Most of these hybrid systems are really unbalanced and prone to phasing issues, and the focals can come down to 35 Hz, wich is very near if at par to most subs on the market, so you don't need to add a sub. They are really big, and the bass is really strong, and imho are a better option than buying 6" or smaller cones, that you have to add a sub. The focals alpha 8 are great if you want a nearfield that almost works as a mid field. We measured the monitors at my studio, and apart from a valley at 50 Hz, and a peak at 125 Hz (that is related to the room and we noticed it also with the A7's), the frequency response is very very linear in the whole spectrum specially if you consider a 600 eur or less Pair! I needed a more "Hi-Fi" feel, thouhg still very revealing and the alphas seem to do the trick. The rokits where to heavy on the bass, and the yamaha's had higs more similar to my A7's a bit strident. When i bought them i compared them to Yamaha's, Rokits, and of course my Adam's. While the Alphas are enough revealing they are also great to hear music, and you will really like the experience of making and producing music with them. I keep hearing people saying studio monitors should be revealing and sound bad, but imho that's a freaking ugly way to tell the whole story. Side question-how do you like the Focals? I've been hearing (ha!) a lot about them lately.