Short answer: the Mackie MR524. It ranks #33 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $379.98; the Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #53, rated 3.8/5, and costs $658, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Mackie MR524 is the more accurate choice. A budget studio monitor with decent bass depth, an even midrange, and balanced and RCA inputs. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.11 against 1.04 for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO. Watch for: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance.
The case for the Focal Alpha 50 EVO: A 5 inch studio monitor with XLR, TRS and RCA inputs and rear shelving controls for placement. The tradeoff: Basic shelving controls are less flexible than parametric room correction.
Buy the Mackie MR524. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Alpha 50 EVO and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie MR524 | Focal Alpha 50 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379.98 per pair | $658 per pair |
| Ranked | #33 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #53 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Drivers | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Amplifier Power | 50W bi-amplified per speaker | 60w Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-20kHz | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 | 1.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 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 |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) | 12.2”H x 9”W x 9.4”D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) each |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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