Focal Alpha 80 Evo Review
The brand new Alpha 80 Evo features a newly developed 8-inch slate fiber woofer made from recycled carbon fiber. High frequencies are managed by a 1-inch inverted aluminum dome tweeter.
Focal Alpha 80 Evo studio monitors are meticulously constructed to ensure even, consistent sound at both high and low volumes. Focal’s customized drivers deliver an extended frequency response from 38 Hz to 22 kHz, with a large, balanced sweet spot that sounds the same throughout the entire room.
A robust 80 W amp drives the woofer, while a separate 35 W amp powers the tweeter, working together to deliver a maximum SPL of up to 106 dB. Alpha 80 Evo monitors feature a 5/8″ (15mm) thick MDF cabinet, internal braces, and a custom bass-reflex design to ensure consistent sound in any setting, even in the most cramped spaces!
Focal states that the new audio system offers excellent dynamic response and wide dispersion, ensuring consistent sound throughout the room. The manufacturer also claims that a consistent tonal balance is maintained, regardless of the volume.
Focal Alpha 80 Evo Sound
Focal studio monitors are highly popular among professionals, and the Focal Alpha 80 Evo continues this tradition. These monitors sound fantastic.
The low end is well-defined, offering a full and warm response that handles lower frequencies with ease. In a suitably sized room, there is no boominess. However, in smaller studios, you’ll need to be mindful of positioning. The front bass port projects cleanly, and for most purposes, you won’t need to add a subwoofer.
Some sound engineers consider a subwoofer unnecessary, and with these 8-inch monitors, we agree. They provide ample depth and delivery to satisfy. The mid-tones also offer crisp clarity that’s hard to beat. Vocals are sharp and well-defined, and instrumental parts are clear. This allows for precise monitoring.
The high end is also exceptionally polished, with no harshness and satisfying clarity for the upper-frequency sections. You can quickly assess and address issues in your mix, something often obscured with lower-quality monitors.
The soundstage is another impressive aspect. The low directivity ensures even sound distribution throughout your studio space. Moving around your studio won’t cause a dramatic change in the audio profile. This is a great feature if you have a large studio space. Ear fatigue is also not an issue, as the clarity and well-executed audio are excellent for longer sessions in the studio.
Focal Alpha 80 Evo Controls
There are two dedicated controls on the back of the monitor. One controls the low-frequency (bass) output and the other controls the high-frequency (treble) output. The low-frequency adjustment is excellent for those who need to place the monitors near a wall. Reducing it down to -6dB helps minimize unwanted low-frequency build-up.
The high-frequency adjustment can compensate for any harshness in the higher range. This is particularly useful in bright-sounding studio environments.
Additionally, there is a dedicated sensitivity switch available. This is a great feature if you are working with an output source that has reached its limits. The extra 6dB boost makes a significant difference without compromising audio quality.
Focal Alpha 80 Evo Design
Focal has been on a continual mission to find materials that offer the best sound quality and performance for their loudspeaker designs. Over the years, they’ve experimented with various materials and shapes for their tweeters and woofers.
This journey has led to the use of W Composite fabrics in the SM series cones, Flax in the Focal Shape line, and Polyglass in the impressive Alpha models. Additionally, materials like silk and Beryllium have been utilized in the company’s tweeter designs.
The high frequencies in the Alpha Evo series are managed by a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, which is set in a specially designed waveguide that controls dispersion and is unique to this line.
For the low-end, the drivers are equipped with newly designed Slatefiber cones. These are made from recycled, non-woven carbon fibers combined with a thermoplastic polymer, which reportedly enhances speed for faster transient response time and produces deep, well-defined bass due to excellent cone rigidity and improved dampening of stray resonances.
The Evo cabinets are constructed from MDF and coated in textured black vinyl, similar to the original Alpha models, but now feature freshly molded plastic side panels. Another noticeable change is the front-side laminar bass port located at the bottom of the cabinet. This new single opening, with its internally fluted design, provides better low-end extension as it vents and disperses low-frequency energy.
Aesthetically, the traditional cube monitor design has been replaced with Evo’s rounded contours, and the side panels contribute to a sturdy and stylish design that offers excellent sound. This unique and harmonious appearance is consistent across the Focal collection. With built-in mounting points, the new Alpha Evo line is ideal for creating an affordable immersive mixing system.
Available inputs include XLR, 1/4”, and RCA options. The input sensitivity can be adjusted between 0dB and +6dB, while a pair of shelving filters (+/- 6dB at 0-250 Hz and +/- 3dB at 4.5-35 kHz) help tailor the monitors to suit your room and personal taste.
- Neutrality across the full sound spectrum
- Excellent dynamics for a very low distortion
- 8” (21cm) Slatefiber cone woofer
- Large laminar vent
- Identical tonal balance at both low and high volume
- Connect up to 3 audio sources
- Inserts for wall and ceiling fastening
- Automatic disengageable stand-by
- Protection grilles included
Why You Need the Focal Alpha 80 Evo
This compact 13 lb., 5″ driver-equipped box comes with all the same controls, visible styling, and features as the other models. It outputs 60W (35/25) of power with 101dB SPL/1m and has a frequency response of 45 Hz-22 kHz.
The Alpha 50 Evo offers a very tight and punchy low-end response among the three models. While it’s not as room-filling as the larger models, it provides ample bass for mixing in a smaller space. Due to the size of the Alpha 50 Evo, it is better suited for smaller mix rooms where you can be closer to the monitors.
Conclusion
The Focal Alpha 80 Evo has a lot to offer. It’s an excellent upgrade to an already impressive line of monitors. These are some of the best-sounding speakers in the 8-inch market within this price range that are being released this year.
The focus on detail and precise audio handling is the main attraction here. They are both reliable and accurate, making them perfect for serious professionals. A great choice if your budget allows for it.
If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below or reach out to the respective developer.
