Genelec 8030C vs Neumann KH 80 DSP?

[Dezlee2001]

Hey everybody, I’m trying to decide between the Genelec 8030C and the Neumann KH 80 DSP for nearfield monitors for recording and mixing music.

It’s a small room with acoustic treatment. I’ll be sitting about a meter or less from the speakers. I’m wanting a pretty accurate and flat response but with the ability to move my head around during mixing without too much change in response.

Not sure if I want to go with a sub yet but open to it. Which monitor would you suggest and any subwoofer suggestions to go with either monitors?

 

[johny_2000]

How's about Genelec 8330A + 7350A combo?

The difference compared to the 8030C is that it has DSP frequency response control, giving you powerful room compensation features with better sub integration.

Check this thread https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/genelec-8330a-vs-8030c.19212/

 

[Dezlee2001]

How's about Genelec 8330A + 7350A combo?

The difference compared to the 8030C is that it has DSP frequency response control, giving you powerful room compensation features with better sub integration.

Check this thread https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/genelec-8330a-vs-8030c.19212/

I’ve looked over the 8330A as well recently but decided it’s a bit more than I would like to spend at the moment when trying to possibly factor in a sub too. Kind of narrowed it down to the 8030C and KH 80 DSP already since they both seem pretty flat on their own along with their high preference ratings for their price range.

 

[holdingpants01]

If the choice is between room correction or not, then the answer is always go with RC, so KH80. Distance or whatever treatment you have won't change the fact you'll need it and having it built in means less latency. The model to compare is 8320 not 8030, as 8030 have bigger woofer and lacks DSP, but even then the Neumanns are cheaper along with the sub of the same size as Genelecs

 

[johny_2000]

I also think the 8320A is a good choice over the KH 80. Both have DSP and two-channel Class D amplifiers with room correction features and calibrated microphones.

 

[Pearljam5000]

I'd take the 8030
4 inch is too small in my opinion so I'd give up the DSP for a bigger monitor with more bass and probably "bigger " sound

 

[johny_2000]

IMO the 4-inch works fine for frequency ranges above 63 Hz. For the rest of the frequency range, a subwoofer is simply necessary.

 

[Miguelón]

What did you take finally?

I was on the same bifurcation months ago, I tried at home Genelec 8030c, 8020d and Neumann kh120 ii, kh80

KH80 didn’t sound well at home, the walls of the speakers irradiate a lot (just touching and you can decode the whole track by hand) and was quite messy in room response. Also lack of SPDIF or AES/EBU input which results in unnecessary double ADC and DAC conversion inside.

Finally get Genelecs 8030 cpm, was hard to decide against KH 120 ii: both are great by finally my pleasure listening was in favor of the Genelec.

Also I saved money for a future sub

 

[Pearljam5000]

What did you take finally?

I was on the same bifurcation months ago, I tried at home Genelec 8030c, 8020d and Neumann kh120 ii, kh80

KH80 didn’t sound well at home, the walls of the speakers irradiate a lot (just touching and you can decode the whole track by hand) and was quite messy in room response. Also lack of SPDIF or AES/EBU input which results in unnecessary double ADC and DAC conversion inside.

Finally get Genelecs 8030 cpm, was hard to decide against KH 120 ii: both are great by finally my pleasure listening was in favor of the Genelec.

Also I saved money for a future sub

Can you compare 8030 and KH120 II?
What made you choose the 8030 over it ?

 

[YSC]

What did you take finally?

I was on the same bifurcation months ago, I tried at home Genelec 8030c, 8020d and Neumann kh120 ii, kh80

KH80 didn’t sound well at home, the walls of the speakers irradiate a lot (just touching and you can decode the whole track by hand) and was quite messy in room response. Also lack of SPDIF or AES/EBU input which results in unnecessary double ADC and DAC conversion inside.

Finally get Genelecs 8030 cpm, was hard to decide against KH 120 ii: both are great by finally my pleasure listening was in favor of the Genelec.

Also I saved money for a future sub

not sure at your place, but my place the 8030C+7040A was same price as KH120A alone, so back then my choice was for the sub combo

 

[Miguelón]

not sure at your place, but my place the 8030C+7040A was same price as KH120A alone, so back then my choice was for the sub combo

Was exactly my choice: 8030c and the 7040 next winter, I don’t need the 7050 to the type of music I listen and my usual SPL

 

[Miguelón]

Can you compare 8030 and KH120 II?
What made you choose the 8030 over it ?

Well, is dificult to explain, very subjective. Despite accurate measurements, I didn’t like Neumann KH120 ii.

But I cannot tell anyone to prefer 8030c, clearly the Neumann has more SPL and goes lower.

Also I put more money on the pit for the subwoofer, Neumann was at 800€/unit and need calibration mic at 300€: total would be 1900€

Genelec 8030cpm was more pleasant to my ears, and with the sub will be exactly the same price!

SPL was not a reason because I listen at an average of 70-75 dB, there’s 30-34 dB remaining for peaks.

 

[al2002]

Hey everybody, I’m trying to decide between the Genelec 8030C and the Neumann KH 80 DSP for nearfield monitors for recording and mixing music.

It’s a small room with acoustic treatment. I’ll be sitting about a meter or less from the speakers. I’m wanting a pretty accurate and flat response but with the ability to move my head around during mixing without too much change in response.

Not sure if I want to go with a sub yet but open to it. Which monitor would you suggest and any subwoofer suggestions to go with either monitors?

Not a fair comparison. The woofer on the KH 80 is smaller. The Neumann equivalent would be the KH120.

 

[Miguelón]

Not a fair comparison. The woofer on the KH 80 is smaller. The Neumann equivalent would be the KH120.

Is curious, but at home Neumann KH 80 tends to sound more low ended than Genelec 8030 c: is one of the reasons that I disliked it

 

[YSC]

Not a fair comparison. The woofer on the KH 80 is smaller. The Neumann equivalent would be the KH120.

I think OP is comparing the price bracket. It makes sense though as we purchase according to budget, not size class.

I guess he struggles as I do 4 years ago, the Neumann is flatter and smaller with similar extension, but the genelec is much cheaper.
Since no integrated calibration for both I ended up going for the buy with a sub for 30hz-20khz setup over the KH80. If it was cheaper at 8020 level I would’ve chosen the kh80 back then

 

[neko8018]

That really shocked me，in my country，8030 is twice the price of KH80.

 

[Ktacos]

8030 sounded much better than kh80 to me.

 

[Miguelón]

8030 sounded much better than kh80 to me.

I agree, I think is partly because the box (plastic in case of KH 80). Despite measurements on axis anechoic, room real response (on the same stand floors and position than Genelecs) was really too warm and unclear mids.

Neumann KH 120 ii sounded way more flat at home, despite showing the same anechoic curve of the 80, some dB lower.

But is out of contention, here

 

[Pearljam5000]

I agree, I think is partly because the box (plastic in case of KH 80). Despite measurements on axis anechoic, room real response (on the same stand floors and position than Genelecs) was really too warm and unclear mids.

Neumann KH 120 ii sounded way more flat at home, despite showing the same anechoic curve of the 80, some dB lower.

But is out of contention, here

Can you compare KH120 II and 8030?

 

[Miguelón]

Can you compare KH120 II and 8030?

Yes, the KH 120 reach more SPL easily and go lower in bass, as you would expect.

I personally preferred how Genelec sounded, but perhaps for a professional the Neumann is a better choice.

Also KH 120 ii was more expensive compared to the 8030 and I could save some money to a future subwoofer (at that time it was 800€ against 560€, now the Neumann is around 700€ I believe)

Post Editing: I actually use only dip switches in my setup to room corrections, it was impossible to achieve satisfactory results with those of the Neumann: this was also taken to account for practical reasons when using the monitors with my digital piano (otherwise should connect the piano to a DSP and then to speakers, or use the piano as a midi controller, too much dispositions to just get up and play!)

Actual disposition in a partial space of 2,5 x 5 meters room (have false walls in a bigger living room, no carpets, close to corners, a glass door and window behind): -4 dB low bass roll-off, -4 dB bass tilt, desktop mode on the left side, same adjustments but -6 dB bass tilt on the right one. I should use barely all the dips in bass and mid bass region to clear the huge reflections