Reached Genelec support and they confirmed the model I’ve seen on sale is version B of G three. Only doubt from my side is about sensitivity….the support confirmed that G three has a fixed +4 sensitivity (also -10 db option), while 8030 can reach up to 10 db hotter with -6 setting. Given that this -6 default setting, which they suggest to keep, probably matches audio interfaces outputs, the less sensitive adjustments until +6 may serve for coupling with consumer or higher output gear. That said, is there on the contrary the risk that the G three will play too soft when connected balanced to pro gear like audio interfaces? Maybe the two models are not totally interchangeable in professionale use?
This is a nonsense to me: a regular audio interface with balanced outputs have a 4 V rms output. Around 14-15 dBu.
With a -6 dB adjustment in the 8030C that gives 120 dB @ 1m SPL which is totally absurd.
The exaggerated sensitivity of 8030C was extensively commented in the comments of Amir’s review, as one of its flaws.
The possible reason that Genelec has to that is avoid returning units or having complains in the improbable case of someone who has a weak signal.
If you search in Google “genelec 8030C sensitivity” you will find in Reddit many perplexed DJs and editors that they consider the opposite: -6 dB is the home level and +4 dB is the pro level.
But let’s consider the weakest signal you can obtain from, for example, connecting an old CD player 1 V rms to the 8030C -6 dBu/100 dB @ 1 m.
Even in this case you’re at 108 dB/ 1m and the 8030C peaks at 104 with a long term pressure of 93 dB.
Today is a nonsense to go to this -6 dB, even the +4 dB is too high. A regular RCA output offers 2 V rms, that means exactly 104 dB @ 1m SPL.
When I connect my interface to the G Three I should keep the wheel below 12 hours, but it operates at its best close to the maximum: the attenuator wheel is really noisy. So in practice I would keep the extra -10 dB SPL that is in the back panel.
