Acoustic Energy AE1 Active or Genelec 8040

[RoA]

It's time to change. I have a relatively small room, approx 3.5 x 3.5 meters. I listen approx 2 to 2.5 meters away. The two above are the only ones on my shortlist and they will likely be paired with either my Audiolab 6000A in Pre-amp function or a EverSolo DAC-Z6 DAC, to be determined yet.

If I go the Eversolo way I will also have to get a phono pre-amp. The Audiolab has a very decent one built in.

Both speakers have some tone controls but I will use a WiiM Pro Plus which can assist.

Of the two speakers, which one would you recommend?

 

[staticV3]

The Genelec is almost twice the price, but is without any doubt the superior loudspeaker.

 

[Krit]

Of the two speakers, which one would you recommend?

Without A B test it's very hard to tell. If you are making money on music then genelec but if not i wouldn't be surprised at all that AE1 Active may have some advantages for example bass where sub is not needed that's a giant advantage in small rooms in terms of clearity and speed also costs way less.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Why not 8030?

 

[RoA]

Perhaps a little small regardless of the near identical SPL capability. The larger driver will likely have better dynamics and power is almost double. It could, however pose a room problem. I have a nasty in room bass mode.

 

[DSJR]

If they're looked after, the Genelecs may well have better residuals over time, irrespective of performance.

 

[Krit]

Perhaps a little small regardless of the near identical SPL capability. The larger driver will likely have better dynamics and power is almost double. It could, however pose a room problem. I have a nasty in room bass mode.

Bigger is not always better (especially for smaller rooms) for example in small room to me JBL 305P was better than JBL 306P and A100 was better than SM200 although MR624 was better than MR524.

 

[RoA]

Without A B test it's very hard to tell. If you are making money on music then genelec but if not i wouldn't be surprised at all that AE1 Active may have some advantages for example bass where sub is not needed that's a giant advantage in small rooms in terms of clearity and speed also costs way less.

It's for a domestic environment.

 

[Krit]

It's for a domestic environment.

For that i personally would choose AE1 Active because it's not so close to studio sound as genelec. After a while studio sound usually gets boring to listen to at least to me it was the case.

 

[Mort]

For that i personally would choose AE1 Active because it's not so close to studio sound as genelec. After a while studio sound usually gets boring to listen to at lest to me it was the case.

Welcome to ASR. Stick around!

 

[Pearljam5000]

For that i personally would choose AE1 Active because it's not so close to studio sound as genelec. After a while studio sound usually gets boring to listen to at least to me it was the case.

Colored sound is much more boring

 

[Grotti]

For that i personally would choose AE1 Active because it's not so close to studio sound as genelec. After a while studio sound usually gets boring to listen to at lest to me it was the case.

Due to its good on axis response and the smooth directivity you can tune the sound of the Genelec very much to your subjective liking by PEQ. That's the beauty of a well made studio monitor....

 

[Krit]

Colored sound is much more boring

Then why Hi-Fi sound exists ?
To me studio sound is (work) and Hi-Fi are (holidays) to relax and enjoy..... So pick your poison.

It's for a domestic environment.

 

[staticV3]

Then why Hi-Fi sound exists ?

To me studio sound is (work) and Hi-Fi are (holidays) to relax and enjoy..... So pick your poison.

Studio sound is filmmaker mode on modern TVs. Accurate reproduction.

If you prefer to keep motion interpolation and color boost turned on, more power to you.

 

[G|force]

Then why Hi-Fi sound exists ?

To me studio sound is (work) and Hi-Fi are (holidays) to relax and enjoy..... So pick your poison.

I can color the sound of my Genelec speakers with plugins and outboard if wanted.
I can't use those plugins and outboard to uncolor hi-fi speakers.

 

[Krit]

I can color the sound of my Genelec speakers with plugins and outboard if wanted.
I can't use those plugins and outboard to uncolor hi-fi speakers.

And what about highs is it possible to add more air in high's ?

 

[Grotti]

And what about highs is it possible to add more air in high's ?

The Genelecs provide lots of "air". And more of it, if you dial in more spl in the "air band" with PEQ. I strongly suggest, that you try them at home for some time.

 

[visanj]

I have listened to Acoustic Energy AE 1 Active in nearby store and to me it sounds too much airy in the highs bordering to bright sound but at the same time I could also notice the naturalness and richness in the sound which I don't hear in my setup (Elac DBR62 connected to Sonos Amp). May be something to do with class a/b amplifier as opposed to Digital Amp in Sonos Amp.

 

[Mort]

May be something to do with class a/b amplifier as opposed to Digital Amp in Sonos Amp.

Unlikely.