Genelec 8331A Powered SAM Studio Monitor Review (by Erin)

[Mort]

True. But imo it is self imposed T tax. Not Genelec tax.

That's a political statement, but ok.

Genelec made the price increases. Prices in Europe also went up.

 

[RobL]

That's a political statement, but ok.

Genelec made the price increases. Prices in Europe also went up.

The importers raised the prices. I can buy 8331A’s for CA$2850 (US$2080) here in Canada.

 

[Mort]

The importers raised the prices. I can buy 8331A’s for CA$2850 (US$2080) here in Canada.

I don't understand your point, if there is one.

 

[RobL]

I don't understand your point, if there is one.

@Marc v E is correct, your new tax makes up the increase you have noted.

 

[dagfinn]

@Marc v E is correct, your new tax makes up the increase you have noted.

Well, prices here are even higher than US, and we have the same tax as before, 25% VAT on import. 8331a is equvalent of USD2.740 incl. VAT. They exceed Mort's prices on every model. I think prices are going up globally, just not same rythm everywhere. Some have old price stock still?

 

[RobL]

Well, prices here are even higher than US, and we have the same tax as before, 25% VAT on import. 8331a is equvalent of USD2.740 incl. VAT. They exceed Mort's prices on every model. I think prices are going up globally, just not same rythm everywhere. Some have old price stock still?

Yes, there have been small increases from Genelec, but the prices @Mort and I am giving are pre sales taxes being applied. So not really apples to apples. The US doesn’t really have a tax analogous to your VAT though some states charge a sales tax at various rates. Canada does have a federal tax (GST @ 5%) similar to VAT, and some provinces also charge separate sales tax.
If I was buying these for a business here in Canada, I would pay no tax on these.

 

[Mort]

As we say in NYC: oi-vey.

 

[Orpheus2016]

I would be very grateful for opinions on my intended use for the 8331s. I am not a music producer but solely a listener would use them in my very constricted workspace, on a desktop alongside computer equipment. The room is 12-15 square metres, and the speakers would be placed on a desk approximately 40-50cm away from me as I sit and do desk work. So very near field.

I would not mix, but listen to rather demanding music, in classical and particularly orchestral, with soloists. I currently have a good headphone setup, feeding the Sennheiser HD800S. For various reasons am trying to wean off pure headphone listening and want to try to replicate the HD800S experience with speakers, within the space restrictions noted above. This got me to consider high end active speakers like the 8331s, and maybe the new Harbeth NLE-1, which I can demo (I cannot demo the 8331).

What I would like to avoid are studio monitors that do their job rigorously, ie. are forensic devices which spot every fault and shortcoming in a recording. I listen to a considerable amount of poorly recorded and mastered classical recordings and I would like to avoid a set of speakers that spread out their shortcomings, but rather something which can reproduce the kind of detail and introspection that the HD800S has while keeping in mind that it's about the forest, not the trees!

My question is whether the 8331 are 'musical' enough and can come close - even if not fully - replicating the HD800S experience. Would I achieve solid levels of instrument separation, imaging, soundstage from such a close distance, or should I look elsewhere? I would have a hard time fitting larger speakers, the NLE-1 would really fit at a stretch, but might be doable. Am open to getting the GLM add-on if it gets me there.

Many thanks for any advice on my situation.

 

[Mort]

Sounds like perfect match for you. No they are not 'too revealing'. That's a whole can of worms but basically, genelec are a neutral sound not more or less musical.

What do you think of the 800s tonality? They are quite bright, i.e. not neutral, out of the box. Are you trying to replicate that?

Do you or will you use any DSP? GLM is highly recommended with Genelec.

 

[patoulol]

I would be very grateful for opinions on my intended use for the 8331s. I am not a music producer but solely a listener would use them in my very constricted workspace, on a desktop alongside computer equipment. The room is 12-15 square metres, and the speakers would be placed on a desk approximately 40-50cm away from me as I sit and do desk work. So very near field.

I would not mix, but listen to rather demanding music, in classical and particularly orchestral, with soloists. I currently have a good headphone setup, feeding the Sennheiser HD800S. For various reasons am trying to wean off pure headphone listening and want to try to replicate the HD800S experience with speakers, within the space restrictions noted above. This got me to consider high end active speakers like the 8331s, and maybe the new Harbeth NLE-1, which I can demo (I cannot demo the 8331).

What I would like to avoid are studio monitors that do their job rigorously, ie. are forensic devices which spot every fault and shortcoming in a recording. I listen to a considerable amount of poorly recorded and mastered classical recordings and I would like to avoid a set of speakers that spread out their shortcomings, but rather something which can reproduce the kind of detail and introspection that the HD800S has while keeping in mind that it's about the forest, not the trees!

My question is whether the 8331 are 'musical' enough and can come close - even if not fully - replicating the HD800S experience. Would I achieve solid levels of instrument separation, imaging, soundstage from such a close distance, or should I look elsewhere? I would have a hard time fitting larger speakers, the NLE-1 would really fit at a stretch, but might be doable. Am open to getting the GLM add-on if it gets me there.

Many thanks for any advice on my situation.

Hi there! Just jumping in because I actually own the Sennheiser HD800S myself, and trust me, the Genelec 8331s are fantastic companions for these headphones. With GLM, you can apply a "High Shelf" (to dip the treble slightly) or a "Tilt" curve to suit your specific needs

 

[Marc v E]

Sounds pretty good to me too. The Genelec the ones sound tonally much alike the sennheiser 800, from what I remember. Personally, I experience the 8341 and 8351 as a real step up over the 8331, but maybe that's because I love deeper bass.

I currently have the 8030 which I think hits the sweet spot in the range of speakers suitable for desktop, but with your imaging requirements and being used to a high end headphone, a genelec from the ones serie is more alike a headphone in detail and effortlessness.

Btw, I heard the 8351 with some pretty bad recordings and it didn't bother me, but it did surprise me. Old recordings from the 1950's were very enjoyable, some pop music surprisingly audiophile, natural instruments to die for, and regular pop music sounded somewhat boring to me. Nothing much going on there, really.

As long a you don't play heavily compressed music, badly recorded rock music or only pop, you will be fine.

It will take some getting used to that you hear everything. And it will change your preference for sure. With classical music I think they will shine.

 

[Orpheus2016]

Hi there! Just jumping in because I actually own the Sennheiser HD800S myself, and trust me, the Genelec 8331s are fantastic companions for these headphones. With GLM, you can apply a "High Shelf" (to dip the treble slightly) or a "Tilt" curve to suit your specific needs

Thanks, this is very useful. Can I ask what type of music you listen with both, do you do classical, and how does each perform?

What do you think of the 800s tonality? They are quite bright, i.e. not neutral, out of the box. Are you trying to replicate that?

I do agree, they are not neutral. What I am trying to replicate is instrument separation, imaging, soundstage. Replicating those in a standard passive setup for a medium to large size room requires a serious setup. Doing so for a small room might be easier, but needs very specific setup. I am great fan of Eclipse TD speakers, but strongly doubt that any would work in such a scenario. They need a considerable amount of space behind and in front, certainly not 40-50cm.

Sounds pretty good to me too. The Genelec the ones sound tonally much alike the sennheiser 800, from what I remember. Personally, I experience the 8341 and 8351 as a real step up over the 8331, but maybe that's because I love deeper bass.

The issue with 8341 and above is a) budget, they cost far more b) space: for my space, I think 8331 just about fits. I might have under desk space for a small subwoofer moving forward, but placing the 8341 on the desk would a serious challenge. Am I losing a lot by staying with 8331, given my space constraints?

And finally a last question: How does one control volume? Due to lack of budget, I have to make do with source components I have already, namely the Chord Qutest DAC. The plan is use the appropriate cable to connect its RCA outputs to the XLR ones on the 8331. I have seen that Genelec has a puck-like volume control, is that enough, or does one need to pass through a pre-amp or other intermediate step?

Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated!

 

[Mort]

I do agree, they are not neutral. What I am trying to replicate is instrument separation, imaging, soundstage.

The 'ones' might be the best at this nearfield. Coaxial, impeccable directivity, extended phase linearity. My spouse uses 800s and an 8331a/7350a and loves both.

 

[Marc v E]

I do agree, they are not neutral. What I am trying to replicate is instrument separation, imaging, soundstage.

This is exactly what the 83x1 series excel at.

The issue with 8341 and above is a) budget, they cost far more b) space: for my space, I think 8331 just about fits. I might have under desk space for a small subwoofer moving forward, but placing the 8341 on the desk would a serious challenge. Am I losing a lot by staying with 8331, given my space constraints?

I would recommend to always stay in budget and if space is limited the 8331 will be perfect.

Imaging, soundstage and instrument seperation will stay the same. The only thing that does change is bass in the lowest octaves. You could look up the lowest octave from a musical instrument that you regularly listen to and then you'll know what is important to you. Generally speaking the most important bits are above 50 hz anyways and that they can play all.

And finally a last question: How does one control volume? Due to lack of budget, I have to make do with source components I have already, namely the Chord Qutest DAC. The plan is use the appropriate cable to connect its RCA outputs to the XLR ones on the 8331. I have seen that Genelec has a puck-like volume control, is that enough, or does one need to pass through a pre-amp or other intermediate step?

Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated!

Digitally through a dac with volume control. This is how I do it with the topping dx70 pro. Analogue with a preamp. Or through the genelec puck like volume control. Iirc you can use the 8331 digitally with the glm hub and the puck volume control. You'll have to look it up to be sure, but that seems the most uncluttered and practical way to do it. Also the best because you will convert the digital sgnal only once. Not twice as with the other options.

Whatever you choose, I would really recommend you to use xlr cables and not convert rca to xlr.

The genelec volume control is affordable and tactile. Haven't used it but looks ideal for a desktop setup. Otherwise a dac with xlr out. Or a streamer with xlr out.

Make sure you include the measuring microphone and GLM software.

I think you will love them. Enjoy!

 

[Orpheus2016]

Iirc you can use the 8331 digitally with the glm hub and the puck volume control.

Thanks for all this advice, very useful. I am still getting to grips with the configuration. When you say digitally, does this mean that the 8331 has a built-in DAC which will handle conversion? If so, what is the maximum sample rate once can feed? Will it take 24 bit/192 khz PCM? I am assuming that DSD will not be possible this way, as on the other hand a DAC like Qutest can handle.

I do not have devices at present with a digital out, my Qutest being the only DAC at hand. If I were to remain very modest on budget on that front, could I get away with something like a Wiim Pro and then convert Spdif coaxial to AES, along the lines of what described here: https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-u...gital-SAM-monitors-to-S-PDIF-coaxial-directly
I assume I will need the puck in this scenario.

Lastly, is the GLM Hub an add-on, or something built into the speakers, and how do I connect to it?

Thanks again for all the advice, it is a rather complex and expensive setup, so I am trying to get to grips with it as much as possible beforehand.

 

[Mort]

When you say digitally, does this mean that the 8331 has a built-in DAC which will handle conversion?

Correct

Lastly, is the GLM Hub an add-on, or something built into the speakers, and how do I connect to it?

Seperate little 'kit'. Unit is about the size of a deck of cards. Required basically.

 

[Orpheus2016]

48hz resampled

Thanks. Given my listening habits, I think the analogue entry and DAC being handled elsewhere makes more sense. For example to play back 24bit/96Khz flac files or DSD.

Is there too much to be lost if I plug in my Qutest to start with, assuming I have the right RCA to XLR cables? We are talking of a very short run here, 1-1.5 metres.

And thanks, I did do some reading - the Calibration Kit is much more than that, I can keep the speakers plugged in and get the Genelec wired or even wireless remote and control volume that way, I believe this happens even if I have an analogue input.

 

[Ilkka Rissanen]

Thanks for all this advice, very useful. I am still getting to grips with the configuration. When you say digitally, does this mean that the 8331 has a built-in DAC which will handle conversion? If so, what is the maximum sample rate once can feed? Will it take 24 bit/192 khz PCM?

8331A will accept digital audio signal up to 24 bits / 192 kHz.

Source: https://assets.ctfassets.net/4zjnzn...aa0993bf352e4e95bfa/8331_operating_manual.pdf

 

[patoulol]

Thanks this is very useful. Can I ask what type of music you listen with both, do you do classical, and how does each perform?

Looking at my signature, I also do mastering. Otherwise I listen for pleasure with these speakers, often hanz zimmer

 

[Ilkka Rissanen]

48hz resampled

This is false information. Can you please edit your reply?