Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[Oldson]

You are 100% right!

thought so, but cheers for confirming

 

[Oldson]

any users of these paired with the 7040 sub?

 

[ivayvr]

I am using the 7040 with 8020 and I am very happy with that combination. Since I live in an apartment building, the room is ~ 3.5X4.5 meters and I don't feel that I am missing anything, given the circumstances. It all depends on your expectations and music taste. If you are listening to EDM or rap, and if you don't have sensitive neighbors, you may need something that goes deeper.

 

[pehu63]

I added a KALI ws6.2 to my 8030c in the living room. Quite an improvement, totally happy.
More than sufficient power now for my 35m2 living room. Well, overkill actually.
Did minor room mode adjustments, REW, UMIK-1, DSP.

With home assistant, I automatically power off the kali when the streamer is idle for 10 minutes.
With home assistant, I automatically trigger the footswitch at 22:00PM with an esp32.

 

[Moonhead]

Hi Chaps..
I Am considering some 8030c problem is I hate streamering and would like to connect usb-c to an iPad, What device should I eyeball? Thx.

 

[staticV3]

Hi Chaps..
I Am considering some 8030c problem is I hate streamering and would like to connect usb-c to an iPad, What device should I eyeball? Thx.

The upcoming Topping DX1 II.

It is USB-powered
has balanced Line out
a volume knob with volume display
and 10-band Parametric EQ which can improve speaker playback quality for free.

There is a built-in headphone Amp as well which you may or may not need, but all the other features make it such a good package for your use case that I'd just tolerate the potentially unnecessary headphone output.

Khadas Tone2 would also work.

It is USB powered
has balanced Line out
a volume knob but no display
no built-in headphone Amp
also no Parametric EQ unlike the Topping.

For either of them you will need an adapter to XLR as the DACs are too compact to physically fit full-size XLR connectors.

No worries though, the adapters carry the full balanced signal from start to end and do not affect signal quality in any way.

For the Khadas Tone2, you'd need this adapter: https://www.khadas.com/product-page/balanced-rca-to-xlr-3-converters

And for the Topping DX1 II, you'd need an adapter like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=4.4+mm+pentaconn+to+2x+xlr

 

[Moonhead]

Looks Good but it does not have to be usb powered and would like to avoid adapters but not end all be all!
Music Library is an usb c iPad so easy connection to that little sucker would be top priority.

 

[Miguelón]

Looks Good but it does not have to be usb powered and would like to avoid adapters but not end all be all!
Music Library is an usb c iPad so easy connection to that little sucker would be top priority.

I'm going to sell my Ifi Zen Dac Signature V2, pentaconn balanced output to 2 balanced XLR adapter is included in the sell: I bought it form Ifi, is very well built.

It has its own source input so it won't suck the battery of your ipad.

It has also 2 rca line outputs.

You can also buy it (or any other version) new, but to this small form factor DACs the pentacomm 4.4 mm output is ubiquous.

Also other Topping DACs offer direct XLR outputs to avoid the adapter. The Topping D50 III has balanced 6.35 mm jack stereo outputs so you can use unexpensive balanced jack TRS to XLR cables.

Topping D50 III DAC Preamp - LDAC Bluetooth 5.1 Dual ES9039Q2M D/A Chips Supports DSD512 PCM768KHz, PEQ Adjustment and Remote Control: Amazon.de: Electronics & Photo

Topping D50 III DAC Preamp - LDAC Bluetooth 5.1 Dual ES9039Q2M D/A Chips Supports DSD512 PCM768KHz, PEQ Adjustment and Remote Control: Amazon.de: Electronics & Photo

www.amazon.de

This is the link to Ifi DAC (currently not in sell by Ifi).

ZEN DAC Signature V2

A DAC – pure and simple. The ZEN DAC Signature is a dedicated DAC with true-differential, dual-mono architecture, inspired by our Pro series. With boutique components and direct signal paths, it’s the perfect match for your favourite amp.

ifi-audio.com

The price will be 1/2 for the DAC, 150€ and 1/2 for the Ifi adapter, 50€

iFi Cable Series 4.4mm to XLR Balanced Aluminium Alloy Cable (1m) : Amazon.es: Musical Instruments

iFi Cable Series 4.4mm to XLR Balanced Aluminium Alloy Cable (1m) : Amazon.es: Musical Instruments

www.amazon.es

 

[Moonhead]

I surely dont want a bus powered dac that drains battery from my iPad and for convience I would like xlr input.
Seems like I have to 'Go Big or Go Home' and I am in No Hurry and Will have to look at several SnR dacs. Leaning towards DX7Pro for now. Thx you all for pushing me in the right direction,

 

[Pancreas]

For an ipad?

How do you have music in the ipad tho? How do you even upload music files on an ipad? On itunes?

There are better ways to have a music collection especially if you are going to use $1400 speakers and a DAC

This is like buying an expensive guitar amp from Marshall, then using it with a $100 guitar

 

[Moonhead]

So enlighten me Sir.

 

[TurtlePaul]

So enlighten me Sir.

Do you have the music as files on the iPad or are you streaming?

I think there are iPad dongles which allow for a power input and USB output to be active at the same time.

 

[Moonhead]

aac files on Apple Music app.
AirPort Express is Why i prefer to avoid streaming.

 

[Pancreas]

Did the 8030c go up in price?

Its $795 each, making it $1600 total

I could swear it was cheaper before like $695 before lol maybe tariffs.

Same for the Motu ultralite MK5 went up in price before.

Probably worst time in history to be an audiophile or anything technology. I built my gaming computer in 2024-2025, before all the storage and ram went up like crazy

I got lucky with these speakers when I got them in 2023 for $900 from a local musician who had bought 3 months prior to record an album

If you think about it $1600 is a rip off. Yeah, is good speakers, but they short you on stuff that other brands give you at similar if not lower price. They don't give you the option to turn off the stupid light and you have to put a black tape as a ghetto peasant and you pay $1600 no way Jose

I paid $250 for the Genelec stands in 2023 which is a rip off, you could buy speakers for $250

 

[Mort]

Did the 8030c go up in price?

I don't think so. New has been $795 for a while I think.

The 'Ones' went up in 2025 just as tariffs were announced in the US, not sure if that was planned or tactical.

 

[Pancreas]

I don't think so. New has been $795 for a while I think.

The 'Ones' went up in 2025 just as tariffs were announced in the US, not sure if that was planned or tactical.

They were $695 before tho from 2020 at least to 2024 before the tariffs.

Don't believe me? Go to page one on this thread and read the first words by the OP, he said price $700 each

Genelec IMPALED us with a $100 extra fee for almost all their products. All their single products are now at least $100 more, the 8330a also cost more

Even the Genelec 8030/8040 stands that used to be $125 each, are now $150 each

Genelec product were already expensive as they were and now non finland/non euro consumers got the short end of the stick

At least with 8030c you could get a non genelec sub, but if you got the more succulent brothers, you are tied to genelec brand, of course, done on purpose lol

 

[Mort]

One big advantage of them is how long they maintain their resale value.

 

[Miguelón]

I surely dont want a bus powered dac that drains battery from my iPad and for convience I would like xlr input.
Seems like I have to 'Go Big or Go Home' and I am in No Hurry and Will have to look at several SnR dacs. Leaning towards DX7Pro for now. Thx you all for pushing me in the right direction,

The Topping D50 III is one of the best measured ever, and is no difference between XLR or TRS ouptut balanced.

Excuse me by answering why to spend 400$ more on a DAC just for a matter of one kind of output or another in equally voltage and linearity?

 

[Miguelón]

One big advantage of them is how long they maintain their resale value.

Didn't know that were as expensive in US.

Here in Spain you can get a 8030C by 478€, that's 558$ each

 

[Pancreas]

Didn't know that were as expensive in US.

Here in Spain you can get a 8030C by 478€, that's 558$ each

And they block ways for gringos to purchase Genelec on internation websites, amigo

US humanoids cannot purchase Genelec on Thomman for example