Genelec 8361A vs 8351B

[cl516]

Whoa fast replies, I really appreciate it! I am indeed concerned about the physical size, as I’m 5”5 and 149 lbs only. Tough to carry 70 lbs up 3 floors!

So at similar listening distance, I just wanna make sure I’m not losing more control from the larger speaker that moves more air. I’m not necessarily going for ultra loud in my studio.

p.s. Ideally, I don’t add a sub. I just wanna be able to hear all the way down. I spent 8 years on HD800 headphones, but those I cannot hear low.

Oh and also, my current monitors are the 8040’s. Which I love.

 

[Ciobi69]

the 8351 at 1 meter is perfect go for it, and the 8361 are really large speakers the 8351 should be better in your case

 

[Dgob]

Hi, first post here. I’m a Sound Designer and Composer. Deciding between 51B and 61A. If my listening distance is honestly 1 meter and barely anymore, is 8361A overkill? I’ve read the numbers, just curious for opinions, anecdotes, etc. Thanks so much!

(p.s. I had already bought 51B, then asked dealer to hold shipment because of this)

I would say that if the financial difference is not an issue and given the importance of music to your life, it is worth investing in the best. As this review and overall user experience supports, the 8361's will probably be the way to go. Good luck either way.

 

[Dgob]

Sorry, I was of course referring to the initial review of the 8361A's by Amir. Good luck anyway.

 

[Pearljam5000]

I vote for 8361

 

[cl516]

At my listening position, I’m sticking to equilateral triangle. So what do you guys think the minimum distance needed between a pair of 8361A?

For 8351B, a meter distance between should be fine I feel.

 

[Dgob]

At my listening position, I’m sticking to equilateral triangle. So what do you guys think the minimum distance needed between a pair of 8361A?

For 8351B, a meter distance between should be fine I feel.

As shown above, I metre is fine with the 8361A's. They also offer the insurance of optimum performance should your environment change to a larger listening space.

 

[cl516]

Just measured stuff to be more exact. It’s 61 inches, so slightly over 1.5 metres between my speaker stands. These are staying put, there’s no time or space to move these anywhere else. If I slide my chair back slightly, it will be an equilateral triangle. Both Genelec models will work for me, I just gotta make up my damn mind. Thank you folks.

 

[holdingpants01]

Just measured stuff to be more exact. It’s 61 inches, so slightly over 1.5 metres between my speaker stands. These are staying put, there’s no time or space to move these anywhere else. If I slide my chair back slightly, it will be an equilateral triangle. Both Genelec models will work for me, I just gotta make up my damn mind. Thank you folks.

Unfortunately there's a third good choice: 8351B + 7360A sub. That would give you even more extension than 8361 as 7360 in room response goes flat down to 15Hz, while also will help to avoid any nulls below 80-90Hz. I had two 7360s in my rather small room with a pair of 8351B, they worked great

 

[cl516]

Well, turns out my dealer already shipped out the 51’s to me yesterday! I had kinda made up my mind but kept second-guessing.

Initially I was looking at KH310 and also SCM25, so I hope the 8351B’s are in similar class size-wise.

Will report back, after it’s all setup, with my impressions!

 

[mkt]

Your back will thank you for the 8351b’s.

 

[Ciobi69]

I vote for 8361
View attachment 320916

Lmao crazy setup

 

[srrxr71]

At my listening position, I’m sticking to equilateral triangle. So what do you guys think the minimum distance needed between a pair of 8361A?

For 8351B, a meter distance between should be fine I feel.

Doesn’t really make a difference. The same coaxial driver in both. The 8361 can go louder and deeper due to the bigger bass drivers.

For me personally this dilemma is the large size in my visual field. The 8351s “disappear” however you get used to it. Or just close your eyes.

Otherwise in terms of material value the 8361 is by far the better deal.

 

[cl516]

So thanks for replying folks, I've now had the 8361A's in here longer than the 8351B's. It was crazy - I underestimated the 51's and actually tweaked my back lifting those boxes. They were in my studio for about a week. Ultimately sent them back and went for the 61's. Two-person lift for sure.

So in my room, 61's definitely have more bass. If I bypass GLM, 51's were kinda ok just a tiny bit too much bass. 61's if I bypass GLM, it's like a lot more. But overall at lower volumes, pretty similar otherwise. Both have very nice wide revealing image. My brain is tricking me saying the 51's had more detail, but in reality, I was just paying attention more, whereas now with the 8361A I'm simply enjoying the music more. Plus, I compose and sound design for a living, so as I'm going around the room on various instruments, the 8361A sounds really great with the larger footprint.

Did I mention they're heavy. lol.

 

[srrxr71]

So thanks for replying folks, I've now had the 8361A's in here longer than the 8351B's. It was crazy - I underestimated the 51's and actually tweaked my back lifting those boxes. They were in my studio for about a week. Ultimately sent them back and went for the 61's. Two-person lift for sure.

So in my room, 61's definitely have more bass. If I bypass GLM, 51's were kinda ok just a tiny bit too much bass. 61's if I bypass GLM, it's like a lot more. But overall at lower volumes, pretty similar otherwise. Both have very nice wide revealing image. My brain is tricking me saying the 51's had more detail, but in reality, I was just paying attention more, whereas now with the 8361A I'm simply enjoying the music more. Plus, I compose and sound design for a living, so as I'm going around the room on various instruments, the 8361A sounds really great with the larger footprint.

Did I mention they're heavy. lol.

Yes GLM mostly cuts the bass to make it accurate. But the mids really come alive.

I can get them on the stands with that strap but it’s not easy

 

[Dgob]

So thanks for replying folks, I've now had the 8361A's in here longer than the 8351B's. It was crazy - I underestimated the 51's and actually tweaked my back lifting those boxes. They were in my studio for about a week. Ultimately sent them back and went for the 61's. Two-person lift for sure.

So in my room, 61's definitely have more bass. If I bypass GLM, 51's were kinda ok just a tiny bit too much bass. 61's if I bypass GLM, it's like a lot more. But overall at lower volumes, pretty similar otherwise. Both have very nice wide revealing image. My brain is tricking me saying the 51's had more detail, but in reality, I was just paying attention more, whereas now with the 8361A I'm simply enjoying the music more. Plus, I compose and sound design for a living, so as I'm going around the room on various instruments, the 8361A sounds really great with the larger footprint.

Did I mention they're heavy. lol.

Congrat's. I'm sure they will provide years of beautiful music. The boys at Genelec are also really useful if you wish to personalise the sounds produced by your 8361A's: although, I'm sure you're already aware of that. Enjoy!!

 

[Descartes]

So thanks for replying folks, I've now had the 8361A's in here longer than the 8351B's. It was crazy - I underestimated the 51's and actually tweaked my back lifting those boxes. They were in my studio for about a week. Ultimately sent them back and went for the 61's. Two-person lift for sure.

So in my room, 61's definitely have more bass. If I bypass GLM, 51's were kinda ok just a tiny bit too much bass. 61's if I bypass GLM, it's like a lot more. But overall at lower volumes, pretty similar otherwise. Both have very nice wide revealing image. My brain is tricking me saying the 51's had more detail, but in reality, I was just paying attention more, whereas now with the 8361A I'm simply enjoying the music more. Plus, I compose and sound design for a living, so as I'm going around the room on various instruments, the 8361A sounds really great with the larger footprint.

Did I mention they're heavy. lol.

How big is your room? Do you use subs?

 

[cl516]

How big is your room? Do you use subs?

Not that big. No subs, that’s part of the reason I went up to 8361. I also don’t have time to lug the sub around finding sweet spot. For me now, two speakers, nice and simple, works well. I’m happy!

 

[Pearljam5000]

Not that big. No subs, that’s part of the reason I went up to 8361. I also don’t have time to lug the sub around finding sweet spot. For me now, two speakers, nice and simple, works well. I’m happy!

Other than bass output , did you feel any other difference?
Does the 8361 sound "bigger"" than 8351?

 

[cl516]

Other than bass output , did you feel any other difference?
Does the 8361 sound "bigger"" than 8351?

Hey Pearljam5000 thanks for all your posts. During that frantic week of searching, I kept seeing everything you wrote.

It’s not a massive difference, but to my ears in my room, the 8361 do indeed sound a bit bigger and obviously more hefty down low. I had just under a week with 8351 in here, same spot same everything. The 8351 really punches above its weight. This is by a hair only, I might be imagining it, but 8351 felt like it was spread a tiny bit thinner than the 8361, which is just lathered on and endless. The missing heft on the 8351 made it a tiny tiny bit shoutier than the 8361 on certain material. But they’re basically 95% same.

Disclaimer though: Yes I did GLM calibration, but I’m still using Analog Inputs, DAC is my work interface SymphonyMk2 16x16, which goes into SSL X-Desk then 8361. I have a 2nd Apogee module on order, which I’ll then use its AES out to feed the Genelecs.