Short answer: the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It ranks #37 of 118 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $498; the Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #52, rated 3.8/5, and costs $608, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Kali Audio LP-6 V2 is the more accurate pick. Erin’s measurements give a 7.48 ideal-subwoofer score and 42.5Hz -3dB bass extension, a strong combination for an affordable nearfield monitor. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.53 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. The catch: The 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz leaves some tonal unevenness.
The case for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment. The tradeoff: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
Buy the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Alpha 50 EVO and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-6 V2 | Focal Alpha 50 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $498 per pair | $608 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 118 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 105 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Drivers | 1” soft-dome tweeter; 6.5” woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker; Bi-amplified Class D | 60w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.8”W x 10.2”D | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims | - |
| Maximum SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.53 | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.48 | 5.70 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs (7.05 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) and Focal Alpha 50 EVO (measured by an independent reviewer), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-6 V2: $498 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Kali Audio LP-6 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5). See every Kali Audio LP generation.
Same family: the Kali Audio LP-8 V2 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5) and the Kali Audio LP-UNF (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5).
Pros: Erin’s measurements give a 7.48 ideal-subwoofer score and 42.5Hz -3dB bass extension, a strong combination for an affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide and placement switches help with practical setup, and the second generation improves close-range noise behavior. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz leaves some tonal unevenness. Vertical crossover behavior makes ear-height placement important, and compression limits loud bass playback. Its good tonal score is not evidence of the output capability of a much larger monitor.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 V2 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2021 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker; Bi-amplified Class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.8”W x 10.2”D |
| Drivers | 1” soft-dome tweeter; 6.5” woofer |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA |
| Maximum SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.48 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.5 lbs (7.05 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Kali Audio LP-6 V2 Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Which budget Kali monitor makes most sense for YOU? LP-6v2 or LP-8v2?
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Kali Audio IN-8 V2
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Yamaha HS8
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Genelec 8050B
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs O.S. Acoustics DBS8
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs JBL 4305P
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs JBL 308P MKII
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs Devialet Phantom Ultimate 108dB
- Kali Audio LP-6 V2 vs SHIVAUDYO Point Zero
- See all 66 comparisons
Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $608 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Focal Alpha 65 EVO (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5), the Focal Alpha 80 Evo (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5) and the Focal Alpha Twin Evo (larger bookshelf, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Rear shelving controls and a conventional studio-monitor layout provide practical placement adjustment.
Cons: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction. Careful placement is still important, especially near walls or on a desk.
Full Focal Alpha 50 EVO review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.70 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independent Measurements (spinorama.org)
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Adam Audio T5V sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review APS Klasik 2020 vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4 RP5G4 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs JBL 305P MKII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Adam Audio A5X vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Eve Audio SC205 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Kali Audio LP-6 V2 (2nd Wave) vs Focal Alpha 50 EVO sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Classic 5 CL5G3 sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Yamaha HS5 sound.DEMO
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Dayton Audio M4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumi BS5P
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Neumi BS5P-ARC
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Onkyo GX-30ARC
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kanto YU
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs KRK Rokit 5 G4
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
- Focal Alpha 50 EVO vs Kali Audio LP-UNF
- See all 65 comparisons