I realized some things about the Genelec ecosystem from some experience.
Given the cost difference between 8351b and 8361a just better to get the 8361a. It’s probably the only one which can handle domestic listening distances. The Genelec monitor choosing document actually lists the 8351b as having 1dB lower long term SPL than the 8341a which is woefully inadequate for domestic listening.
Please verify this yourself:
https://www.genelec.com/correct-monitors
Also the ratio of direct/reflected sound at a given distance is better with the 8361a.
We can get into things like “but they have the same mid/tweeter” style arguments but for some reason the 8361a has far higher SPL according to Genelec. Both short term and long term.
We have to consider that this could be simply better cooling from nearly double the mass and massive volume difference. Who knows why. In any case enough people have given listening impressions of the differences they heard and felt.
The other thing about Genelec bass pricing is pretty much calculated using driver area. You can do the math on 7360, 7370, 7380 driver area and price. It adds up. Even the W371 adds up. It is basically slightly lower than a 7370 + 7380 in both driver area and price.
I have also realized that while my listening space is 18x18ft if we include the kitchen space then it more like 18x35ft. Ceiling = 9 feet. This is a large volume.
If you want tactile bass you need to fill the whole volume. I have 2 x 7360 which are simply not cutting it.
There is nice controlled deep bass but it’s not tactile and when I request more of it, the subs tend to clip and go into protection.
So I may need either 2 x 7360 or 1 x 7380 more.
EDIT: I have played with the crossovers between my 8341 and 7360 x 2. Definitely the bass is less flabby at 75Hz than at 100Hz. Also I can see clearly that subs get more headroom in GLM (use the setting that shows the headroom). This also lowers the headroom on the 8341s. Instead of just going into protection as they did before when the mid/tweeter was struggling I can see now the woofer system is also struggling and it just clips instead going into protection. These experiments are good to know what the limits are also to figure out the right crossover frequency. For me personally I would not use these subs at 100Hz. It robs them of power and also they don’t seem to be too happy playing there. I don’t know if I am hearing cone resonance at around 80Hz and how my room is influencing that. I bet the W371 would be more happy at those frequencies. If not the 8361a should be happy doing it. With room treatments I found a good spot for the right monitor but the left one has a dip at 75Hz so I had to raise the crossover on that side to 90Hz. I would rather not but i’m waiting on more room treatments and hopefully I can find an ideal spot for the left monitor and crossover at 60Hz.
Now however you calculate this it is $10k worth of subs.
So $18k isn’t exactly a huge stretch. You also get the multi sub tricks for free in complementary mode.
Now you may say that the W371 doesn’t go as deep but your room will provide extension. Even my 8341s go to 19Hz according to the GRADE report. The 7360s go down to 14Hz in my room.
Still I suppose one would want a 7380 to handle below 60Hz.
Now that I have 2 x 7360 I don’t know what to do. Maybe just add 2 x W371. However I have treated my room extensively and have smooth response from 100-300Hz so I feel I have solved SBIR.
Having said that it wouldn’t surprise me if 2 x W371 sound even better. You just don’t know until you try it. Every upgrade has yielded better sound even coming from a point of not understanding how it could sound better.
Now I do wish that GLM would let those of with 2-4 Genelec subs do some of those multi sub tricks with our 2-4 expensive Genelec subs.
I might not need the SBIR relieving modes or floor steering. The only ones I find interesting are the continued directivity and complimentary modes.
Considering I have handled SBIR with room treatments which are also expensive- i’m at $4k - which then makes the W371a pair reasonable. Because in theory they could replace the $10k of sub I need plus the $4k in treatments. This would be priceless for someone who wants this in a living room instead of a dedicated space.
Having said that nothing replaces proper room treatments. Having heard the difference as panels kept coming in. Now I have 35+ panels.
So really i’m not sure what to do. In audio chasing end game system I suppose one would eventually want it all. The 8361 plus W371 plus 2-4 subs under 60Hz. Each device is specifically designed for the frequency range it operates in.
I wonder if the W371 can act in complement to whatever Genelec subs we already have. When will that functionality come to GLM? People with and without W371 will benefit from it.
I guess that would make a 6 way system if one has the W371s. If not it would be a 4 way but if GLM would tune each crossover independently and let each sub and main handle the range it would be best for then it could be in theory 4-7 ways with overlap as needed for perfect energization of a space with sub 100Hz frequencies.
One could even use continued directivity mode down to 60Hz and 4 subs in actual different places in the room to get smooth sub 60Hz. That would be true end game. Like one and done. I suppose the W371 can be 4 subs in complementary mode but with a controlled distance within each pair of woofer.
What if one wanted both continued directivity down to 60Hz and multi sub below that?
GLM can offer a lot more for all users.
Another EDIT: For end game chasers the Genelec system is deceptively inexpensive. You’ll get the $6000 8341s and find 90% of heaven. But that last 10% is very costly. You will want to chase it once you hear the 8341 by themselves. If you have a small space just get them and enjoy. If you need to relax on a couch be very careful to not underspec. It will cost you more in the long run. For most living room spaces you will have to budget $10k 8361 + $5.3 - 10.8k of subs. You may even end up at $10k + $10.8k + $18k for the whole shebang. So the cost of scaling up is very high. It may be better to resign yourself to a desktop setup. Even still I would consider 8361 just in case.
EDIT3: also consider that the 8361 + W371 will put the tweeter height at approximately 55”. Using horizontal placement might take it down to 50” at best. Yes everyone keeps reminding me of the tilting capabilities. That is nice. However, the perceived image will still come from that height. Which in my case would be the top edge of the TV. I don’t think I would mount the 8361 on top of the W371. Alternatively I would have to build a platform for my sofa and build it such that it does not resonate. Then I could raise the TV (which is on a mantelmount) and keep the image near the center of the TV and my eye level. Does the calibration for this system allow for different placement of the W371? I assume it does using acoustic calculations in GLM based on what the microphone is reading.
