Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[pehu63]

Here is a picture of the 8030As in question, for what it's worth:View attachment 303469

They look like brand new cosmetically, but of course there is no way of knowing what is happening internally. But maybe even this is a sign that the seller was not abusing them in any way, I have seen used Genelecs in ebay in atrocious condition, full of paint scratches and even small dents to the cabinet.

I haven't decided yet, I am contemplating my choices. I am considering the small 8020C too, even if I miss a little bit of low end, F3 on them is around 65 Hz I think, not bad. But only 20 +20 amplification. Maybe down the line I can add a used sub..

What about a pair of used KH120s for 750 EUR? Would that be advantageous to a pair of 8020Cs or 8030As? I can stretch the budget up to 700-800 but no more, otherwise I must wait until next year to save up for a pair of brand new 8030Cs.

Wow, 75 db and you find it already too loud! In a way you are lucky because that way you can spend little money on speakers and be perfectly content. Personally, I listen to music for 6-8 hours (I work in the pc) and that is why I want something good and non-fatiguing for the desktop- most of the time it is not very loud but I want to be able to crank it up for 1-2 hours depending on the day. It doesn't help that I listen to a lot of electronic and ambient music, I guess!

The white version of the KRKs looks nicer in the photos, I don't know if they are the same in person.

As far as I know, the 8030A does not go as low as the 8030C.
Also lower SPL. Genelec web site has docs for the legacy products.

Previous Models - Genelec.com

<br /> Since 1978 Genelec has been designing high quality studio monitors and loudspeakers for music, broadcast, AV and home applications.

www.genelec.com

 

[Pearljam5000]

Are you seriously considering *17* years old monitors ?
It's not worth it

 

[Anti-Climacus]

How old? They had been available since 2010, and there is some evidence that their capacitors can fail with time. So If they are not older than a couple of years, this can be a good option. At least they are a better option than any 8000 series analog Genelecs up to and including the 8030C.

I contacted the seller but they have already been sold (seems that he doesn't bother to delete the listing since I see it still up!), so there is no dilemma really, at least for now. But what makes the KH120 superior to Genelec? I was under the impression that they are more or less on par - maybe the power capability of the latter is lacking?

As for the original dilemma: with budget that limited I would not be looking at monitors from Genelec or Neumann. You end up paying too much for brand, premium design, construction and materials and just a little bit smoother response. That's a fine deal if you can spend the money with ease, but otherwise why would you? Also, getting too small or very old used speakers makes no sense: you will be stuck with them for a long time. Seems like risky move with questionable upside.

You could get Kali LP-6 V2 for 420€, brand new. I think you would not miss much if anything.

As I was explaining in my first posts, it's the small form factor of the Genies that appeals to me, especially for a secondary strictly desktop system I am building in a small bedroom. In another (not so much larger) room I have the Kali IN-5 where I currently do most of my listening (lets say it's my "primary" system and I am mostly happy with it). So staying with Kali and buying another (slightly inferior, if we are to believe the measurements) offering of theirs (which additionaly is a little big for my use case) seems a little bit pointless.

You are right though that if you can't afford them easily, then maybe look for something cheaper. But I was under the impression that slightly used older models of Genelecs retain somehow their value and can be trusted, at least up to a point. That seems to be the consensus, although I agree that chosing a 15 + years old monitor is very risky and questionable.

Perhaps I should go for a much newer pair of 8020Cs I have found for under 500 EUR and add a sub sometime down the line.

I have a lot of 8330s (Atmos setup), but I had KH120 before and would go this way, hard to find any faults of them, for music enjoyment they're more pleasant and easier to incorporate into the room because of the front facing bass reflex port

What makes them more pleasant for music listening in your opinion? I was under the impression that Genelecs have a perceived "warmth" and very good tonality.

 

[Anti-Climacus]

As far as I know, the 8030A does not go as low as the 8030C.
Also lower SPL. Genelec web site has docs for the legacy products.

Previous Models - Genelec.com

<br /> Since 1978 Genelec has been designing high quality studio monitors and loudspeakers for music, broadcast, AV and home applications.

www.genelec.com

Yes, I have seen and compared the specs between various models, according to the company each succesive model is an improvement upon the basic idea, in terms of SPL capability, amplification (class A/B vs D and more power on tap) and LF extension. Other that those, the overall tonality, sonic character, directivity and dispersion of the speaker is pretty much the same.

What concerns me most is the condition of the speaker internaly after 15 years and the very real possibility of a sudden failure of some part, be it drivers, amps or other. Basically the concerns that @YSC voiced previously.

Are you seriously considering *17* years old monitors ?
It's not worth it

I was initially (500 used vs 1200 new) but I am much more reluctant now with all these negative "don't do it!" warnings!

I certainly am not in a hurry, so I will think carefully my choices. It's just that I have now 600 EUR in my disposal and I feel an audiophiliac nervosa itch to spend them in audio equipment, perhaps I should go on a trip instead!

 

[unpluggged]

But what makes the KH120 superior to Genelec? I was under the impression that they are more or less on par

More or less on par, but Neumanns have less hiss (virtually inaudible even from 10 cm), more extension into low end, more linear FR, smoother horizontal directivity, wider range of sensitivity adjustments. Their SPL is difficult to compare directly by the sheet since they list these figures for different conditions, but for desktop use they both are more than adequate in this regard.

 

[cyjanopan]

What makes them more pleasant for music listening in your opinion? I was under the impression that Genelecs have a perceived "warmth" and very good tonality.

Neumanns are like that too but just a bit better, here's a comparison of KH80 and 8020 but from my experience it scales the same to bigger models with 80x0 series and especially going one step higher in both models as they use the same tweeter

there's just something about the Neumanns that they usually sound smoother, extended in the top end, less boxy in the room. Be it different polar pattern, port placement or combination of everything, but Genelecs seem a bit more sharp when compared side by side in the room. It's like comparing two shades of white, both are technically white but definitely different and I have my preference, which is dependent on the context. Also I would always pick monitor with room correction, so I would go with KH80 rather than KH120 if 120 is older model without DSP or it would be used without any software.

 

[bodhi]

there's just something about the Neumanns that they usually sound smoother, extended in the top end, less boxy in the room.

I'm betting, based on those nearly identical measurements, that this "something" would mysteriously disappear in a controlled blind test.

But this has been talked too many times already: if some people claim they could easily pass blind test and other people say they wouldn't then that's as far as we get.

I guess we can agree on that the differences are so minuscule that any other variables, looks, price, availability etc, surpass them when making a decision.

 

[cyjanopan]

I'm betting, based on those nearly identical measurements, that this "something" would mysteriously disappear in a controlled blind test.

But this has been talked too many times already: if some people claim they could easily pass blind test and other people say they wouldn't then that's as far as we get.

let's do it, I could use some cash, but you'll have to organize it. I can agree that they would sound close, that's what I stated anyway, but I also said that they usually sound a bit smoother IN THE ROOM, when compared to Genelecs, whatever the reason for that. You can hear it in the video, you can see it in the measurements. One could easily EQ one to sound like the other, but neither of these considered models have built in EQ. That's why I would go the KH80 DSP route and correct the biggest problems with their software and in real world it would easily sound much better than bigger 8030 without correction

 

[unpluggged]

I'm betting, based on those nearly identical measurements, that this "something" would mysteriously disappear in a controlled blind test.

The hiss levels would not. That was the main reason, along with front-ported design, for my choice. I understand that both of them would sound good enough for me and I'd adapt to either of them quickly, but hiss levels is something one does not adapt to, so I went for Neumann.

 

[bodhi]

let's do it, I could use some cash, but you'll have to organize it.

As I said, that's as far as we get because nobody is interested enough to setting up the test, bringing people from possibly other continents to have it. And even if this could be arranged there are infinity minus half the people who failed the test that claim that test was bad, subjects had cloth ears, I had a bad day etc etc.

So only possibility is giving the benefit of doubt to whoever claims whatever.

 

[bodhi]

The hiss levels would not. That was the main reason, along with front-ported design, for my choice. I understand that both of them would sound good enough for me and I'd adapt to either of them quickly, but hiss levels is something one does not adapt to, so I went for Neumann.

I guess the hiss problem is with the 80X0 series. I know from experience that 8330, 8340 and 8350 have no hiss until you put your ear right to the tweeter and even then it's very faint.

 

[cyjanopan]

As I said, that's as far as we get because nobody is interested enough to setting up the test, bringing people from possibly other continents to have it. And even if this could be arranged there are infinity minus half the people who failed the test that claim that test was bad, subjects had cloth ears, I had a bad day etc etc.

So only possibility is giving the benefit of doubt to whoever claims whatever.

I assume you didn't bother to listen to the youtube link? As my claim is easily provable both with recording and measurements. It's really ok if you don't hear or care about the difference. BTW Interested tactic to propose a scientific test and then backing out of it with belief you already know the results anyway

 

[bodhi]

t's really ok if you don't hear or care about the difference.

Thanks! I really appreciate that.

 

[YSC]

I assume you didn't bother to listen to the youtube link? As my claim is easily provable both with recording and measurements. It's really ok if you don't hear or care about the difference. BTW Interested tactic to propose a scientific test and then backing out of it with belief you already know the results anyway

Frankly once I closed my eyes I can’t hear any differences in the YouTube link..

But even if the difference is there, they are really in the same ballpark, too bad the original kh120 don’t have Klippel spin data here, but another member did his own spin and when compared to amirm’s 8030C they look really close in on axis smoothness and the horizontal directivity error causing the off axis ~1-2khz dip in both speakers (the member measurement of kh120 looks to vary more but I give the doubt to Klippel vs experienced gated measurement or so)

Hiss is all subjective as per use case but I have read both speaker have ppl complain about hiss.

Front vs rear port I have no personal experience but as genelec spec they only need 5cm of clearance I don’t see one with front port will put it right tight on the wall so it should not be a problem other than psychological. What I believe is the choice is between brand, look and price. Personally if the price is the same I would’ve opted for the more traditional looking Neumann, but looking at the wallet and choosing the 8030C didn’t make me regret also.

 

[unpluggged]

Hiss is all subjective as per use case but I have read both speaker have ppl complain about hiss.

Subjective or not, it's noticeable in a silent room from arm's length with the Genelec. The Neumann is dead silent at this distance.

I have no personal experience but as genelec spec they only need 5cm of clearance I don’t see one with front port will put it right tight on the wall so it should not be a problem other than psychological.

I decided to play it safe and not put their claim to test But as I said, the main concern was hiss.

I guess the hiss problem is with the 80X0 series.

I haven't tested their SAM models, but their analog 8000 series came out as hissy to me. Not as hissy as, say, JBL 3 series or the HEDD MK2 series, so I probably could live with it, but still, when I could avoid it altogether, why not?

 

[Zensō]

Subjective or not, it's noticeable in a silent room from arm's length with the Genelec. The Neumann is dead silent at this distance.


I decided to play it safe and not put their claim to test But as I said, the main concern was hiss.


I haven't tested their SAM models, but their analog 8000 series came out as hissy to me. Not as hissy as, say, JBL 3 series or the HEDD MK2 series, so I probably could live with it, but still, when I could avoid it altogether, why not?

Just as another data point, the 8030C hiss is not an issue for me at normal working distances (~85cm). I can only hear it when I put my ear very near the tweeter.

 

[YSC]

Subjective or not, it's noticeable in a silent room from arm's length with the Genelec. The Neumann is dead silent at this distance.


I decided to play it safe and not put their claim to test But as I said, the main concern was hiss.


I haven't tested their SAM models, but their analog 8000 series came out as hissy to me. Not as hissy as, say, JBL 3 series or the HEDD MK2 series, so I probably could live with it, but still, when I could avoid it altogether, why not?

by subjective what I mean is a lot of ppl including me can't hear any hiss for the 8030 unless I put my ear right next to the tweeter, and while also some ppl did complain even the objectively more hiss-less Neumanns, that's what I mean subjective, everyone can have varying mileage depending on room or other stuffs, somehow I suspect in region of higher mains voltage tend to have less hiss issue, but that's just a wild guess. so better thing is to let the user to decide on how much hiss is audible for him/her, say compare to the Kali IN or Adam T5V to see if the measured data of hiss level likely will be a concern. For the port distance it's as much a myth for rear port as front port must have cancellation. Personally I do believe these measurement based designs and their claims, when I first purchased them I literally use a ruler to measure the port exit and push my 8030Cs right at 5cm mark to the front wall and no port issue arised. of course, personal preference is always the final decision maker. I just say I would based on the objective performance I can achieve in my budget to do purchase decision.

 

[Pancreas]

just get 8030c, wait for a deal or sale

I got lucky I got them for $900 cash from a local guy who had bought them from Sweetwater like 4 months before, he showed me receipts, he was also selling the subwoofer version I think 7350A for $1000 but I didn't want that I live in an apartment, is the best deal I've gotten in years otherwise i wouldn't have bought them at $1400

 

[Pancreas]

in current setup you should at least engage the desk correction switch and bass -4/-6db being that close to the frontt wall, possibly the left need 2db more to compensate the other corner if you don't do measurement and EQ.

so basically sensitivity at -6 and -4 bass tilt

What about the desktop switch, should I keep this on or off?

Right now, the speakers are on the desk, but when I get the table stands, should I keep it off?

 

[YSC]

so basically sensitivity at -6 and -4 bass tilt

What about the desktop switch, should I keep this on or off?

Right now, the speakers are on the desk, but when I get the table stands, should I keep it off?

on desk I let it engaged but since I use PC as source, I found using EQ APO with REW with high Q filter corrects better than the switches, so ended up I turn off all switches and do SW EQ