Short answer: the Alpha 65 EVO, on both ranking and price. It ranks #10 of 21 powered bookshelf speakers at $499.00; the HS8 ranks #14 at $678.28, $179 more.
Our notes describe the Alpha 65 EVO as very neutral, with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8, just not quite matching the APS Klasik 2020 in the midrange. Its real quirks are trim dials without a center detent, meaning getting back to flat takes trial and error, plus a distortion spike one reviewer’s original sample showed that a second sample didn’t reproduce, likely a defective unit rather than a design flaw.
The HS8 stays the more conventional, higher-headroom choice, good for mixing with a neutral output, at the cost of a slight midrange boost and its price.
Buy the Alpha 65 EVO for the better ranking and the lower price. Buy the HS8 if you’d rather avoid the trim-dial fiddling.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 65 EVO | Yamaha HS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.00 | $678.28 |
| Ranked | #10 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #14 of 20 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) | 15.4"H x 9.8"W x 13.1"D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA | XLR |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each | 22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 8" woofer, 1" dome tweeter |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 85w Per Speaker | 120w Per Speaker |
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.
| 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 |
- 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
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- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Adam Audio T7V sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Yamaha HS8: $678.28 Amazon
Pros: Good for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.
Cons: Slight midrange boost. Quite expensive.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 15.4"H x 9.8"W x 13.1"D (391.2 x 248.9 x 332.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 120w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 22.5 lbs / 10.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Sercan Solmaz: Adam Audio T8V vs Yamaha HS8 vs KRK Rokit 8 (STUDIO SPEAKER SOUND TEST)
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
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- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS7 vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
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- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Yamaha HS8 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs PreSonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KRK Rokit 8 G4 RP8G4 vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.