Genelec 8361A vs 8351B

[Hmast]

Updates? Such as how many houses over called the cops on you update?

Actually this is one of the best things about these monitors. They are loud in your listening space only. Walk away or go to another room and it’s not that bad. The bass hits sure, but otherwise very tolerable. If you need to keep family members sleeping at night you can switch off the sub or in the case of the beast mode 8361 you can roll off the deep bass in the pEQ. You can just create a group as such and switch at will. GLM is great like that.

So many ways to tinker and compare settings.

I could have one group with crossover at 60 another at 75. Enable and disable subs for testing. Just so versatile.

Every speaker that you listen "loud" from a 1m distance will sound quiet from other rooms

 

[Hmast]

Reading this thread had me pondering even more than before.

I have the money for either 8351+7370 or 8361.
Usually I would opt for the no-sub choice because subs are taking a huge place, are ugly, hard to integrate. The exception here is that the GLM seems to perform a perfect sub integration without the exercise being a PITA.

Also, I'm in a small dedicated room (about 12m²) and while both setups would fit in, 8361 will be impossible to place on the desk (it's a large desk, speakers are about 1m from my ears). The 8351 can be placed on the desk with no real issue.

Finally, if I ever move the speakers into other rooms, I don't think I'll ever use them in dedicated rooms bigger than 25m². I never plan to use such monitoring speakers for hifi listening from the armchair in an untreated living room / for something else than nearfield/midfield listening (max 3 meters). My expectations for hifi/homecinema are lower and I'm pleased with what I already have.

So 25m² should be fine even for 8351s, especially with a 7073.

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

 

[LTig]

Reading this thread had me pondering even more than before.

I have the money for either 8351+7370 or 8361.
Usually I would opt for the no-sub choice because subs are taking a huge place, are ugly, hard to integrate. The exception here is that the GLM seems to perform a perfect sub integration without the exercise being a PITA.

Also, I'm in a small dedicated room (about 12m²) and while both setups would fit in, 8361 will be impossible to place on the desk (it's a large desk, speakers are about 1m from my ears). The 8351 can be placed on the desk with no real issue.

Finally, if I ever move the speakers into other rooms, I don't think I'll ever use them in dedicated rooms bigger than 25m². I never plan to use such monitoring speakers for hifi listening from the armchair in an untreated living room / for something else than nearfield/midfield listening (max 3 meters). My expectations for hifi/homecinema are lower and I'm pleased with what I already have.

So 25m² should be fine even for 8351s, especially with a 7073.

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

I think you've already found the answer.

 

[stevenswall]

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

With a sub negating the extra bass performance of the 8361, I'd definitely go with an 8351B. It has a smoother response overall and is easier to place like you said. I have the money for an 8361 center channel but it's annoyingly large and has the same driver as the 8351B for the mids and highs so it should be identical SPL wise up there if it's bass managed.

 

[Tangband]

Reading this thread had me pondering even more than before.

I have the money for either 8351+7370 or 8361.
Usually I would opt for the no-sub choice because subs are taking a huge place, are ugly, hard to integrate. The exception here is that the GLM seems to perform a perfect sub integration without the exercise being a PITA.

Also, I'm in a small dedicated room (about 12m²) and while both setups would fit in, 8361 will be impossible to place on the desk (it's a large desk, speakers are about 1m from my ears). The 8351 can be placed on the desk with no real issue.

Finally, if I ever move the speakers into other rooms, I don't think I'll ever use them in dedicated rooms bigger than 25m². I never plan to use such monitoring speakers for hifi listening from the armchair in an untreated living room / for something else than nearfield/midfield listening (max 3 meters). My expectations for hifi/homecinema are lower and I'm pleased with what I already have.

So 25m² should be fine even for 8351s, especially with a 7073.

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

Your room is to small for 8361. I would buy 8341 or 8351.
two SAM subs are always better sounding than one . 8341/8351 + two 7360 is really good.

 

[aland]

Reading this thread had me pondering even more than before.

I have the money for either 8351+7370 or 8361.
Usually I would opt for the no-sub choice because subs are taking a huge place, are ugly, hard to integrate. The exception here is that the GLM seems to perform a perfect sub integration without the exercise being a PITA.

Also, I'm in a small dedicated room (about 12m²) and while both setups would fit in, 8361 will be impossible to place on the desk (it's a large desk, speakers are about 1m from my ears). The 8351 can be placed on the desk with no real issue.

Finally, if I ever move the speakers into other rooms, I don't think I'll ever use them in dedicated rooms bigger than 25m². I never plan to use such monitoring speakers for hifi listening from the armchair in an untreated living room / for something else than nearfield/midfield listening (max 3 meters). My expectations for hifi/homecinema are lower and I'm pleased with what I already have.

So 25m² should be fine even for 8351s, especially with a 7073.

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

In 12m2 room I would go with 8351B with subwoofer(s). You have probably some issues in the bass response in such a small room and in long term dual subs do a smoother bass response than 2 big speakers without subwoofers. Generally speaking, maybe you have perfect dimensions of your room?

 

[srrxr71]

Reading this thread had me pondering even more than before.

I have the money for either 8351+7370 or 8361.
Usually I would opt for the no-sub choice because subs are taking a huge place, are ugly, hard to integrate. The exception here is that the GLM seems to perform a perfect sub integration without the exercise being a PITA.

Also, I'm in a small dedicated room (about 12m²) and while both setups would fit in, 8361 will be impossible to place on the desk (it's a large desk, speakers are about 1m from my ears). The 8351 can be placed on the desk with no real issue.

Finally, if I ever move the speakers into other rooms, I don't think I'll ever use them in dedicated rooms bigger than 25m². I never plan to use such monitoring speakers for hifi listening from the armchair in an untreated living room / for something else than nearfield/midfield listening (max 3 meters). My expectations for hifi/homecinema are lower and I'm pleased with what I already have.

So 25m² should be fine even for 8351s, especially with a 7073.

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

You really answered your own question. When you mentioned you intend to always keep a dedicated space for your system of about 250 sq ft.

I hope my comments regarding output are not driving you to this dilemma.

My issue is that I have an open plan layout. Which is about 3x your space. Right now I don’t have a dedicated space for my system.

I do keep a 3m distance though. But with 250 sq ft you won’t need too much bass output.

The question is more about mid bass and also for how long you can tolerate those levels. Probably not too long.

The crux of the issue with these monitors is that they tell you the instant anything is not PERFECT. This is in contrast to a domestic passive system in which you won’t know until you hit 30%+ distortion and maybe even then not notice it. However to be honest I could tell I drove the 8341s hard enough that they would drop in level to self protect.

In your space the subs should be enough. But who knows? You don’t know until you try. For most reasonable people probably.

When I had a dedicated bedroom size system even Focal Solo 6 got way more loud than I could handle. I did want to add a sub though. Not so much out of a feeling of lacking but rather to find out what they can do for me.

For stereo music definitely 2 subs is better than one.

Btw I have 2 7360 and 2 8341 ready to go. PM me and maybe we can discuss a deal on either or both pairs.

 

[Dgob]

Reading this thread had me pondering even more than before.

I have the money for either 8351+7370 or 8361.
Usually I would opt for the no-sub choice because subs are taking a huge place, are ugly, hard to integrate. The exception here is that the GLM seems to perform a perfect sub integration without the exercise being a PITA.

Also, I'm in a small dedicated room (about 12m²) and while both setups would fit in, 8361 will be impossible to place on the desk (it's a large desk, speakers are about 1m from my ears). The 8351 can be placed on the desk with no real issue.

Finally, if I ever move the speakers into other rooms, I don't think I'll ever use them in dedicated rooms bigger than 25m². I never plan to use such monitoring speakers for hifi listening from the armchair in an untreated living room / for something else than nearfield/midfield listening (max 3 meters). My expectations for hifi/homecinema are lower and I'm pleased with what I already have.

So 25m² should be fine even for 8351s, especially with a 7073.

Do you still think I should get the 8361 in my case "because I have the money"?

I would say, just get the 8361A's and be done with it. They are objectively and subjectively perfect. I find that for a small space such as yours they work to perfection, and I enhance the midrange detail/timbre by integrating a stereo pair of Genelec 7360A's. That will give you a truly full range set up that can migrate with you to much larger listening rooms (should circumstance change). A lot depends on the partnering equipment and how you connect up your Genelecs, but they are really (as the saying goes) end-game speakers.

Happy listening with whatever you choose.

 

[Dgob]

On the issue of wiring up your Genelecs, a friend kindly produced these two options. I chose the stereo setup with a 90Hz cross over and couldn't be happier.

 

[Hmast]

I would say, just get the 8361A's and be done with it. They are objectively and subjectively perfect. I find that for a small space such as yours they work to perfection, and I enhance the midrange detail/timbre by integrating a stereo pair of Genelec 7360A's. That will give you a truly full range set up that can migrate with you to much larger listening rooms (should circumstance change). A lot depends on the partnering equipment and how you connect up your Genelecs, but they are really (as the saying goes) end-game speakers.

Happy listening with whatever you choose.

Dual 7360A subs vs a single 7370A is another painful question for me.
7360A seems a loooot easier to place in small rooms, however I wouldn't have a lot of choices, both would have to sit under my desk or right on both sides. No other choice.

In the case where I have no real flexibility in their placement, do you think it's still going to be a good option?

Oh and one last question (for today at least ), can Genelecs be negotiated in stores just like HiFi speakers? I've ordered my current PSI A17s on Thomann without really thinking about negotiating their price. However for this next Genelec set-up, I don't see mylself ordering on the web at public price. Can I expect 10% or even more?I know we don't live in the same country, but if you could compare your experience against hifi gear it would help a bit. Honestly 8351 + 2x7360A seems like a good option too in my room. 7370A is so huge, it will have to sit in the room's corner, can't even think about putting this under my desk.

 

[Hmast]

Thanks to all of you by the way. This forum is quite welcoming I had to point that out. People spamming questions and always getting great answers.

 

[Dgob]

Dual 7360A subs vs a single 7370A is another painful question for me.
7360A seems a loooot easier to place in small rooms, however I wouldn't have a lot of choices, both would have to sit under my desk or right on both sides. No other choice.

In the case where I have no real flexibility in their placement, do you think it's still going to be a good option?

Oh and one last question (for today at least ), can Genelecs be negotiated in stores just like HiFi speakers? I've ordered my current PSI A17s on Thomann without really thinking about negotiating their price. However for this next Genelec set-up, I don't see mylself ordering on the web at public price. Can I expect 10% or even more?I know we don't live in the same country, but if you could compare your experience against hifi gear it would help a bit. Honestly 8351 + 2x7360A seems like a good option too in my room. 7370A is so huge, it will have to sit in the room's corner, can't even think about putting this under my desk.

I am not certain, but suspect that one would do in your circumstance. I am using mine for mid-field stereo listening at around 3 metres. For me, both subs are in the front wall corners. In that situation, the both 7360A's work perfectly with their locally sided 8361A. However, as I say, maybe a single sub would do the job in your desktop setup.

 

[aland]

As Tangband already posted. 8351/8341 and dual 7360s are perfect for this room size. I have had the same with great success. I would not have wanted a 7370 in such a small room due to restrictions in placing of it/them.

 

[srrxr71]

As Tangband already posted. 8351/8341 and dual 7360s are perfect for this room size. I have had the same with great success. I would not have wanted a 7370 in such a small room due to restrictions in placing of it/them.

You have also w371 in that dimension of space?

 

[aland]

You have also w371 in that dimension of space?

Yes I have. In nearfield listening. To me the Ones are made for nearfield listening thanks to their coax drivers. Before I auditioned the W371:s together with 61s, 51s, 41s I had the Kii Three BXT-system in the same room. When listening distance got shorter the Ones was better (in my opinion). Further away I could not say that I noticed the benefits of the coax drivers so much anymore. But then again I had never as flat frequency response with Kii-system as with Genelec.

 

[aland]

You have also w371 in that dimension of space?

Sorry, to your question. Yes you can fit the W371s in a small room because they are not sensitive to placement as a subwoofer would be. There my recommendation is dual 7360's in this case (Hmast).

 

[Pearljam5000]

Wanted 8361 but can get the 8351 for a good price , at 1-2 meters , will there be a big difference ?
don't plan to add a sub Becaue of cost

 

[RobL]

You gonna finally pull the trigger?
8351’s would be great in your room! You can always add a sub(s) down the road.

 

[Hmast]

Because of cost?

8351B+7360A+GLM = 8361A+GLM

Depending on the size of your room you may need a 7370A though.

Regarding medium/treble, from 1 to 2 meters I guess there wouldn't be any difference between 8351 and 8361.

 

[thewas]

Wanted 8361 but can get the 8351 for a good price , at 1-2 meters , will there be a big difference ?
don't plan to add a sub Becaue of cost

No, although in your planned small room and listening distance a smaller model with sub can possibly get you higher perceived sound quality as you can have smoother bass with less dips while at 1-2 meters listening distance even the 8341 with sub is enough SPL wise.