Genelec 8341A SAM™ Studio Monitor Review

[anphex]

Thoughts on $4k for a pair with some cosmetic marks on the front and sides? By Audiogon grading probably 5/10 if being conservative, maybe more like 6/10.

I got two pairs of 8341, good thing is they come with a rough finish by default and aren't as picky as glossy black speakers in terms of damage visibilty. If you get the black or grey ones you won't even see most damages from listening postion. My Genelecs were new and had some minor imperfections, but from the perspective them being professional workhorses instead of faint hifi speakers you'll be bothere far less.

I'd get them, but only if they still are in warranty period.

 

[G|force]

Thoughts on $4k for a pair with some cosmetic marks on the front and sides? By Audiogon grading probably 5/10 if being conservative, maybe more like 6/10.

Do they include a GLM kit? I wouldn't consider buying SAM monitors without one and a rotary volume control. (9310)

 

[Mort]

Thoughts on $4k for a pair with some cosmetic marks on the front and sides? By Audiogon grading probably 5/10 if being conservative, maybe more like 6/10.

Good price yes.

 

[Paul7777x]

I’m a little puzzled about this SAM business.

Am I right in thing it only works with Genelec subs?

The more I think about it the more sense it makes to me to buy active speakers again.

My next pair will be my last.

And whilst I am astonished by the new Purifi based speakers, the SPK16, March Audios offerings and Peter Lyngdorfs Clarity range among others, I’m still enamoured of the idea of effectively perfectly measuring active speakers.

And I’m rather keen on the idea of a point source pair.

For my budget (£5000 max’) the Genelec 8341, if I can get them in black, seem about perfect.

I’ll always use a pair of subs, one in each front corner, but the Genelec subs are a bit expensive for my budget.

 

[HiMu]

Am I right in thing it only works with Genelec subs?

You can calibrate only SAM subwoofers and speakers with the GLM software, but you can highpass the speakers and use them with any subs you want. This was a quite recent update (GLM5 if I remember correctly), originally you had to have Genelec sub to even set a highpass for the speakers in the software.

 

[Paul7777x]

You can calibrate only SAM subwoofers and speakers with the GLM software, but you can highpass the speakers and use them with any subs you want. This was a quite recent update (GLM5 if I remember correctly), originally you had to have Genelec sub to even set a highpass for the speakers in the software.

Good news. Cheers b

 

[hvbias]

I got two pairs of 8341, good thing is they come with a rough finish by default and aren't as picky as glossy black speakers in terms of damage visibilty. If you get the black or grey ones you won't even see most damages from listening postion. My Genelecs were new and had some minor imperfections, but from the perspective them being professional workhorses instead of faint hifi speakers you'll be bothere far less.

I'd get them, but only if they still are in warranty period.

No warranty but I was able to negotiate with the seller more. In my humble opinion I'd not seen any price remotely close to this so I felt comfortable buying them as I was able to hear them in person.

Do they include a GLM kit? I wouldn't consider buying SAM monitors without one and a rotary volume control. (9310)

Came with GLM.

I listened to them at the owner's place, they played very clean with a Bella Sonus Enamored test CD I use for bass (learned about this from Ray Samuel at Headfi!) at quite a loud volume, way louder than I'd ever listen and the protection didn't go off.

They are definitely a massive upgrade from my JBL LSR306 MK2. Playing a variety of music on both the Genelecs are more neutral in the upper midrange through low treble and all around tonality just sounds much more realistic/more similar to my Quad ESL57 than the JBL ever could.

I lost my 75 ohm digital cable between hearing them and my house so it will be a week or more before I get to set them up

 

[Kain]

On the Genelec website, the 8341A comes in four colors: white, dark gray, black, and RAW. However, according to the Genelec website, the 7370A comes only in black. But looking at the pictures on their website, the black 7370A looks more like the dark gray 8341A. The black 8341A is far darker. Is this just in the pictures or is the black 7370A more like the dark gray 8341A?

 

[Mort]

On the Genelec website, the 8341A comes in four colors: white, dark gray, black, and RAW. However, according to the Genelec website, the 7370A comes only in black. But looking at the pictures on their website, the black 7370A looks more like the dark gray 8341A. The black 8341A is far darker. Is this just in the pictures or is the black 7370A more like the dark gray 8341A?

The subs are darker, nearly black but not quite as black as the black monitors. The lighter dark gray monitors are definitely gray.

 

[Kain]

Not sure if I've asked this question before but I'll ask again since it's been awhile:

How much of a difference is there between the 8341A and 8340A? Is the 8341A worth the vastly higher price? Both will be used as a 2.1 setup for computer desk use with a single 7370A subwoofer. I currently have a 2.1 setup consisting of 2 x JBL LSR305 + 1 x JBL LSR310S. Either Genelec setup will be a massive upgrade, correct?

 

[LTig]

How much of a difference is there between the 8341A and 8340A? Is the 8341A worth the vastly higher price? Both will be used as a 2.1 setup for computer desk use with a single 7370A subwoofer. I currently have a 2.1 setup consisting of 2 x JBL LSR305 + 1 x JBL LSR310S. Either Genelec setup will be a massive upgrade, correct?

Just a note regarding the sub: I think a 7360 is more than sufficient for desktop use with two 834x satellites. A 7370 is overkill.

 

[Kain]

Just a note regarding the sub: I think a 7360 is more than sufficient for desktop use with two 834x satellites. A 7370 is overkill.

Even when listening at very high SPL (95 to 100+ dB)? If I were getting the 833x monitors, I would get the 7360A.

Edit: I listen loud when I get the chance. I would like to have some headroom to minimize compression, distortion, etc.

 

[Halbknapp]

Even when listening at very high SPL (95 to 100+ dB)? If I were getting the 833x monitors, I would get the 7360A.

Edit: I listen loud when I get the chance. I would like to have some headroom to minimize compression, distortion, etc.

If you can take the 7370. I have a 8341 pair with a 7360 sub and you max the sub out much sooner then the 8341. Not that I can play that loud in my flat but if I could I would still change.

As I had the lsr305 a long time ago and quite liked them but the 8341 is two leagues ahead. I never had or listened to the 8340 but had 8330 which I would see in between the lsr and 8341. The step up to the Triaxial is big as is the price gap. It's a lot more detail and clarity you get, also in terms of sense of space. And as a desk monitor they work well from very close proximity that 2 ways don't. Only "downside" is that the 8341 really benefit from a sub, more then other speakers to get their full potential but as that is planned anyway...

 

[LTig]

Even when listening at very high SPL (95 to 100+ dB)? If I were getting the 833x monitors, I would get the 7360A.

Edit: I listen loud when I get the chance. I would like to have some headroom to minimize compression, distortion, etc.

I use a single 7360b with a pair of K&H O300D in a 50 sqm room (130 cubic m) at 3 m listening distance. The O300D (112 dB SPL) is similar in output to the 8050a, where Genelec recommends a 7370. I asked their support whether a 7060b could be used and this was the answer:

The 8050A is indeed the closest corresponding model in terms of SPL.
So, as indicated in our Suggested System Setup
(http://www.genelec.com/products/selection.php) the right sub is the 7070A
for a stereo system.
However, and this is up to your application and use, you may use a smaller
subwoofer if you reduce the input sensitivity of the O300D so that you have
proper reproduction level match between subwoofer and speakers.You will
have to do if you choose to use a 7060B. If you do not need the O300D at
their maximum output level, this might be an option. The room volume is
perfectly fine and can allocate both types of subwoofer.

That said, I have never played so loud that the LEDs on the O300D started flashing (indicating clipping) and I never noticed a problem with the sub giving way. If I play at my maximum enjoyment level my wife and her friends run away, so it's clear I'm not the quiet listener type. But I'm not a bass head, either.

Now, in a desktop situation with speakers at 1 m distance or less, you would kill your hearing playing at full volume. My desktop system uses a pair of Genelec 8020a and a Neumann KH750DSP and it gets louder than I can stand.

 

[Sparky]

You can calibrate only SAM subwoofers and speakers with the GLM software, but you can highpass the speakers and use them with any subs you want. This was a quite recent update (GLM5 if I remember correctly), originally you had to have Genelec sub to even set a highpass for the speakers in the software.

Hi. Can I just ask, how are you able to set a high-pass filter in the GLM software? I have tried doing this with my 8341's and it doesn't work at all.
I set the bass management to the appropriate cross-over but they still play full range regardless.

 

[Mort]

Hi. Can I just ask, how are you able to set a high-pass filter in the GLM software? I have tried doing this with my 8341's and it doesn't work at all.
I set the bass management to the appropriate cross-over but they still play full range regardless.

I don't think there is a natural way to do it. You could add PEQ(s) to GLM and simulate a high pass filter. I wanted to add a highpass on the sub at 20hz but they told me it wasn't really possible. Here is their response:

"GLM does not have a high-pass filter function, other than the Bass Management function which applies to the monitors in the Group and can be selected between 50Hz and 120Hz. The user adjustable filters in the software are either notch filters or shelving filters."

GLM software DSP automation is amazing, but the UI and other features are terrible.

 

[HiMu]

I wanted to add a highpass on the sub at 20hz but they told me it wasn't really possible. Here is their response:

"GLM does not have a high-pass filter function, other than the Bass Management function which applies to the monitors in the Group and can be selected between 50Hz and 120Hz. The user adjustable filters in the software are either notch filters or shelving filters."

You can't highpass (Bass management) a subwoofer, only the speakers.
@Sparky :

Let's say you're using a third-party sub that also sends the signal in full range. You can still access and set the low-cut filters of our speakers.

Even if there is no Genelec SAM subwoofer in your GLM setup, you can still activate Bass Management and then choose a frequency. The speakers will then use this frequency for the low-cut filter.

https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-us/articles/29843073737746-How-can-I-activate-the-low-cut-filter-of-Genelec-SAM-monitors

I don't have Genelec speakers anymore, so unfortunately I can't test this.

 

[Sparky]

I don't think there is a natural way to do it. You could add PEQ(s) to GLM and simulate a high pass filter. I wanted to add a highpass on the sub at 20hz but they told me it wasn't really possible. Here is their response:

"GLM does not have a high-pass filter function, other than the Bass Management function which applies to the monitors in the Group and can be selected between 50Hz and 120Hz. The user adjustable filters in the software are either notch filters or shelving filters."

GLM software DSP automation is amazing, but the UI and other features are terrible.

I find it ridiculous really that, for such a sophisticated software package such as GLM, you can't add a simple high-pass filter to your mains unless you're using a Genelec subwoofer.
It has always frustrated me and has caused many a day of wasted REW sessions trying to make it work.

I'm forced to use a mindsp SHD to do everything for me.
I wouldn't mind but my Arendal subs (running in summed mono) have their own DSP functionality which I can't use either because the Genelecs won't play ball without the SHD doing it's thing.

For £5k on a pair of monitors (which I bought purely on Amir's review), it's dissapointing to say the least.

 

[Mort]

I don't disagree. Genelec is like Apple, they want you in their ecosystem.

 

[Sparky]

You can't highpass (Bass management) a subwoofer, only the speakers.
@Sparky :

https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-us/articles/29843073737746-How-can-I-activate-the-low-cut-filter-of-Genelec-SAM-monitors

I don't have Genelec speakers anymore, so unfortunately I can't test this.

It doesn't work I can assure you.
I've had cases where I've applied a 100hz crossover within the GLM bass management and measured the result in REW.
GLM applies the crossover ok but it's as if it instead just introduces a huge null at 100hz then still allows the mains to play full range.

Essentially, you get full range output with a massive null at 100hz. Crazy