Focal typically has some mild useful (for mixing) upper mids emphasis which in some models is more pronounced. For the job of mixing I like this, and I prefer the previous Alpha 50 and 65 to the current Evos, but the Evos certainly are fine for that purpose. A5X sounds more like a cost effective 'rough mastering' tool to me, like Yamaha HS8.
I don't think there's an upper mids emphasis as much as there's a lower mids de-emphasis. The frequency response curve for the Alpha 50/65 Evo speakers has a bit of a dip from 4-600Hz, which I think might typically mask upper mids around 3kHz. So when this dip occurs in the Focals, it makes the listener hear upper mids more clearly, since they're not masked as much as on other speakers. In a mixing environment this may lead to strange mix choices unless the producer is familiar with doing a lower mids offset either in the bass channels of the mix or on the mix bus to compensate. Should be easy enough w/ a 1-2db bump around 5Hz w/ a wide Q on the mix bus.
Im no expert, but it seems like the a5x seems a bit muddy in some songs (man on fire) maybe im confusing it for a better bass response. Meanwhile the focal seems a bit more accurate to the source track, not as hype... Am i correct?
One has to applaud the Alphas soundstage, it sounds bigger than the box, especially on the highs. But the Adams are still better, they're more controlled, more focused and sound more correct. I suspect the Focals would end up as great listening speakers, bringing that lively sound while the Adams are much better for mixing and maybe even mastering.
Make it possible Yamaha Ns10 vs Yamaha Hs5 please! The most famous monitor of all time Ns10 should not be missing in these comparisons, I think a comparison with them would be epic. fingers up whoever wants this! ns10 vs hs5 and with many more ...!
haha it'll be a hard process. A7X is on of his most expensive monitors he has so far in this channel. So it'll be a long & hard process when we'll get there on high-end flagship studio monitors.
I can always hear into the mix more with the Adams, I ordered the T5V’s I just hope they will translate well. I honestly believe the high mids that the Adam allow you to hear do well is where a lot of noise resides so let’s see…
I go always on "Man on Fire", and "Bellissimo". is just there I can hear differences. all the other "modern music" not big differences at all. Adam, more fuller sound here. For now A5X is my favorite. I will find a good pair second hand because now is not enable. I have the T5V and I think I just will use just por listen music.
Which one of these two (plus the Kali IN-5) would you recommend for use as reference monitors with a guitar modeling amp? I wanna buy a Fractal Audio AxeFX or Neural DSP Quad Cortex and need a pair of monitors to listen through instead of a guitar cabinet. Also wanna use them for mixing tracks to do youtube guitar covers. I play mostly heavy metal in a bedroom setup.
Adam has more bass, and is strict, tighter. The snare is better on Focal and the whole spectrum is more balanced. I can feel the difference in the size of the box, but it's hard to compare the stage with these mics. Taste decides ribbon or beryllium.
I like them both. I have been leaning towards Focal 5 or maybe 8, but with Class AB amps (pre-EVO). Is there any hiss or other noise from these speakers at low or no input signal? I believe that this can be a problem with some monitors. I am considering buying my first monitors but for listening enjoyment only. Can anyone advise which to buy for low noise and good for music please? Love your comparisons. Thank you for all your efforts. They help many people to decide what to buy.
@@DSAUDIOreview Thank you for your feedback 👍🏼. Are there any other good 6-8 inch monitors that are really well constructed and recommended for listening to classical and baroque music?
The previous Alpha 65 has some hiss, Sound&Recording measured it at 25dBA @10cm wich is mediocre. For me that would be fine at 1m listening distance, but my Mackie MR524 are a lot quieter (sound a lot worse though). For the price I think the older Alpha (that were 90€ per speaker cheaper than the new gen) were some of the best if not the best in class for music listening. But they are chunky for any given woofer size.
They are close but I like the Focals more for better bass and better integration between tweeter and bass driver. PSI Audio 14Ms are my best small monitors with very refined highs. Second Genelec 8010 followed by Yamaha HS5. A sub is recommended with all of these.
You just cant handle anything lower 50hz, only with fully treated expensive room. Otherwise 20-50hz will just rumble asfk and destroys your hearing balance, making you to do a bad decisions on the mids and highs
