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Genelec 8361A Review (Powered Monitor)

Rate this speaker:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 9 1.2%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 4 0.5%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 35 4.6%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 705 93.6%

  • Total voters
    753
You made me laugh, but that's sad. I guess you could have better luck with the more boxy ones (1237/8A, S360).
All is not lost for the 8361As. I still have a few arguments in reserve. First, I didn't mention to her yet that the 8361A are powered speakers, so my ugly ~100 pound Class AB amplifier would be out of the living room. Second, I am also betting that the Genelecs will be more amenable to closer placement to the front wall than our current Salon2s, which demand that the front baffle be about six feet out from the front wall for best imaging. (The Salon2s, in the two rooms I've had them in, have been very placement-sensitive.) Third, and perhaps the most compelling argument, is that the Salon2s would move into the HT system. (It's a 2.1 set-up.) The Salon2s will be a very substantial audio upgrade to that system, and my wife is the primary video watcher in the family by a large margin. The HT room is only about 2200 cubic feet in volume, so the Salon2s should be capable of 20Hz bass without the use of subs, which will simplify that room too. I also plan to swap out the 18" monster sub in the music system for a pair of smaller, more manageable subs, if they are necessary, that will be less obtrusive when/if I get the Genelecs. (Subwoofer technology has come a long way in 11 years.)

And, if these arguments fail to convince her, I can remind her that 17% of the area of our home is dedicated to her music studio, which is so full of percussion instruments that a person has to be careful not to stub a toe or trip. I seldom have to resort to guilt trips to get my way, but I'm ready and willing...
 
All is not lost for the 8361As. I still have a few arguments in reserve. First, I didn't mention to her yet that the 8361A are powered speakers, so my ugly ~100 pound Class AB amplifier would be out of the living room. Second, I am also betting that the Genelecs will be more amenable to closer placement to the front wall than our current Salon2s, which demand that the front baffle be about six feet out from the front wall for best imaging. (The Salon2s, in the two rooms I've had them in, have been very placement-sensitive.) Third, and perhaps the most compelling argument, is that the Salon2s would move into the HT system. (It's a 2.1 set-up.) The Salon2s will be a very substantial audio upgrade to that system, and my wife is the primary video watcher in the family by a large margin. The HT room is only about 2200 cubic feet in volume, so the Salon2s should be capable of 20Hz bass without the use of subs, which will simplify that room too. I also plan to swap out the 18" monster sub in the music system for a pair of smaller, more manageable subs, if they are necessary, that will be less obtrusive when/if I get the Genelecs. (Subwoofer technology has come a long way in 11 years.)

And, if these arguments fail to convince her, I can remind her that 17% of the area of our home is dedicated to her music studio, which is so full of percussion instruments that a person has to be careful not to stub a toe or trip. I seldom have to resort to guilt trips to get my way, but I'm ready and willing...
This seems easy.
If the budget allows, you can take your chance with W371A+8351B as well.
 
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All is not lost for the 8361As. I still have a few arguments in reserve. First, I didn't mention to her yet that the 8361A are powered speakers, so my ugly ~100 pound Class AB amplifier would be out of the living room. Second, I am also betting that the Genelecs will be more amenable to closer placement to the front wall than our current Salon2s, which demand that the front baffle be about six feet out from the front wall for best imaging. (The Salon2s, in the two rooms I've had them in, have been very placement-sensitive.) Third, and perhaps the most compelling argument, is that the Salon2s would move into the HT system. (It's a 2.1 set-up.) The Salon2s will be a very substantial audio upgrade to that system, and my wife is the primary video watcher in the family by a large margin. The HT room is only about 2200 cubic feet in volume, so the Salon2s should be capable of 20Hz bass without the use of subs, which will simplify that room too. I also plan to swap out the 18" monster sub in the music system for a pair of smaller, more manageable subs, if they are necessary, that will be less obtrusive when/if I get the Genelecs. (Subwoofer technology has come a long way in 11 years.)

And, if these arguments fail to convince her, I can remind her that 17% of the area of our home is dedicated to her music studio, which is so full of percussion instruments that a person has to be careful not to stub a toe or trip. I seldom have to resort to guilt trips to get my way, but I'm ready and willing...
When my wife saw the 8361A for the first time she really did not like them (the way they look). I asked her to sit down and listen to some Lianne La Havas and Vanessa Williams that she likes. We have been really happy with the speakers :)
 
When my wife saw the 8361A for the first time she really did not like them (the way they look). I asked her to sit down and listen to some Lianne La Havas and Vanessa Williams that she likes. We have been really happy with the speakers :)
Lovely outcome :)
 
Something new is coming soon from Genelec (though I'm not sure it's a studio monitor)
Screenshot_20220916_040227.jpg
 
Judging from the juxtaposition of the two different speaker models, I reckon it is either a full ranged "The One" 8371 - perhaps something that includes a rear firing LF driver for cardioid response al la W371. Or 12-series style boxes are going to be getting some of the coaxial treatment.
 
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What speakers are those?

That's actually the pair I heard myself at the dealer showroom before being delivered.. if there's anything negative, it's sad that they don't go all the way down to 20hz like 1236A. :)
 
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