Short answer: the Focal Alpha 80 Evo if sound quality matters most, the Edifier R2850DB if price matters most. The Focal Alpha 80 Evo ranks #90 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $1,058. The Edifier R2850DB ranks #103, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99, $558.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Focal Alpha 80 Evo: The largest two-way in Focal’s Alpha Evo range, with an 8” Slatefiber woofer and a 1” aluminum inverted-dome tweeter driven by two Class D amplifiers (115W total). It has an adjustable EQ, which the Edifier R2850DB lacks. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Focal Alpha 65 EVO.
What the Edifier R2850DB does well: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. The tradeoff: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy.
Buy the Focal Alpha 80 Evo if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Edifier R2850DB if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Worth knowing: the Focal Alpha 80 Evo has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.7 to 4.3, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 80 Evo | Edifier R2850DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,058 per pair | $499.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #90 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #103 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 11.7”W x 13”D (390 x 296 x 330 mm) | 18.1”H x 10.1”W x 12.4”D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” Slatefiber woofer, 1” aluminum inverted-dome tweeter | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, RCA | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Amplifier Power | 115W Class D per speaker | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble shelving) | No |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Focal Alpha 80 Evo compares with other leading options:
- Focal Alpha 80 Evo vs KRK Rokit 8 G5
- Focal Alpha 80 Evo vs Kanto YU6 G2
- Klipsch The Nines vs Edifier R2850DB
- Edifier R2850DB vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Edifier S3000Pro vs Edifier R2850DB
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM 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 80 Evo: $1,058 per pair Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Focal Alpha 50 EVO (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Focal Alpha 65 EVO (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4/5) and the Focal Alpha Twin Evo (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: The largest two-way in Focal’s Alpha Evo range, with an 8” Slatefiber woofer and a 1” aluminum inverted-dome tweeter driven by two Class D amplifiers (115W total). Focal specifies 38Hz to 22kHz, so it reaches deeper than the Focal Alpha 65 EVO and needs a subwoofer less often. Balanced XLR and RCA inputs, bass and treble shelving and a standby mode are included.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Focal Alpha 65 EVO. The large front-ported cabinet needs room on the desk or proper stands, and tone controls are simple shelves rather than parametric EQ.
Full Focal Alpha 80 Evo review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 115W Class D per speaker |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 11.7”W x 13”D (390 x 296 x 330 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” Slatefiber woofer, 1” aluminum inverted-dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble shelving) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Edifier R2850DB: $499.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A large self-powered three-way pair with digital and analog source switching and proper left/right separation. Consumer Reports found accurate, detailed sound with strong, deep bass, a broad enough soundfield and enough clean output for a large room. It is a compelling simple system for TV, desktop or living-room music without buying a separate amplifier.
Cons: The big cabinets need real stand or furniture space, and their bass is slightly boomy. Consumer Reports also hears mildly grainy/hazy mids, subdued treble and a two-dimensional image despite the two cabinets. As an integrated system it is less upgradeable than separate passive speakers and an amplifier.
Full Edifier R2850DB review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75w RMS Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1”H x 10.1”W x 12.4”D (459.7 x 256.5 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz-20kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 50.7 lbs (23 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Edifier R2850DB vs Klipsch The Sevens
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