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Genelac 8330a vs KRK Rockit 5

marchvet

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Jan 18, 2025
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I currently have some KRK Rockit 5 speakers and ordered the Genelac 8330a with the GLM. I've read and heard so many things about both speakers that I am at a loss as to what to believe.

My room is about 10x10 and untreated due to equipment in the room and I mostly make beats/hiphop (I am a DV using music to battle PTSD and chronic pain). The KRKs seem to be ok (I'm not an audio engineer) but wanted to upgrade to something better. After ordering the 8330a and waiting for them to be shipped, there seems to be some people saying there isn't much difference between the two? I checked out the spinorama tool but don't know what I am actually looking at.

From the image to me, it doesn't look like a major difference in sound. Could someone explain what I am actually looking at? (keep in mind that I am horrible at the mixing/mastering side). Just having some purchase remorse and haven't even gotten the speakers yet! I say that because this is a massive purchase for me being a fixed income.
 

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Hi @marchvet! Welcome to ASR.

I'll go through things one-by-one:

Directly on-axis, the Genelec is more neutral, while the KRK has a port resonance at 600Hz and raised, uneven treble response:
Screenshot_20250118-231634_Chrome.png
Bass extension is identical, but the KRK will probably sound more sparkly/detailed out of the box.

Directivity, so the radiation pattern off-axis, is slightly wider on the Rokit but sharply falls off above 12kHz and is less smooth/controlled overall:
8330A.png Rokit 5.png

Remember that the sound arriving at your ears is a combination of on-axis response directly from the speaker and off-axis response reflected by the room, so even when sitting on-axis, poor off-axis response will contribute to poor sound.

Distortion shows that while both speakers can handle 86dB SPL, the Rokit falls apart at 96dB where the Genelec keeps on trucking:
KRK RP5 Rokit G4 Measurements relative distortion.png
Genelec 8330a relative distortion vs Frequency Response Meaurements Powered Studio Monitor.png

And, finally, the 8330A's built-in room correction will drastically improve the in-room bass response by reducing room modes, so those frequencies at which your room naturally resonates.
 
The 8330's built-in room calibration will more than likely make a nice improvement and correct any of the big peaks or dips caused by your room. You are basically at what many would consider an end-game audio setup once you add a subwoofer like the 7350a. So you have a great pair of speakers for the room, and you have an upgrade path if you ever want to go that route by adding a sub.
 
On a side note, how long do you think the Genelec's will last? As in, are they something that will be great as I learn more and more about mixing/mastering etc.
 
On a side note, how long do you think the Genelec's will last? As in, are they something that will be great as I learn more and more about mixing/mastering etc.
Yes. I can't think of a good reason to buy another speaker for a home studio.

Buy some stands so that the tweeters are at ear height, add a sub or two for proper LFE, add room treatment if required (see GLM Grade), and you should have a perfect setup for any skill level.
 
Agree, these are premier professional studio monitors that should be perfect for your room as you intend to use them. Future-proof. :)
 
Or just buy any of the many, many, speakers capable of very enjoyable audio reproduction, add a sub or two (or don't) don't even worry about trying to get things perfect or even close to perfect.

Perfect is the enemy of good, and in the audio world is the enemy of your wallet. Not to mention that all that time spent fussing over nulls and voids could be spent with your partner, your kids, going to the gym or any number of things.
 
Or just buy any of the many, many, speakers capable of very enjoyable audio reproduction, add a sub or two (or don't) don't even worry about trying to get things perfect or even close to perfect.

Perfect is the enemy of good, and in the audio world is the enemy of your wallet. Not to mention that all that time spent fussing over nulls and voids could be spent with your partner, your kids, going to the gym or any number of things.
" the audio world is the enemy of your wallet. " Well said!
 
Or just buy any of the many, many, speakers capable of very enjoyable audio reproduction, add a sub or two (or don't) don't even worry about trying to get things perfect or even close to perfect.

Perfect is the enemy of good, and in the audio world is the enemy of your wallet. Not to mention that all that time spent fussing over nulls and voids could be spent with your partner, your kids, going to the gym or any number of things.
All reasonable points, but the benefit of the GLM software is that you never have to waste much time fussing over nulls/voids.
 
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