The two pairs were connected to the Protools HD3 system, switched via an SPL monitor controller.
It was tested with the common signal sources such as level tones, noise (pink/white) sweeps, music, speech
Findings:
-Dimensions are almost identical
-Similar setting options on the R side.
-Speaker diameter and angle of the waveguides almost identical.
-Weight similar.
-Speaker config similar, polyprop bass and metal dome
The Truth also has an automatic function that switches off the loudspeaker after a time that has not been further timed if there is no level at the input.
Workmanship/handling Truth:
Gap dimensions within tolerance, cheap veneer, plastic covers and Phillips screws on the front, the amp is screwed in rigidly.
Heat development in load operation worrying.
The Truth tended to have a 100 Hz hum (K2 image frequency/harmonic of mains frequency).
That alone is unacceptable.
Processing/handling Genelec:
High-quality housing, meticulous gap dimensions, no plastic feeling. Amp is installed with springs. Heat development 50% of Truth. The room adjustment is realized using DIP switches and not like Truth with shift register switches. The speakers are screwed with high-quality Torx.
Sound impression comparison:
Set up on decoupled Ultimate MS-45B2 monitor stands (
http://www.thomann.de/de/ultimate_ms45p2.htm ), the 60-degree stereo triangle was monitored with a measured 60-85 dB(A).
Truth:
-Decent, but slightly "spongy" bass reproduction down to about 50 Hz,
below which the transmission drops by about 24 dB/oct.
-Treble subtle to partially silky, not too penetrating, but unfortunately not assertive either.
-Middle range is much too blurred, middle-heavy instruments such as brass instruments are difficult to judge, with speech there are compromises in intelligibility.
-Stereo image is very bad and moves into the "catastrophic" range with increasing distance between ear and membrane. This results in poor locating of instruments in the panorama.
-Bass graduation: see midrange and stereo image.
Genelec: -Bass
is slightly weaker than with the Truth, but also much more honest. The lower transmission frequency is also around 50 Hz. Also falls off similar to the Truth.
- Highs, crystal clear, absolutely linear, true to impulse and assertive, just as you would expect from a monitor.
- Middle: this is where the Genelec strikes mercilessly. Very high impulse fidelity and shocking linearity. The 1031APM shows its strength especially in the frequency range in which speech is found.
-Stereo image: Incredible stereo image, even with not really wide mixes, it allows a good localization of the instrumentation in the panorama.
-Gradation in depth according to the other results.
Conclusion:
To describe the Truth as a replica or even as an alternative is humbuk. However, a knock-off would not be fair either. You have to classify it somewhere in between. For beginners, a near-field monitor that looks decent overall and is certainly unbeatable in its price range (price/performance).
Measured against and with high-quality components, however, it falls mercilessly against the "original".
The measurement protocols supplied with the Truth could be refuted in our test and unfortunately seem to be a fantasy product from Behringer