Overview

Alpha 80 Evo is the 8-inch, bi-amped model in Focal’s Alpha Evo line. It uses a 1-inch aluminum inverted-dome tweeter and an 8-inch Slatefiber-cone woofer in a front-ported MDF cabinet with wall-mount inserts. It accepts XLR, 1/4-inch TRS, and RCA simultaneously, and includes defeatable auto-standby plus low/high shelving EQ. Focal lists 38 Hz–22 kHz (±3 dB) response and 106 dB peak SPL. [1][2]

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Scientific Validity

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Independent, standardized third-party measurements (e.g., full spin data / Klippel NFS, multitone distortion) for Alpha 80 Evo are scarce. Therefore scientific certainty remains limited and defaults to 0.5 when robust independent data is unknown. Key manufacturer specs: FR (±3 dB) 38–22,000 Hz; Max SPL 106 dB (peak @1 m); Amplification 80 W LF + 35 W HF; construction 0.6 inch (15 mm) MDF. [2]

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Technology Level

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Slatefiber woofer, aluminum inverted-dome tweeter with waveguide, front laminar port, Class-D bi-amp, and practical room shelves/auto-standby/multi-input represent solid, contemporary engineering rather than breakthrough tech. [1][2]

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Cost-Performance

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Denominator (review target, pair): 1,258 USD (629 USD × 2). [3]
Cheapest equal-or-better measured comparator (pair): JBL 308P MkII, with reputable spinorama data (Klippel NFS via ASR) showing neutral on-axis/LW behavior (preference score 5.56; –3 dB ≈ 42.5 Hz) and higher peak SPL spec; widely available at 259 USD each → 518 USD pair. [4][5]

Calculation: 518 USD ÷ 1,258 USD = 0.412 → 0.4 (rounded to one decimal).
Equivalence note: 8-inch bi-amped nearfields with room EQ trims and pro I/O; JBL’s neutrality and SPL are independently verified while Focal’s are catalog-based. [2][4][5]

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Reliability & Support

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Established pro brand; cabinet is braced MDF with included metal grilles. Warranty information commonly listed as 5-year on drivers / 2-year on amplifier (region dependent). [2][6]

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Rationality of Design Philosophy

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Design choices (Slatefiber, inverted tweeter/waveguide, front port, sensible EQ/I/O, defeatable standby) are technically coherent and studio-practical. Marketing claims are treated as provisional pending third-party confirmation. [1][2]

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Advice

If you want a robust, neutral-leaning 8-inch monitor with front porting for flexible placement, multi-input including RCA, and included grilles, Alpha 80 Evo is a good fit. If you prioritize independently measured neutrality per dollar, JBL 308P MkII remains a standout value; for deeper sub-bass at level, plan on adding a sub (Focal Sub One pairs natively). [4][5][7]

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References

[1] Focal — Alpha 80 Evo product page. Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://www.focal.com/products/alpha-80-evo

[2] Focal — Alpha 80 Evo Product Sheet (PDF). 38 Hz–22 kHz (±3 dB), 106 dB peak, 80 W+35 W, 0.6 inch MDF, features. Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://media.focal-naim.com/dam/alpha-80-evo/fp_alpha_80_evo_en.pdf

[3] Sweetwater — Alpha 80 Evo (US street price per unit 629 USD; pair bundles state per-unit pricing). Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alpha80Evo–focal-alpha-80-evo-8-inch-powered-studio-monitor

[4] Sweetwater — JBL 308P MkII (US street price per unit 259 USD). Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR308MK2–jbl-308p-mkii-8-inch-powered-studio-monitor

[5] Spinorama.org — JBL 308P MkII (ASR/Klippel NFS). –3 dB ≈ 42.5 Hz; preference 5.56; high-quality NFS dataset. Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://www.spinorama.org/speakers/JBL%20308P%20Mark%20ii/ASR/index_asr.html

[6] B&H — Alpha 80 Evo listing noting 5-yr drivers / 2-yr amplifier warranty. Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1681354-REG/focal_fopro_alphevo80_alpha_80_evo_active.html

[7] Focal — Sub One page (Alpha Evo pairing). Accessed 2025-08-23.
https://www.focal.com/products/sub-one

(2025.8.23)