Focal Alpha 50 Evo review

The Alpha 50 Evo is Focal's smallest Alpha Evo monitor, and Focal pitches it for proximity monitoring, which fits a small room. It uses a 5-inch woofer with Focal's Slatefiber membrane and a 1-inch aluminum inverted dome tweeter, with a published response of 45 Hz to 22 kHz at +/- 3 dB and a peak of 101 dB SPL at 1 meter. Focal says its tonal balance stays neutral at both low and high volumes. Two Class D amplifiers supply 35 W to the woofer and 25 W to the tweeter. Inputs are broad for the class: balanced TRS and XLR plus RCA with compensated sensitivity. Rear controls include sensitivity, LF and HF shelving and an auto standby you can disengage, and the cabinet has wall and ceiling mounting inserts. At 5.95 kg it is the heaviest 5-inch speaker here. Focal's page lists no US price, so value is scored conservatively. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Producers who want Focal's inverted dome sound and flexible inputs in a 5-inch cabinet.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 5-inch Slatefiber woofer and 1-inch aluminum inverted dome tweeter
• 45 Hz to 22 kHz (+/- 3 dB)
• 35 W and 25 W Class D amplifiers
• TRS, XLR and RCA inputs
• Wall and ceiling mounting inserts and switchable auto standby

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 45 Hz low end is deep for a 5-inch model
• Strength: Three input types including RCA
• Strength: LF and HF shelving for room tuning
• Weakness: No US price on Focal's product page
• Weakness: 5.95 kg is heavy for a 5-inch monitor
• Weakness: 101 dB max SPL is lower than the KRK or JBL

Key facts

• Drivers: 5-inch Slatefiber woofer, 1-inch aluminum tweeter
• Power: 35 W + 25 W Class D
• Frequency response: 45 Hz to 22 kHz (+/- 3 dB)
• Max SPL: 101 dB peak at 1 m
• Weight: 5.95 kg

Where it ranks

Focal Alpha 50 Evo is No. 9 in our Best Studio Monitors verdict.