S3000Pro
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Adam Audio S2V
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Genelec 8341A
- Klipsch The Sevens vs JBL 306P MKII
- Klipsch The Sevens vs Focal Twin6 Be
- See all 18 comparisons