Genelec 8361a vs 8351b

[ilikesound]

Hello! New member here! Hope all is well!
I read alot of threads regarding Genelec 8361a and 8351b and the discussions that followed are very confusing atleast to me. I cannot decide between the two models and id hate to get the lesser option (i only demoed the 8351a in person which sound fantastic)
would you be so kind to give me some advice regarding those two models? is 61 really “bigger” sounding in a better way (but lacks the detail of 51s? or is 51 (as some say) more detailed?
If you would be so kind and give me some input id be forever grateful! my listening distance can be anywhere from 1m to 2m -For now im in a 9m2 room but will be moving to a bigger (26m2) soon which can extend the listening distance to 4meters. I have read about people trying differend listening distances so if anyone has anything to say in that regard please do so. I prefer not to add subs (due to money). Im mostly interested in listening to EDM and im also producing it (purely for a hobby).

Please dont be harsh, my understanding of audio science is not great as u can see from my questions i guess. I would just like to buy the best system for my purposes- thats why im turning to you lovely people. Im shaking with excitement knowing i could be listening to them before the year ends and it would be a shame if i got second thoughts as in i didnt get the most details/more bass/biggest soundstage for my buck.
Thank you very much!!
have a great day!

 

[tifune]

If you're set on no subs and youre into EDM, the 8361 is probably the answer. At that price point you can also think about D&D 8C (my fav, and I also own 8351/8361) or Kii Three.

If cost is the concern, I'd probably go for used/b-stock 8351+subs before I'd do new 8361s.

 

[AudioJester]

If you're set on no subs and youre into EDM, the 8361 is probably the answer. At that price point you can also think about D&D 8C (my fav, and I also own 8351/8361) or Kii Three.

If cost is the concern, I'd probably go for used/b-stock 8351+subs before I'd do new 8361s.

In Aus the 8361a street price is 40% cheaper than D&D8c. Are they similar in price where you are?

 

[TurtlePaul]

The main difference is a couple hz more bass extension and several (unneeded) dB louder for the the 8361A. If ot were me, I would get the 8351B and then add a 7370A for true full range bass.

 

[tifune]

In Aus the 8361a street price is 40% cheaper than D&D8c. Are they similar in price where you are?

About 20% difference in USA if you actually get someone on the phone rather than click 'buy' on eBay (or wherever). I guess its worth noting, I'm an aggressive negotiator when it comes to depreciating assets. YMMV

 

[AudioJester]

About 20% difference in USA if you actually get someone on the phone rather than click 'buy' on eBay (or wherever). I guess its worth noting, I'm an aggressive negotiator when it comes to depreciating assets. YMMV

Yeah, in store prices. I think the 8c is a bit more expensive here, and the Genelec dealers are more willing to negotiate.
The price difference between 8351 and 8361 is also very small.

 

[ilikesound]

If you're set on no subs and youre into EDM, the 8361 is probably the answer. At that price point you can also think about D&D 8C (my fav, and I also own 8351/8361) or Kii Three.

If cost is the concern, I'd probably go for used/b-stock 8351+subs before I'd do new 8361s.

Thanks. You are exactly the kind of person i was trying to reach with my question (since you own both 51 and 61) Would you care to expand on the experience listening to both? thats what im trying to gather, your thoughts when you listen to 51- does it really lack that low end or is just about “because it can” with the 61s? hope that makes sense. Thanks for the d&d recommendation but im set on Genelecs.

 

[ilikesound]

The main difference is a couple hz more bass extension and several (unneeded) dB louder for the the 8361A. If ot were me, I would get the 8351B and then add a 7370A for true full range bass.

thanks, I think the same. But as i never listened to lower (extension) than 51s I just want to read more about people who have. What is going on in your head when you listen to 51s? is it that it lacks or?

 

[Purité Audio]

You are going to need to sit very close to the 51’s further than a couple of metres and it feels as if you are looking at the sound rather than immersed in it.
Keith

 

[ilikesound]

You are going to need to sit very close to the 51’s further than a couple of metres and it feels as if you are looking at the sound rather than immersed in it.
Keith

What will that optimal closeness be in your opinion? and do the 8361s allow for much greater listening distances? I saw the genelec graphs but im purely after experiences of users.
Thank you

 

[Purité Audio]

As you have seen Genelec recommend the optimal listening distances for each of their speakers, how far away do you intend to sit?
Keith

 

[Hephaestus]

Hello! New member here! Hope all is well!
I read alot of threads regarding Genelec 8361a and 8351b and the discussions that followed are very confusing atleast to me. I cannot decide between the two models and id hate to get the lesser option (i only demoed the 8351a in person which sound fantastic)
would you be so kind to give me some advice regarding those two models? is 61 really “bigger” sounding in a better way (but lacks the detail of 51s? or is 51 (as some say) more detailed?
If you would be so kind and give me some input id be forever grateful! my listening distance can be anywhere from 1m to 2m -For now im in a 9m2 room but will be moving to a bigger (26m2) soon which can extend the listening distance to 4meters. I have read about people trying differend listening distances so if anyone has anything to say in that regard please do so. I prefer not to add subs (due to money). Im mostly interested in listening to EDM and im also producing it (purely for a hobby).

Please dont be harsh, my understanding of audio science is not great as u can see from my questions i guess. I would just like to buy the best system for my purposes- thats why im turning to you lovely people. Im shaking with excitement knowing i could be listening to them before the year ends and it would be a shame if i got second thoughts as in i didnt get the most details/more bass/biggest soundstage for my buck.
Thank you very much!!
have a great day!

Welcome to ASR!

I recommend to use search function for popular gear as we usually already have dedicated threads, like this one:

Genelec 8361A vs 8351B

Has anyone compared them? Unfortunately there's seems to be very little info and reviews of the new 8361A. Anyways there's a big difference in price but specs are really close, obviously the sound itself is the most important thing. Interestingly the the discounted 8260A goes lower than the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

About 20% difference in USA if you actually get someone on the phone rather than click 'buy' on eBay (or wherever). I guess its worth noting, I'm an aggressive negotiator when it comes to depreciating assets. YMMV

Interesting. I got my 8361A pair four years ago in a wooden crates and complimentary GLM kit for 6511€ including VAT.

 

[ilikesound]

As you have seen Genelec recommend the optimal listening distances for each of their speakers, how far away do you intend to sit?
Keith

I have seen the genelec charts but i have seen people write about experimenting with the listening distances and some giving better “immersion”. Please dont attack me for not knowing alot about audio science- thats why im asking you. Will i get better experience sitting further from 61 than closer from 51s? my listening position can vary from 0,8m to 3m.

 

[ilikesound]

Welcome to ASR!

I recommend to use search function for popular gear as we usually already have dedicated threads, like this one:

Genelec 8361A vs 8351B

Has anyone compared them? Unfortunately there's seems to be very little info and reviews of the new 8361A. Anyways there's a big difference in price but specs are really close, obviously the sound itself is the most important thing. Interestingly the the discounted 8260A goes lower than the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Interesting. I got my 8361A pair four years ago in a wooden crates and complimentary GLM kit for 6511€ including VAT.

May i ask where did you buy them from? Dealers here want 8000eur for the 8351b. The price you got is amazing and would be a no brainer.

 

[Purité Audio]

I have seen the genelec charts but i have seen people write about experimenting with the listening distances and some giving better “immersion”. Please dont attack me for not knowing alot about audio science- thats why im asking you. Will i get better experience sitting further from 61 than closer from 51s? my listening position can vary from 0,8m to 3m.

In my experience I would always go for the larger speaker, I owned the previous Genelec top of the range the 8260 and with two subs they were excellent sitting 3+ metres away, the 8351a’s I took in part ex for some 8Cs just sounded ‘small’ and that was with a 15” Genelec sub.
Ideally of course you need to hear any possibles in your own home.
Keith

 

[Joachim Herbert]

3+ meters 8361, below 8351, unless high SPL. It boils down to spl and bass or even more bass. both are excellent choices for 25 M2.

 

[tifune]

Thanks. You are exactly the kind of person i was trying to reach with my question (since you own both 51 and 61) Would you care to expand on the experience listening to both? thats what im trying to gather, your thoughts when you listen to 51- does it really lack that low end or is just about “because it can” with the 61s? hope that makes sense. Thanks for the d&d recommendation but im set on Genelecs.

I would not say the 51s lack low end, as evidenced by the measurements. But once you start talking about EDM and 3m listening distance, the 61s are worth the $ (especially with no sub).

However, I wouldn't say the difference is night and day. Even genelec, on their direct sound chart, gives the 61 only ~0.3m advantage over the 51. In fact, their recommendation for 3m (all else being equal) would be the S360A.

For me, the compromise was 8260 but they are very hard to find these days. My listening distance is 4m. But, I'm selling a lot of my genelec because I've had my heart won over by cardioid (D&D etc)

 

[ilikesound]

I would not say the 51s lack low end, as evidenced by the measurements. But once you start talking about EDM and 3m listening distance, the 61s are worth the $ (especially with no sub).

However, I wouldn't say the difference is night and day. Even genelec, on their direct sound chart, gives the 61 only ~0.3m advantage over the 51. In fact, their recommendation for 3m (all else being equal) would be the S360A.

For me, the compromise was 8260 but they are very hard to find these days. My listening distance is 4m. But, I'm selling a lot of my genelec because I've had my heart won over by cardioid (D&D etc)

I would not say the 51s lack low end, as evidenced by the measurements. But once you start talking about EDM and 3m listening distance, the 61s are worth the $ (especially with no sub).

However, I wouldn't say the difference is night and day. Even genelec, on their direct sound chart, gives the 61 only ~0.3m advantage over the 51. In fact, their recommendation for 3m (all else being equal) would be the S360A.

For me, the compromise was 8260 but they are very hard to find these days. My listening distance is 4m. But, I'm selling a lot of my genelec because I've had my heart won over by cardioid (D&D etc)

I have no preference for the listening position im just stating that those are all availible to me. So if you say 1.5m ill take your word for it. And at that distance in a 9m2 or 25m2 (or lets say even 30m2) room you would recommend me 8351s and maybe (much) later adding a sub rather than 61s? also, will the bigger waveguide on 8361 create a much wider soundstage? Im sorry for bombarding with what surely must be silly questions for you and thank you very much for taking time and explaining things to me.

 

[ilikesound]

Welcome to ASR!

I recommend to use search function for popular gear as we usually already have dedicated threads, like this one:

Genelec 8361A vs 8351B

Has anyone compared them? Unfortunately there's seems to be very little info and reviews of the new 8361A. Anyways there's a big difference in price but specs are really close, obviously the sound itself is the most important thing. Interestingly the the discounted 8260A goes lower than the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Interesting. I got my 8361A pair four years ago in a wooden crates and complimentary GLM kit for 6511€ including VAT.

Thank you for the welcome. I have read that thread in full multiple times and that is what created my confusion- users talking how small the 8351s sounded in comparison to “more relaxed” 8361s. Last thing i would want is smaller sounding speakers because i did not invest more. But there are some comments on the forums that the bigger 61s just wont shine in such a “small” room. That is the whole purpose of recreating this thread and im glad i am getting some answers.

 

[HairyEars]

Neither monitor is the best Genelec solution for EDM. In your budget, 1032C + a subwoofer (or two, which is much better) or S360 will offer a more pleasant experience.
Check out Genelec's recommended EDM solutions at bottom of the page. Hint, it's neither 8351 nor 8361.

DJ & Electronic Music - Genelec.com

Whether your tunes are being played out on a club sound system or a bluetooth home speaker, trust Genelec to help your music sound mint - anywhere.

www.genelec.com