Dutch&Dutch 8C /Genelec 8351b and Amphion something or other.

[phantompowered]

What's this thing?:

View attachment 346455

These are two pieces of studio processing equipment in 19 inch rack format. The top one is an Avalon VT series channel strip with mono mic preamp, EQ and compressor. The unit below it is the very interesting Bettermaker Mastering Compressor, which is a VCA based stereo dynamics controller with a unique, software-based control interface and a whole bunch of very fancy features. The digital/software side of the system controls the analog compressor section and all of its additional tone shaping features. It lets you do instant saving of presets, recall of settings, parameter tweaking and automation recording from a GUI panel inside your digital audio workstation, but with all the sonic advantages of a high end hardware unit relative to a plugin/emulation.

 

[outfaced]

I only listened to the 8c and 8351b compared to the Neumann KH150 in a store for 2 hours or so. I found the 8c overall best, Genelec worst (because of the piercing treble) and Neumann good, but with a smaller soundstage than the 8c and overall a little less spectacular. But they weren't calibrated, i have no LP measurements and i am not a professional searching for tools, so my short experience is not really worth a lot to others.
I don't know if the treble thing is just subjective or being used to something (which one is correct - the "piercing" or "clear" or the "smooth" or "tinted"?).

My impression is ...
on the one side is the tweeter - D&D sounded for me definitely softer and more "silky", with less attack + a bit over saturated (focal like)
but on the other hand i found the transition form tweeter to mid better on genelec ... more homogeneous
then the general presentation of genelec is more forward.
Bass is difficult to judge, because very placement depended and nobody makes the hassle to find the best place in such compartment, but I found also the bass of D&D not so good defined ... plenty of it, but quality wise genelec was better.

For me both very enjoyable speakers, that i would be glad to have. But for now are the genelecs in my room
I had ATC before, that are again very smooth in the top end ... at some point i got bored. There is just more pop and live in the genelcs.

 

[Sacha]

The Amphion kind of looks the flattest besides the low end in those graphs doesn't it? Hard to say what is the speaker and what is the room / placement though.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Dutch&Dutch 8C versus Genelec 8351B @Pearljam5000 View attachment 346441

Looks like you need a better center channel.

 

[Dgob]

Special thanks for posting FR graphs in addition to describing your experience.
I only listened to the 8c and 8351b compared to the Neumann KH150 in a store for 2 hours or so. I found the 8c overall best, Genelec worst (because of the piercing treble) and Neumann good, but with a smaller soundstage than the 8c and overall a little less spectacular. But they weren't calibrated, i have no LP measurements and i am not a professional searching for tools, so my short experience is not really worth a lot to others.
I don't know if the treble thing is just subjective or being used to something (which one is correct - the "piercing" or "clear" or the "smooth" or "tinted"?).

I believe that the Genelecs are most fitting of the title "high fidelity", because what you hear is what was recorded. That is without going into the impact of room acoustics etc.

However, no one can dismiss the importance of personal desires and expectations.

 

[Dgob]

As I implied, psychoacoustics are a fascinating factor:

Worthy of consideration.

 

[Dgob]

And then, of course, we have the areas that I believe are most fitting to this site:

Fascinating again