Genelec Experience - I'll take the 8010a.

[AaronDC]

Last week I was in London and made an appointment at the London Experience Centre. It was great to listen to properly engineered speakers in a proper room. I was there to hear The Ones. The big takeaway, however, was the much simpler 8010a was just as good as any of The Ones range with two qualifications: the tiny little 8010a doesn't go as deep or loud. They didn't have the larger 2-way monitors in the room. I was expecting to hear a difference in imaging or tonality, and I did not, which I found surprising. I really enjoyed listening to all of the Genelecs. I think they are probably the best speakers I have heard, but without a side by side comparison, I can't be sure. I played Kraftwerk's The Robots to at least 90db at my position and it had none of the harshness around 4,000Hz that I experience at home in my untreated room on my La Scalas. Was it the room? Was it the speakers? Certainly both. I loved the experience. I think how wonderful it would have been to play The Who's Eminence Front and all the other tracks I thought of after I left. For me, my next speakers will likely be a simple Genelec 2-way, with a subwoofer, whenever that is. The Ones, with all of their remarkable engineering, to my ears, sounded the same. I believe all of the speakers, including the 8010a did have a room correction curve applied, so there's that to consider as the 8010a does not come with it on-board. The person who helped me was friendly and there was no sales pressure at all. I highly recommend a visit to a Genelec Experience Center if you ever find yourself near one of them. The 2-way monitors are all I'd need to consider for a future purchase.

 

[unpluggged]

IME, the 8010A hiss too much for their intended listening distance.

 

[Pattern]

I recently picked up some G Ones (supposedly identical to a 8010a with the exception being RCA connectors rather than XLR). the low bass is certainly lacking but I use these near field on a computer desk flanking my monitor. While the bass doesn't blow your socks off, it is present and clear. extremely happy with these little guys so far.

Source chain is Topping D10 > JDS labs Atom (acting as a pre) > G Ones.

not experiencing hiss of any kind.

 

[sneakmasterG]

This thread inspired me to drop by the Genelec Stockholm experience center recently. I'll echo the comments about being good to hear great equipment in a great room with no sales pressure. It has certainly made me consider a Genelec purchase in the future. Highly recommended!

 

[Mort]

The Ones, with all of their remarkable engineering, to my ears, sounded the same.

That's fascinating and a strong case for the analog line. I certainly hear a difference (G Three/8030c vs 8331a).