Short answer: the Focal Solo6 ST6 for better sound quality, the Kali Audio LP-8 for the lower price. The Focal Solo6 ST6 ranks #23 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $1499. The Kali Audio LP-8 ranks #25 at $299, $1200 cheaper.
What the Focal Solo6 ST6 offers: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. Set against that: Bass alignment Q is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment.
The case for the Kali Audio LP-8: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better. Watch for: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit. A bit of a hooded response.
Buy the Focal Solo6 ST6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio LP-8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Solo6 ST6 | Kali Audio LP-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499.00 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #23 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Maximum Output | 110dB peak at 1m | - |
| Amplification | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) | - |
| Drivers | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer | 8" woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each | 16.5"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Weight | - | 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg each |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | - | No |
| Output Power | - | 100w Per Speaker |
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- Presonus Eris Studio 8 vs Klipsch The Nines
- Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8
- Yamaha HS8 vs Klipsch The Nines
- Focal Solo6 ST6 vs Kali Audio LP-6
- Focal Solo6 ST6 vs Adam Audio T7V
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Solo6 ST6: $1,499.00 B&H Photo Sweetwater
Pros: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. Directivity control is the tightest of this entire batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 2.87), and the listening-window response is smooth (smoothness_listening_window 0.380). Bi-amped 130W total (80W Class G woofer + 50W Class AB tweeter), each driver on its own amplifier. ‘Focus Mode’ switches the cabinet to a single-driver full-range reference signature for a second mix-translation check without extra hardware. Bass reaches 46.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, solid for a 6.5” driver.
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.826) is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment. XLR-only balanced input, no unbalanced/TRS or digital connectivity. No automatic DSP room correction - tuning is limited to fixed analog shelving/high-pass switches. At $1,499 each ($2,998/pair), it’s a meaningful step up from typical prosumer active monitors.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Maximum Output | 110dB peak at 1m |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Kali Audio LP-8: $299.00 Amazon
Pros: Note the newer V2 is out which could be a little better.
Cons: Eris 8 has this beat by a little bit. A bit of a hooded response
Full Kali Audio LP-8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (419.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 21kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 100w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs / 9.0 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: Tannoy Gold 8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Focal Alpha 80 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Kali Audio LP-8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs Presonus Eris E8 XT Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Kali Audio LP-8 vs JBL 306P MKII Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Reddit Search for Kali Audio LP-8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons