Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[somebodyelse]

I'm still looking for a subwoofer I can turn off with my audio interface software basically instead of connecting my speakers to subwoofers

connect subwoofer directly to audio interface instead

I don't understand the reasoning, so can't make a sensible suggestion.

 

[ChrisG]

Sometimes it's useful to hear a mix without the subwoofer's contribution. This is to help the mix engineer check that the music will still be acceptable on bass-limited playback systems.

IMO, it's probably easier to put a 60Hz HPF on the mix buss and call it good at that.


Chris

 

[Kyle_PL]

I'm still looking for a subwoofer I can turn off with my audio interface software basically instead of connecting my speakers to subwoofers

connect subwoofer directly to audio interface instead

Genelec AES/EBU model (7350, 7360, 7370, 7380) + Genelec AES/EBU monitors (8330, 8340, 8350, and "the one" family, so 8331 and higher) + GLM kit. On digital AES/EBU XLR connection (+ethernet connection to GLM box), You can do that from GLM software.

 

[Miguelón]

I'm still looking for a subwoofer I can turn off with my audio interface software basically instead of connecting my speakers to subwoofers

connect subwoofer directly to audio interface instead

Sorry, I forgot it!

Take a look to the Genelec F Two, if your audio interface has a digital coaxial output you can use it as a hub, or connecting by usb to optical / usb to coaxial adapters

It has also a remote to turn off or mute the sub, and not so expensive than GLM series

Oups, 7350 A is cheaper than F Two and you can use it without GLM kit and connect your 8030C to it

 

[somebodyelse]

Sometimes it's useful to hear a mix without the subwoofer's contribution. This is to help the mix engineer check that the music will still be acceptable on bass-limited playback systems.

IMO, it's probably easier to put a 60Hz HPF on the mix buss and call it good at that.


Chris

That's the reason for the bypass switch on most subs targeting that market. That doesn't explain the desire not to connect the monitors to the sub though, hence my query.

 

[Miguelón]

That's the reason for the bypass switch on most subs targeting that market. That doesn't explain the desire not to connect the monitors to the sub though, hence my query.

Usually you obtain a better control with an independent output to the subs and adjusting by software all parameters. Maybe related to that…

 

[somebodyelse]

Usually you obtain a better control with an independent output to the subs and adjusting by software all parameters. Maybe related to that…

'Maybe' is the problem - I thought of several maybes including those proposed so far, but until @Pancreas says what the real reason is we can't give a sensible answer.

 

[Miguelón]

'Maybe' is the problem - I thought of several maybes including those proposed so far, but until @Pancreas says what the real reason is we can't give a sensible answer.

I remember he wrote about it in another post but I cannot find it.

I will personally use the WiiM Ultra sub output to switch easily between 2.1 and 2 channels, since my neighbors downstairs will appreciate the absence of low frequencies on their ceiling after 8 pm

 

[Pancreas]

Sometimes it's useful to hear a mix without the subwoofer's contribution. This is to help the mix engineer check that the music will still be acceptable on bass-limited playback systems.

IMO, it's probably easier to put a 60Hz HPF on the mix buss and call it good at that.


Chris

I play guitar with my speakers and using DSP guitar software. I don't want play with subwoofer on all the time. Rarely I do recordings, but I'd rather not use the subwoofer for that. Also I want the ability to turn it on and off from my computer, so I can turn it on during the day for a while, then turn it off.

I live in an apartment and I want minimize problems.

I should be able to use a sub as I'm at first floor, but I would only use it in the morning or weekend during day.

If I connect subs with speakers the usual, the sub will always be on and only way to turn it off is by turning off everything.

In fact, there is a guy who lives in apt 101 (I'm at 103). He has a sub and even I can hear it faintly, but I'm sure he uses at high volume. I think someone complained but nothing came of it lol he doesn't use it very often tho maybe once a week now

If I connect a subwoofer directly to my audio interface (Motu Ultralite mk5), then I should be able to mute and unmute it through Motu's software

Wouldn't this work and allow me to use a sub whenever I want to?

 

[Pancreas]

Sorry, I forgot it!

Take a look to the Genelec F Two, if your audio interface has a digital coaxial output you can use it as a hub, or connecting by usb to optical / usb to coaxial adapters

It has also a remote to turn off or mute the sub, and not so expensive than GLM series

Oups, 7350 A is cheaper than F Two and you can use it without GLM kit and connect your 8030C to it

That is not what I want to do though.

I don't want to use the subwoofer as a hub where you connect the speakers to, because normally, you can't mute one without the other.

It could potentially work with the F Two. Wouldn't using the remote to turn off the sub, also turn off the speakers connected to it?

Unless it can only mute the sub, but the speakers can still work? Only then it would serve my purposes

7350 is useless for what I want as it has no remote, it has to be used as a hub, which I don't want to do.

 

[Pancreas]

Here is a diagram of a forum member recommended before which is the only way it work unless that F Two remote turns off sub only

Motu Ultralite Mk5 (Ch 1, 2) --> Genelec 7040A subwoofer (L, R)
Motu Ultralite Mk5 (Ch 3, 4) --> Genelec 8030C speakers (L, R)

Advantage of doing this:
- You can control your subwoofer independently of your speakers. Including muting it with Motu's mixer.
- If you use third party DSP, you can potentially achieve far better results than the rather crude high pass built in to Genelec's sub.

Disadvantage: If you want to use Genelec's GLM, you can not connect your system this way. More importantly, this option leaves no high pass for the speakers, so you do not get the full benefit of the subwoofer. You can opt to leave it (some people do), or you can DIY your own DSP with third party software. But DIY DSP is not easy.

 

[somebodyelse]

As already mentioned, most of the subs that are aimed at the pro(ish) market have a bypass switch so you can listen without the sub enabled, even though the monitors are plugged into the sub. Usually this mutes the sub, and removes the high-pass from the monitors. They often have a TS socket for a remote switch so that it's easy to control from the operating position, so you could put a switch by your computer.

If you connect to the MOTU as you show, you can probably set up software crossover for the sub somehow. Details probably depend on the rest of your workflow though - with the guitar it's probably a little more complicated than the usual with CamillaDSP and similar.

 

[Miguelón]

I play guitar with my speakers and using DSP guitar software. I don't want play with subwoofer on all the time. Rarely I do recordings, but I'd rather not use the subwoofer for that. Also I want the ability to turn it on and off from my computer, so I can turn it on during the day for a while, then turn it off.

I live in an apartment and I want minimize problems.

I should be able to use a sub as I'm at first floor, but I would only use it in the morning or weekend during day.

If I connect subs with speakers the usual, the sub will always be on and only way to turn it off is by turning off everything.

The Genelec F Two can be a good option, it is more expensive than 7350A but it incorporates an independent remote.

I didn’t red at detail the operating manual of the F Two but it has various operating modes between 2 digital sources and 2 analogue sources, can be selected with the remote.

You can ask Genelec about this particular setup.

My actual solution (waiting for a future F Two) is connect the subwoofer to the dedicated sub output of WiiM and turn off the subwoofer on the app, which restore automatically the full range audio on the RCA output

POST EDITIED: F Two has a mute switch on the remote, I suppose this bypass the signal without HP filter to the speakers, but is not mentioned specifically

 

[Pancreas]

As already mentioned, most of the subs that are aimed at the pro(ish) market have a bypass switch so you can listen without the sub enabled, even though the monitors are plugged into the sub. Usually this mutes the sub, and removes the high-pass from the monitors. They often have a TS socket for a remote switch so that it's easy to control from the operating position, so you could put a switch by your computer.

If you connect to the MOTU as you show, you can probably set up software crossover for the sub somehow. Details probably depend on the rest of your workflow though - with the guitar it's probably a little more complicated than the usual with CamillaDSP and similar.

So basically the F Two remote would mute the sub only?

Are there any other subs that have this feature but are more affordable?

 

[Miguelón]

That is not what I want to do though.

I don't want to use the subwoofer as a hub where you connect the speakers to, because normally, you can't mute one without the other.

It could potentially work with the F Two. Wouldn't using the remote to turn off the sub, also turn off the speakers connected to it?

Unless it can only mute the sub, but the speakers can still work? Only then it would serve my purposes

7350 is useless for what I want as it has no remote, it has to be used as a hub, which I don't want to do.

I edited my last post, F Two remote has a mute switch. I guess this let full range signal bypass the sub to the speakers, because it also has an “off” button.

 

[Pancreas]

I have asked Genelec whatsapp chat lol we'll see even so is still expensive sub, are there any other options that have a similar remote sub muting feature?

 

[Miguelón]

I have asked Genelec whatsapp chat lol we'll see even so is still expensive sub, are there any other options that have a similar remote sub muting feature?

Very expensive, actually I have to finish the payment of two dental implants and should expect to mid 2025 to get it.

The decoration chief manager at home (girlfriend) was totally argument-resistant against 7050 sub.

No matter I explain her it goes lower and probably more accurate, 500€ less expensive… she still find “it looks horrible like an industrial air cooler”

Fortunately to me, she loves 8030C/G Three shape so I can be happy with at least preserving my main speakers

 

[Miguelón]

I have asked Genelec whatsapp chat lol we'll see even so is still expensive sub, are there any other options that have a similar remote sub muting feature?

I remember Kali WS subs have footswitch input that bypass filters and send full range output to monitors. They are half the price of Genelecs by far.

(Only if you can make the effort to leave from your chair and push the footswitch. If not, surely you can buy some device with a remote that push it for you )

 

[somebodyelse]

So basically the F Two remote would mute the sub only?

I don't know, but the F Two is aimed at the domestic market not pro so it might not.

Are there any other subs that have this feature but are more affordable?

Most monitor manufacturers have at least one. Adam T10S, KRK S8G4, Presonus Eris Pro Sub 10, Kali WS-6.6 to name a few. Unfortunately it's not a feature you can filter by on Thomann's subwoofer page, but once you get past the cheapest ones almost all of them have a bypass input, often labelled 'footswitch'.

 

[Pancreas]

I don't know, but the F Two is aimed at the domestic market not pro so it might not.

Most monitor manufacturers have at least one. Adam T10S, KRK S8G4, Presonus Eris Pro Sub 10, Kali WS-6.6 to name a few. Unfortunately it's not a feature you can filter by on Thomann's subwoofer page, but once you get past the cheapest ones almost all of them have a bypass input, often labelled 'footswitch'.

but those are bypass footswitch, that means more cable and clutter. I'd rather have an app or remote that can mute sub only