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Genelec Home Theater on Digital

Interesting information on this thread, considering the trend for many homes to use the smart TV as the music source/streaming device.
 
Hi All, I'm also needing to wrap my head around a digital Genelec loudspeaker system with my AVR.
I have a Storm Audio ISP MK2, and considering upgrading the unit with AES/EBU digital outputs - RJ45 interconnects.
In short, I'm wondering how do I connect the RJ45 outputs on the ISP MK2 to the XLR AES/EBU inputs on the Genelec speakers?

The ISP will handle the calibration through Dirac and therefore my bass management, as I have non-Genelec subs in the system.
A few implications to consider, especially around cost-benefit, potential dynamic range improvements, installation/cabling management.
 
Let us know how you get on, if you go that route, not much details around on folk who have. Imagine it's mostly custom installers...
 
AVR is an option, since Genelecs can't decode surround. Here's a good primer:

So Genelec themselves take analogue outputs from an AVR (thus letting their speakers do A-D-A before playing)
 
Kalman Rubinson recently got his review of a Storm Audio fully digital processor published in Stereophile. You can find the link in the AVR section of the forum.

With a combination of Genelecs and that Storm Audio processor, you can definetly keep the signal digital until the very last centimeters before the speaker driver.
 
would this work?
Screenshot 2024-05-01 133151.jpg
 
Thanks. Unamed boxes are the back of a TV and the genelec 9401 Aoip to aes, for the subs, which aren't Aoip.
Genelec flaunted a sub which is at the big show this year, but it's not yet released.
 
Thanks. Unamed boxes are the back of a TV and the genelec 9401 Aoip to aes, for the subs, which aren't Aoip.
Genelec flaunted a sub which is at the big show this year, but it's not yet released.
Ah, i did not recognize the tv and the 9401. 9401 is expensive kit, you could consider cheaper hobbying with pc (nuc) and virtual soundcard software from Ravenna with e.g. Dirac eq. PC could also run jriver or kodi or..... as alternative to apple tv. But i guess heavy time investment compared to apple tv and 9401.
 
Certainly does. And the analogue route is probably more robust, as that's Genelecs choice.
My original driver (the above is fantasy shopping and what if) was to have a system capable of critical music listening (no bad AV processor DACs in the chain) mainly stereo, but Atmos if possible, without having to switch modes or sources on the genelecs.
Since achieving this I have noticed my Genelecs sound even better in movies. That is, my audio praise (limited to 7.1 LPCM) is streets ahead of my old tonewinner processor.
 
Hi All, I'm also needing to wrap my head around a digital Genelec loudspeaker system with my AVR.
I have a Storm Audio ISP MK2, and considering upgrading the unit with AES/EBU digital outputs - RJ45 interconnects.
In short, I'm wondering how do I connect the RJ45 outputs on the ISP MK2 to the XLR AES/EBU inputs on the Genelec speakers?

The ISP will handle the calibration through Dirac and therefore my bass management, as I have non-Genelec subs in the system.
A few implications to consider, especially around cost-benefit, potential dynamic range improvements, installation/cabling management.

[Edit]: Just seen that the ISP 32 offers indeed two ways to output digital: AES3 and AES67, depending on what you bought/will buy. The stuff below is for the AES3 option]

The 9401 is for AES67. I could not find the manual for the Storm Audio ISP MK2, but all specs I could see point to AES3 over networking cabling with RJ45/8P8C connector. So I think you meant the 9301, which is for AES3, AES/EBU. This means for an out-of-the-box-route: you would need 2 DMX to AES network breakout adapters (8ch each), officially not endorsed by the DMX standard (AES3 is 3 Pins instead of 5 for DMX and such), however: no one cares, it is in widespread use:
PL96000_1.webp
PL96001.jpg

After this, use another 2 breakout cables from AES3 to DB25, 8 Channel each, to connect it to an 9301.
HOSA_DB25-4xXLRF-4xXLRM_kabels_5m_multikabel_digitaal_AES_yamaha.jpg

Or, instead, buy a custom made cable to go directly from RJ45/8P8C to DB25.
 
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[Edit]: Just seen that the ISP 32 offers indeed two ways to output digital: AES3 and AES67, depending on what you bought/will buy. The stuff below is for the AES3 option]

The 9401 is for AES67. I could not find the manual for the Storm Audio ISP MK2, but all specs I could see point to AES3 over networking cabling with RJ45/8P8C connector. So I think you meant the 9301, which is for AES3, AES/EBU. This means for an out-of-the-box-route: you would need 2 DMX to AES network breakout adapters (8ch each), officially not endorsed by the DMX standard (AES3 is 3 Pins instead of 5 for DMX and such), however: no one cares, it is in widespread use:
PL96000_1.webp
PL96001.jpg

After this, use another 2 breakout cables from AES3 to DB25, 8 Channel each, to connect it to an 9301.
HOSA_DB25-4xXLRF-4xXLRM_kabels_5m_multikabel_digitaal_AES_yamaha.jpg

Or, instead, buy a custom made cable to go directly from RJ45/8P8C to DB25.
Thanks! This makes sense now - I wanted to clarify that even if it's not endorsed/approved, it still works.

For context, my ISP MKII has no digital outputs, and I want to upgrade it with a digital card. I have two options: AES67 (AoIP) or AES 3 (AES/EBU).

Long story short, I need an AES/EBU signal to my Genelecs. My Genelecs are not the AoIP products but the AES3 (AES/EBU) 83xx range of products.
If I upgrade my ISP MK2 with an AES3 digital output card, the 9401A seems to become an extra complication in the signal chain.

The only reason why I'd choose AES67 is to 'future-proof' the setup. I don't think I will spend money on an 9401A, so I prefer AES/EBU.


Cheers again, that really helps clarify things.
 
Thanks. Unamed boxes are the back of a TV and the genelec 9401 Aoip to aes, for the subs, which aren't Aoip.
Genelec flaunted a sub which is at the big show this year, but it's not yet released.

I think and hope Genelec's natural progression is to equip their entire lineup with AoIP capabilities for at least digital audio signal delivery.
I'm finding it very convoluted having to daisy chain ethernet cables for GLM, supplying power, and audio signal - and then on top of that bass management with immersive audio.
 
This looks also an interesting option by a quick look:
For me it´s not fully clear, if the devide can decode or only passthrough - "downmix" would lead to this assumption but maybe It´s a matter of understanding. Looks pretty interesting. Unfortunately the German distributor doesn´t list it yet.
 
For me it´s not fully clear, if the devide can decode or only passthrough - "downmix" would lead to this assumption but maybe It´s a matter of understanding. Looks pretty interesting. Unfortunately the German distributor doesn´t list it yet.
Yes, it needs confirmation. There are logos and stuff. So that feels like there is something more than just 2.0 downmixing. It is interesting if this all digital path is possible at all, considering all the DRM and stuff. Especially in this price range.
 
Yes, it needs confirmation. There are logos and stuff. So that feels like there is something more than just 2.0 downmixing. It is interesting if this all digital path is possible at all, considering all the DRM and stuff. Especially in this price range.
The manual is now online it does indeed claim to be able to decode and output 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 from HDMI on to Dante. It’s not totally novel there was JBL Synthesis that could do this, an Arvus box and a Storm Audio box.

I found one website claiming a price of £680 ex VAT which, if true, is far cheaper than any of the alternatives.

It can also do some other combinations of downmix only or 7.1 and downmix at the same time. The main limitation seems to be that it can only process and output a maximum of 10 channels.

The other thing is that because it’s designed to integrate in to a system and be externally controlled it does not seem to support HDMI CEC.
 
Yes, it needs confirmation. There are logos and stuff. So that feels like there is something more than just 2.0 downmixing. It is interesting if this all digital path is possible at all, considering all the DRM and stuff. Especially in this price range.
It´s now available in Germany but the price is much higher than expected: 1.839,74 €
 
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