Neumann KH420 vs Focal Alpha 65 EVO

Short answer: the Neumann KH420 for better sound quality, the Focal Alpha 65 EVO for the lower price. The Neumann KH420 ranks #4 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $10500. The Focal Alpha 65 EVO ranks #16 at $499, $10001 cheaper.

On the Neumann KH420 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows an extended, flat on-axis response that matches Neumann’s own published measurement to within 0.08dB at its one minor dip (around 60Hz), with excellent off-axis behavior. Set against that: Horizontal beamwidth, while well controlled, is on the narrow side at about ±55 degrees.

What the Focal Alpha 65 EVO gets right: Very neutral, not quite as good as the Klasik 2020 in the midrange, but with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8. The catch: Ignores sub-bass, and the LF/HF trim dials lack a center detent so getting back to flat takes trial and error.

Buy the Neumann KH420 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Focal Alpha 65 EVO if the price matters more than sound quality.

Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Speakers In Full

Neumann KH420: $10500 Bhphotovideo

Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an extended, flat on-axis response that matches Neumann’s own published measurement to within 0.08dB at its one minor dip (around 60Hz), with excellent off-axis behavior. Predicted in-room response is smooth and rated “excellent” by the reviewer. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±55 degrees is very well controlled and stays consistent across frequency. Distortion is low at 86dB SPL/1m. Exceptionally high sustained output capability - the reviewer needed to “hold on for dear life” during extreme-level testing at 7 feet, with bass output described as making the entire house resonate. Reviewer’s overall verdict was “Great,” placing it on the recommended list and calling it a speaker “you could buy and forget about upgrading ever again.”

Cons: Horizontal beamwidth, while well controlled, is on the narrow side at about ±55 degrees. Vertical directivity is more limited than horizontal - the reviewer recommends staying within about ±30 degrees of the reference axis (just below the tweeter waveguide edge). Distortion rises noticeably in the bass region at 96dB SPL/1m, with an unusual 3rd-harmonic uptick appearing near 10kHz at that output level. At 106dB SPL/1m, the tweeter’s protection limiting engages and the clipping indicator activates - a real, measurable output ceiling despite the speaker’s otherwise very high capability. Very expensive.

Full Neumann KH420 review and specifications →

App	Yes (MA 1 alignment)
Bass Extension (-10dB)	24Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bluetooth	No
DSP	No
Dimensions	25.4"H x 13"W x 17.5"D (645.2 x 330.2 x 444.5 mm)
Drivers	10" woofer, 4" dome midrange, 1" fabric dome tweeter
EQ	Yes (Room response controls)
Frequency Response	31Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	XLR
Max SPL	124dB @ 1m
Output Power	555w Per Speaker
Weight	77.2 lbs / 35 kg each

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• Links
  • Official Neumann KH420 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • Audio Science Review Measurements
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Focal Alpha 65 EVO: $499.00 Amazon

Pros: Very neutral, not quite as good as the Klasik 2020 in the midrange, but with better soundstage and instrument definition than the HS8

Cons: Ignores sub-bass, and the LF/HF trim dials lack a center detent so getting back to flat takes trial and error. The reviewer’s original sample showed an odd distortion spike between 1.5-8kHz at 86dB SPL, though a second sample from Focal didn’t reproduce it - likely a defective unit rather than a design flaw.

Full Focal Alpha 65 EVO review and specifications →

App	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)	45Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bluetooth	No
DSP	No
Dimensions	13.4"H x 10.3"W x 11.4"D (340.4 x 261.6 x 289.6 mm)
Drivers	6.5" (165mm) woofer
EQ	Yes (Room adjustment)
Frequency Response	40Hz - 22kHz (+-3dB) (Manufacturer specified)
Inputs	TRS, XLR, RCA
Output Power	85w Per Speaker
Weight	16.8 lbs / 7.6 kg each

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

• Links
  • Official Focal Alpha 65 EVO Product Page
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