Genelec 8361A Review (Powered Monitor)

[holdingpants01]

If it was made out of plastic or MDF it would have weighed probably half that

it would probably weight about the same or even more, as the MDF would have to be like 5 times thicker. A lot of the weight in speakers come from driver magnets and transformers anyway. Aluminium is so dense it can be really thin to reach given stiffness. For example D&D 8C are close to size of 8351B yet weight twice as much.

 

[Frank Dernie]

Aluminium is so dense it can be really thin to reach given stiffness

The stiffness of cabinet walls comes from shape as well as material.
Since the stiffness of a panel is proportional to its thickness cubed thin ally may not be that stiff and having non-flat and ribbed areas is used by Genelec.
In my Goldmund Epilog aluminium cabinets the mid enclosure is 10mm thick and the bass enclosure 12mm thick plus extensive bracing, but the panels are flat. My Genelec shaped ribbed thin wall cabinets ring less than the Goldmund ones, though probably mainly due to the damping of the iso-pod it sits on.

 

[Esprit]

If it was made out of plastic or MDF it would have weighed probably half that

The 8351 weighs half the weight of the 8361 but for many they are "almost" the same product.

 

[Frank Dernie]

The 8351 weighs half the weight of the 8361 but for many they are "almost" the same product.

Not in the bass they aren't. A big difference in extension and power.
Mid and tweeter coaxial perhaps same driver but different waveguide.

 

[Reddoc]

Aluminium is so dense it can be really thin to reach given stiffness.

This sentence hurts me.

 

[kevinh]

From music consumption standpoint there's nothing wrong with preferring a speaker that makes more material sound good and hides some flaws, enhances the dynamics and blurs sharp edges. There's A LOT of bad sounding material up there, I use Genelecs in my studio but wouldn't necessarily want them at my home. There's just different mindset when looking at utilitarian studio tool while trying to passively enjoy music

Exacyly why many people preferred tubess for years over better neasuring S equipment. You are very correct sir about having to deal with imperfedct recording fo music you value.

 

[Todd68]

I always assumed pro monitors are more about precision and accuracy meant for recording studio but not necessarily a good choice for enjoying music at home.

I’d be open to trying a pair though if it’s possible to try at home and return if I don’t like it.

 

[Esprit]

I've been using Adam Audio here (previously I had Infinity, Dynaudio, obviously "passive", etc...) for over a decade, when I wanted to listen to the Genelecs the distributor sent me a pair of 9361s and an RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE for a month.

 

[Todd68]

I've been using Adam Audio here (previously I had Infinity, Dynaudio, obviously "passive", etc...) for over a decade, when I wanted to listen to the Genelecs the distributor sent me a pair of 9361s and an RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE for a month.

Those Adam Audio look like a good choice. More affordable and like your experience comparable to other home audio brands that may cost more. Especially if the goal is to simplify the setup, no need for separate amps etc.

Curious why you didn’t keep the Genelecs?

 

[Sancus]

From music consumption standpoint there's nothing wrong with preferring a speaker that makes more material sound good and hides some flaws, enhances the dynamics and blurs sharp edges. There's A LOT of bad sounding material up there, I use Genelecs in my studio but wouldn't necessarily want them at my home. There's just different mindset when looking at utilitarian studio tool while trying to passively enjoy music

You use EQ or "tone controls" to adjust for different recordings, you don't change out your speakers. As Dr. Toole posted many times.

 

[holdingpants01]

You use EQ or "tone controls" to adjust for different recordings, you don't change out your speakers. As Dr. Toole posted many times.

I don't like that idea, listening with a bit of a "distance" and not too focused on the sound, more relaxed is not the same as equalizing the finished work, especially on the song by song basis, that's a recipe for obsessive knob twiddling, not listening

 

[Sancus]

I don't like that idea, listening with a bit of a "distance" and not too focused on the sound, more relaxed is not the same as equalizing the finished work, especially on the song by song basis, that's a recipe for obsessive knob twiddling, not listening

I see, so instead you buy a speaker that sounds one specific way, and instead of knob twiddling you have to switch speakers out to change the sound of your system. That definitely sounds easier.

"I don't like that idea" is not a convincing or useful reply to the advice of the person who wrote the book on the audio science that this whole forum was built on, btw.

 

[holdingpants01]

I see, so instead you buy a speaker that sounds one specific way, and instead of knob twiddling you have to switch speakers out to change the sound of your system. That definitely sounds easier.

"I don't like that idea" is not a convincing or useful reply to the advice of the person who wrote the book on the audio science that this whole forum was built on, btw.

I don't know how you got your first paragraph from what I wrote, but I didn't suggest that, so it's pointless for me to answer.
I'm pretty sure I mixed and mastered more albums than he did so allow me to have my opinion on that specific topic, but I don't want to further derail the thread and don't really have the energy to explain, let's leave it at that

 

[Esprit]

Curious why you didn’t keep the Genelecs?

They were on trial.
If I can sell my Adams (I have two pairs...) unless something revolutionary comes out, obviously at the same price, I will buy the 8361s.

 

[Impossible]

I would love it if someone would attempt to measure how well the transient response performs at the 2800hz crossover, then compare with genelec s360.

 

[BeepPeep_61]

Good evening everyone,
I am attracted to the idea of replacing my part of amplification and speakers with 8361, but I have a doubt that persecutes me ....
In a chain so composed:
MINIPC ASUS UN62 with S.O. Windows 10 64 bit with tunebrowser or strawberry as a player > USB connection to Minidsp SHD > AES connection to Genelec 8361,
I will be able to adjust the volume from the used player screen,
or will I only be able to do it using the minidsp regulation ??
I thank all the friends who want to answer me.

 

[JustJones]

Unless you already own the Minidsp SHD, I would get the SHD Studio instead. I don't think the SHD has AES out.

USB connection to Minidsp SHD > AES connection to Genelec 8361,

 

[napfkuchen]

I will be able to adjust the volume from the used player screen,
or will I only be able to do it using the minidsp regulation ??

My config is similar (Asus PN51 > WiiM Pro > Genelec), volume control is possible via windows/app, WiiM Pro and GLM.

 

[napfkuchen]

Unless you already own the Minidsp SHD, I would get the SHD Studio instead. I don't think the SHD has AES out.

AES out is not necessary, SPDIF-Out to XLR adapter will be sufficient. But I'm not sure if the SHD is still useful. Maybe if you want to use Dirac "on top" of Genelec calibration. Other than that s.th. like the WiiM Pro should be good enough (transparent) for a fraction of the Minidsp's price.

 

[BeepPeep_61]

Sorry, I had not specified that I already have the SHD minidsp, and I confused the AES entrance with a possible exit to pilot the Geneles !!!
The SHD has two RCA SPDIF outputs, such as the attached photo, so is it still possible to perform a completely digital chain?
The Tosklink and Spdif entrances are connected to a CD player Accuphase DP65 and a LG TV