Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[waynel]

Which sounds better regardless of the hiss?

They are very similar (especially when EQ'ed) but I like the Genelec auto power off feature

 

[Mort]

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.

Try the -10db switch.

 

[waynel]

Try the -10db switch.

What -10dB switch?

 

[Mort]

Sorry that's the g three

 

[staticV3]

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.

Does the hiss go away when you plug out your source device?

Also try turning the Genelec's volume knob CCW to reduce its gain, then turn up your source device to compensate.

 

[luke2kk]

Try the -10db switch.

That unfortunatly will not get rid of the hiss which I know now, since I received my pair of G Three and compared them against the 8030C.
Whats weird: 8030Cs gain knob from -6 to +6 made definlity a more noticable difference in hiss reduction, that using the -10db switch on the G Threes, which hiss nearly the same after using the switch.

I also had a pair of 8020C at my place which had the least hiss by far. I start to think that this might be a lotterys game, as different user in this thread reported different experiences from hearing NO HISS AT ALL to UNBEARABLE HISS. (Surely our ears play also a factor)

One thing I noticed and please correct me if I am wrong, but I do think that the G Three sound differenct when using the -10db switch. Surely I increased the volume on my interface to match the soundlevels, but without the dip switch they sound more punchy.

 

[waynel]

Does the hiss go away when you plug out your source device?

Also try turning the Genelec's volume knob CCW to reduce its gain, then turn up your source device to compensate.

Hiss does not go away when I unplug the source (MiniDSP flex which has no hiss with KH120A)
Genelec volume knob is already at +6( minimum sensitivity)

 

[Miguelón]

That unfortunatly will not get rid of the hiss which I know now, since I received my pair of G Three and compared them against the 8030C.
Whats weird: 8030Cs gain knob from -6 to +6 made definlity a more noticable difference in hiss reduction, that using the -10db switch on the G Threes, which hiss nearly the same after using the switch.

I also had a pair of 8020C at my place which had the least hiss by far. I start to think that this might be a lotterys game, as different user in this thread reported different experiences from hearing NO HISS AT ALL to UNBEARABLE HISS. (Surely our ears play also a factor)

One thing I noticed and please correct me if I am wrong, but I do think that the G Three sound differenct when using the -10db switch. Surely I increased the volume on my interface to match the soundlevels, but without the dip switch they sound more punchy.

The dip switch is an attenuator, and not a very good one. Mine have same "muffed" effect, as if it transients were less pronounced in the lows.

But the microphone shows exactly the same in room response, I did it many times with or without the switch.

My units has no hiss, or at least not more than KH120 ii, I don't know if the hiss problem affects some units and not others.

Or maybe I'm listening too far for listening the noise, I should get really close to hear it.

 

[luke2kk]

To be honest, the hiss of these speakers is the most annoying thing. They sound perfect (to me), they look perfect (to me) but that hiss.... And there is like nothing I can really do about it. (Yes, I reduced sensitivity). Guess I need a bigger desk.

 

[Miguelón]

To be honest, the hiss of these speakers is the most annoying thing. They sound perfect (to me), they look perfect (to me) but that hiss.... And there is like nothing I can really do about it. (Yes, I reduced sensitivity). Guess I need a bigger desk.

I think you have received recently, so they’re still at a trial period. Am I wrong?

The Neumann KH120 ii have less hiss (if any), and are as good or more as the Genelecs. Little bit bulkier but still feasible to desktop use.

Personally I preferred the 8030/G Three having listened side by side but this is totally subjective.

The hiss was a minor flaw in my case, as I listen from 2 meters or more.

On the blackboard they are top and they go lower on FQ.

 

[luke2kk]

I think you have received recently, so they’re still at a trial period. Am I wrong?

The Neumann KH120 ii have less hiss (if any), and are as good or more as the Genelecs. Little bit bulkier but still feasible to desktop use.

Personally I preferred the 8030/G Three having listened side by side but this is totally subjective.

The hiss was a minor flaw in my case, as I listen from 2 meters or more.

On the blackboard they are top and they go lower on FQ.

I am still in a trial period yes, but I guess an exchange might hiss the same. But on the other hand, the 8020 had definitly less hiss...

Neumann KH120 is out for me, designwise. I love the look of the Gens in RAW.

 

[Buckster]

wow I'm very surprised my 8030c (here in the UK) is practically silent - I use as a centre speaker

I can only hear the hiss if I put my ear to the tweeter

I have JBL 308 MK2s which I was using for L/R and I could hear the hiss from them from listening position (3.2m away) - they are no longer used and have been replaced with passive speakers (Polk Audio R200)

 

[Miguelón]

wow I'm very surprised my 8030c (here in the UK) is practically silent - I use as a centre speaker

I can only hear the hiss if I put my ear to the tweeter

I have JBL 308 MK2s which I was using for L/R and I could hear the hiss from them from listening position (3.2m away) - they are no longer used and have been replaced with passive speakers (Polk Audio R200)

I owned more than 8 units, accounting to G Three. None of them can be qualified at “silent” at all.

But I suppose that ‘hiss’ is one of those things like tinnitus: the more one thinks on the noise, the more we perceive it…

Even if your units can be exceptionally silent, this is more on the far side of the Gaussian, reading the numerous complaints.

 

[Mort]

Funny I've had 8+ monitors from the 80x0 and G series. I didn't perceive any hiss, bothersome or otherwise.

 

[Ktacos]

No hiss unless ear at tweeter on my 8030c. My rooms noise floor is crazy low too, live out in the country.

 

[waynel]

I have two pairs and they are both the same, way louder than my kh120's and somewhat annoying . Since these are chip amps my guess is that we are seeing people's differing sensitivities to hiss and differences in background noise.

 

[Ktacos]

I have two pairs and they are both the same, way louder than my kh120's and somewhat annoying . Since these are chip amps my guess is that we are seeing people's differing sensitivities to hiss and differences in background noise.

I suppose, but I go to the ENT everywhere and they remark on how sensitive my hearing is, and my room is probably quieter than most, and I still don't hear it at LP 3-4ft away.

I mean the solution for hiss is simple, just buy a passive speaker, plenty of good ones out there.

 

[waynel]

I suppose, but I go to the ENT everywhere and they remark on how sensitive my hearing is, and my room is probably quieter than most, and I still don't hear it at LP 3-4ft away.

I mean the solution for hiss is simple, just buy a passive speaker, plenty of good ones out there.

My room is literally sound proof( I use it to practice the drums) and it has no windows or HVAC. The biggest source of background noise is me (and the genelecs when they are on)

 

[Miguelón]

Funny I've had 8+ monitors from the 80x0 and G series. I didn't perceive any hiss, bothersome or otherwise.

Is particularly loud in the 8030C. I own 8020D, had also 8010A time ago and don’t hiss. Never listened to 8040 or 8050.

I didn’t find it annoying but my usage is at enough distance to don’t perceiving it.

 

[luke2kk]

No hiss unless ear at tweeter on my 8030c. My rooms noise floor is crazy low too, live out in the country.

Replys like that just sound insane to me. I am really interested to know if this is just bad quality control or due to subjective listening. I guess age also plays a massive role as were talking about high frequencies, which obviously will be heard less overtime. With 31 years of age, i might be too young for this kind of hobby :-D