Genelec Owners Lounge and Discussion

[Mort]

I get a much stronger center image and soundstage with the 8361a at about 6 feet than I do with the 8331a at 3 feet. Both systems are calibrated with SAM GLM. Don't get me wrong, both are very focused center images and are transparent and flat, but the 8361a sound stage seems to come together very cleanly between the speakers. In contrast, the 8331a's feel so close that they behave more like headphones or something where there is no soundstage in the classic sense. I wondered if there is a known principle at play here?

 

[Mort]

I get a much stronger center image and soundstage with the 8361a at about 6 feet than I do with the 8331a at 3 feet. Both systems are calibrated with SAM GLM. Don't get me wrong, both are very focused center images and are transparent and flat, but the 8361a sound stage seems to come together very cleanly between the speakers. In contrast, the 8331a's feel so close that they behave more like headphones or something where there is no soundstage in the classic sense. I wondered if there is a known principle at play here?

I figured it out. My listening triangle for the 8331a's is different, wide angle. If I pull back to a more regular one I get the same point source clarity.

 

[patoulol]

Having tested both in the same room, with the GLM, I can confirm, it's a question of triangle.

 

[patoulol]

I had the opportunity of visiting a Genelec center in Tokyo in July for the Genelec Experience. Absolutely fantastic, and likely an optimal setting to listen to the 8361a’s + w371a.

As a bonus I got to listen to the 8381s and Ones arranged in multichannel Atmos.

I found the 8361a’s there to sound quite a bit more clear/detailed than my own, likely due to extensive room treatment. Bass was a bit lower than I had preferred even after I asked them to be adjusted to +3db at 100hz on the sound profiler in GLM. I guess I could asked them to set a HP and lower the rest of the frequency range, but I didn’t want to overstay my welcome… Also, I think most of the people who do the tour are in sound production, so I think Genelec are shooting more for accuracy here.

Not sure I found the w371a to make a huge difference in that room.

I probably couldn’t tell the 8381a from the 8361a in blind test, but maybe I could if bass were increased a few db.

They gave me a free tote bag, some stickers and a pen!

I posted these photos on the new 8380 topic but forgot to post them here.


I do mastering on Genelec monitors at home and Atmos mixing with another brand.


I had already visited the Genelec Experience Center in Tokyo, and this time I visited the one in Paris.


Very impressed by the new 8380 and still just as impressed by the 8361 and 8351.


As I was saying in the other topic, the coaxial driver of the 8380 doesn’t have the same sound/rendering as the coaxial driver of the 8361/8351.

 

[Mort]

Two thoughts:

1) The 8380 makes the Q371/8361 look small.
2) I like the W371 look with the 8361 on the side much better. Would be even cuter with an 8351b.

 

[darth]

can't unsee the kitty

 

[darth]

Did they remove/recall GLM 5.2.1? No longer shown on their website, and shows 5.2.0 as latest. I have 5.2.1 installed.

 

[Mort]

Did they remove/recall GLM 5.2.1? No longer shown on their website, and shows 5.2.0 as latest. I have 5.2.1 installed.

Same. I don't see it.

 

[Mort]

Genelec released a new 'Monitor Setup Guide' which is mostly older material combined in one PDF.

 

[Martini]

Did they remove/recall GLM 5.2.1? No longer shown on their website, and shows 5.2.0 as latest. I have 5.2.1 installed.

Yes, they were having some lock/crash issues.

 

[Mort]

Can one use a W371a/8351b anywhere reasonable in the room or will careful speaker placement still be required?

 

[Mort]

[Rant]

I'm so tired of GLMs limited manual PEQ adjustments.

I get that it's a neutral monitor but the clumsy interface and limited options are just not good enough in 2026. No low pass filter? Only +/- 3db adjustments? No presets? It doesn't even save between calibrations.

I'm using my Wiim to get a decent bass curve. I shouldn't have to jump through hoops.

I want to do this in GLM monitor.

[/Rant]

 

[Mort]

This by the way is why I need a high pass filter on subsonic bass. It rattles stuff! Damn loud too.