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

[Mort]

How close do you think the G Threes get in terms of relative performance? I

That's good to clarify. Personally I think there is a pretty big difference. I own sixes and have owned the fives so I might know what I'm listening for... Or maybe I'm biased.

 

[Miguelón]

With a g three, I would not get a Genelec sub. Too expensive unless you are getting GLM.

Two might be better than one, but one is even better than none.

Was thinking about SVS 3000 micro or a Genelec without GLM, for example 7050

Both are on the same range of price, have small footprint and are on my budget.

Appreciate the advice of @Sokel but I have not the room or the budget for two subs.

Any advice between SVS 3000 micro and Genelec 7050, or perhaps another small sub within 1000€ range?

 

[Sancus]

I think I've said this before but to me one of the big advantages of the 8331A is that it's very tolerant to vertical position changes. So if you have them in a monitoring room where your client might be standing or in my case they're very close to your chair that is sometimes reclined and sometimes not, you will get the exact same tonality even 20 or 30 degrees off axis.

That is not possible with a non-coaxial speaker. But, if you have no need for this or don't care about it, that erases one significant pro relative to cheaper Genelecs or other standard small monitors like Neumann.

There is definitely an audible and measurable (IMD) midrange clarity benefit from having a dedicated driver for that range but to me it's not always noticeable.

 

[Frank Dernie]

At the risk of making my own tedious point, after your post I noted today that the Genelec Kit microphone reports a 10db higher spl than either my phone or my Tadeto Spl meter, both of which are within a few db of each other and yeah, it's all DbA. I have not used the Genelec microphone for anything except calibration.

Does the calibration try to fill a null in the FR, or attempt to? If it does it will use a lot of power to attempt to do so and maybe the kit microphone reports actual SPL before the "correction".
If a null is because the LP is at a node in a room mode attempting to correct it will waste a lot of power, maybe GLM gives itself a 10dB level reduction of everything else as well/instead???

OTOH it was well known trying to "correct" room nulls is a no-no so perhaps not.

 

[dagfinn]

Does the calibration try to fill a null in the FR, or attempt to? If it does it will use a lot of power to attempt to do so and maybe the kit microphone reports actual SPL before the "correction".
If a null is because the LP is at a node in a room mode attempting to correct it will waste a lot of power, maybe GLM gives itself a 10dB level reduction of everything else as well/instead???

OTOH it was well known trying to "correct" room nulls is a no-no so perhaps not.

https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014218839-Why-does-GLM-not-fix-dips-on-frequency-response

 

[Mort]

Restock pair in the US for $3600.

 

[KaLam1ty]

shotgun. Probably going to move my desk 8330a's to rears or just give to my Dad.

"don't talk to me or my son.." Sorry, had to do this too, lol...

 

[Mort]

That's a three on a six, yes?

 

[KaLam1ty]

correct

Definitely a noticeable upgrade from the 8330a's (as one would hope)... Not massive of course, but there is a level of clarity that wasn't there before. Biggest net effect is probably from the extended phase linearity which helps in the ultra near-field set-up. Cancellations from my desk are also measurably less.

 

[Mort]

correct

View attachment 496080
Definitely a noticeable upgrade from the 8330a's (as one would hope)... Not massive of course, but there is a level of clarity that wasn't there before. Biggest net effect is probably from the extended phase linearity which helps in the ultra near-field set-up. Cancellations from my desk are also measurably less.

Interesting. What do you think the extended phase linearity does to help?

The image clarity on the 'ones' is astounding.

 

[KaLam1ty]

It automatically adds a bit of delay above 100Hz(ish?) to equalize overall delay, which noticeably tightens direct sound in my listening position since it's very close. It's a "dryer" sounding, sure; but I like that considering my room is already quite reverberant.

 

[Mort]

Ok used price on a black pair with stands. $4300

 

[RobL]

Ok used price on a black pair with stands. $4300

How are new ones in the US?
I can buy them here new for less than that.

 

[Mort]

How are new ones in the US?
I can buy them here new for less than that.

$5200 plus the stands are $350 a pair. To that one typically pays 5% state sales tax, but shipping is included. Maybe $5600 total, so $4300 is a 30% used discount. I rarely see used current model Genelec for better than 25% off MSRP here.

You can get a pair new for less than 4,400 euro including shipping and VAT?

 

[Marc v E]

Genelec 8331 AP

Actieve 3-weg studiomonitor Uitgerust met: twee ovale woofers 5,13“ x 2,13”, coaxiale midrange/treble 3,5” en 3/4”, Versterker: 72 watt Class-D woofer, 36 watt Class-D midrange, 36 watt Class-D treble, Geïntegreerde DSP, Frequentiebereik: 45 -...

www.thomann.nl

2089 x 2 + free shipping

 

[Mort]

Genelec 8331 AP

Actieve 3-weg studiomonitor Uitgerust met: twee ovale woofers 5,13“ x 2,13”, coaxiale midrange/treble 3,5” en 3/4”, Versterker: 72 watt Class-D woofer, 36 watt Class-D midrange, 36 watt Class-D treble, Geïntegreerde DSP, Frequentiebereik: 45 -...

www.thomann.nl

2089 x 2 + free shipping

.. 5.8% cheaper by my math. Yes Genelec increased all US prices last year to account for tariffs.

 

[FrantzM]

shotgun. Probably going to move my desk 8330a's to rears or just give to my Dad.

"don't talk to me or my son.." Sorry, had to do this too, lol...
View attachment 496073

KaLam1Ty

I am your father

Freight forwarder info in PM

 

[Mort]

I am your father

View attachment 506166

Another version. To be perfect, I would need mystic black.

 

[Mort]

Here are the price increases Genelec imposed in 2025. Significant.

Model New$ Old$

8331a $5000 3750
8341a $6200 4650
8351b $8400 6300
8361a $10000 7500

8010a $700 525
8020d $1100 775
8030c $1400 1050
8040b $2400 1800

7350a $1425 1070
7360a $2565 1925
7370a $3950 2985
7380a $5395 4045

 

[Marc v E]

Here are the price increases Genelec imposed in 2025. Significant.

Model New$ Old$

8331a $5000 3750
8341a $6200 4650
8351b $8400 6300
8361a $10000 7500

8010a $700 525
8020d $1100 775
8030c $1400 1050
8040b $2400 1800

7350a $1425 1070
7360a $2565 1925
7370a $3950 2985
7380a $5395 4045

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