Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[TheZebraKilledDarwin]

I mean the Genelecs sound good and I want to have good sound everywhere in the house.

 

[King3567]

thanks Vsch and Miguelon for the dialogue

 

[jdg78]

New living room will be either:

8030c + 2 sb1000 + wiim or minidsp room correction

Q100 + 2 sb1000 + wiim (plan would be to eventually upgrade to some other, better passives)

I sit 9 feet from the tv and speakers. Room overall is 15x15 or so. Plenty of soft furniture. Nice rug. Not allowed to move the couch any closer.

My main living room system is currently a pair of Genelec G-threes (sonically identical to the 8030c) with dual subs (one of which is a sb1000 pro) in a 13.5x15 ft room with plenty of furniture, rugs, bookshelves, etc. Sitting position is approx. 9-10 feet from speakers. So practically identical to your scenario.

I have absolutely no problem reaching room filling volume levels without even coming close to maxing out the gain, and soundstage, imaging, tonality, etc are all fantastic and noticeably better than my previous pair of “hi-fi” speakers (Focal floorstanders). So I wouldn’t have any reservations at all in that regard.

At various points, I’ve considered adding some kind of DSP or room correction, but it honestly sounds so good in its current state, I’m skeptical that it could make that drastic of a difference. I’ll probably do it at some point however, if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[Miguelón]

My main living room system is currently a pair of Genelec G-threes (sonically identical to the 8030c) with dual subs (one of which is a sb1000 pro) in a 13.5x15 ft room with plenty of furniture, rugs, bookshelves, etc. Sitting position is approx. 9-10 feet from speakers. So practically identical to your scenario.

I have absolutely no problem reaching room filling volume levels without even coming close to maxing out the gain, and soundstage, imaging, tonality, etc are all fantastic and noticeably better than my previous pair of “hi-fi” speakers (Focal floorstanders). So I wouldn’t have any reservations at all in that regard.

At various points, I’ve considered adding some kind of DSP or room correction, but it honestly sounds so good in its current state, I’m skeptical that it could make that drastic of a difference. I’ll probably do it at some point however, if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity.

If the modes are not so pronounced don’t see any reason to EQ, mines were “humming” a lot in two particular frequencies, and when adding the sub it appeared another 40 Hz mode.

But my room is quite little, very reflective also, think probably in a big living room I would not need to correct them

 

[pehu63]

I suggest to go with G Threes B to a home listening, have better sensitivity and is slightly more ‘crispy’ than 8030C (measurements are the same but the electronic is better adapted and you have RCA connectors plus XLR balanced)

As far as I can see, the G three is less commonly available, in the Netherlands at least. And quite a bit more expensive. When you check out the specs, it seems that the 8030C has better specs. Could be an typo, the G3 doc mentions +/- 2.5db, whereas the 8030c mentions +/- 2db, across the same range. I converted RCA into XLR, but had to properly ground the 8030c to avoid audible hum. Considering the price difference, a no-brainer, for me.

 

[Miguelón]

As far as I can see, the G three is less commonly available, in the Netherlands at least. And quite a bit more expensive. When you check out the specs, it seems that the 8030C has better specs. Could be an typo, the G3 doc mentions +/- 2.5db, whereas the 8030c mentions +/- 2db, across the same range. I converted RCA into XLR, but had to properly ground the 8030c to avoid audible hum. Considering the price difference, a no-brainer, for me.

Was a typo, in the japanese website they have same graphs than 8030C, but still keep the +-2,5 dB.

I called the technical support and officially Genelec sustains “they are acoustically the same speakers in the B version than 8030C”

Personally I feel a slight difference but can be just at the electronics where they tweaked the amp to reduce 10 dB decibels of sensitivity. It seems to me that the gain knob on the 8030C is slightly noisy and change tonality when reducing sensitivity: close to the speaker G Three B ‘hiss’ is quite lower.

I had mines in a pre-chistmas offer so were at same price as 8030C, have also to use an interposed DAC with balanced signal bereavement WiiM and Genelecs in both models, same noise became no grounded electrical connection in my house

 

[Mort]

As far as I can see, the G three is less commonly available, in the Netherlands at least. And quite a bit more expensive.

I have both and cannot tell a difference, however in the US they are the same price for new.

There are some used 8030c, but few used 'G' series.

 

[Miguelón]

I have both and cannot tell a difference, however in the US they are the same price for new.

There are some used 8030c, but few used 'G' series.

You didn’t noticed any difference? I’m surprised, have both too…

In classical music is more noticeable, and if you mix 8030C and G Three B to make a stereo pair.

 

[jdg78]

As far as I can see, the G three is less commonly available, in the Netherlands at least. And quite a bit more expensive. When you check out the specs, it seems that the 8030C has better specs. Could be an typo, the G3 doc mentions +/- 2.5db, whereas the 8030c mentions +/- 2db, across the same range. I converted RCA into XLR, but had to properly ground the 8030c to avoid audible hum. Considering the price difference, a no-brainer, for me.

If I lived somewhere where there was a significant price difference between the two, I would probably do the same, as the differences are fairly minimal, and mainly come down to connections and aesthetics. G threes are intended more for home audio use so include an RCA as well as XLR connection, and are available in colors that are a bit more adaptable to home decor than the signature grey-green of the studio series.

As it is, both versions are priced identically in the US, so I ended up getting the G threes as I feel the black looks better in my living room and I’m able to hook up the RCA connections directly to my AVR without having to do a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion.

But either way, you can’t go wrong. IMO, they really hit the sweet spot in terms of price-to-performance ratio (at least compared to most traditional “hi-fi” gear) and are one of the best audio investments I’ve ever made.

I even bought a second pair for the adjoining room.

 

[Mort]

G threes as I feel the black looks better in my living room

Exactly why I have G Threes. Used 8030c can be had occasionally and offer amazing value.

 

[unpluggged]

Exactly why I have G Threes.

The 8030c is also available in black.

 

[jdg78]

The 8030c is also available in black.

That’s good to know. When I was in the market a few years back, I recall that only the G threes were available in black, so this must be a relatively recent development.

Though it makes it even more puzzling as to what justifies the higher pricing for the G Three in certain markets, as they are essentially the same product.

 

[Miguelón]

That’s good to know. When I was in the market a few years back, I recall that only the G threes were available in black, so this must be a relatively recent development.

Though it makes it even more puzzling as to what justifies the higher pricing for the G Three in certain markets, as they are essentially the same product.

I’m not agree, in major measure yes they are the same but G Three has less noise and both RCA and XLR connections.

I would like to see the 8030C exposed and measured its volume knob, I’m quite sure is a cheap component.

RCA is very useful also, having a WiiM ultra the adequate output to operate G Three is 1V, when connecting to a 4V balanced DAC the result is quite poor despite the connection, going to -40 dBFS region. Mixed RCA to XLR cables are exposed to bad design, mines doesn’t sound as good as RCA to RCA connection.

To home setup, IMHO G Three are simpler (not need monitor controller), versatile (inputs RCA and XLR), sounds better and you can go down to 86 dB SPL @ 0 dBu if needed.

 

[pehu63]

If I lived somewhere where there was a significant price difference between the two, I would probably do the same, as the differences are fairly minimal, and mainly come down to connections and aesthetics. G threes are intended more for home audio use so include an RCA as well as XLR connection, and are available in colors that are a bit more adaptable to home decor than the signature grey-green of the studio series.

As it is, both versions are priced identically in the US, so I ended up getting the G threes as I feel the black looks better in my living room and I’m able to hook up the RCA connections directly to my AVR without having to do a balanced-to-unbalanced conversion.

But either way, you can’t go wrong. IMO, they really hit the sweet spot in terms of price-to-performance ratio (at least compared to most traditional “hi-fi” gear) and are one of the best audio investments I’ve ever made.

I even bought a second pair for the adjoining room.

Agreed! For me, best entertainment investment ever. Insanely good sound, and unmatched build quality. A bargain, or even a steal. In my purchase decision, the looks played an important role. Boy, was I surprised by its sound quality, at the small size.