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Genelec 83x0 vs 83x1

soundwave76

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When I got the 8331 I had a brief chance to compare them with the 8330. I think I have written a detailed description of that here before, but in short, the 8331 sound is sooooo effortless in near field listening. The first reaction was meh... sounds about the same, but then I noticed I didnt need to tweak the volume as much as I used to and it was ’easier’ to listen to music for longer periods of time. The pro studio people seem to talk about ear/listening fatigue and I guess this is the case. They also seem to claim that the coaxial design in the 83x1 series helps in this area a lot.
 

Pearljam5000

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I asked Genelec if they're going to update the 8050B.
Basically my dilemma is between the 8050B, 8350A and 8351B
Even after reading this thread im not too sure if the price difference between 8350 and 8351 is justified.

Screenshot_20201031-141606.jpg
 
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EchoChamber

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I asked Genelec if they're going to update the 8050B.
Basically my dilemma is between the 8050B, 8350A and 8351B
Even after reading this thread im not too sure if the price difference between 8350 and 8351ia justified.

View attachment 90525
I went through the exact same dilemma before ordering my 8351B... I think the 3-way coaxial design offers a level of performance that’s higher than the equivalent 2-way by design. They are very special, and worth the much higher price IMO.

I could not see myself spending that much in a pair of speakers, but you’re getting more than that. You’re getting a DAC, an optimized tri amp setup and room correction (need GLM kit) on top of a well designed 3-way coaxial speaker. When I calculated the total minus selling a pair of RELs, Nord Purifi amps and speakers, it became more reasonable. And I don’t miss the subs one bit.

I really wanted a set up that won’t make me want to upgrade/sidegrade for many years. I want to stop obsessing about audio gear and focus on music appreciation more... So far it is working well! :-D
 

Pearljam5000

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Thanks for your input.
Did you get to listen to the 8350 and 8351 side by side? What were the main differences?
 

Sancus

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One advantage is that I suspect that the 8351 has quite a bit lower IMD due to being a 3-way. At least, looking at the 8361A and 8350A S&R reviews and assuming the 8351B mid/tweeter are basically the same, it should be a lot better. This is a typical advantage of 3-ways.

Don't ask me what level of IMD is audible. There are some papers out there on various topics that describe IMD as fatiguing among other things, but I have no clue how settled that science is and what levels are actually problematic vs not in speakers.
 

EchoChamber

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Thanks for your input.
Did you get to listen to the 8350 and 8351 side by side? What were the main differences?
I did not listen to any before purchase... But based on the differences between my 8030C and 8351B outside of presence, SPL and low end extension. I feel the 8351B seems more coherent, more “natural” sounding somehow. The 8030C are also excellent though, so I don’t think you’d go wrong with a 80XX speaker.
 

zym1010

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I have had this series of Genelecs in my desktop system, in this order: 8020, 8030, 8330, 8330+7350, 8331+7350. The biggest change in sound was when I upgraded to 8330 and had the first room calibration with GLM. If one has the time and skills to do the same with REW then 8030 will probably be fine. Just remember to make the calibration somehow :)

After seeing your comment, as a user of 8330 pair + 7350 with very flat response curve (before GLM), I feel probably I don't have any motivation for further upgrading. Something significantly better probably will be 8361 + W371, but that's way too expensive and requires a large room as well
 

soundwave76

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After seeing your comment, as a user of 8330 pair + 7350 with very flat response curve (before GLM), I feel probably I don't have any motivation for further upgrading. Something significantly better probably will be 8361 + W371, but that's way too expensive and requires a large room as well

In near field listening 8331 does make a difference to 8330 but not a huge one. In larger rooms probably less. 8341/8351 and subs would be my upgrade route. 8361 looks waaaaay too massive in real world. Pics don’t do justice to those giants.
 

Pearljam5000

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In near field listening 8331 does make a difference to 8330 but not a huge one. In larger rooms probably less. 8341/8351 and subs would be my upgrade route. 8361 looks waaaaay too massive in real world. Pics don’t do justice to those giants.
If the difference is so small SQ wise, then I'm not sure it's worth the price difference..
 

Hephaestus

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In near field listening 8331 does make a difference to 8330 but not a huge one. In larger rooms probably less. 8341/8351 and subs would be my upgrade route. 8361 looks waaaaay too massive in real world. Pics don’t do justice to those giants.

Matter of taste! I like my dinosaurus eggs very much - they match nicely with Kukkapuro’s Lounge Chair :)
 

soundwave76

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I also like the design better and the knowledge that this is as good as it can get. End game. I havent had any itch to upgrade anymore and you know what... it’s a wonderfull feeling! :)
 

Pearljam5000

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I also like the design better and the knowledge that this is as good as it can get. End game. I havent had any itch to upgrade anymore and you know what... it’s a wonderfull feeling! :)
What Genelec model do you have? And did you compare it to Kii Three and D&D 8C that most people here claim are better?
 

soundwave76

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I have compared 8331 to 8330 extensively - I had them both in the identical near field setup. In my living room setup 8340 makes more sense because it goes lower and the listening distance is greater. The Ones series is better in near field listening in my experience and audio pros seem to say the same. They refer to lack of listening fatigue when working with them long periods of time and I think I understand what they mean. When I replaced the 8330 with the 8331 I noticed that I don't have to micro adjust the volume as often as with the 8330... the 8331 just sounded transparent, great and I simply forget them and enjoy the music.
 

Sprint

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I have compared 8331 to 8330 extensively - I had them both in the identical near field setup. In my living room setup 8340 makes more sense because it goes lower and the listening distance is greater. The Ones series is better in near field listening in my experience and audio pros seem to say the same. They refer to lack of listening fatigue when working with them long periods of time and I think I understand what they mean. When I replaced the 8330 with the 8331 I noticed that I don't have to micro adjust the volume as often as with the 8330... the 8331 just sounded transparent, great and I simply forget them and enjoy the music.

I agree as well. I have both 8330 and 8340 in my room (not 8331). But I have listened to them including 8350, 8341, 8351 at a dealer shop extensively. The 8340 is loud enough with my listening distance of around 3.5 meters. Yesterday I tried to sit close (around 2 meters) for 30 minutes or so, I preferred the larger listening distance with them. I do not know if it is play of my mind or the GLM has set it up for a larger distance.
 

EPC

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If using as a single speaker mono reference, is it worth getting the 8341 over the 8340?
 

Sprint

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If using as a single speaker mono reference, is it worth getting the 8341 over the 8340?

If you have the budget, yes. In my case, I wanted all my front speakers identical and 8341 was expensive. Moreover I wanted a protective grill around tweeter which is not available with 8341.
 

Sancus

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If you have the budget, yes. In my case, I wanted all my front speakers identical and 8341 was expensive. Moreover I wanted a protective grill around tweeter which is not available with 8341.

Do you mean midrange? Ones all have the same tweeter grill that every other Genelec has.

image of 8341a
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