Genelec 8361A Review (Powered Monitor)

[Mort]

No, bass is a significant part of the preference score. Just see how much the score changes if you add "with a perfect subwoofer" on Spinorama for any random speaker with a typical bass response, they often increase by up to 2 points.

That's my point. "With a perfect subwoofer" eliminates any speaker differences below 80 Hertz.

 

[Colonel7]

I think he was less than enthusiastic due to the “hospital ward” genelec design aesthetic. They’re excellent tools

 

[sigbergaudio]

That's my point. "With a perfect subwoofer" eliminates any speaker differences below 80 Hertz.

OK. That was not so easy to understand, since that was not what you wrote. You wrote "Preference score assumes bass is all the same presumably by application of subwoofer, room modes and DSP, right? Fundamentally it just ignores anything below 80hz, I think?" - which is not correct.

But yes, if you look at the "with a perfect subwoofer", you will take the bass response out of the equation.

 

[Mort]

OK. That was not so easy to understand, since that was not what you wrote. You wrote "Preference score assumes bass is all the same presumably by application of subwoofer, room modes and DSP, right? Fundamentally it just ignores anything below 80hz, I think?" - which is not correct.

But yes, if you look at the "with a perfect subwoofer", you will take the bass response out of the equation.

I think you misunderstood the original exchange.

Anyway The 8361a is an odd beast. Since I eventually added the 7380 subwoofer I could easily have gone with the 8351b. I got them used on a good deal so it's no loss monetarily.

He didn't address bass but they have a hard roll off at 36. Not full full-range. Yes room modes but still.

 

[Pearljam5000]

I think you misunderstood the original exchange.

Anyway The 8361a is an odd beast. Since I eventually added the 7380 subwoofer I could easily have gone with the 8351b. I got them used on a good deal so it's no loss monetarily.

He didn't address bass but they have a hard roll off at 36. Not full full-range. Yes room modes but still.

8380 would be probably closer to full range

 

[Mort]

Yeah

8380 would be probably closer to full range

Yep. 29hz -6db

 

[tmtomh]

You mean directivity decreases around 2-3kHz.

Yes, sorry - that’s what I meant. Thanks!

 

[Tisca]

Yeah

Yep. 29hz -6db

And that's on paper only. My 61s measured 26Hz at -6, in my room.

 

[Heinrich]

It may be excellent, but is there something like equivalence? In other words, at what level are two speakers equivalent in terms of 'true to the source' (the studio and the resulting recording's design). What is such perfect, that it eventually is good enough, guys? Good enough for the purpose, and then it just works, no 'critical listening' (to the speaker) anymore?

On Erin's review, and his note on a glaring 2..3kHz region. I think he noticed the weak center image, that is inherent to the stereo technology. It generates interferences due to time of flight differences in the crosstalk left to right ear. He might have stumbled over this, and then fell for it.

 

[Bateman]

Hi all. Question to the 8361 proud (and less proud) owners: what kind of source do you use? I was thinking of a WIIM Ultra considering the wide range of inputs. I am just not sure of how to connect them to the speakers: are these optical to AES converters any good? It would need to be fairly user friendly since my wife and kids will be using the setup as well... Thanks.

 

[Behrelec 37]

All Genelec speakers need a big cake on top of the whipped cream, i.e., one or even a couple of Genelec subwoofers. The sound experience is as powerful as a heavyweight boxing match, so I highly recommend it.

By the way, has anyone connected Genelec speakers to the coaxial RCA outputs of a BLURAY player with a 75/110 ohm AES/EBU impedance converter and XLR digital cables?

I doubt it, because most adults still don't really understand how powerful these are on an emotional level when it comes to movie soundtracks in stereo. But when you connect them digitally via the most direct route, you get incredible and super enjoyable precision out of them. Try it, and your jaw will drop when you realize their potential even more deeply with movie soundtracks that have dynamics, unlike streamed music. The bigger the Genelec, the more impressive the experience.

 

[dfuller]

It’s like comparing two PCs in the 90, and one has a turbo button, but you choose not to enable it because of apparent “consistency”

The turbo button actually was there to slow it down, it was really a compatibility thing.

Finally, I found it fascinating that he mentioned a very slight directivity decrease around 2-3kHz, which has little to no effect in the near field but which shows up as a slight elevation in the estimated far field in-room response. He's not the first to observe something like this, but nevertheless I found it interesting because it explains that mysterious "zinginess" that some folks sometimes say they hear in that range with Genelec Ones.

Yep, that and (if you look at the normalized spin) the treble SP increases a bit.

And that's on paper only. My 61s measured 26Hz at -6, in my room.

Right, the -6dB quoted is free field. In real space it's considerably lower.

 

[Behrelec 37]

Bateman.

You can use analog XLR cables, or even digital ones, but in that case you should have a volume control on the digital source and GLM software, and your computer should already have the sound pressure levels limited. Otherwise, the speakers will sound insanely loud, and your ears will explode and your brain will blow out. Genelec has several digital volume controls in its range if you decide to go for this option. Wiim is a great source for enjoying music. All Genelec speakers are compatible with it except for AOiP speakers.

 

[RobL]

Right, the -6dB quoted is free field. In real space it's considerably lower.

Yep, mine were pretty flat to 26Hz in my room.
I know you have a pair of 420’s…was looking around and I can get a new pair for about US$4500/each. No-brainer?

 

[Pearljam5000]

Based on looks alone I won't choose KH420
8361 is much more modern looking

 

[Mort]

Hi all. Question to the 8361 proud (and less proud) owners: what kind of source do you use? I was thinking of a WIIM Ultra considering the wide range of inputs. I am just not sure of how to connect them to the speakers: are these optical to AES converters any good? It would need to be fairly user friendly since my wife and kids will be using the setup as well... Thanks.

For stereo, I think most of us find a way to use digital but you are unlikely to hear a difference from any competent streamer. I use digital with Wiim ultra coax out and a converter. Ocourse it's flawless.

 

[Mort]

And that's on paper only. My 61s measured 26Hz at -6, in my room.

True. And Room modes vary considerably. I'm in a small room 1M+ away from the wall @1.5m. It's very different from placing against the wall in a big boxy room.

 

[Mort]

It may be excellent, but is there something like equivalence? In other words, at what level are two speakers equivalent in terms of 'true to the source' (the studio and the resulting recording's design). What is such perfect, that it eventually is good enough, guys? Good enough for the purpose, and then it just works, no 'critical listening' (to the speaker) anymore?

On Erin's review, and his note on a glaring 2..3kHz region. I think he noticed the weak center image, that is inherent to the stereo technology. It generates interferences due to time of flight differences in the crosstalk left to right ear. He might have stumbled over this, and then fell for it.

I think this is why many want it reviewed with GLM. Yes, it's excellent on axis. Bass is very good or great depending on usage. Directivity is mostly constant and medium beamwidth. Blah blah blah

It's a reference speaker. The showroom flagship. I think this explains Erin's hesitance to be superlative. We know it's a great monitor. It's got imperfections and limits nonetheless.

It's still an odd duck as 8351b owners (I own both) know the 8351b is the better tool for the job like 90% of the time because you are pairing with a sub and you get slightly flatter FR. GLM really shines, imo, when pairing subs.

What I wish he had reviewed is the 8351b and 7370/80 with GLM with an emphasis on midfield 1-2m listening. They are extraordinary used this way, particularly on rock and pop. The center image is unbelievably solid, in a way that I can't 'un hear.'. everything else sounds blurry by comparison.

 

[Dgob]

For a speaker that measured so well the review was surprisingly unenthusiastic.

Yes, that was one of the things that surprised me about it. It almost sounded like it was being constrained by a desire not to repeat the enthusiasms of this review or commentary

In fact, I would enjoy a full review that looked into the 8361A/W371A performance as a stereo pair. This would obviously sacrifice many of the benefits of single monitor review on the altar of stereo projection, but it would be a very useful event for many.

 

[CtheArgie]

Speaking of Genelec there’s an 8381 demonstration by Genelec near my home December 11. I will try to sign in.