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Genelec G Three B and Genelec 8030C, not the same speaker. A measured (but somehow informal) comparison.

Miguelón

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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.

1736015767538.jpeg


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).

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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.

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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.

1736016630872.jpeg



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.
 
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Have you talked to Genelec about any differences between these models?
 
Have you talked to Genelec about any differences between these models?
Yes, they said me that Genelec Three B is equal to Genelec 8030 but they didn’t mention which one. I’m waiting for an answer by email of the technical support, but my measurements show that is not the same.

In general we can expect some variation between speakers of the same model, but I owned 8030 C and two G Threes B, and between each pair they match well, not mixing them.

At first I thought was just sensitivity, but now I can’t control very well balance between 2 channels (in mono of course) and is easy to hear and measure the difference.

Is not enormous, as is not huge the difference between 8030C and 8030B. But the extra money of just an RCA connection more in G Threes supposing are the same and I’m wrong is totally unjustified: as I mentioned for 400€ the pair you can perfectly buy a DAC.
 
Interesting comparison. I have to say, I find the large price difference in your region to be a bit strange. Here in the US, the G Three and 8030C both sell for the same price ($695 per speaker via online retailers) so cost is not really a factor.

I ended up going with the G Threes for my home system simply because I needed RCA inputs and preferred the color options available, but if there was a $200 price difference between the two, I probably would have just gotten the 8030Cs and saved myself the money.

In any case, I couldn't be happier with the G Threes in my small/medium size room. They sound absolutely fantastic - especially when paired with subs. Noticeably better than the (quite good) Focal floorstanding speakers that they replaced.

And given that they eliminate the need for external amplifiers, they also represent quite good value, IMO.
 
Interesting comparison. I have to say, I find the large price difference in your region to be a bit strange. Here in the US, the G Three and 8030C both sell for the same price ($695 per speaker via online retailers) so cost is not really a factor.

I ended up going with the G Threes for my home system simply because I needed RCA inputs and preferred the color options available, but if there was a $200 price difference between the two, I probably would have just gotten the 8030Cs and saved myself the money.

In any case, I couldn't be happier with the G Threes in my small/medium size room. They sound absolutely fantastic - especially when paired with subs. Noticeably better than the (quite good) Focal floorstanding speakers that they replaced.

And given that they eliminate the need for external amplifiers, they also represent quite good value, IMO.
Both are good monitors, the difference is quite tiny. 8030C goes a bit lower and is better in directionality (I measured at 20 and 40 degrees of axis this morning) and slightly flatter.

I’m now totally sure that is the same as 8030 B which was a very good monitor.

In Spain, G Three B is impossible to buy, and dealer that Genelec recommended was Finnish Design that sells quite expensive decoration objects: is funny to know that Genelec design is mainly detested in ASR but appreciated as a decorative object in some circles :)

Which subwoofer you have?
 
is funny to know that Genelec design is mainly detested in ASR but appreciated as a decorative object in some circles :)

Which subwoofer you have?
Personally, I really like the way the Genelecs look - I find the curved profile to be much more attractive and interesting than a plain rectangular box.

For subwoofer, I'm using an SVS SB-1000 Pro in my main listening system. Both the subwoofer and G-Threes are connected via a Denon X3700 AVR which handles the bass management.

I also have a second pair of G-threes in my studio, which are connected to a Kali Audio WS 6.2 subwoofer. This particular subwoofer is designed for active studio monitors and doesn't require any external bass management. You simply route the directly signal from your DAC to the subwoofer, and the subwoofer has a pair of balanced outputs which are then connect to the monitors. The subwoofer plays all the frequencies from 80Hz and below and sends everything above 80Hz to the monitors.

Both sound really good.
 
Personally, I really like the way the Genelecs look - I find the curved profile to be much more attractive and interesting than a plain rectangular box.

For subwoofer, I'm using an SVS SB-1000 Pro in my main listening system. Both the subwoofer and G-Threes are connected via a Denon X3700 AVR which handles the bass management.

I also have a second pair of G-threes in my studio, which are connected to a Kali Audio WS 6.2 subwoofer. This particular subwoofer is designed for active studio monitors and doesn't require any external bass management. You simply route the directly signal from your DAC to the subwoofer, and the subwoofer has a pair of balanced outputs which are then connect to the monitors. The subwoofer plays all the frequencies from 80Hz and below and sends everything above 80Hz to the monitors.

Both sound really good.
Is the same system as Genelec 7050, which I intended to add to my 8030s. Is also adequate to little rooms, I can use internal crossovers or WiiM Ultra sub output.

I know SVS SB-1000 pro, happy to read that works well with Genelecs G Threes, I should consider it instead 7050 perhaps.
 
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