Genelec 8030C + 7050C OR 8030C + 2 7040A?

[George Tsitsias]

As per title, what do you think would be better? Of course I don't have the luxury of listening before buying. The dimensions of the room are 6.4m x 4m x 3m (height).

With 2 x 7040A I lose a bit of low end but I don't think that this really matters. I really like the 2 x subs idea but is the 7040A compatible with the 8030C? I am asking because in the official Genelec page they have the 8030C + 7050C as a proposed set.

 

[George Tsitsias]

anyone?

 

[xaviescacs]

I don't have the time right now, but if you spend some time searching here you'll find a lot of scattered information on this topic. I also think there is a thread of someone who integrated a pair of 8030C with a 7040 quite successfully using rew.

You can start from here for instance: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?search/41664181/&q=8030+7040&o=relevance

 

[GD Fan]

Welcome to ASR.

The conventional wisdom around here is that two subs are preferable to one.

That said, your question poses some real trade offs - not just size of the woofer but also amp power. And the LFE extension, as you pointed out.

For your present arrangement (speakers and room) going with the two smaller subs might be the best option. But if your arrangement might change at some point perhaps that could be taken into consideration?

 

[George Tsitsias]

Thank you very much for your responses! I have read various threads that talk about 8030C and it's subwoofers but nothing that actually is conclusive if it's better to use one 7050 instead of 2 x 7040. That is my question: 2 x 7040 or 1 x 7050?
Where I live:
2 x 8030C + 2 x 7040 = 2778 euros,
2 x 8030C + 1 x 7050 = 2227 euros,
2 x 8030C + 2 x 7050 = 3306 euros.

Genelec suggests 7050 subs to be paired with 8030C. I was thinking of taking the cheaper option of 1 x 7050 (as Genelec suggests here https://www.genelec.com/home-studio-songwriting/8030-7050-stereo-system). I just asked if anyone has more info about this.

Maybe 7040 is NOT a good pair for 8030C because the low pass filter of 7040 doesn't play well with 8030C?
Maybe 2 x 7040s blows off 1 x 7050 because 2 subs >> 1 sub ?

I don't know that's why I m asking.

 

[soundwave76]

If you are listening to mostly music and not watching movies, I would recommend a pair of 8340

 

[George Tsitsias]

I want them for mixing

 

[xaviescacs]

I want them for mixing

I'm not an expert, but think that if the listening position is fixed, one well integrated (rew etc etc) subwoofer is enough to get a good bass response at that fixed listening position. More subwoofers are used to get even bass response across a wide area, for example to set up a home cinema. So I would go for one 7050.

 

[George Tsitsias]

I'm not an expert, but think that if the listening position is fixed, one well integrated (rew etc etc) subwoofer is enough to get a good bass response at that fixed listening position. More subwoofers are used to get even bass response across a wide area, for example to set up a home cinema. So I would go for one 7050.

My train of thought exactly

 

[xaviescacs]

My train of thought exactly

I also have a pair of 8030C, and this is my plan too, some day

 

[Trell]

I want them for mixing

An alternative is 2x8330A+1x7350A+GLM Kit= ca 3200 Euro from Thomann.

The advantage here is the Genelec room EQ where the calibration is stored in the monitors and subwoofer that has onboard DSP. So no need to integrate third-party room EQ software with your DAW when mixing.

 

[George Tsitsias]

An alternative is 2x8330A+1x7350A+GLM Kit= ca 3200 Euro from Thomann.

The advantage here is the Genelec room EQ where the calibration is stored in the monitors and subwoofer that has onboard DSP. So no need to integrate third-party room EQ software with your DAW when mixing.

Again ,my train of thought but I dismissed 8330A because, from what I've read in this forum, it's not the same as the 8030C https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/genelec-8330a-review-studio-monitor.25704/

 

[Trell]

Again ,my train of thought but I dismissed 8330A because, from what I've read in this forum, it's not the same as the 8030C https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/genelec-8330a-review-studio-monitor.25704/

I’ve two 8330A + Genelec subwoofer setups, and I’m very pleased with them.

If you buy from thomann.de you do have a trial period.

 

[bodhi]

Not only is the GLM corrected setup vastly superior to uncorrected one but it's also future proof purchase. For foreseeable future 8330+7350 will be a SOTA setup for nearfield music listening with great resell value. With non-SAM speakers you are stuck with them, need to take care of room correction yourself and there is no upgrade path. Also, without GLM any Genelec sub is very bad value, no way around it.

I just feel like if you are ok with diminishing returns and can afford full Genelec setup then get the most reasonable package. I bet you feel regret later otherwise.

 

[Drew456]

but it's also future proof purchase. For foreseeable future 8330+7350 will be a SOTA setup for nearfield music listening with great resell value.

What gives you the confidence to say that? The 8330a and 7350a were introduced in 2015 (or even earlier), so could be in line for a refresh in the not distant future or maybe even soon. Once that happens, the resell value, usually good for current Genelec products, will inevitably fall and it will presumably be replaced by a new SOTA version, either substantive or incremental.

 

[Trell]

What gives you the confidence to say that? The 8330a and 7350a were introduced in 2015 (or even earlier), so could be in line for a refresh in the not distant future or maybe even soon. Once that happens, the resell value, usually good for current Genelec products, will inevitably fall and it presumably will be replaced by a new SOTA version, either substantive or incremental.

The “real“ upgrade to the 8330A is one of the Genelec Ones monitors but they are substantially more expensive.

Genelec might very well release an 8330B but I don’t necessarily expect much improvement in sound quality as such. An updated DSP could be in the cards, reduced hiss, more powerful amps, louder, etc.

But a refresh probably will affect the resale price, as you wrote.

 

[bodhi]

What gives you the confidence to say that? The 8330a and 7350a were introduced in 2015 (or even earlier), so could be in line for a refresh in the not distant future or maybe even soon. Once that happens, the resell value, usually good for current Genelec products, will inevitably fall and it will presumably be replaced by a new SOTA version, either substantive or incremental.

If the physics of sound reproduction do not change then the 8330+7350 will still be SOTA even when this imagination speaker you are talking about is released. But we can discuss that more when the measurements are available.

 

[AL1827]

In my listening room (15 feet X 12 feet X 8 feet height), I have 5.1 set up with three 8030C in front, a pair of 8010A for surround, and a 7050C for five channel bass management. Sounds good to my ears for multichannel music. I watch movie occasionally and I do not feel I need more bass.