Simon Price
Genelec’s relatively diminutive active speakers are known for recording studio use. The Genelec 8330A’s don’t use big drivers because the speakers exist in the near-field environment for a flat frequency response, essential if the recording studio artist is going to record faithfully. Up close, the audio produced is mostly direct sound, without off-axis reverberations of our room getting involved.
But that’s before Genelec’s GLM room correction system is in the mix. Using the supplied microphone from the GLM kit with Mac’s or PC’s, the software measures the response at the listening position. The resulting curve is applied in an effort to correct out adverse room modes, much like Dirac which is perhaps more well known in Audiophile circles.
But the misconception that Genelec is not for home use, as per one comment on my YouTube channel; ‘Home audio is not Genelec’s wheelhouse’, is put to bed when one considers, not exclusively but certainly from my experience;
1. GLM Room Correction
The room correction software can deal with the room precisely and the associated Genelec Auto-Phase feature helps to align the speakers phase with that of the sub – in my review case: the 7350A. Plus in GLM release 4.2 you also get what Genelec call GRADE – Genelec Room Acoustic Data Evaluation – an advice based room report based specifically on your own measurements.
In my room the effects on flattening out bass issues was profound and resulted in a very precise and dynamic sound, whilst again in my experience, flat correcting across the entire range will be best helped by treating the room first (if your bag) to let the software work to its full potential. This all means that the system is very much home orientated, in addition to the known benefits brought by integrating amplifiers with speakers and overcoming some of the problems of passive speakers networks, commonly used in home audio.
2. Genelec Aluminium Chassis
Most of us know that the use of aluminium speaker cases means stiffness, good damping and mass, so the enclosure itself does not add to the drivers sound and meaning it is inert to vibration. For big floor-standing / tower speakers, this would make the cabinets incredibly heavy and expensive, hence why MDF (medium density fibreboard) is traditionally used. So in this sense the design is exactly what is suited to the needs of home listening. Another reason not to think of home audio and pro audio as being different.
3. Genelec G-Series for the home
Some of the models in the G series line up are made with bigger drivers for greater ease of dispersion for big rooms and increased volume – for instance with the G5 you get a 205mm (8″) bass unit. Genelec take some of the same design principles – enclosure materials, drive unit design, and active speakers benefits, compared to their smaller studio offerings. This makes the convincing point again that the design CAN and IS applied to ‘different’ studio and home applications. But let’s be clear too, for some, putting small speakers in a room is a question of aesthetics and not allowing a system to dominate physically. For that, the Genelec 8330A and 7350A pairing just works too!
Specifications
8330A Speakers
- SPL : 104db
- Frequency Response : 45 Hz – 23 kHz (“-6 dB”)
- Driver Dimensions : 130mm bass, 19mm Treble
- Weight : 5.5 Kg
- Amp Power : 50W Bass / 50W Treble (Class D)
- Accuracy of Frequency Response : ± 1.5 dB (58 Hz – 20 kHz)
- Dimensions : H 299 x W 189 x D 178 mm, with Iso-Pod™
- Connections : 1 x XLR Analog Input, 1 x XLR AES/EBU Input, 1 x XLR AES/EBU Output, 2 x RJ45 Control.
7350A Subwoofer
- SPL : 104db
- Frequency Response : 22 Hz – 160 kHz (“-6 dB”)
- Driver Dimension : 205mm (8″)
- Amp Power : 150W Class D
- Accuracy of Frequency Response : ± 3 dB (25 Hz – 150 Hz)
- Dimensions : H 410 x W 350 x D 319 mm
- Weight : 19KG
- Connections : 6 x XLR Analog Inputs, 5 x XLR Analog Outputs, 1 x XLR AES/EBU Digital Input, 1 x XLR AES/EBU Digital Output, 2 x RJ45 Control.
Manufacturer details
Website : here
Contact Details : here
