Genelec offers two options of its 5 inch popular entry level active speakers: a professional version called 8030C and a second dedicated to home setups named G Three (which actually has been upgraded to “B” since its first iteration).
Is a common question around potential customers why we should buy one or another depending on our sources or even aesthetic choices. Actually is difficult to have precise data from Genelec about which version of G Three and 8030 matches, or at least I found confusing dates on their website, including the japanese one that shows exact same measurements for G Three B and 8030C.
Actually I have both speakers at home, a little long history, and I’m in a good position to offer some answers to questions of members and info measured by WiiM Ultra room correction app, to help decide future purchases.
Measurements carefully taken in same positions, room temperature, SPL and distribution of living room elements to minimize error and subjective impression.
Source was WiiM Ultra connected to Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th generation (G Three has RCA connection but avoided this path to be interferences free) by usb A to usb C 2.0 cable.
Subjective impression was surprisingly different, in the sense I expected to make a stereo couple once correcting sensitivity at the source (G Three is around 10 dB @ 1V less sensitive in its highest configuration).
Once equalizing main modes and reflections I struggle to make G Three as clean as 8030C sounds, according to Genelec curves it seems that G Three has the slight more 100 to 200 Hz response and less controlled low region of the 8030B version. Throwing sine signals at 50, 80 and 100 Hz G Three port give a noticeable “bzzzz” at less power, of course 8030 resonates too but holds clean 6 dB more.
This is G Three at my living room with 3 main bumps (P are the typical room mode, S is augmented recording close to horizontal surfaces and T got me crazy till I discovered was produced by my TV screen reflection). Alterations from the expected curve go uniformly less pronounced as frequency goes up, ignoring the 10k and over region (probably a mic issue).
This are my final filters, I averaged different positions to obtain a higher listening area, TV screen reflections were on the 6 dB from the right side and 0 dB from the left, finally -4 dB at 700 Hz were chosen.
G Three measurements were very similar, slightly less sticked to target curve and showing less diminishing alteration with frequency, also less energy under 100 Hz as 8030 B version has.
Filters show less energy on the low region (2 dB less) but more on the 700 Hz response (I should lower by -6.5 dB).
My general impression is that G Three has more to do with the B version of 8030 active monitor (Genelec doesn’t mention specifically that is same internals than 8030 C and show wrong graphics in G Three B specs, with older G Three A recording file. In the japanese website they show equal measurements than 8030C, perfectly point by point, but frequency accuracy was 2.5 dB instead of 2.0 dB at the technical specs).
If you have an audio interface, a preamp or a DAC with XLR outputs I believe is a better idea to go to 8030C, notice that (this is subjective) it will sounds better at highest sensitivity so you will end up on the lowest region of the source power. My Focusrite attenuator behaves absolutely clean but tuning down the gain knob on the 8030C was a bad idea. Maybe Genelec has saved some money on the attenuator, they even specify at the website that 8030C sounds better at -6dB sensitivity.
Connecting G three B with a RCA to XLR cable was also a bad idea, here I think was the cable (J & D audio, please don’t buy it). RCA to RCA showed less distortion (again subjective, but was quite noticeable).
My personal impression is that WiiM Ultra alone with G Three RCA connected is a good option if you’re interference free, is simple and one has no issues with adaptor cables design. If you need to avoid interferences or loops better go to 8030C and an external DAC with balanced outputs. I’m waiting to Monoprice RCA to XLR dual wire cable, which should work well, so I will update to the WiiM RCA to Genelec XLR path.
I tried to do my best with modest equipment, I had a very good time measuring here and there, changing place of tables and chairs, and learning a little bit of my room and my speakers.
My final choice is 8030C, because I have a balanced DAC with a well made attenuator (at 12 or 1 o’clock position gives me room to handle digital volume on the WiiM remote with good accuracy and keeping 8030C in its by default tremendous 106 dB @ 1V sensitivity, why they build amplifiers so sensibly??).
G Three B is around 200€ more expensive than 8030C depending on dealers, so double argument to buy the latest. 400€ cheaper for the pair, one can get a Topping balanced DAC or save some cash for the 7050 subwoofer or anything else).
Sadly I would prefer the simplicity of G Three B with WiiM Ultra and F Two subwoofer (which I also bought and returned) but is a 900€ more expensive set than 8030C + 7050B and poorer quality.
A personal reflexion is that one should trust more on pro lines despite a little extra work to setting up, quality / price ration may be better in general.
Is a common question around potential customers why we should buy one or another depending on our sources or even aesthetic choices. Actually is difficult to have precise data from Genelec about which version of G Three and 8030 matches, or at least I found confusing dates on their website, including the japanese one that shows exact same measurements for G Three B and 8030C.
Actually I have both speakers at home, a little long history, and I’m in a good position to offer some answers to questions of members and info measured by WiiM Ultra room correction app, to help decide future purchases.
Measurements carefully taken in same positions, room temperature, SPL and distribution of living room elements to minimize error and subjective impression.
Source was WiiM Ultra connected to Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th generation (G Three has RCA connection but avoided this path to be interferences free) by usb A to usb C 2.0 cable.
Subjective impression was surprisingly different, in the sense I expected to make a stereo couple once correcting sensitivity at the source (G Three is around 10 dB @ 1V less sensitive in its highest configuration).
Once equalizing main modes and reflections I struggle to make G Three as clean as 8030C sounds, according to Genelec curves it seems that G Three has the slight more 100 to 200 Hz response and less controlled low region of the 8030B version. Throwing sine signals at 50, 80 and 100 Hz G Three port give a noticeable “bzzzz” at less power, of course 8030 resonates too but holds clean 6 dB more.
This is G Three at my living room with 3 main bumps (P are the typical room mode, S is augmented recording close to horizontal surfaces and T got me crazy till I discovered was produced by my TV screen reflection). Alterations from the expected curve go uniformly less pronounced as frequency goes up, ignoring the 10k and over region (probably a mic issue).
This are my final filters, I averaged different positions to obtain a higher listening area, TV screen reflections were on the 6 dB from the right side and 0 dB from the left, finally -4 dB at 700 Hz were chosen.
G Three measurements were very similar, slightly less sticked to target curve and showing less diminishing alteration with frequency, also less energy under 100 Hz as 8030 B version has.
Filters show less energy on the low region (2 dB less) but more on the 700 Hz response (I should lower by -6.5 dB).
My general impression is that G Three has more to do with the B version of 8030 active monitor (Genelec doesn’t mention specifically that is same internals than 8030 C and show wrong graphics in G Three B specs, with older G Three A recording file. In the japanese website they show equal measurements than 8030C, perfectly point by point, but frequency accuracy was 2.5 dB instead of 2.0 dB at the technical specs).
If you have an audio interface, a preamp or a DAC with XLR outputs I believe is a better idea to go to 8030C, notice that (this is subjective) it will sounds better at highest sensitivity so you will end up on the lowest region of the source power. My Focusrite attenuator behaves absolutely clean but tuning down the gain knob on the 8030C was a bad idea. Maybe Genelec has saved some money on the attenuator, they even specify at the website that 8030C sounds better at -6dB sensitivity.
Connecting G three B with a RCA to XLR cable was also a bad idea, here I think was the cable (J & D audio, please don’t buy it). RCA to RCA showed less distortion (again subjective, but was quite noticeable).
My personal impression is that WiiM Ultra alone with G Three RCA connected is a good option if you’re interference free, is simple and one has no issues with adaptor cables design. If you need to avoid interferences or loops better go to 8030C and an external DAC with balanced outputs. I’m waiting to Monoprice RCA to XLR dual wire cable, which should work well, so I will update to the WiiM RCA to Genelec XLR path.
I tried to do my best with modest equipment, I had a very good time measuring here and there, changing place of tables and chairs, and learning a little bit of my room and my speakers.
My final choice is 8030C, because I have a balanced DAC with a well made attenuator (at 12 or 1 o’clock position gives me room to handle digital volume on the WiiM remote with good accuracy and keeping 8030C in its by default tremendous 106 dB @ 1V sensitivity, why they build amplifiers so sensibly??).
G Three B is around 200€ more expensive than 8030C depending on dealers, so double argument to buy the latest. 400€ cheaper for the pair, one can get a Topping balanced DAC or save some cash for the 7050 subwoofer or anything else).
Sadly I would prefer the simplicity of G Three B with WiiM Ultra and F Two subwoofer (which I also bought and returned) but is a 900€ more expensive set than 8030C + 7050B and poorer quality.
A personal reflexion is that one should trust more on pro lines despite a little extra work to setting up, quality / price ration may be better in general.
Last edited: