beautiful sound space. thanks for perspective and sharing!I have Neumann KH310's, KH120's/KH750 and KH150's. They are silent - no hiss even when listening at .3 meters. That is one reason why I like them so much. I do not like hiss - at all. I listen very nearfield so this is an important issue for me. View attachment 266400
The problem is, the sensitivity range in the 8030C is the same as for the 8050B, while typical listening distance is substantially closer, potentially halved. That makes noise levels up to 6 dB more critical. This trend continues with the 8020D, and the minimum sensitivity available in the 8010A even is 2 dB higher. Having the same sensitivity across a range of sizes makes sense in a surround setup, not so much in nearfield.Just adjust speaker sensitivity and the hiss is gone. That is what I did to my 8050s.
What the hell do they do in ATC to have a non-existent one?Genelac's averaged to 24.6 dB SPL self noise, Neumann to 18.7 dBA SPL, Dynaudio to 19.0 dBA SPL...
Hiss List (S&R)
Lots of discussion about hiss lately, how perceptible or annoying it is, and if it matters. I've created a sheet with Sound & Recording measurements of hiss in active loudspeakers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n62hGAdKptSSKC74_fIT_R7DxFJ60YR2_O9C8x-vYQI/edit?usp=sharing Viewers can...www.audiosciencereview.com
The sheet includes discontinued models, and the choice of models is arbitrary. Taking statistics from these is not good practice. On the other hand, Genelec's average in this case corresponds to the expected value of most modern models, less than 5 dB at 1 m.Genelac's averaged to 24.6 dB SPL self noise, Neumann to 18.7 dBA SPL, Dynaudio to 19.0 dBA SPL...
Hiss List (S&R)
Lots of discussion about hiss lately, how perceptible or annoying it is, and if it matters. I've created a sheet with Sound & Recording measurements of hiss in active loudspeakers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n62hGAdKptSSKC74_fIT_R7DxFJ60YR2_O9C8x-vYQI/edit?usp=sharing Viewers can...www.audiosciencereview.com
I actually was suspecting higher voltage mains usually have the transformer working more in a high efficiency range, just guessing from pc PSUs where 220v is always more efficient than 110v. So not efficient means less noise or loss to some degree or so, but really just wild guess and more likely it’s brain sensitivity or so@YSC mains would be a buzzing sound at fundamental network frequency (50/60 Hz in most parts of the world) and you can't hear it very far away because frequently it's at. I live in nature, with decent isolation everything turned off at night and environment noise is still above 25 dB. I suppose our "sensitivity" rises sharply on unnatural sound (as possible threat) but even that's temporary (until brain classifies it as not important and discards it sort of speaking).
@YSC mains would be a buzzing sound at fundamental network frequency (50/60 Hz in most parts of the world) and you can't hear it very far away because frequently it's at. I live in nature, with decent isolation everything turned off at night and environment noise is still above 25 dB. I suppose our "sensitivity" rises sharply on unnatural sound (as possible threat) but even that's temporary (until brain classifies it as not important and discards it sort of speaking).
Yes and usually you can't do much (you can galvanic isolation, autended line's with thick cages and TPE graphite blocks but let's stay at average bloke and regular equipment levels) blocking EMI that's in such low frequency range but then again you can't hear it on any even close to normal listening position (under even arm length). Or at least I think so.Normally, in gear, it is 100/120Hz from rectification which makes a 'buzz'. 50/60Hz is a 'hum'.
Makes sense,snakes are a pretty significant threat,must be on top of the threat list.I suppose our "sensitivity" rises sharply on unnatural sound (as possible threat)
Except perhaps in a near field professional mixing environment or an anechoic chamber. I think the one time I've heard hiss (other than from old recordings) was my only time stood at a studio mixing desk!It's pouring with rain here right now, a huge summer storm lashing the house, and I couldn't hear hiss if I tried.
In summer, I have my air conditioners on, and the noise floor is such that I am kidding myself to hear residual noise.
During the day, there's environmental noise which is far and away above the level of residual hiss and hum.
It's only during those late night, cool months, where everyone is asleep (and the refrigerator has gone quiet) where I can really hear (not measure) the residual noise of gear, be it preamps, power amps or sources.
It's a totally first world (audiophile nervosa) problem in real terms.
They do hiss at a 1m distance (see pic, that’s my desk setup) for me, when on and no source material is playing.
You summed it up nicely here, and I had stumbled across your post on this thread https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-genelec-8020d-volume-level.21272/post-706214, which also does a nice job explicating my frustration.The problem is, the sensitivity range in the 8030C is the same as for the 8050B, while typical listening distance is substantially closer, potentially halved. That makes noise levels up to 6 dB more critical. This trend continues with the 8020D, and the minimum sensitivity available in the 8010A even is 2 dB higher. Having the same sensitivity across a range of sizes makes sense in a surround setup, not so much in nearfield.
FWIW, I recently came across a user review that mentioned the noise level in Genelecs (I think it was 8030Cs) going down after switching the audio interface from a Focusrite Scarlett to an Arturia Minifuse. I guess it would be a good idea to measure residual noise level in audio interface outputs then.