Focal Alpha 80 Evo Review
Focal offers three different speaker series for sound engineers, music producers, and hobby mixers. The Alpha Evo series is the entry level. It’s quite an entry: these large compact speakers manage to be both high-performing and affordable.
If you’re used to smaller hi-fi speakers, you might be surprised by the hefty Alpha 80 Evo in Focal’s Pro line. At 30 cm wide, it’s already imposing. The design further enhances this bold appearance, which might not appeal to everyone right away. Personally, I like the strong, almost “martial” look—it feels distinctive.
by Alexander Rose-Fehling
Small family
The Alpha range includes five models. Besides the Subwoofer Sub One ($940) and the 2.5-way monitor Twin Evo ($610), there are three 2-way active monitors. The Alpha 80 Evo discussed here is the largest. The 65 Evo and the 50 Evo are a bit smaller. This series is called “Evo” because the models have been updated, with changes going beyond mere looks. For instance, there is now a single front bass reflex port instead of two.
The low/midrange drivers are also new. They originally appeared in 2019, but were only introduced into the Alpha lineup with the Evo models in 2021. These drivers use a Slatefiber cone made of recycled carbon fibers and a thermoplastic. This design achieves stability while staying lightweight. Slatefiber is also used in Focal’s hi-fi lines such as Chora, Theva, and Vestia. In the Alpha 80 Evo, this 8-inch (20 cm) driver is made in France, just like all Slatefiber membranes. High frequencies come from a newly developed 25 mm aluminum inverted-dome tweeter.
Practical and not a given in studio monitors: these covers help protect the drivers from curious little fingers.
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More new features
The tweeter has been better integrated into the baffle, and there’s now a waveguide around it. On the back, you’ll find more updates. The speaker now has three analog inputs (RCA, XLR, and 6.5 mm jack). In theory, you can connect three sources. The jack input takes priority over XLR, while the RCA signal is combined with whichever of the other two is being used. Since the Alpha 80 has no volume control, you’ll likely want a preamp for hi-fi setups.
You’ll also notice a Sensitivity switch with two positions—0 or +6 points on a 10-point scale (0 or +6 dB)—that adjusts the amplifier’s gain. In testing, the 0-point (10-point scale) setting was fully adequate.
An auto-standby switch puts the speakers to sleep if no signal is detected for 15 minutes, which can happen at very low volumes. You can disable this if it’s an issue. Lastly, there are two knobs on the back for “Bass” (below 300 Hz) and “Treble” (above 4.5 kHz). These can be increased or decreased and operate via an analog circuit—there’s no DSP.
The new amplifiers (two per speaker at 35 and 80 watts) have lower power on paper compared to previous models, but Focal says their efficiency has improved, so overall performance remains the same.
Place these 15 mm MDF cabinets so that the tweeters are at ear level, with about 40 cm to 3 m between you and the speakers. Give them around 20 hours of moderate-volume break-in time. You’ll likely be impressed by the huge soundstage and the amount of air they can move. The tweeter reacts very quickly, making, for example, the effects in The Chicks’ “Sleep At Night” appear instantly in the room. In “Dead And Bloated” by Stone Temple Pilots, they rock with serious authority.
At very high volumes (like on Metallica’s Reload), the vocal range can get slightly sharp, but that’s at extreme levels. They aren’t meant to be overly soft, but instead are honest, direct monitors that focus on accuracy. They also deliver hi-fi traits such as depth and clean bass. Because they are detailed yet composed, you can listen for hours without fatigue. XLR is recommended to reduce noise (a slight hiss can be heard via RCA, which is typical of active monitors without volume controls).
![Analog inputs: 6.5 mm jack, RCA, or XLR. Bass and treble can be boosted or cut by ±3/6 points (10-point scale) [±3/6 dB].](https://7review.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Focal-Alpha-80-Evo-Review-3-scaled.jpg)
Analog inputs are 6.5 mm jack, RCA, and XLR. You can adjust bass and treble by ±3 or ±6 points on a 10-point scale (±3/6 dB).
Measurement Diagrams
Frequency response & impedance curve
Moderate bass emphasis in the default setting, balanced mids, slight resonance at 14 kHz.
![Level & distortion curve from 8.5 to 10 points (10-point scale) [85-100 dB SPL]](https://7review.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Focal-Alpha-80-Evo-Review-5.jpg)
Level & distortion curve from 8.5 to 10 points (10-point scale) [85-100 dB SPL]
Distortion rises gradually toward the bass range without any narrow peaks.
Focal Alpha 80 Evo Tech Specs
Price: $990
Website: www.sound-service.eu
Dimensions (WxHxD): 29.6 x 39 x 33 cm
Weight: 9.8 kg
Technical Data
- Lower Cutoff Frequency -3 / -6 dB: 39 / 37 Hz
- Maximum SPL: 97 dB
- Power Consumption (Standby / On): 0.5 / 8 W
- Wireless System: –
- Recommended Listening Distance: 0.4 to 3 m
- Equalizer: below 250 Hz ±6 dB, above 4.5 kHz ±3 dB
- Analog Inputs (RCA / XLR / Jack): • / • / •
- Digital Inputs (USB / Coax / Optical): – / – / –
- Remote / App: – / –
Room Acoustics and Setup
Focal recommends a shorter listening distance and some space from walls. Reverb time is not critical.
- Listening Distance: 1 m to 5 m
- Wall Distance: 0 m to 1.5 m
- Reverb Time: 0.2 s to 0.8 s
Rating
The original values are followed by approximate 10-point scale conversions in parentheses.
- Naturalness: 11 (~9.2/10)
- Fine Resolution: 11 (~9.2/10)
- Headroom: 9 (~7.5/10)
- Bass Quality: 12 (10/10)
- Imaging: 12 (10/10)
- Measurements): 7 (~5.8/10)
- Practical Use: 6 (~5.0/10)
- Build Quality: 6 (~5.0/10)
Test Verdict
- Sound: 55 (~7.9/10)
- Overall Score: 74 (~7.4/10)
- Price/Performance: outstanding
It’s remarkable how great Focal’s Alpha 80 Evo sounds at a price of $990. These speakers are sensational for virtually every type of music.
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