Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus for better sound quality, the Focal Alpha 50 EVO for the lower price. The Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus ranks #32 of 58 powered bookshelf speakers at $699.99. The Focal Alpha 50 EVO ranks #34 at $308, $391.99 cheaper.
What the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus offers: Smooth, relatively flat on-axis response instead of the pronounced mid-bass-and-treble “V curve” common in this size class, which tends to cause listener fatigue over long sessions. A waveguide plus phase plug on the tweeter helps spread off-axis energy more evenly, giving good vertical consistency. Included remote controls volume, source, and separate treble/mid-bass trim, letting you tune the tonal balance without a computer or app. Subwoofer output with automatic 80/125 Hz crossover engagement when a sub is connected. Extensive wired inputs: USB, optical, coax, and analog, plus Bluetooth. 240W total power is enough headroom for near-field desktop use or a small-to-medium living room. Watch for: A slight sibilance/edge in the 4-6 kHz lower-treble region stood out to the reviewer as mildly fatiguing, though a single band of parametric EQ (about -2dB) fixed it; toeing the speakers off-axis reduces but doesn’t eliminate it. A minor scoop in the 1-2 kHz mid-range is audible in A/B comparison but not problematic on its own. No HDMI input, a drawback if you want to use these as TV speakers via ARC. Like most stand-mount speakers this size, real output below about 40 Hz needs a subwoofer - the reviewer recommends pairing one regardless of use case just to take headroom pressure off the mains.
What the Focal Alpha 50 EVO offers: The available response trace suggests reasonably smooth on-axis and listening-window behavior, with Spinorama narrow-band-deviation values of 0.448 and 0.366 respectively. With a subwoofer its calculated preference score is 5.05, and the rear shelving controls provide some useful room and placement adjustment. Watch for: The only Spinorama data is a low-quality graph digitization rather than a Klippel measurement, so the extreme calculated bass and sound-power results should not be taken literally. That limited dataset produces a very low 0.40 full-range preference score, weak predicted in-room smoothness, and unusually inconsistent directivity. Independent high-quality measurements are still needed.
Buy the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Focal Alpha 50 EVO if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | Focal Alpha 50 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $308.00 |
| Ranked | #32 of 58 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 58 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| Output Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) | 60w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.5"W x 8"D (254 x 165 x 203mm) | 12.2"H x 9"W x 9.4"D (309.9 x 228.6 x 238.8 mm) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (passive unit), 12.2 lbs (active unit) | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) | 45 Hz - 22 kHz (+-3 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| App | - | No |
| Bluetooth | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Smooth, relatively flat on-axis response instead of the pronounced mid-bass-and-treble “V curve” common in this size class, which tends to cause listener fatigue over long sessions. A waveguide plus phase plug on the tweeter helps spread off-axis energy more evenly, giving good vertical consistency. Included remote controls volume, source, and separate treble/mid-bass trim, letting you tune the tonal balance without a computer or app. Subwoofer output with automatic 80/125 Hz crossover engagement when a sub is connected. Extensive wired inputs: USB, optical, coax, and analog, plus Bluetooth. 240W total power is enough headroom for near-field desktop use or a small-to-medium living room.
Cons: A slight sibilance/edge in the 4-6 kHz lower-treble region stood out to the reviewer as mildly fatiguing, though a single band of parametric EQ (about -2dB) fixed it; toeing the speakers off-axis reduces but doesn’t eliminate it. A minor scoop in the 1-2 kHz mid-range is audible in A/B comparison but not problematic on its own. No HDMI input, a drawback if you want to use these as TV speakers via ARC. Like most stand-mount speakers this size, real output below about 40 Hz needs a subwoofer - the reviewer recommends pairing one regardless of use case just to take headroom pressure off the mains.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 10"H x 6.5"W x 8"D (254 x 165 x 203mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Output Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (passive unit), 12.2 lbs (active unit) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus vs Dayton Audio M4
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Focal Alpha 50 EVO: $308.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The available response trace suggests reasonably smooth on-axis and listening-window behavior, with Spinorama narrow-band-deviation values of 0.448 and 0.366 respectively. With a subwoofer its calculated preference score is 5.05, and the rear shelving controls provide some useful room and placement adjustment.
Cons: The only Spinorama data is a low-quality graph digitization rather than a Klippel measurement, so the extreme calculated bass and sound-power results should not be taken literally. That limited dataset produces a very low 0.40 full-range preference score, weak predicted in-room smoothness, and unusually inconsistent directivity. Independent high-quality measurements are still needed.
Full Focal Alpha 50 EVO review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR, TRS, RCA |
| Output Power | 60w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Independent Measurements (spinorama.org; low-quality graph digitization)
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