Short answer: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. It ranks #15 of 31 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $407; the Presonus Eris Studio 8 ranks #19 and costs $462, 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.
What the Presonus Eris Studio 8 offers: More natural sounding and less fatiguing than the HS8 Watch for: Its documented strengths make it a credible option in this class.
Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Presonus Eris Studio 8 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Presonus Eris Studio 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $407.00 | $462 |
| Ranked | #15 of 31 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #19 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 9.8"W x 11.7"D (419.1 x 248.9 x 297.2 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each | 22.3 lbs / 10.1 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 |
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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 APS Klasik 2020
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Kali Audio LP-8
- 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
Presonus Eris Studio 8: $462 Amazon
Pros: More natural sounding and less fatiguing than the HS8
Full Presonus Eris Studio 8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.8"W x 11.7"D (419.1 x 248.9 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 22.3 lbs / 10.1 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: PreSonus Eris E8 XT vs PreSonus Eris E5 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Presonus Eris Studio 8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons