TEST: Focal Alpha 80 Evo

French manufacturer Focal, which has been on the scene for over 40 years, has managed to secure a latently scaling share of the nearfield monitor sales charts in recent years with moderate but steady steps. Budget studios in particular are increasingly encountering the Chinese-made Alpha Evo series products, so it makes sense to put the latest version of the Focal Alpha 80 Evo through its paces now that the original Alpha series has undergone an upgrade and re-design. Have fun with it!

The design of the Focal Alpha 80 Evo

The Focal Alpha 80 Evo monitor is a 2-way system that delivers a total of 115 watts of power, with 80 watts on the woofer and 35 watts on the tweeter. The frequency response is given as 38 Hz - 22 kHz, with an SPL of 106 dB (peak @ 1m). Interssingly, this puts the model 35 watts and 3 dB below the power specifications of its predecessor. This is an unusual step, as most manufacturers make a point of ensuring that the next more advanced version of a product is usually accompanied by an increase in power. The power supply has a voltage range of 100 - 240 volts, which means that the monitors can be used worldwide without having to worry about the voltage used locally. According to the manufacturer, the cabinet is made of 15 mm thick black MDF, but the side panels are made of plastic, which come in a subtle "rally" design.

The tweeter is a 25 mm (1 inch) inverse dome, which is made of aluminum and comes with a custom waveguide made for this series. The 20 cm (8 inch) woofer is one made from recycled carbon fiber, called Slate Fiber. The monitor's bass reflex port radiates forward and, compared to the previous model, has been designed as a continuous port, which should provide, among other things, a higher bass output. Both the tweeter and the woofer receive two protective grilles from Welk in the scope of delivery, which are supposed to protect the speakers from external influences if necessary.

In terms of dimensions, the Focal Alpha 80 Evo is slightly taller, wider and deeper than its predecessor at (H x W x D): 390 mm x 296 mm x 330 mm, though at around 9.8 kg it is also almost 3 kg lighter than its predecessor.

The back

The Focal Alpha 80 Evo offers a comprehensive connection field on the back of the housing, consisting of XLR and TRS balanced or RCA unbalanced. In order to adapt the input level to the respective studio environment, one can choose between 0 dB and +6 dB regarding the input sensitivity with a slide switch. In order to adapt the sound of the monitors to the respective spatial conditions, the Focal Alpha 80 Evo has two rotary controls, with which one can raise below 250 Hz and above 4.5 kHz steplessly with +/- 6dB, respectively lower. The controls are pleasantly stiff, so that you can dose the personally preferred sound very well.

In addition to the power switch, there is also an auto standby deactivation switch on the back of the Focal Alpha 80 Evo. Sometimes it can happen that at very low levels the internal standby function keeps the signal for silence and deactivates the sound output after the targeted 15 minutes. This switch can be used to prevent this behavior. An LED on the front panel informs about the system's operating status. Finally, the IEC socket remains to be mentioned, a suitable power cord is of course included.

The Focal Sub One subwoofer

To give the Focal Alpha 80 Evo more headroom in the bass range, the manufacturer also offers the matching subwoofer, which goes by the name of Focal Sub One. Although the Focal Sub One looks like a dual power amp solution, the circuitry is mono summing, which is then delivered via a power of 2x 100 watts. The woofer with the dimensions (H x W x D): 475 mm x 310 mm x 520 mm comes in a stylish housing with rounded corners and offers a frequency range of 32 - 120 Hz (+/- 3dB) at an SPL of 114dB (peak @ 1m). With a weight of 18.5 kg, the woofer is comparatively easy to handle and can be moved quickly by one person alone in case of doubt. The cabinet is made of 22 mm MDF and has been internally reinforced to counteract resonant frequencies. The 8 inch speakers, also made of Slate Fiber, are placed on the side panels, while 2 pcs. Bass reflex ports radiate to the front. Like the Focal Alpha 80 Evo, the Focal Sub One has 2 protective grilles to protect the speakers from external influences, a sensible feature, especially since the woofer is almost always at leg height and, depending on placement, likes to be "kicked" once in a while. An auto standby is also available.

On the other hand, some special features can be found in the area of phasing and connection options. In addition to the standards such as low-pass filter (45 - 120 Hz) and the high-pass filter for the connected satellites (60 Hz or 90 Hz), the Focal Sub One offers a phase reversal, or an additional phase rotary control, which can be continuously adjusted between 0 - 180 degrees. Furthermore, a foot switch can be connected to a jack socket, which activates / deactivates the woofer via foot switch. This is very helpful if you want to check the phase position of the woofer, for example.

A male / female XLR combination can also be used to set up the Focal Sub One in a multi-channel configuration. The signal of the multi-channel application (5.1, 5.2, 7.1 etc.) is available at the LFE IN input, the LFE Out is intended for daisy chain operation with additional subwoofers within the multi-channel application.

The Focal Alpha 80 Evo in practice

Let's start with the first impression, which also shows the advantages of the Focal Alpha 80 Evo. If I had to put the first sound impression into adjectives, the words "open" and "neutral" would spontaneously come to mind, and in the best sense. The system immediately convinces with a clear structure, which resolves very finely without getting caught up in too finely knitted trebles. The reproduction is very lively in the impulse behavior and doesn't get caught in phase problems even at higher volumes, as it is sometimes known from other systems. The standards like phantom center, depth staggering and spatial resolution are also covered very well.

What I personally liked very much is the midrange reproduction of the system, one finds with the Focal Alpha 80 Evo but at no time the notorious midrange hole of a two-way system at the crossover frequency. Particularly in the area of guitars and vocals, the system convinces with a clean and accentuated reproduction, which I previously knew more from three-way systems. In cooperation with the Focal Sub One woofer, which is very discreet and tasteful, the system also delivers enough low end without drifting into the spongy.

Now we come to a negative point, which is not only to be heard with the Focal Alpha 80 Evo, but has become noticeable in the meantime of a virus equal to several systems from different manufacturers, which I could test in recent times. We're talking about a noise gate effect, which can be heard both before and after signal playback. If you start the playback, about 0.5 seconds pass before the gate opens with a central "clack" and closes again after the signal playback. For example, if you listen to short passages one after the other, the playback is interrupted each time with 2 "clacks", a fact that is really extremely annoying after a certain time. In addition, the first attack of the signal is cut off by the delay of the opening time of the noise gate, which additionally provides a sonic irritation.

I don't know if the control electronics of current nearfield monitors are now only supplied by a few manufacturers, but I personally consider this development to be very questionable, as it at least affects my workflow a lot. This is even sadder, since the Focal Alpha 80 Evo really convinced me sonically on a whole level, but would be eliminated for my personal workflow with this shortcoming.

I am therefore unfortunately forced to downgrade the rating from a sonically more than deserved "Very Good" to a "Good" due to this ambient noise behavior. I hope that Focal will get this problem under control, since the monitors would have more than deserved it from the sonic behavior.

Conclusion

With the Focal Alpha 80 Evo in combination with the Focal Sub One, the French manufacturer has a sonically excellent system in its portfolio. The basic sound is open, neutral and very well resolved, whereby especially the midrange reproduction is far above average for a 2-way system in this price range.

If this system were not also affected by the strongly spreading "noise gate effect", the system would have deserved a top place in this price range. Thus, it is unfortunately only enough for a middle place, which, however, could be immediately converted into a top rating after fixing the problem.

Additional Informations:

Focal Audio is a company that has been producing high-end audio equipment for over 40 years. Founded in 1979 by Jacques Mahul, Focal Audio has become a leading name in the audio industry, known for their innovative designs, high-quality components, and exceptional sound quality.

History

Focal Audio was founded in France in 1979 by Jacques Mahul, a hi-fi enthusiast who had a passion for high-quality audio. The company's first product was a speaker driver, which quickly gained a following among audiophiles for its exceptional sound quality.

Over the years, Focal Audio has continued to innovate and expand their product line, offering a range of speakers, headphones, amplifiers, and other audio equipment. Today, Focal Audio is known for their high-end, audiophile-grade products, as well as their commitment to research and development.

Products

Focal Audio offers a range of audio equipment for both professional and home use. Some of their most popular products include:

Utopia III Evo Speakers: The Utopia III Evo Speakers are Focal Audio's flagship product, and are widely regarded as some of the best speakers on the market. They feature a range of advanced technologies, including Focal Audio's patented beryllium tweeter, which delivers exceptional detail and clarity.

Stellia Headphones: The Stellia headphones are a high-end, closed-back design that are ideal for audiophiles who demand the best in sound quality. They feature Focal Audio's patented M-shaped dome driver, which delivers exceptional detail and accuracy.

Arche Amplifier/DAC: The Arche Amplifier/DAC is a high-end digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier that is ideal for both professional and home use. It features a range of advanced technologies, including Focal Audio's proprietary DAC chip and a dedicated Class A amplifier.

Kanta Speakers: The Kanta speakers are a more affordable option that still deliver exceptional sound quality. They feature Focal Audio's signature Flax cone drivers, which deliver a natural and detailed sound.

Clear Headphones: The Clear headphones are a high-end, open-back design that are ideal for audiophiles who demand the best in sound quality. They feature a range of advanced technologies, including Focal Audio's patented M-shaped dome driver and a dedicated voice coil.
All of Focal Audio's products are designed and manufactured in France, using high-quality components and materials.

Research and Development

One of the things that sets Focal Audio apart from other audio equipment manufacturers is their commitment to research and development. Focal Audio has a team of engineers and scientists who are constantly working to develop new technologies and improve existing ones.
For example, Focal Audio's patented beryllium tweeter is the result of years of research and development. The tweeter is made from a lightweight and rigid material that delivers exceptional detail and clarity, and is widely regarded as one of the best tweeters on the market.
In addition to their in-house research and development, Focal Audio also collaborates with leading universities and research institutions to further advance the state of the art in audio technology.

Conclusion

Focal Audio is a company that has made a name for itself by producing high-end, audiophile-grade audio equipment. With a range of speakers, headphones, amplifiers, and other products, Focal Audio has something to offer for both professional and home users. And with their commitment to research and development, Focal Audio is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in audio technology.