Short answer: the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It ranks #18 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $398; the Focal Solo6 ST6 ranks #23 and costs $1499, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Kali Audio LP-6 V2: Outstandingly neutral active monitor for the money, with no audible amplifier hiss in Erin’s listening and excellent horizontal directivity from the contoured waveguide. The catch: A vertical directivity disturbance around 1.5-2kHz makes ear height important; desk or console reflections and ceiling bounce can expose the crossover lobing, so absorption may help.
On the Focal Solo6 ST6 side: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Kali Audio LP-6 V2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Focal Solo6 ST6 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kali Audio LP-6 V2 | Focal Solo6 ST6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398/pair | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 48 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | - |
| Drivers | 1" soft-dome tweeter; 6.5" woofer | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Amplification | Bi-amplified Class D, 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA | - |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.8"W x 10.2"D | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Max SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| DSP | Yes; boundary presets and LF/HF trims | - |
| Maximum Output | - | 110dB peak at 1m |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Focal Alpha 65 EVO vs Klipsch The Nines
- Presonus Eris Studio 8 vs Klipsch The Nines
- APS Klasik 2020 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO
- Focal Solo6 ST6 vs Adam Audio T8V
- Focal Solo6 ST6 vs JBL 308P MKII
The Two Speakers In Full
Kali Audio LP-6 V2: $398/pair Amazon Sweetwater
Pros: Outstandingly neutral active monitor for the money, with no audible amplifier hiss in Erin’s listening and excellent horizontal directivity from the contoured waveguide. Erin measured 42Hz F3 and on-axis linearity within approximately -2.51/+1.99dB. The pair remains respectably linear to roughly 102dB at 1m, the front port controls turbulence, and rear DIP switches provide practical boundary-placement profiles plus LF/HF trims. Balanced XLR/TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs broaden compatibility; Erin needed only about +1.5dB near 8kHz for his preferred amount of air.
Cons: A vertical directivity disturbance around 1.5-2kHz makes ear height important; desk or console reflections and ceiling bounce can expose the crossover lobing, so absorption may help. Limiting becomes visible above 96dB/1m, and from 76 to 96dB the low-frequency/midband balance drops by roughly 1dB, making this better as a nearfield or modest-distance monitor than a far-field high-output system. There is no digital input or network control, and each speaker needs AC power and a separate signal cable.
Full Kali Audio LP-6 V2 review and specifications →
| Amplification | Bi-amplified Class D, 40W LF + 40W HF per speaker |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39.1Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 |
| Inputs | XLR, balanced TRS and RCA |
| Max SPL | Approximately 102dB per pair with good measured linearity (Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
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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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons