Genelec 8030C Studio Monitor Review

[TurtlePaul]

problem is it lowers the total volume and i dont like that

You are able to listen to them nearfield at max volume on your interface with the sensitivity at -6 dB? My ears would bleed.

 

[Pancreas]

You are able to listen to them nearfield at max volume on your interface with the sensitivity at -6 dB? My ears would bleed.

I don't use max volume lol what I'm saying is changing the sensitivity, also lowers the overall volume in general without touching anything else

So if I have my audio interface at -40db and the genelec sensitivity at -6 and I lower it to +6, the total volume is lower now even tho i didn't touch the volume knob on my interface

There is a reason it comes -6 as default, as this is the best setting for the Genelec speakers

I simply adjust volume via windows or the volume knob on interface

Also putting them at +6 changes the tone somehow

 

[TurtlePaul]

I don't use max volume lol what I'm saying is changing the sensitivity, also lowers the overall volume in general without touching anything else

So if I have my audio interface at -40db and the genelec sensitivity at -6 and I lower it to +6, the total volume is lower now even tho i didn't touch the volume knob on my interface

Sensitivity is volume. That is the point. That is what it does. The point is to set it to a level where the top range of your interface (which performs best) aligns with your actual listening levels. You interface will measure better at -28 then at -40.

 

[Miguelón]

problem is it lowers the total volume and i dont like that

Total volume is about 104 dB max in your Genelecs: that means that a signal of +4 dB at 0 dB gain input will reach full capacity of the monitor (0 dB input gain means that a 0 dB signal will reach 100 dB SPL). Is not a very strong signal, about 1.2 volts, on the first third of your master volume wheel. After that it will start clipping (well, really before that).

You can say to yourself that putting the amp at -6 dB this will give you a lot of sound pressure but it really gives a lot of distortion. Also you will only have a little room to fine tune your volume.

 

[Miguelón]

Sensitivity is volume. That is the point. That is what it does. The point is to set it to a level where the top range of your interface (which performs best) aligns with your actual listening levels. You interface will measure better at -28 then at -40.

First time I had a studio monitor I made the same reasoning that Pancreas did: psychologically having the master volume at 9 to 10 h gives the impression that you can eventually go way more louder…

 

[Pancreas]

so what should I do? A lot of words but not a whole lot of solutions lol

Where should I place the sensitivity setting to?

I always have my audio interface volume between 40 and 45db whether I'm listening to music or playing video games which is volume on the lower side i think

at least that's what it says on my Motu mk5 the volume know is at 40db for almost everything i rarely move it

so by selecting the +6 sensitivity, i would get the same volume as before, but at a lower number on the audio interface?

so instead of being at 40db on the interface, it would be in the 20s for same volume?

By lowering the db on the audio interface from 40 to 20s, I would get less distortion as the interface volume is lower? im lost

 

[TurtlePaul]

I personally put the Genelec to +6 dB (the quietest) which gets rid of all idle hum for me. Then I turn the volume down on my DAC and my pre by just a little. My DAC is at about -10 dB and usually my preamp is about -15 dB. This lets my DAC operate at ~100 dB SINAD, and like I said my 8030c don’t hum at this volume.

 

[Pancreas]

I personally put the Genelec to +6 dB (the quietest) which gets rid of all idle hum for me. Then I turn the volume down on my DAC and my pre by just a little. My DAC is at about -10 dB and usually my preamp is about -15 dB. This lets my DAC operate at ~100 dB SINAD, and like I said my 8030c don’t hum at this volume.

is that the main reason to do that?

Mine hum but I would have to put my ear next to it to hear it and never bothered me. I tried +6 before and I sounded different don't know how

So with the Genelec 8030c and Motu ultralite mk5, is better to put the sensitivity at +6?

How come it comes at -6 from factory

 

[staticV3]

So with the Genelec 8030c and Motu ultralite mk5, is better to put the sensitivity at +6?

Always use lowest amplifier gain.

Increase gain only if you're maxing out your DAC and it's still too quiet.

How come it comes at -6 from factory

To reduce the number of customer returns because they used a quiet source and the speakers didn't get loud enough (my guess).

 

[Miguelón]

so what should I do? A lot of words but not a whole lot of solutions lol

Where should I place the sensitivity setting to?

I always have my audio interface volume between 40 and 45db whether I'm listening to music or playing video games which is volume on the lower side i think

at least that's what it says on my Motu mk5 the volume know is at 40db for almost everything i rarely move it

so by selecting the +6 sensitivity, i would get the same volume as before, but at a lower number on the audio interface?

so instead of being at 40db on the interface, it would be in the 20s for same volume?

By lowering the db on the audio interface from 40 to 20s, I would get less distortion as the interface volume is lower? im lost

Genelec tells you something like that elsewhere in the operating manual, I remember well the words: “to set the appropriate input gain, set it to +6 dB and turn the volume of your interface to 90%. Then turn up the gain screw till you reach the desired loudness or the speaker begins to distort. Turn down a little the gain input and let it fixed”

In practice at + 6 dB and 90 % volume of an actual interface (XLR balanced 4 volts), you have your desired volume and way more so don’t need to increase any more.

 

[Miguelón]

Always use lowest amplifier gain.

Increase gain only if you're maxing out your DAC and it's still too quiet.


To reduce the number of customer returns because they used a quiet source and the speakers didn't get loud enough (my guess).

I think also to cover more DAC standards on the industry.

I don’t think is by hazard that Genelec chose precisely 12 dB of gain variation: probably the lowest is designed for the usual 4 volts signal of audio interfaces, 6 dB up will produce the same SPL with RCA 2 volts DACs, and finally 6 dB more will match the 1 volt line out, less common this days but still a standard.

 

[staticV3]

I think also to cover more DAC standards on the industry.

I don’t think is by hazard that Genelec chose precisely 12 dB of gain variation: probably the lowest is designed for the usual 4 volts signal of audio interfaces, 6 dB up will produce the same SPL with RCA 2 volts DACs, and finally 6 dB more will match the 1 volt line out, less common this days but still a standard.

Only issue is that even with the 8030C's volume set to Min (+6dBu), it reaches maximum rated output (104dB SPL) at 2.45V

 

[Miguelón]

Only issue is that even with the 8030C's volume set to Min (+6dBu), it reaches maximum rated output (104dB SPL) at 2.45V

Yes, you’re right, I must low digital volume to compensate the extra sensibility.

Neumann’s have, if I remember well, the possibility of changing the output levels from 95 to 115 dB or something like so, in this case are easier to match with the rest of the gear.

 

[Pancreas]

Staticv3 reminds me of this guy

 

[Pancreas]

On my motu mk5, the main trim is still in the minor.

When I had on -6 sensitivity, I had it on -40

Now I had to increase it to -30 or maybe -28 to have a similar volume as before

How come is still in the negative?

 

[Miguelón]

On my motu mk5, the main trim is still in the minor.

When I had on -6 sensitivity, I had it on -40

Now I had to increase it to -30 or maybe -28 to have a similar volume as before

How come is still in the negative?

Is what we were talking about, if you are on -40 and decrease the gain by 12 dB you will finish at -28 dB (-40 + 12= -28) to reach same SPL.

As StaticV3 mentioned, even at minimum gain values, Genelec 8030 (and the other models I tried of this brand) is too sensible to allow 90-100% voltage before max SPL.

This is bizarre in a professional monitor, I’m not in the business but as far as I know barely all interfaces supply 4 volts in balanced signal.

I think is due to the home possible use (as I do) of the Genelecs, as StaticV3 mentioned, to avoid clients complaining about not reaching enough volume with weak sources. But in that case it will be nice to have a + 14 dB input gain setting to reach the 4 volts at 104 dB SPL (4 volts is + 14 dBu roughly)

ERROR: + 14 dB will give 100 dB SPL at 4 volts, I should write + 10 dB instead to reach 104 dB SPL

 

[ejr]

Contact Genelec tech support. Send them an email describing your setup. (Send them a photo of your speaker placement.) These guys are the experts. They'll point you in the right direction. And, as always, it will ultimately come down to what your ears are telling you.

 

[Miguelón]

Only issue is that even with the 8030C's volume set to Min (+6dBu), it reaches maximum rated output (104dB SPL) at 2.45V

Excuse me by bothering you, if I connect an RCA output with adapted cables will improve the excessive sensitivity of the speakers given that will provide half voltage?

I think SNR will be the same weather reducing output volume by 6 dB on the knob than using unbalanced outputs, but I’m not sure

 

[Miguelón]

Contact Genelec tech support. Send them an email describing your setup. (Send them a photo of your speaker placement.) These guys are the experts. They'll point you in the right direction. And, as always, it will ultimately come down to what your ears are telling you.

Agree, I have contacted them on the past, very gentle and they even passed me with the commercial director to help me finding a dealer!

I suppose you’re answering Pancreas post, I’m right?

 

[ejr]

Yes.