Decision between Genelec 8351B and 8341 , existing pair of subs

[Burke]

I searched this forum for all available reviews of the Genelec point source loudspeakers.

The absolute ranking in hifi-quality within the Genelec G-One-Series is clear.
8341 are better than 8331
8351B are better than 8341
8361 are better than 8351B.
But the higher audio-quality comes always with higher prices and more critical with larger sizes of these loudspeakers.

And in some cases it might depend on specific conditions.

1. My room is not too large, smaller than 20 m².

2. I'm not interested in maximum audio power. My interest is to get the best quality of sound available at the lowest audio level.
(It is clear that higher volumne will produce more adrenalin and the sound seems to be more impressive. But if you compare two sets of speakers, I prefare that pair, where the sound has still some groove, even if you reduce the audio power.)
One of the reasons for this is the fact, that not only my listening room is small, but there are neighbours living next by, which should not be disturbed.

3. I will use/keep a pair of not-Genelec subwoofers, which are quite well for handling the 2 octaves of bass between 20 Hz and above 80 Hz.
So it isn't of interest for me, if the new main-speakers will go down to 30 Hz, 35 Hz or "only" 40 Hz.

Selection so far:
The 8361 are out of the list --- they are just much to big.
The 8331 are out of the list --- they are (or at least seems to be) to small.

So the open decission is between 8341A and 8351B.
From the information provided by Genelec the included electronics (= amplifiers for the individual tweeters) seems to be quite similar, producing the same maximum power.
The crossover frequencies are different, since the size of the tweeters are different.

But what would be the difference in sound?
Does anybody had a chance for direct comparisson?
And could sanybody gives a recommendateion, based on what kind of facts.

Any comments, ore helpful advice will be wellcome

Kind regards,
Burke

 

[Joachim Herbert]

They sound the same. This is what they are designed for. Major diff is max spl and bass extension.

I would go Genelec subs, though cause only these would be part of glm calibration.

 

[tifune]

Your room is smaller than 20 m², but how far from the monitors will you be sitting?

 

[Burke]

Your room is smaller than 20 m², but how far from the monitors will you be sitting?

The distance will be 2,5 m to 3,0 m.

 

[Harryharryharry]

I can't comment on the comparison but you might be interested to hear that similar to you I'm not interested in listening to music loudly.

I've got the 8331 in my living room which is a 28m² room open plan to another 5m² room.

I have them with a single sub woofer and even have the 8331 dip switch on -20db and find them to be loud enough. They do distort when pushed however so you may prefer more headroom but perhaps worth considering if you need to spend more.

I can test what dB I listen at max if you like.

 

[tifune]

The distance will be 2,5 m to 3,0 m.

The 8361 is what genelec would recommend, although 8351B with subs would almost certainly suffice.

Correct Monitors - Genelec.com

A monitor, by definition, observes, checks, controls, warns or keeps a continuous record of something. An audio monitor, studio monitor or monitoring speaker is more than just a good-sounding loudspeaker. It is a device used in the process of recording, mixing or broadcasting audio in any...

www.genelec.com

 

[Burke]

Thanks, this seems to be good news.
A measurement with used dB will not be necessary, since I'm really not interessed in maximum volume, but only in sound quality.

Additional Question:
To my understanding the dip switch -20dB allows better resolution of the DACs inside the 8331 = higher signal after the DAC, and then smaller analog amplification.
Is this understanding correct?

 

[azzy_mazzy]

8341A if you don't need the extra output and low end extension.

 

[Burke]

The 8361 is what genelec would recommend, although 8351B with subs would almost certainly suffice.

Correct Monitors - Genelec.com

A monitor, by definition, observes, checks, controls, warns or keeps a continuous record of something. An audio monitor, studio monitor or monitoring speaker is more than just a good-sounding loudspeaker. It is a device used in the process of recording, mixing or broadcasting audio in any...

www.genelec.com

There are some conficting results inside this link.
Since my room, with an area of less than 20 m² and a volume of roughly 50 m³, is quite small, both tables from Genelec (in the link provided by you) seems to indicate, that even the 8331 should be powerfull enough.

 

[Kisscool]

8350 + sub

 

[Harryharryharry]

Thanks, this seems to be good news.
A measurement with used dB will not be necessary, since I'm really not interessed in maximum volume, but only in sound quality.

Additional Question:
To my understanding the dip switch -20dB allows better resolution of the DACs inside the 8331 = higher signal after the DAC, and then smaller analog amplification.
Is this understanding correct?

They certainly sound better to my ears with the dip switches at -20. Though I might change to -10 as the turntable is a little quiet and occasionally want to turn it up.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Definitely 8351 because it has the bigger mid/tweeter
Regardless of SPL
It's good to have

 

[Burke]

Definitely 8351 because it has the bigger mid/tweeter
Regardless of SPL
It's good to have

Is the bigger mid/tweeter always better?
Or will the larger tweeter reduce the area of good listening?

 

[Sacha]

I've owned 8331 and 8351 and they sound generally very similar, as designed, with the bigger bois having greater low end and volume capability. Get the biggest speaker you can afford so you can avoid needing to upgrade later and enjoy your good sounding life.

 

[Descartes]

The distance will be 2,5 m to 3,0 m.

You need the 8351B

 

[Pearljam5000]

Is the bigger mid/tweeter always better?
Or will the larger tweeter reduce the area of good listening?

It's better to have because you'd be less limited in the future and the price difference is not huge

 

[Sancus]

8351B has better(narrower) directivity at low frequencies and also has the best overall measurements in the lineup, so that is what I would go with at 2.5m. 8341A will be nearly as good., so up to you if you don't care much about SPL. It's true that they sound the same in terms of overall tonality.

8331As sound good in a desktop environment(I also own them) but I would avoid them at longer distances. Their measurements are worse and they have many limitations due to size, they mainly exist to fit a 3-way coaxial into a small space. They are probably fine if you really play at low volumes(I would say maximum 70dB average @ 2.5m), but unless you're getting an unusually huge discount relative to the others it doesn't make sense.

 

[Curvature]

I searched this forum for all available reviews of the Genelec point source loudspeakers.

The absolute ranking in hifi-quality within the Genelec G-One-Series is clear.
8341 are better than 8331
8351B are better than 8341
8361 are better than 8351B.
But the higher audio-quality comes always with higher prices and more critical with larger sizes of these loudspeakers.

And in some cases it might depend on specific conditions.

1. My room is not too large, smaller than 20 m².

2. I'm not interested in maximum audio power. My interest is to get the best quality of sound available at the lowest audio level.
(It is clear that higher volumne will produce more adrenalin and the sound seems to be more impressive. But if you compare two sets of speakers, I prefare that pair, where the sound has still some groove, even if you reduce the audio power.)
One of the reasons for this is the fact, that not only my listening room is small, but there are neighbours living next by, which should not be disturbed.

3. I will use/keep a pair of not-Genelec subwoofers, which are quite well for handling the 2 octaves of bass between 20 Hz and above 80 Hz.
So it isn't of interest for me, if the new main-speakers will go down to 30 Hz, 35 Hz or "only" 40 Hz.

Selection so far:
The 8361 are out of the list --- they are just much to big.
The 8331 are out of the list --- they are (or at least seems to be) to small.

So the open decission is between 8341A and 8351B.
From the information provided by Genelec the included electronics (= amplifiers for the individual tweeters) seems to be quite similar, producing the same maximum power.
The crossover frequencies are different, since the size of the tweeters are different.

But what would be the difference in sound?
Does anybody had a chance for direct comparisson?
And could sanybody gives a recommendateion, based on what kind of facts.

Any comments, ore helpful advice will be wellcome

Kind regards,
Burke

The advantage to the larger Genelec 8351B is that the directivity is consistent to 800Hz, about 100Hz or so lower than the smaller 8341A: https://www.spinorama.org/compare.h...1A&origin1=Vendors-Genelec&version1=vendor_eq

I view the above as very important and one of my main pieces of information when deciding a purchase.

There are likely advantages to max output, but we don't have good numbers for either speaker.

 

[Arnas]

Desktop setup with sub = 8331
Desktop setup whitout sub = 8351b
If you listen from 1m to 2.5m then 8351b must be minimum.

In your situation i would opt for 51s + 2 7360 subs.
I would only listen 51 solo's if listening distance is 2m max, cause distortion would take a big hit otherwhise.
Big distances i would only get 61s if subs are not present.

 

[srrxr71]

The distance will be 2,5 m to 3,0 m.

Not after you hear them. You’ll realize soon that closer sounds better.

From the quick mental math I did you’d be closer to the back wall than the actual speakers. Which is not optimal for what these are designed for.