Buying Advice: Best-Suited Neumann/Genelec Model for 3.7 × 8 m Setup

[Mile]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on choosing the right speaker models for my room size. I’m considering a combination of front speakers and subwoofers, but I’d like to hear your recommendations based on my space.

Here are the room details:

• Floor dimensions: 3.70 m x 8.00 m (≈ 12.14 ft x 26.25 ft)
• Volume: about 80 m³ (≈ 2,825 ft³)
• The speakers will need to be placed on the short side of the room (3.70 m). For acoustic treatment, I should subtract about 10 cm (≈ 4 in) on each side, so the effective width becomes roughly 3.50 m (≈ 11.48 ft).

Given these dimensions, what setup or speaker models would you recommend? Especially combinations of fronts and subs.

Please help me with the specific model choice. It should either be a Neumann or a Genelec.

 

[zonk]

An important information is where is the listening position.

There is an overview of the Genelec model and the recommended listening distance.

The Neumanns usually have those informations like recommended listening distance, placing recommendations in their speaker manuals or FAQs to the specific model. The manuals are in some languages available. Maybe it's interesting for you that there are a few new Neumann speaker models to be released soon. Like a successor to the KH310 etc. (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...w-neumann-stuff-announcing-friday-9-12.65685/)

Link to Neumann website:
https://www.neumann.com/en-de/
https://newsroom.neumann.com/neumann-expands-its-kh-line-with-five-new-subwoofers

 

[zonk]

For each Genelec model you'll find detailed information in the downloads section.
For example for the Genelec 8350: https://www.genelec.de/8350a#section-downloads

 

[boxerfan88]

If you play super loud, I would recommend:

• KH420
• the new KH805 subwoofer (multiple units if you have the budget)

For normal to loud levels, I would recommend:

• KH310A or the upcoming KH310 II / KH350
• the new KH805 subwoofer (multiple units if you have the budget)

^ I use a pair of KH310A with 3rd party sealed push-pull subwoofer in a 4m x 4m room, it's excellent.

/

 

[Mile]

@all Thanks a lot for your helpful answers!

@boxerfann88
Luckily, I can afford to go with multiple subwoofers, so budget is not really an issue. However, I don’t quite understand why multiple subwoofers would be necessary. How many subs would you consider optimal, and where would be the best places to position them? Could you elaborate a bit more on that?

 

[boxerfan88]

@boxerfann88
Luckily, I can afford to go with multiple subwoofers, so budget is not really an issue. However, I don’t quite understand why multiple subwoofers would be necessary. How many subs would you consider optimal, and where would be the best places to position them? Could you elaborate a bit more on that?

Glad that you have the budget for multiple subwoofers, because multiple subwoofers can help even out the bass response across a larger area.
Oh, I am not an expert, because I only have experience with 1 subwoofer in my setup/room.
(And it is true about the uneven bass with 1 subwoofer -- the seat to the left and right of MLP has quite a bit of bass amplitude response variation.)
However, I recall Neumann has a good writeup about PWBA Plane-Wave-Bass-Array (attached PDF) -- read from page 22.

Some useful threads in ASR about multiple subwoofers:

• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/subwoofer-low-frequency-optimization.15/
• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/dba-double-bass-array-marketing.63446/
• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...wanted-proof-of-multiple-subs-and-sub-eq.185/

/

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

You are in a dream situation. You seem to have the budget..
My recommendation:

Genelec System: 2 x W371A, 2 x 8351

They will likely throw in the GLM application to linearize these in your room.

Endgame.

 

[Mort]

@all Thanks a lot for your helpful answers!

@boxerfann88
Luckily, I can afford to go with multiple subwoofers, so budget is not really an issue. However, I don’t quite understand why multiple subwoofers would be necessary. How many subs would you consider optimal, and where would be the best places to position them? Could you elaborate a bit more on that?

For a single listening position, using SAM, one genelec subwoofer is enough.

 

[Mile]

So, what about the different room correction systems—are there really significant differences between them? And does Neumann allow for manual adjustments too, or is everything completely automatic?

Has anyone seen or read any well-researched, credible comparisons—or even performed a direct shootout—between Genelec SAM and Neumann MA-1? I’d love to hear about sonic results, workflow, or any "scientific" tests that might show actual pros and cons for each approach.

 

[Mort]

So, what about the different room correction systems—are there really significant differences between them? And does Neumann allow for manual adjustments too, or is everything completely automatic?

Has anyone seen or read any well-researched, credible comparisons—or even performed a direct shootout—between Genelec SAM and Neumann MA-1? I’d love to hear about sonic results, workflow, or any "scientific" tests that might show actual pros and cons for each approach.

It's very difficult to test and compare room correction systems because every room is different.

Personally I have tried DiracLive, Wiim, Audyssey and Genelec. Genelec wins by a mile with subwoofer because they can get the phase very exact.