Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[ivayvr]

It is commonly accepted "fact" that Genelec subs are expensive for what they are. I tend to disagree with that general statement.
There are different considerations while choosing the sub that fits your needs. I will not bother with aesthetics, but the shape and the size could find their place on the list.
Depending on the size of your listening environment the frequency range and max SPL may not be detrimental for your decision. You may like connectivity options of one VS the other..The reputation of the manufacturer can be a part of your decision. Five year warranty offered by Genelec is not insignificant. At one point I was considering Kali WS 6.2 but I read about some noise problems, that may have been addressed by now....
Given the size and weight of a sub, shipping it back, if something goes wrong, would be a major pain.
I am not trying to dismiss the Kali as a brand. Based on all I read about them, they are a fairly decent company, offering great value products.
Simply, I am trying to point to the fact that there is no "one size fits all" option available in this area.

 

[pehu63]

Today, I got my color UPGRADE! I upgraded from 8030 grey, to 8030 raw. Daughter will be really happy with the grey 8030. Two remarks here, my 2021 models costed 475 euros each. These 2025 raw models are 569 euro each, after discount that is! Second, you can see that the 8030 mounted directly on a microphone one-pod, the very reason I bought these 8030's. Bought them for the small size and looks, and oh boy, I was not prepared, the sound is so good!

 

[Mort]

It is commonly accepted "fact" that Genelec subs are expensive for what they are. I tend to disagree with that general statement.
There are different considerations while choosing the sub that fits your needs. I will not bother with aesthetics, but the shape and the size could find their place on the list.
Depending on the size of your listening environment the frequency range and max SPL may not be detrimental for your decision. You may like connectivity options of one VS the other..The reputation of the manufacturer can be a part of your decision. Five year warranty offered by Genelec is not insignificant. At one point I was considering Kali WS 6.2 but I read about some noise problems, that may have been addressed by now....
Given the size and weight of a sub, shipping it back, if something goes wrong, would be a major pain.
I am not trying to dismiss the Kali as a brand. Based on all I read about them, they are a fairly decent company, offering great value products.
Simply, I am trying to point to the fact that there is no "one size fits all" option available in this area.

You aren't wrong, especially in a pro environment. Genelec subs are, well, substantial.

 

[EasyC]

You aren't wrong, especially in a pro environment. Genelec subs are, well, substantial.

I’ve got an 7050A with my 8030c’s - such an effortless full range system for at my desk, easy connectivity, easy setup with a crossover set by Genelec. It’s also built like a tank.

Edit: 7050C

 

[luke2kk]

Does placing the Genelec F1 subwoofer directly ABOVE the base/foot of my desk (right in the corner) negatively affect bass reproduction?

 

[ivayvr]

I don't think that it would be a main problem. Also, if they are in any way similar to 70XX series they probably have dip switches to adjust for the position placement.
I don't think that putting it too close to the heat source (radiator) would be an optimal location.

 

[luke2kk]

Could you guys also help me choosing a good DAC/Interface for the Genelec G Three?

I want to use them with windows desktop, and I plan to use room correction. I also have some Beyerdynamic DT990 headphones on my desk, but a headphone input is not top priortiy. I dont want to spend more than 250€.

What about the Fosi Audio ZD3? Or Motu M2?

 

[vsch]

Could you guys also help me choosing a good DAC/Interface for the Genelec G Three?

I want to use them with windows desktop, and I plan to use room correction. I also have some Beyerdynamic DT990 headphones on my desk, but a headphone input is not top priortiy. I dont want to spend more than 250€.

What about the Fosi Audio ZD3? Or Motu M2?

If you only need a DAC/interface, both will do and should be audibly transparent. The MOTU M2 seems more flexible, as it’s a proper audio interface with solid drivers.

FWIW, I use mine with a miniDSP Flex for three reasons:
i) built-in PEQ for room correction without relying on software
ii) can act as an active crossover for proper subwoofer integration
iii) has a volume knob for convenient control independent of the source

It’s more expensive, but if you ever plan to do hardware-based room correction or integrate a sub, it might be worth considering.

 

[luke2kk]

If you only need a DAC/interface, both will do and should be audibly transparent. The MOTU M2 seems more flexible, as it’s a proper audio interface with solid drivers.

FWIW, I use mine with a miniDSP Flex for three reasons:
i) built-in PEQ for room correction without relying on software
ii) can act as an active crossover for proper subwoofer integration
iii) has a volume knob for convenient control independent of the source

It’s more expensive, but if you ever plan to do hardware-based room correction or integrate a sub, it might be worth considering.

I will use them with the Genelec 7040 subwoofer - so the crossover is done by the sub itself, right?

Regarding the room correction I got a UMIK 1 suggested which I could use with Room EQ Wizard - will I be able to use that with any DAC/Interface I choose?

The miniDSP Flex is way out of my budget.

 

[vsch]

I will use them with the Genelec 7040 subwoofer - so the crossover is done by the sub itself, right?

Regarding the room correction I got a UMIK 1 suggested which I could use with Room EQ Wizard - will I be able to use that with any DAC/Interface I choose?

The miniDSP Flex is way out of my budget.

Yes, the crossover (~85 Hz) is handled by the 7040 itself. It also provides basic bass management, but you don’t get precise delay-based time alignment—only phase adjustment via the dip switches, so you’ll need to dial that in as well as possible.

The UMIK-1 is USB, so no interface needed. It works directly with REW—just make sure to download and load the calibration file (typically the 90° one for room measurements, mic pointing upwards).

REW is only for measurement and filter design, though. To actually apply room correction without a miniDSP, you’ll need software on your PC. On Windows, Equalizer APO is the usual solution for PEQ (and can also be used with convolution/FIR via plugins, if you want to go that route. For taming bass modes below ~300 Hz, PEQ is fine though).

In your setup, a miniDSP Flex would mainly add convenience:
i) more flexible crossover (frequency/slope) and proper delay for sub integration. (FWIW, this also allows to integrate hifi subs, which are usually better bang for the buck than studio subs. I was in a similar situation as you, and realized, that I could get the miniDSP plus a hifi sub for the price I'd have paid for a Genelec 7050 and a simple interface.)
ii) hardware-based PEQ, so no need to rely on software running on the PC

But given that you’re using a 7040 and are open to software-based correction, you can probably already get very good results with REW + Equalizer APO.

Hope this helps. Cheers.

 

[luke2kk]

I really think about getting the Fosi as I also like it designwise. In Fosi ZD3 Review Thread someone mentioned:

"The problem I'd see with 8030C is that this thing invariably generates 100 dB SPL at -6 dBu input, while the ZD3's output voltage of 5 Vrms is equivalent to +16.2 dBu. In other words, its output is ~22 dB too high for these speakers, and 37 dB too high if you want to avoid long-term hearing damage.

The ZD3's volume adjustment goes from 0-80, and it gets already uncomfortably loud at 25 or so when it's hooked up to a Genelec 8030. You'll probably want to overcome this disparity one way or another. Maybe a -20 dB attenuator between the ZD3's outputs and the monitors' XLR inputs."


Will I have this problem with the Genelec G Three? Couldnt I just reduce the volume in Windows?

 

[Mort]

I really think about getting the Fosi as I also like it designwise. In Fosi ZD3 Review Thread someone mentioned:

"The problem I'd see with 8030C is that this thing invariably generates 100 dB SPL at -6 dBu input, while the ZD3's output voltage of 5 Vrms is equivalent to +16.2 dBu. In other words, its output is ~22 dB too high for these speakers, and 37 dB too high if you want to avoid long-term hearing damage.

The ZD3's volume adjustment goes from 0-80, and it gets already uncomfortably loud at 25 or so when it's hooked up to a Genelec 8030. You'll probably want to overcome this disparity one way or another. Maybe a -20 dB attenuator between the ZD3's outputs and the monitors' XLR inputs."


Will I have this problem with the Genelec G Three? Couldnt I just reduce the volume in Windows?

I think this is overblown. G three will be -10db anyway

 

[Miguelón]

ii) hardware-based PEQ, so no need to rely on software running on the PC

I don't understand what is exactly that: all digital filters ultimately relay in software, being installed in the DSP or in the PC...

Am I wrong?

 

[vsch]

I don't understand what is exactly that: all digital filters ultimately relay in software, being installed in the DSP or in the PC...

Am I wrong?

I meant EQ filters running inside the miniDSP (on its firmware) instead of running inside the PC on a software like EqualizerAPO. The former is arguably more convenient and robust, as you can swap to a different input/source other than the PC and still enjoy the same filters. The latter is more powerful but confined to the PC as a source (and maybe only a Windows update away from breaking). But you are right, as both are probably implemented software-wise, one via firmware running on the miniDSP and the other via something like EqualizerAPO running on the PC. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[somebodyelse]

I don't understand what is exactly that: all digital filters ultimately relay in software, being installed in the DSP or in the PC...

Am I wrong?

Yes and no. Yes it's all software, but dedicated firmware isn't really comparable to Windows, especially if it's networked and getting automated updates. I know which I'd trust more to 'Just Work' even if it's not going under the microscope like safety critical code would.

 

[Miguelón]

Yes and no. Yes it's all software, but dedicated firmware isn't really comparable to Windows, especially if it's networked and getting automated updates. I know which I'd trust more to 'Just Work' even if it's not going under the microscope like safety critical code would.

I suppose that will depend on the quality of each algorithm. I ignore how often is Windows APO updated, nor miniDSP.

If is a dedicated company, as the WiiM do, the miniDSP possibly is updated more often and more efficiently.

 

[ChrisG]

FWIW, I ran EQ APO for a while, and found that Windows updates would routinely break it. I'd have to go through a cycle of un/re-"installing" (EQ APO users will know what I mean) whatever audio interface to get the software to keep working.

For various reasons, I got myself an RME UCX-II, and have been happy with it. Moving the EQ to an outboard unit has been really helpful.

 

[luke2kk]

FWIW, I ran EQ APO for a while, and found that Windows updates would routinely break it. I'd have to go through a cycle of un/re-"installing" (EQ APO users will know what I mean) whatever audio interface to get the software to keep working.

For various reasons, I got myself an RME UCX-II, and have been happy with it. Moving the EQ to an outboard unit has been really helpful.

I just bought the Motu M2, to use it with EQ APO (with Windows) in near future and now reading this.....

So EQ APO isnt the way?

 

[waynel]

I recently bought two pairs of 8030c’s for two desktop systems. They sound great when playing music but the hiss is so much worse than the KH120A’s that they replaced. At the gain settings I use the KH120A had inaudible hiss at .8 meters while the Genelec’s are annoying when not playing. I’ll see if I can get used to this.

 

[Pearljam5000]

I recently bought two pairs of 8030c’s for two desktop systems. They sound great when playing music but the hiss is so much worse than the KH120A’s that they replaced. At the gain settings I use the KH120A had inaudible hiss at .8 meters while the Genelec’s are annoying when not playing. I’ll see if I can get used to this.

Which sounds better regardless of the hiss?