Bumping this thread to share some recent experiences relevant to OPs initial question... This spring, after a long evaluation process, I decided that Genelec would indeed be a good enough "high end" system for domestic use. I am an amateur musician and also attend a lot of classical concerts. I only do streaming nowadays, using the excellent Idagio service. I listen in an acoustically challenging, somewhat L-shaped room, some 30sqm. I seldom listen at more then 90dB SPL at my favorite listening position so I went for a pair of 8341As with a 7360A subwoofer, all controlled with a SAM 3.0
- Aesthetically, the family accepted the 8341s straight away, but the 7360A was a hard sell. I finally had to hide it away in a position that isn't quite optimal. But one has to protect ones marriage...
- While Genelec have a lot of mounting options for studio and PA, not so much for home use! The floor stands K&M make for Genelec are hideous and too tall. One has to improvise, I have the speaker free standing so I found two black stools about the right hight...
- I have the GLM running all the time (also got the nice but over-priced 9310 volume control) meaning that the ugly white Cat5 cables are permanently visible. I have to get black ones at least!
- And speaking about volume control, thats why I have the GLM connected all the time. I would probably not be able to hear any difference if I regulated volume at the source but just in case.
- The source is a PC (or a Pi3 if I would dare to disconnect the GLM) so I need to convert USB to AES. I got a Matrix X-SPDIF - heavy, stylish but maybe not the most cost-effective solution.
- The AES cables come in a limited range of fixed lengths and dont contribute to the aesthetics.
- The system is sensitive to bad recordings! I listen a lot more now to new, carefully crafted recordings made by good engineers (hats off, Stephan Reh and the cpo label!) but less to remixes of old superstar recordings on some of the mainstream labels.
And finally - yes, I am very pleased overall with the sound! As an interesting observation: In spite of Corona (this is Sweden you know - we still meet with others but keep a respectful distance of "a small moose"), I have had a number of visits and listening sessions already. The musicians - amateurs as well as pros - love the system. The "audiophiles" however seem less convinced. "Dry" and "unmusical" were a few comments. "Do you really trust these?" a renowned "golden ear" remarked, while pulling one of the AES cables... On the other hand - a woodwind player from our leading philharmonic orchestra went straight home and ordered a pair of 8331's for his apartment.
So, yes. A Genelec system is, in my opinion, a cost-efficient alternative to high-end "audiophile" sound reproduction systems. But a little bit more hassle got get it installed and running properly. And zero bragging rights with the audiophiles