Short answer: the Focal Alpha 80 Evo if sound quality matters most, the Kanto YU6 G2 if price matters most. The Focal Alpha 80 Evo ranks #90 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $1,058. The Kanto YU6 G2 ranks #92, rated 3.9/5, at $549.99, $508.01 cheaper.
What the Focal Alpha 80 Evo does well: 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). 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.
Why pick the Kanto YU6 G2: The second generation YU6 swaps the Kevlar woofers for 5.25” abaca paper cone woofers alongside 1” silk dome tweeters, and raises amplifier power to 130W RMS (200W peak) from the original’s 100W RMS. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Focal Alpha 80 Evo lacks. The tradeoff: Not on sale yet: Kanto lists it as coming soon.
Buy the Focal Alpha 80 Evo if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kanto YU6 G2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Focal Alpha 80 Evo 3.7 to 4.3; Kanto YU6 G2 3.7 to 4.1). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Alpha 80 Evo | Kanto YU6 G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,058 per pair | $549.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #90 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #92 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) (active), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (passive) |
| Dimensions | 15.4”H x 11.7”W x 13”D (390 x 296 x 330 mm) | 10.7”H x 6.9”W x 8.4”D (272 x 175 x 214 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” Slatefiber woofer, 1” aluminum inverted-dome tweeter | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” abaca paper cone woofer |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, RCA | RCA (switchable phono), Optical, USB-C, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Amplifier Power | 115W Class D per speaker | 130W RMS (200W peak) per pair |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 22kHz (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes (switchable phono preamp) |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble shelving) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Focal Alpha 80 Evo:
- Focal Alpha 80 Evo vs KRK Rokit 8 G5
- Focal Alpha 80 Evo vs Edifier R2850DB
- Kanto YU6 G2 vs KEF LSX II LT
- Kanto YU6 G2 vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Kanto YU6 G2 vs Klipsch Reference R-50PM
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
Kanto YU6 G2: $549.99 per pair Estimated Kanto eBay
Older model: the Kanto YU6 (rated 3.9/5). See every Kanto YU and Tuk generation.
Same family: the Kanto YU4 G2 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.6/5), the Kanto Tuk G2 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5) and the Kanto TUK Grand G2 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5).
Pros: The second generation YU6 swaps the Kevlar woofers for 5.25” abaca paper cone woofers alongside 1” silk dome tweeters, and raises amplifier power to 130W RMS (200W peak) from the original’s 100W RMS. Inputs cover RCA with a switchable phono preamp, optical and USB-C audio at 24 bit/96kHz, 3.5mm aux and Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC. A subwoofer output engages an automatic 80Hz crossover, and a USB-C port charges a phone. Includes a remote, speaker wire and swappable left and right channels.
Cons: Not on sale yet: Kanto lists it as coming soon. No independent measurements have been published, so it can’t be compared with the original Kanto YU6, which ASR measured. Its rated response starts at 55Hz, against 50Hz for the original Kanto YU6, so a subwoofer still helps for deep bass. Kanto doesn’t publish sensitivity or maximum output.
Full Kanto YU6 G2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2026 (this year) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS (200W peak) per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7”H x 6.9”W x 8.4”D (272 x 175 x 214 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” abaca paper cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (switchable phono), Optical, USB-C, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes (switchable phono preamp) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) (active), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (passive) |
| XLR Input | No |
- 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