Genelec 8351 v jbl 4329 worth the extra money ?

[meracus]

Hi guys
Would the Genelec bring any bonus sonically ( in a meaningful way ) to the table over using a 4329 … need another pair of speakers for a holiday home , not so fussed about the streamer inside etc , I’m all kited out
Only interested in SQ results
Thanks

 

[Purité Audio]

Genelecs imho need to be listened to at a fairly close distance, I found that with the 8351’s I had here more than a couple of metres and I was no longer immersed in the music, looking at it rather than being in it.
Genelec provide a listening distance guide in their ‘how to choose a monitor’ section.
Keith

 

[Ellebob]

Don't go by the listening distance recommondations they are for pros and relate to SPL level, doesn't mean the sound turns to crap beyond a certain distance. If that was the case we should not use Revel, Kef, Polk, etc. home brand bookshelf speaker in our living areas. Are you using these for professional monitoring? If not don't worry about the distance recommondations they don't apply!

That being said I am guessing the JBLs will probably play louder with a compression driver. So, if you need loud and want to crank it then stick with the JBL. Otherwise they are two different speakers with different sounds and tough to tell which you would prefer. Personally, I haven't heard the 4329 in a good environment but have many other JBL and Genelec studio monitors. I would choose the Genelec if louder volume levels are not needed. Again, my preference. YMMV. If possible try to demo them preferably in your listening environment.

 

[Purité Audio]

 

[meracus]

I listen to speakers about 3 meters away mainly late night listening , I have a 4329 which I enjoy very much , it was more a case of “ I also have a xxxx “ and improve things at the same time
I’m surprised that they will “collapse “ greater then 2 meters , shame I fancied one of their ral charted model
Ah well the saga continue

 

[Purité Audio]

Not sure they ‘collapse’ but like all ( Genelec) speakers are designed for a specific purpose, if you want mid/far field you may need to look at larger models or at other manufacturers designs.
Keith

 

[meracus]

So it’s not a midfield Keith ? Is 3 metres considered midfield ? What others

 

[Purité Audio]

I took this white pair in part/exchange, the customer, had a large room and was using the 8351’s with a huge Genelec sub.
I wouldn’t take anyone’s word for anything, try them in your own room!

Keith

 

[Mort]

You can listen to 8351b's beyond 3 meters lol. Genelecs are not just 'mid' or 'near' field.

They will have better and more consistent directivity and a flatter fr. The JBL has some holes. Tonality may be slightly better.

We can't tell you if it's worth it. It's a big gap to cross.

 

[meracus]

Appreciate it but
Not asking to tell me , asking for first hand experience hopefully

 

[Purité Audio]

Not always easy but try and hear ‘possibles’ in your own space, ideally in a direct level matched comparison.
I am biased because they are among my favourites but the 8Cs should be on your list.
Keith

 

[XpanD]

I'm very happy with my 8341a up close, but I'd echo Keith's comments that there are better speakers for longer distances. 3 meters is a fair distance to cover, chances are something with a bit more output capability (and a wider throw?) would be happier there.

 

[Behrelec 37]

The wooden case Genelec series shoots beautiful sound further, and thus also sounds much better with music and film sounds than the Ones series digitally directly, or analogically through a high-level DAC.

But when the Genelec company constantly advertises only these Ones series to all people's retinas (there is apparently no other series?), it is self-evident that 90 percent of roughly speaking studio workers and or music hifi/high end enthusiasts fall into this bubble advertising idea, a perfect marketing trap, in a way, without knowing about the better long-range, great sound quality.

Live playback when you can't get out of those egg models! TRY TO EVEN UNDERSTAND IT! They are made for near-field monitoring you know.... But of course they work fine in the room for longer. But you still don't get proper enjoyment out of Live sound. He heh....

 

[Heinrich]

Not sure they ‘collapse’ but like all ( Genelec) speakers are designed for a specific purpose, if you want mid/far field you may need to look at larger models or at other manufacturers designs.
Keith

Don‘t we have the measurements, so we can decide for ourselves? If the measurements don‘t tell, what are they good for, and not to forget, by what objective, yet secret criteria Genelec would assign their product to specified use cases?

 

[RobL]

I had 8361A’s and 705P’s (I know, not what the OP is looking at but has the same compression driver). 8361A went louder and lower, and were “cleaner?” for lack of a better word.
I don’t know if the 8351’s are worth double the price of the 4329’s but the 8361A’s held their value MUCH better than the JBL’s. GLM is excellent as well.
Both were very enjoyable.

 

[meracus]

From what I understand , we are talking a slight improvement , it ain’t night and day / oratory revelation of sort !
I’m looking at it from a cost perspective also the Genelec is more the twice the cost , plus I lose the convenience ( not a real deal breaker ) , might have to just buy another jbl or just keep it sane and do a ls60 , I have asked the same question re the kef and got the same sort of answers , but at least I won’t lose features and keep the cost about the same
… thanks for the replies