Genelec Owners Lounge and Discussion

[Mort]

As some of you already know, I was already quite familiar with the 8380s, having listened to them both in Paris at Audio-Technica and at Genelec in Japan, where I also had the opportunity to compare them with the flagship 8381s.

That said, I wasn't expecting this level of performance in a living room with absolutely no passive acoustic treatment. The listening position is about 2.5 meters away, which certainly helps, but the transparency and bass dynamics are simply outstanding.

GLM did an excellent job despite the room's asymmetry and the low-frequency room modes. I only made a few final adjustments using REW to validate and fine-tune the end result.

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Measurement mic, that's what we like to see...

 

[ndgrooove]

I'm designing a home theater and thinking through my speaker options for a 7.4.4 setup. I currently have 2 8361As and a 7560 sub in the relatively small room where we watch TV, and I'm planning on moving at least the 8361As into the home theater. The room's dimensions are 22.5' x 13' where I'm planning on building a false wall for my LCR that will be behind a 135" acoustically transparent screen.

I am tentatively planning on having 8361As for my LCR and 8331As for my surround speakers. I'm not exactly sure what subs to use. I considered going with two W371As to pairs with my L/R 8361As and that are somehow integrated into the false wall, but I'm not sure that makes sense in that application and it seems like I'd still need subs, so that may strain my budget.

I am wondering if there will be a substantial, noticeable difference in this application if I flush mount 8380s into the baffle wall instead of going with 8361As. That also might push my budget, but I'd consider it if there a substantial difference. I'm also not sure these speakers would make sense in my application given how large these speakers are.

Just curious to get thoughts / suggestions on speaker options for my application here.

 

[AudioScienceGuineaPig]

As some of you already know, I was already quite familiar with the 8380s, having listened to them both in Paris at Audio-Technica and at Genelec in Japan, where I also had the opportunity to compare them with the flagship 8381s.

That said, I wasn't expecting this level of performance in a living room with absolutely no passive acoustic treatment. The listening position is about 2.5 meters away, which certainly helps, but the transparency and bass dynamics are simply outstanding.

GLM did an excellent job despite the room's asymmetry and the low-frequency room modes. I only made a few final adjustments using REW to validate and fine-tune the end result.

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Very nice setup you have there.

How do you like the Genelec 9320A SAM Reference Controller?

I assume this device presents itself to the operating system (Windows in my case) the same way any USB DAC might once plugged into the computer? Any experience using it with Roon and if so, does it show up as a 2 channel DAC or does it show more usable channels than that?

I've strongly considered buying this unit but I have a feeling it will only work in an all Genelec based system. In other words, if you are wanting to use non-Genelec subs with two Genelec main channels the User should probably just plan to use a multi-ch DAC instead but maybe I'm wrong?

I'm still debating if I want to add Subs to my office system or not. I already know for certain that if I do though, I won't be using Genelec Subs since I have 3 big bore Rythmik subs staring at me in boxes waiting to report for duty again. If I stick to 2ch, one of these 9320A controllers will probably find a new home on my desk.

Thanks

 

[Mort]

strongly considered buying this unit but I have a feeling it will only work in an all Genelec based system. In other words, if you are wanting to use non-Genelec subs with two Genelec main channels the User should probably just plan to use a multi-ch DAC instead but maybe I'm wrong?

You are right. Get Dirac ART.

 

[patoulol]

Very nice setup you have there.

How do you like the Genelec 9320A SAM Reference Controller?

I assume this device presents itself to the operating system (Windows in my case) the same way any USB DAC might once plugged into the computer? Any experience using it with Roon and if so, does it show up as a 2 channel DAC or does it show more usable channels than that?

I've strongly considered buying this unit but I have a feeling it will only work in an all Genelec based system. In other words, if you are wanting to use non-Genelec subs with two Genelec main channels the User should probably just plan to use a multi-ch DAC instead but maybe I'm wrong?

I'm still debating if I want to add Subs to my office system or not. I already know for certain that if I do though, I won't be using Genelec Subs since I have 3 big bore Rythmik subs staring at me in boxes waiting to report for duty again. If I stick to 2ch, one of these 9320A controllers will probably find a new home on my desk.

Thanks

Thanks!

It's actually a friend's setup who lives near me; I just helped fine-tune it a bit.

Under Windows, the 9320A is indeed recognized as a USB audio device, much like a DAC or an audio interface.

Yes, it works with Roon. The 9320A is also capable of handling multiple channels and is not limited to simple stereo operation.

Regarding your question about Genelec versus non-Genelec sub, I think your assessment is pretty accurat. The 9320A really come into its own within a complete Genelec SAM ecosystem, where you can take full advantage of GLM, automatic calibration, bass management, volume control, and all the integration feature

If you're planning to use subs from another brand, a multichannel DAC/interface will probably be the more flexible solution

 

[Pearljam5000]

Thanks!

It's actually a friend's setup who lives near me; I just helped fine-tune it a bit.

Under Windows, the 9320A is indeed recognized as a USB audio device, much like a DAC or an audio interface.

Yes, it works with Roon. The 9320A is also capable of handling multiple channels and is not limited to simple stereo operation.

Regarding your question about Genelec versus non-Genelec sub, I think your assessment is pretty accurat. The 9320A really come into its own within a complete Genelec SAM ecosystem, where you can take full advantage of GLM, automatic calibration, bass management, volume control, and all the integration feature

If you're planning to use subs from another brand, a multichannel DAC/interface will probably be the more flexible solution

Would you say the 8380 is better than 8361?

 

[patoulol]

Would you say the 8380 is better than 8361?

The biggest difference is in the power and dynamic. The 8380A plays louder without ever straining, offering way more ease and physical impact thank to its 15-inch woofer, whereas the 8361A lose a bit of breath on busy track at high volume. In terms of rendering, the 8361A's dual hidden woofers deliver a very fast, precise, and agile low-end, but the 8380A brings so much more authority, weight, and body to the low-mids. Basically, the 8380A sound fuller and more muscularr, while the 8361A remains hyper resolved but a bit lighter on track with heavy lowmid and bass content

 

[Pearljam5000]

The biggest difference is in the power and dynamic. The 8380A plays louder without ever straining, offering way more ease and physical impact thank to its 15-inch woofer, whereas the 8361A lose a bit of breath on busy track at high volume. In terms of rendering, the 8361A's dual hidden woofers deliver a very fast, precise, and agile low-end, but the 8380A brings so much more authority, weight, and body to the low-mids. Basically, the 8380A sound fuller and more muscularr, while the 8361A remains hyper resolved but a bit lighter on track with heavy lowmid and bass content

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Thanks for all the great details

 

[AudioScienceGuineaPig]

You are right. Get Dirac ART.

Thanks for the confirmation

 

[AudioScienceGuineaPig]

Thanks!

It's actually a friend's setup who lives near me; I just helped fine-tune it a bit.

Under Windows, the 9320A is indeed recognized as a USB audio device, much like a DAC or an audio interface.

Yes, it works with Roon. The 9320A is also capable of handling multiple channels and is not limited to simple stereo operation.

Regarding your question about Genelec versus non-Genelec sub, I think your assessment is pretty accurat. The 9320A really come into its own within a complete Genelec SAM ecosystem, where you can take full advantage of GLM, automatic calibration, bass management, volume control, and all the integration feature

If you're planning to use subs from another brand, a multichannel DAC/interface will probably be the more flexible solution

Thanks for the details and reply

 

[Mort]

Thanks for the confirmation

For better and worse, Genelec is kind of like Apple in that they want to keep you in their ecosystem.

 

[AudioScienceGuineaPig]

Yes I believe you are right.

I was using Audiolense previously in a different system and liked what it did with integrating multiple Subs to the main channels (which were not Genelec's).

Now my issue is space and I'm deciding if its worth giving up a roughly 2ft cube worth of space in this small room to make use of a Rythmik F18 that is lying around doing nothing.

An 18" sub in this space would probably be the very definition of excessive but man it would be cool nonetheless

Does anyone know if the active x-overs used by the Genelec "The Ones" are baked into the firmware of the speakers (ie..they are always present and in use)? I assume they are but I've not seen anything in the documentation that says so. I'm thinking about the cases where someone doesn't use GLM at all, opens the box and plugs in the speakers via their AES Inputs and starts playing music. I gotta believe those x-overs will always be there without GLM but who knows?

Assuming the x-overs are in place then using a program like Audiolense to just stich in the Subs with the main channels should be no problem

 

[hvbias]

Yes I believe you are right.

I was using Audiolense previously in a different system and liked what it did with integrating multiple Subs to the main channels (which were not Genelec's).

Now my issue is space and I'm deciding if its worth giving up a roughly 2ft cube worth of space in this small room to make use of a Rythmik F18 that is lying around doing nothing.

An 18" sub in this space would probably be the very definition of excessive but man it would be cool nonetheless

Does anyone know if the active x-overs used by the Genelec "The Ones" are baked into the firmware of the speakers (ie..they are always present and in use)? I assume they are but I've not seen anything in the documentation that says so. I'm thinking about the cases where someone doesn't use GLM at all, opens the box and plugs in the speakers via their AES Inputs and starts playing music. I gotta believe those x-overs will always be there without GLM but who knows?

Assuming the x-overs are in place then using a program like Audiolense to just stich in the Subs with the main channels should be no problem

If you have a license for Audiolense by all means I would continue to use it, from everything I've read in Mitch's book it's one of the best DSPs bar none.

Does anyone know if the active x-overs used by the Genelec "The Ones" are baked into the firmware of the speakers (ie..they are always present and in use)? I assume they are but I've not seen anything in the documentation that says so. I'm thinking about the cases where someone doesn't use GLM at all, opens the box and plugs in the speakers via their AES Inputs and starts playing music. I gotta believe those x-overs will always be there without GLM but who knows?

Yes this is my understanding, the person I bought my 8341a from was using them prior to buying GLM and only added it afterward.

 

[AudioScienceGuineaPig]

If you have a license for Audiolense by all means I would continue to use it, from everything I've read in Mitch's book it's one of the best DSPs bar none.



Yes this is my understanding, the person I bought my 8341a from was using them prior to buying GLM and only added it afterward.

Thank you for the reply and info

 

[Mort]

My second 7380a 15" subwoofer has arrived but it's still in my driveway. I can't move it myself.

 

[Comma]

Would gladly help you if I was living closer, have you received the Tide yet?

 

[Mort]

Would gladly help you if I was living closer, have you received the Tide yet?

Yeah it's 175lbs going to the second floor. Definitely gonna need help. Thank you!

I have not gotten the Tide yet but just got notification from FedEx that it's been released. Should have it early next week.

I could hook up the Tide to my Genelec 5.2 system and see how dirac art compares to glm with multiple subs. A while back I did the testing with one sub (5.1) and the differences were minimal but I was told dirac art doesn't do it's magic without multiple subs.

Eventually the Tide is going with my midfield HT system.

 

[Comma]

Hope you receive it soon.
Dirac ART is a game changer on my 4.4.2 system the Gen's sound amazing and the subs too, I have gone against the rules so far and calibrated the hole 20Hz-20kHz.
MiniDSP dev's is hard at work squashing bugs which there is but overall could not be happier.

2 Subs are you going to place them diagonal or mid wall front/back? Pretty sure you need one in the back.

 

[Mort]

Hope you receive it soon.
Dirac ART is a game changer on my 4.4.2 system the Gen's sound amazing and the subs too, I have gone against the rules so far and calibrated the hole 20Hz-20kHz.
MiniDSP dev's is hard at work squashing bugs which there is but overall could not be happier.

2 Subs are you going to place them diagonal or mid wall front/back? Pretty sure you need one in the back.

Oh you have the TIDE? awesome.

I run nearfield in a 10'x10' room with one gnarly mode near 60hz, so I'm really hoping the second (very expensive even used) subwoofer and GLM will improve the sound. Subs will be on adjacent walls, not opposite which would require I put one directly behind my listening place. REW room designer suggested it.

 

[Mort]

The biggest mystery with Genelec is why their subs are so huge, ugly and expensive.

I sure hope they measure perfectly, wish there were good independent measurements of one.