Genelec 8351B Review (Studio Monitor)

[Sokel]

I guess. We just don't care about video sound. If I find a cheap 8341a...

I would suggest one of those nice cubes you have to the right put to the left side too (apart from the AE merits it would be a nice optical symmetry too! )

 

[Mort]

I would suggest one of those nice cubes you have to the right put to the left side too (apart from the AE merits it would be a nice optical symmetry too! )

A Rythmik 12" in white. Yes. Someday maybe. Unfortunately they are out of stock because of the T-word.

 

[Arnas]

View attachment 444991

Full system

Room look pretty big, wouldnt 61s have been better?

 

[Mort]

Room look pretty big, wouldnt 61s have been better?

That's a good question. And the answer is yes except they would be a)too big and b) over budget.

These were borderline too big already. Partner knows the size of the 8361a because I have them in the other room.

And I got them used, in part because I wanted to test a five and more because I got a good deal. ($6500 including ship).

You are anticipating my concern, that they will not fill the room.

 

[caught gesture]

That's a good question. And the answer is yes except they would be a)too big and b) over budget.

These were borderline too big already. Partner knows the size of the 8361a because I have them in the other room.

And I got them used, in part because I wanted to test a five and more because I got a good deal. ($6500 including ship).

You are anticipating my concern, that they will not fill the room.

Are the 8361s in the smaller room?

 

[Mort]

Are the 8361s in the smaller room?

Correct.

 

[Mort]

I got to demo them (8351b) side by side with the 8361a's today. At reasonable volumes, 1.8m LP, and 2x 7360a (10") subs crossed at 100hz, I would not bet my life that I could hear a meaningful difference between the two other than the obvious. At higher SPL/lower cross and without subs, they can be very different in bass reproduction and SPL. I won't go into those, as they have been covered.

Subtle differences that are highly subjective and likely biased include:

The six's bass is 'smooth' and more 'integrated' than the five? It's a characteristic that was mentioned in Amir's review, although he listened without subs. The soundstage is wider, by a small amount. Both have a soundstage right behind the speakers with great precision and an anchored center. I can't hear the better frequency response of the fives.

I experienced that the five was less sensitive to room placement, not sure why that would be. I had to spend a lot of time positioning the sixes, which are inconveniently a lot heavier.

 

[Esprit]

Different sizes?

 

[Mort]

Different sizes?

Yeah but the tweeter is the same size. I dunno. I wouldn't have expected that.

Other subtle differences that are probably my imagination:

* The sixes replay so effortlessly as I increased or decreased volume - i.e. smooth dynamic transitions. The five feels a little restrained as if it's working harder, which it is. This goes away once the new level is reached.

* The fives change the soundstage more when the acoustic axis is moved or tilted. I find the sixes harder to place.

* Fives did not like a lower crossover. They flashed clipping very quickly. Generally 100hz works best for my square room so it's not an issue but get a big subwoofer if you are going with the 8351b.

* The 8361a at twice the weight (70 vs 40 lbs) are more stable on the pedestal stands I use. The fives move more but are still safe for my use, but not good with kids or pets.

* This has been covered before but the fives (without subs) can just barely hit 85db of bass heavy music at 1.8m in a 10x10 room. Alone, the sixes add at least 10db when listening to bass heavy content. I would not buy the 8351b for a big room.

* I liked the performance of both nearfield (inside 2m) and a smaller room than midfield in a larger room. I found myself missing wideer directivity despite the reported coaxial ability to hold the image off axis.

It goes without saying that both of these are endgame when paired with a subwoofer. There is much more similarity than difference.

 

[Esprit]

Yeah but the tweeter is the same size. I dunno. I wouldn't have expected that.

The front is double

 

[Mort]

The front is double

Wouldn't the larger waveguide make it easier to place and get the best image/soundstage?

The GRADE report was somewhat helpful getting the 8361a's to their best clarity, it suggested toe-ing in, which I have always resisted but voila. It made a big difference.

 

[Behrelec 37]

Five feels a bit subdued, as if it is working harder than it is. This disappears when a new level is reached.

- To quote your text Mort, this same phenomenon is repeated in the master series speakers 1237/1238/1234/1235/1236a, it is as if you are in the middle of a crowd in the middle of a summer city center, which sounds more authentic. This is just a metaphor.

Genelec's product family does not stop at the speakers of the ones series, which too many people think, that is, live in the shadows in their own imaginations, no! but the sound image grows, and becomes more and more believable and lushly filling. like in a dense jungle you use your knife to cut plants in front of you, and all the different bird sounds and insects are clearly heard even from close and long distances in very authentic realism.

of course with aes/ebu digital connections!

 

[Tisca]

I got to demo them (8351b) side by side with the 8361a's today. At reasonable volumes, 1.8m LP, and 2x 7360a (10") subs crossed at 100hz, I would not bet my life that I could hear a meaningful difference between the two other than the obvious. At higher SPL/lower cross and without subs, they can be very different in bass reproduction and SPL. I won't go into those, as they have been covered. ....

About subs - how are the 7360s with the 61s? I'm considering sub(s) for my 61s. 7380 is too big, 7360 goes as low as the 7370 (on paper) and the SPL is enough for my use. Also, would you recommend two subs over one with 61s?

 

[Mort]

They are great if you want to fill in to 17hz. They would clip at about 90db at 5 feet and the 8361a's get to about 102 usually on bass heavy music. I'll be switching them out for 2x7370a, which together are about as loud as one 7380a. I prefer two for the mode correction and sound intensity balance, not for the spl. If I got one, it would have to be the 7380a, which is just a beast. 170 lbs.

 

[dj94030]

About subs - how are the 7360s with the 61s? I'm considering sub(s) for my 61s. 7380 is too big, 7360 goes as low as the 7370 (on paper) and the SPL is enough for my use. Also, would you recommend two subs over one with 61s?

get 2

 

[Tisca]

They are great if you want to fill in to 17hz. They would clip at about 90db at 5 feet and the 8361a's get to about 102 usually on bass heavy music. I'll be switching them out for 2x7370a, which together are about as loud as one 7380a. I prefer two for the mode correction and sound intensity balance, not for the spl. If I got one, it would have to be the 7380a, which is just a beast. 170 lbs.

Thx. 102 dB is insanely loud. My listening distance is also 5ft. Max about 85dB is as loud as I'm comfortable at.

 

[Mort]

Thx. 102 dB is insanely loud. My listening distance is also 5ft. Max about 85dB is as loud as I'm comfortable at.

I don't listen at 102. I have only tested there with ear protection.

I do listen to 90-95 periodically for 30 minutes but mostly 80-90.

 

[Mort]

I've been closely watching the used market in the US for several months. I've noticed that 8351b's retain more of their value then 8361a's. I'm not surprised as the 8361a's are so huge. White and Black sell for a little more.

Edit: 8341a, like 8351b, hold more value, while the 8331a seem to be like the 8361a and have a slight discount.

If you are waiting for an Open Box Producer Gray 8351b's you can piece them together: here and here. $7k total. Not bad and comes with full warranty. You can also ask both to discount more which is what I did on my 8361a's. Retailers are not allowed to discount new, but they can discount open box. Used sell at about $6500.

 

[Kain]

How loud can the 8351B get when crossed over at 80 Hz? Say at 4 feet.

 

[Mort]

How loud can the 8351B get when crossed over at 80 Hz? Say at 4 feet.

So many variables, but roughly speaking, it should cross 100db before any clipping. It's spec'd at 113 and that crossover would relieve a lot of the power draw.

Genelec is fairly close on volume measurement in my experience. I have a 8361a that is rates 118db and full range it hits 100-105 at 5 feet with bass-heavy content.