IN USE : When it comes to studio monitors , I like to break them in for about 24 hours , playing some great music at a mid-level volume . I ’ m now both very familiar , and a fan of the Focal Sound . I ' ve reviewed their Shape Twins and both Focal Clear and Listen Pro headphones . I find that they are consistently clear and well balanced across the audio spectrum . They give me less ear fatigue after several hours than others I ' ve used . I think it has a lot to do with the combination of Class-D amplification , analog crossover points , and quality driver component design .
I often use Yamaha NS10 ' s like a typical monitor for modern music . At the Lodge Studio , we also use Sonarworks Sound ID Reference software to help with a couple of issues in our mix room . I like to go back and forth between several monitor sources when mixing , and Sonarworks is a real lifesaver . Right off the bat , in a quick comparison , The Alpha 50 Evo ’ s sounded smoother on the top end with more air than the Yamahas ’. I guess that ' s to be expected .
Secondly , the bottom end was more present and controlled . Synth bass notes were pretty even down to a low B , as in a 5-string bass . The NS 10 ' s pretty much disappeared without a subwoofer down there . With the Evo ' s you could probably get away mixing without a sub .
The midrange is important for any studio monitor . The Alpha 50 Evo sounds professional and very detailed for a monitor in this price range . Focal did a great job with the analog crossovers . I hear very little distortion at higher SPL levels . Surprisingly , the waveguide made for a noticeably wider sweet spot area than the NS 10 ' s . One other thing I noticed , is that the balance between bass and treble stayed very consistent as I turned the monitors down . Quite often lower price monitors lose much of the low end at lower volumes and compress a lot at higher ones . The EVO 50 has a fantastic dynamic range and excels in this .
MY TAKEAWAY : Finding a studio monitor in this price range can be tricky . They tend to be inaccurate , or a little too hyped for me . The Focal Alpha 50 Evo ’ s are very true and a great value . They ' re perfect for a smaller room , and a strong choice for a professional 5.1 surround mix environment . EVO 50 ' s can get loud without over-compressing . The wide sweet spot and the fact they are powered make them stand out front in the smaller footprint studio monitor category . If you are considering upgrading your studio monitors , don ' t sleep on these ! Try them out . You will hear an accurate representation of your music , that translates well in many different environments .
$ 349.00 Each www . Focal . com