Genelec setups in living rooms [how to]

[Daaadou]

Hey there,

I’m considering a 7370 and a pair of 8340 for my living room. I have actually just read the home theater page from the genelec website

It is a 5 x 5,50 meters room, ceiling is at 2,4m. 67m3 with exact measurement.
We are watching perfectly centered at about 4m from the screen but the speaker could be 50cms closer.

Do you think this enough power for home cinéma purpose?
I will upgrade with other 8340 for a center speaker and two surround but not right away. I thought maybe it is ok spl wise when you have a complete set up (with at least 5 speakers) but not if you just get a pair plus the sub.
I don’t want to have an underwhelming experience.

I could consider upgrading to a pair of 8350 but that extra money would come handy to buy the stands and the glm device so if the 40’s are enough, I’ll go this way.

 

[tifune]

Hey there,

I’m considering a 7370 and a pair of 8340 for my living room. I have actually just read the home theater page from the genelec website

It is a 5 x 5,50 meters room, ceiling is at 2,4m. 67m3 with exact measurement.
We are watching perfectly centered at about 4m from the screen but the speaker could be 50cms closer.

Do you think this enough power for home cinéma purpose?
I will upgrade with other 8340 for a center speaker and two surround but not right away. I thought maybe it is ok spl wise when you have a complete set up (with at least 5 speakers) but not if you just get a pair plus the sub.
I don’t want to have an underwhelming experience.

I could consider upgrading to a pair of 8350 but that extra money would come handy to buy the stands and the glm device so if the 40’s are enough, I’ll go this way.

I'm not sure why, but here in the US the price difference between 8340's & 8350's is only $100-$200 if you're patient enough to wait for b-stock. The unfortunate reality about Genelec subs is that their price : performance ratio is one of the absolute worst values out there compared to spending a few hours with a MiniDSP and Rythmik, SVS, etc. Of course, GRADE sure does it make it easy to get most of the way there in only about 15 minutes time once your placement is good.

As an owner of 8341, 8331, 8330, 8320s, 7350s, as well as KH80/120/310's, $ for $ Neumann wins on almost all fronts when it comes to 2 ways. The Ones are a different animal, TOTL speakers bar none but now you're doubling your price point so not really a fair comparison.

We're it not for a total failure on the WAF score, if I had to do it again it'd probably be Neumann, subs of your choosing + Monolith HTP-1 for DLBC (if you can find one)

 

[Daaadou]

Thank you for your reply.
8xx1 is out of the way, far too expensive.
8340 is 1250€ and the 8350 is 1750€ here in Europe. The 7370 is 2600.
I considered Neumann but glm made me look the other way…
It is true it will make a big price difference to go German instead of Finnish…

 

[BDE]

[...]
8340 is 1250€ and the 8350 is 1750€ here in Europe. The 7370 is 2600.
[...]

The price difference between the models of a line as well as between analog and digital/ GLM version is not understandable.

I considered Neumann but glm made me look the other way…
It is true it will make a big price difference to go German instead of Finnish…

Neumann has Ma-1 in their KH80 and new KH150..

However, I am still not convinced that in a home cinema setup either GLM nor Ma-1 is the best way to go.
Why not buying the "cheaper" analog versions of Genelec and use a AVR with an advanced room acoustic software -> Dirac.
Benefits:
# you can integrate way cheaper but perfect performing subwoofer, or even multiple ones for the same budget which ends up in a better performance
# Easy setup (less cables) and volume control
# Dirac gets updates regulary, the software is more or less the whole purpose of the company
# Analog versions of the Genelec are easy to repair as they use standard parts

 

[Daaadou]

Very good piece of advice, the price drop is huge from 8340 to 8040, half price!
Then, I need a avr with pre out and dirac, what are the options out there?
Which subs would you recommend?

 

[azzy_mazzy]

Then, I need a avr with pre out and dirac, what are the options out there?

Onkyo TX-RZ50 if you really want Dirac (doesn't have DLBC)
Anthem MRX 740 which has ARC Genesis
Denon AVR-X3700H (use the phone app)
the monoprice HTP-1 will work the best but im don't think its available outside of the US

Which subs would you recommend?

i don't know what is available in your country but im sure Arendal sound and SVS are available and both make good subwoofers.

 

[test1223]

As an owner of 8341, 8331, 8330, 8320s, 7350s, as well as KH80/120/310's, $ for $ Neumann wins on almost all fronts when it comes to 2 ways.

The prices are changing a lot in these days and are dependant on the country. Neumann two ways aren't cheaper in Germany with the exception of the Neumann KH80 which is slightly cheaper.

Neumann KH80 (dsp) about 460€
Genelec 8320 (dsp) about 500€
Neumann 40€ cheaper

Neumann KH 120 (no dsp) about 680€
Genelec 8030 (no dsp) about 540€
Genelec 140€ cheaper

Neumann KH 150 (dsp) about 1650€
Genelec 8340 (dsp) about 1360€
Genelec 290€ cheaper

 

[Pearljam5000]

I'm not sure why, but here in the US the price difference between 8340's & 8350's is only $100-$200 if you're patient enough to wait for b-stock. The unfortunate reality about Genelec subs is that their price : performance ratio is one of the absolute worst values out there compared to spending a few hours with a MiniDSP and Rythmik, SVS, etc. Of course, GRADE sure does it make it easy to get most of the way there in only about 15 minutes time once your placement is good.

As an owner of 8341, 8331, 8330, 8320s, 7350s, as well as KH80/120/310's, $ for $ Neumann wins on almost all fronts when it comes to 2 ways. The Ones are a different animal, TOTL speakers bar none but now you're doubling your price point so not really a fair comparison.

We're it not for a total failure on the WAF score, if I had to do it again it'd probably be Neumann, subs of your choosing + Monolith HTP-1 for DLBC (if you can find one)

They raised their prices a lot lately
VFM is not what it used to be

 

[Daaadou]

I asked genelec about the 2.1 configuration with 2 8340 and 1 7370.
Since I will be exactly 3m50 from the speakers (they’ll be off the wall and I’ll be moving the couch towards the tv to place the surrounds), they told me it should be ok if I don’t expect to listen too loud.
I’m making some maths and you can expect a whooping 100db at the listening point. (110db - 3dbx2,5 and I don’t count this is a pair)
What is loud actually?
100db seems super loud to me. And since I’m basing my choice of hardware so that I don’t have something under powered, I’m looking at the 8350 but I’m maybe wrong and the 40’s would totally make me happy… even the 30’s if we are talking about some 95db at the listening point.

Btw, I think I’ll try to stick to glm and I’m thinking iotavx 17 to decode and the xlr output so definitely room correction by genelec.

 

[voodooless]

The only time I saw my 8040 clipping, was with a Rammstein track using surround up mixing where most of the sound was directed to the center channel. It was loud, but not nasty loud. After setting the mode back to stereo the pair was just fine and I could easily push the volume a bit more. With actual Atmos tracks I have not yet seen this. They can play more than loud enough for my tastes.

 

[azzy_mazzy]

The only time I saw my 8040 clipping, was with a Rammstein track using surround up mixing where most of the sound was directed to the center channel. It was loud, but not nasty loud. After setting the mode back to stereo the pair was just fine and I could easily push the volume a bit more. With actual Atmos tracks I have not yet seen this. They can play more than loud enough for my tastes.

was it full range?

 

[voodooless]

was it full range?

Well, just about. The crossover was set at 40 Hz.

 

[Daaadou]

I talked with a French genelec product specialist.
The guy clearly warn me that the sub is probably too much in a flat.
He told me 5 8340’s will totally do in a 30m2 room though if I want to use it for stéréo purpose, I could put three 8350 for lcr and I’ll be totally ok even without the sub.
They have a showroom in Paris, it is made out of some 8340, there is also a sub, I’ll go for a demo beginning of August, I’ll see for myself if a configuration without sub is satisfactory enough.

 

[Daaadou]

Ah, and another that might interest you guys, both the senior product manager from genelec in Finland and the French product specialist told me they use marantz 7706 in their show room.
They both insisted on the xlr output and analog wasn’t a consideration for them, totally acceptable. I mean, they are demo-ing their stuff like this.

 

[azzy_mazzy]

I talked with a French genelec product specialist.
The guy clearly warn me that the sub is probably too much in a flat.
He told me 5 8340’s will totally do in a 30m2 room though if I want to use it for stéréo purpose, I could put three 8350 for lcr and I’ll be totally ok even without the sub.
They have a showroom in Paris, it is made out of some 8340, there is also a sub, I’ll go for a demo beginning of August, I’ll see for myself if a configuration without sub is satisfactory enough.

They are probably right, depending how the apartment is built it could be less of an issue but in my current apartment i have a sub that I don’t use to not annoy the neighbors.

 

[azzy_mazzy]

Ah, and another that might interest you guys, both the senior product manager from genelec in Finland and the French product specialist told me they use marantz 7706 in their show room.
They both insisted on the xlr output and analog wasn’t a consideration for them, totally acceptable. I mean, they are demo-ing their stuff like this.

I assume they are using GLM? D+M products have always been reliable with me.

 

[Daaadou]

I assume they are using GLM? D+M products have always been reliable with me.

Yes, this is a dedicated genelec showroom. They do demo and they help you build your project. They expect you to buy from one their preferred supplier after they give you counsel, they told me they will align to internet prices.
I will have an explanation for glm and how to set it up. They share the space with audio technica.

They have multiple set up, they have an immersive space made of 8340 (what I want to do at home) and the guy is setting up an immersive set up made of Ones, a sub and atmos (7.1.4).
He wants to show me that the 8340´s are perfectly fine without a sub if I’m in a flat. Maybe 8350 if I want to use stereo only.

I’ll come back to let you know, maybe with pics!

 

[Andreas007]

Totally off-topic, but looking at all the pictures my biggest „setup“ advice would be: Remove all those big, attention grabbing screens from your home or at least from your living room. It will change your life in a positive way.

 

[azzy_mazzy]

Horrible advice.

 

[test1223]

He wants to show me that the 8340´s are perfectly fine without a sub if I’m in a flat. Maybe 8350 if I want to use stereo only.

You can do this, spl won't be an issue if you don't want to disturb your neighbors. But the lack of sub bass and low distortion bass is an issue. Even with room gain a 5" or 6" in a small enclosure like the genelec 8330 or 8340 will always sound small.

There is also a substantial difference if the listening distance is bigger than about 1.25m. The amount of reflected sound is to high and a bigger speaker will sound much better. I would try different listening distances with a stereo to get an impression of it.

If the listening distance is around 2.5m a really big speaker like a smaller genelec main monitor is needed to get enough direct sound at the listing position.