Genelec 8361A vs 8351B

[Spocko]

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

The 8361 for greater SPL from a greater distance, but 1-2m is very much within the optimal range of the 8351 so unless you plan to sit farther in the future, I think the 8361 is overkill for your needs. Look at the Genelec speaker guide below and compare it with your room volume and loudness needs. 8361 for higher volume in larger rooms from greater listening distances.

These charts are why I love Genelec - they make choosing the right speaker so painless that the journey is almost boring!
(FYI my 8351 are L/C/R from 2m in my home theater set up with 8350 as my SR/SL/RR/RL)

 

[mkt]

plz don’t distract @Pearljam5000 when he seems close to buying something he has asked all the questions

 

[dfuller]

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

8351s are absolutely plenty for your room size. Buy 'em and stop worrying.

 

[napfkuchen]

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

I've had my small genelec speakers in 3 different rooms now and - besides their obvious lack of very low frequency extension - they produced some significant "holes" in the frequency response below 120 hz due to cancellations, SBIR, whatever ... With a subwoofer you have much more freedom in placement. That's just my personal experience. If I had the money, space and need for more SPL my choice probably would be 2x 8341 + 2x 7360 instead of 2x 8361.

 

[Hmast]

8351B + 7360A here and it's been 2 months on a daily basis that I've failed to find anything to blame. And I'm quite obsessive.

If your question is "will there be a big difference" the answer is for sure "no".

 

[sweetchaos]

plz don’t distract @Pearljam5000 when he seems close to buying something he has asked all the questions

This killed me. Best comment of the day!

 

[Pearljam5000]

Lol
buying such expensive monitors is like getting married
You have to know everything + be 100% sure
*before * the wedding

 

[punosion]

Well, you can always sell the speakers…not so much your wife…

(I hope…)

 

[Descartes]

So if I sit 3 m away I should get the 8361!

 

[dfuller]

Lol
buying such expensive monitors is like getting married
You have to know everything + be 100% sure
*before * the wedding

Do you have any idea how many sets of speakers I've been through? It's a lot. I only settled with what I have because the next step up is beyond my financials. Maybe if this raise that's coming is bigger than I expect... I'll work in KH420s.

 

[Dgob]

So if I sit 3 m away I should get the 8361!

I think so.

 

[Hmast]

So if I sit 3 m away I should get the 8361!

Yes, unless you plan to use subs.

 

[Descartes]

Yes, unless you plan to use subs.

Yes I have two subs! So will the 8351 be sufficient?

 

[jonfitch]

You should be demoing equipment this expensive before you buy anyway

 

[Descartes]

You should be demoing equipment this expensive before you buy anyway

Yes I fully agree, but there are no dealers close to where I reside!

 

[stevenswall]

You should be demoing equipment this expensive before you buy anyway

I'd argue that if you find your tastes correlate with Harman's research, which most do, there's less need to demo equiptment:

-The more accurate it is.
-The more you can contour the sound.
-The better the room correction.
-When it's a point source.
-When there are options for any sort of mounting or placement that you'd need.

Genelec checks all the boxes, and basically simplifies things to do I want Genelec, or do I want something with extra wide dispersion?

 

[Descartes]

I'd argue that if you find your tastes correlate with Harman's research, which most do, there's less need to demo equiptment:

-The more accurate it is.
-The more you can contour the sound.
-The better the room correction.
-When it's a point source.
-When there are options for any sort of mounting or placement that you'd need.

Genelec checks all the boxes, and basically simplifies things to do I want Genelec, or do I want something with extra wide dispersion?

Still good to have a listen before spending thousands of dollars

 

[Ecksbocks]

I've had my small genelec speakers in 3 different rooms now and - besides their obvious lack of very low frequency extension - they produced some significant "holes" in the frequency response below 120 hz due to cancellations, SBIR, whatever ... With a subwoofer you have much more freedom in placement. That's just my personal experience. If I had the money, space and need for more SPL my choice probably would be 2x 8341 + 2x 7360 instead of 2x 8361.

I have 8351 + 2 x 7360 and without subs I have exactly the described issues. 8361 would not help. Good integrated subs is a dealbreaker in living rooms. Also I would do fine with a single subwoofer, but I have a big treated room, which helps with standing waves.

 

[RobL]

I have 8361A in my living room, no subs (to keep the peace lol). Here is the response at the mlp measured with GLM and REW:



Subs might give me an somewhat better distribution of bass in other areas of the room but I’m pretty pleased with how well the 8361A’s do on their own.

 

[Ecksbocks]

I have 8361A in my living room, no subs (to keep the peace lol). Here is the response at the mlp measured with GLM and REW:
View attachment 277463
View attachment 277464

Subs might give me an somewhat better distribution of bass in other areas of the room but I’m pretty pleased with how well the 8361A’s do on their own.

Almost the same as you!

Lately I've been doing the eq manually, I do think GLM is a bit too aggressive when it comes to ok rooms and pleasure listning.