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Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review
- Thread starter amirm
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How far from the back wall are they , could be an SBIR issue. But yes I'd get a sub rather than bigger monitors.
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In my experience, an extra 5-10Hz can make a significant difference. However, a subwoofer can exacerbate room modes, and turn the tight and tuneful playback from the 8030C's into something unpleasant. You have to know your room and it's limitations.
Not if you integrate properly with HP and LP filters and use room correction. Then it's just better
Thanks for all your points, they are useful to read.
There are these custom 4-5 inch panels, and the speakers are just in front of them as you see in the picture. This also is the room measurement from Sonarworks with their mic. .
I was heavily influenced by this thread when was searching what speakers to buy, and especially that 8030 measure top score with a sub. I am just on the fence to decide if i ll be better with a sub, or changing them with bigger speakers makes a bigger difference to the total sound, if we exclude the very low frequencies
There are these custom 4-5 inch panels, and the speakers are just in front of them as you see in the picture. This also is the room measurement from Sonarworks with their mic. .
I was heavily influenced by this thread when was searching what speakers to buy, and especially that 8030 measure top score with a sub. I am just on the fence to decide if i ll be better with a sub, or changing them with bigger speakers makes a bigger difference to the total sound, if we exclude the very low frequencies
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Pearljam5000
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Get the 8050 and no subs 
Genelec 8330A(x2)+7350A will go much deeper, and after calibration, will be much more neutral in room.Get the 8050 and no subs
Pearljam5000
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I like bigger monitors to future proof myself
But don't disagree with your suggestion
Genelec 8330A/7350A is for near-field (~1m from monitors). If You want something more powerfull, for larger distance (2 meters away from monitors? 3 meters away from monitors?), You will need something bigger than 2x8330+1x7350A.
I would also lean towards subs. Adding one (or two) modest subs and properly integrating them with something like a minidsp 2x4 and REW can yield great results, and would probably be more cost effective than getting all new mains, unless you have the means to spend substantially more.
Going up to the 8040’s would get you a little more SPL and a bit of extra extension on the low end, but still probably wouldn’t beat out a set of 8030’s with integrated subs.
I’m currently using 8030’s with dual subs in a medium sized room and adding them made a massive difference in the perceived fullness and sense of space.
Going up to the 8040’s would get you a little more SPL and a bit of extra extension on the low end, but still probably wouldn’t beat out a set of 8030’s with integrated subs.
I’m currently using 8030’s with dual subs in a medium sized room and adding them made a massive difference in the perceived fullness and sense of space.
SBIR probably not the problem but you do have a desk bounce effect, your frequency response is not bad, is this before or after EQ?
I have the 8030 for a few years now and since a few months with a sub, the Genelec F two. I use a Wiim ultra as streamer/eq and connect it via spdif to the sub. Volume control by genelec remote.
I too doubted about getting a sub or bigger monitors. Demoed both and in the end opted for a Genelec sub.
The answer to your question is a sub, but not as easy as it seems. I will explain. A sub fills in the lows and gives that extra punch. It also releaves the midwoofer of subduties, which results in an immediately noticeable upgrade in clarity. Voices and instruments are easier to seperate and tonality of instruments is closer to real life.
The drawback, in my opinion, is that you'll pay more for a Genelec sub than one from the competition and that smaller Genelec subs are really quite subtle in what they add: they are meant for a near field application and in my experience, won't impress on demos.
The benefit is that they're build like a tank. I opted for the consumer line F two, because I think it just looks better. The F two performs very well in a desk setup in a small room measuring 3 x 2,5 m.
For fun I tried it in my living room but soon noticed that the bass in a room measuring 10 by 5 meters just needs two 10 inch woofers, which my current speakers have.
So where does this leave you? I would definately recommend a sub. But only you can tell what sub response you appreciate. For demos I would recommend the Neumann kh750 as it is almost the opposite of the Genelec sub I now have. In demo I really felt the impact of it physically. It takes you on a rollercoaster ride, so to speak, and never lets go. Compare this with a Genelec sub of similar price, woofer size and/or amp power and decide which is worth it.
To give you an idea listen to this youtube demo, with and without sub.
Neumann kh750 sub, with and without
8030 with the F two sub
If you have any questions, I'll be here to answer. If you demo, you'll get all your answers at once.
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One quick fix that costs nothing could be this: changing the speaker position.
Looking at where your stereo speakers are, the area they have to cover over your desk until your seating position, I would personally pull the speakers closer to you to increase direct sound vs reflected sound. It could be that the sound you describe is caused by reflections from the desk and indirect sound from the sides.
Just place them on top of a few books and use the standard Genelec iso-pods to aim them at your ears. If that solves your problem you could also place them closer to your monitor. In experienced this as a good solution for my desktop. (For best sound, my laptop/monitor should be as close to the wall as possible.)
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Besides trying positioning as mentioned above, I would say the sub is an easy recommendation as the first step. Then, if you still aren't satisfied, move to a larger monitor but keep the sub. Once you have a properly integrated sub with room correction, you won't want to go back regardless of if you decide you want bigger monitors. And there's the very real possibility you'll find that the sub on its own gets you there.
I agree
I hope these posts help others too, i 've heard before, people wanting to change 8030 for similar reasons.
Then of course comes the search for the right sub. I had in mind, besides 7050 wich is a bit expensive, either the IK Iloud SUB, for its intergrated DSP features, or something like a Kaliws6.2 or Adam. But 7050 is the safest option i think.
Then of course comes the search for the right sub. I had in mind, besides 7050 wich is a bit expensive, either the IK Iloud SUB, for its intergrated DSP features, or something like a Kaliws6.2 or Adam. But 7050 is the safest option i think.
Miguelón
Major Contributor
I'm very Happy with my G Thees (8030C home versión) and the Kali WS 6.2, which has more authority between 30 and 80 Hz than 7050 and cost one half of the price.
The safeness you can gain with 2 units of the Kali WS 6.2 is way over the advantage (if exists) of being built by same manufacturer. With 2 subs you can smooth and have a much better low end than with one Genelec 7050.
goofytwoshoes
Member
I am awaiting delivery of an F Two sub to go with 8040B monitors. I have a couple of questions about the remote control. Does it work flawlessly for volume control? Can you select input with it? I will be using three inputs - Toslink from television, SPDIF from streamer, and analog from Signalyst DSC3 DAC. It is unclear from Genelec's info if remote control will select input.
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