Help interpreting measurements for the Genelec G2 / 8020D (compared to 8030C)

[Decaf]

Hello,

Newbie here. I’m in the market for a studio monitor upgrade to go with my new subwoofer (Kali WS 6.2), for electronic music production.

I’ve found the information on this site unbelievably useful, especially Amir’s reviews. While Amir has not reviewed the 8020D, there are measurements posted of the genelec G2 (which I’m told is acoustically the same - please correct me if I’m wrong). https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nelec-g2-8020-measurements.18076/#post-588399

The graphs unfortunately don’t mean a whole lot to me, so I was wondering if someone experienced might be able to draw some comparisons to the data from the 8030C in Amir’s review? https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/genelec-8030c-studio-monitor-review.14795/

I’m sure many others are wondering how these monitors compare. For me, the price and size of the 8020Ds make them seem preferable. However, if the 8030C is another step up in terms of sonic performance (ignoring the bass extension, given I’m using a subwoofer), I may have to stretch my budget.

 

[staticV3]

8030C and 8020D have identical tweeters and tweeter Amps, ergo identical distortion and headroom above ~200Hz.

If used full-range, the 8030C's larger woofer would allow for higher SPL and deeper bass, but with them high-passed and bass handled by a sub, that advantage mostly goes away.

One clear advantage I see is a flatter frequency response out of the box, from the 8030C:


If I had to guess, maybe the 8030C has more sophisticated DSP correction built-in?

Edit:
Tomorrow I can digitize Genelec's graphs and post some proper comparison graphs.

 

[Decaf]

Thank for your reply - I see what you mean looking at those graphs side-by-side now. As far as I'm aware I don't think either have DSP correction built in. I look forward to seeing your comparison graphs! I was wondering if comparing data from 2 different testing environments may be unfair, so seeing genelec's own data compared visually would be amazing.

 

[Rednaxela]

If I had to guess, maybe the 8030C has more sophisticated DSP correction built-in?

It doesn’t have DSP.

 

[Miguelón]

I have both at home, as StaticV3 said the amps are the same but they sound quite different. I ignore why, not only the 4 inch driver is not as good in bass region but also the smaller box may have some impact on the frequency curve?

Without a sub I can’t tell if they are equivalent, but I advice you to get the 8030C for 100€ more per unit and have a well measured monitor.

One thing I learned (and I continue to learn a lot of things which may seem obvious to people more expert than me) but is important, is that all Genelec monitors expect to have a 1Vrms input: I was long time disturbed by irritating highs in piano music (transients when notes attacks are strong), and wandering what happened till I red Genelec FAQ section…

Set your output to a max of 1Vrms or 1,4 V pp, or if you have an analogue attenuator and a multimeter ensure that you’re sending the correct max voltage.

 

[Sam Ash]

8030C and 8020D have identical tweeters and tweeter Amps, ergo identical distortion and headroom above ~200Hz.

If used full-range, the 8030C's larger woofer would allow for higher SPL and deeper bass, but with them high-passed and bass handled by a sub, that advantage mostly goes away.

One clear advantage I see is a flatter frequency response out of the box, from the 8030C:
View attachment 378116 View attachment 378117

If I had to guess, maybe the 8030C has more sophisticated DSP correction built-in?

Edit:
Tomorrow I can digitize Genelec's graphs and post some proper comparison graphs.

@staticV3 - thank you for that useful information. Considering the fact that I will be using a 12" active sub, do you think a pair of G2s would suffice for a living room? What would be the advantage of the G3 in such a configuration?

 

[Miguelón]

@staticV3 - thank you for that useful information. Considering the fact that I will be using a 12" active sub, do you think a pair of G2s would suffice for a living room? What would be the advantage of the G3 in such a configuration?

Genelecs 8030C are totally analogue. No DSP correction at all.

8020 C has more issues on the mid section, look to the graphics, and they don’t behave as well as 8030C on the mid low end, lacks of energy. You cannot replace this region with a sub, or perhaps yes but still consider 8030 as the reference between 200 and 4 kHz.

I don’t have the technical expertise as StaticV3, but direct experience and the numerous tests 8030C or its equivalent G3 have undergone guarantee they are completely trustable.

 

[Sam Ash]

Thanks for pointing that out @Miguelón. I assume you are using a sub with your G3 speakers. Is it crossed over at 80 or 100?

 

[Miguelón]

Thanks for pointing that out @Miguelón. I assume you are using a sub with your G3 speakers. Is it crossed over at 80 or 100?

Not yet, with the G3s, the stands (the KH ones, made for Genelecs with screws to base compatible with isopods), and the WiiM Ultra the total cost of my gear was around 2000€.

Sub has to wait one year at least…

 

[Sam Ash]

I understand, it is a step by step process. I started with the Wiim Ultra and working my way up. What colour did choose in terms of the G3s?

I prefer white and dark grey. Is it a dark grey or black? The white really stands out and reveals the beautiful curves. Raw would be nice for a modern industrial based interior design.

 

[Sam Ash]

Some words are best not spoken but allow me to break the silence. Have you heard the G4? I think I'm beginning to sound like a little boy in a candy store

The G3 is what I've decided on but there is no harm is asking. I think going further up in the family tree may be more about spl than fidelity.

 

[Miguelón]

I understand, it is a step by step process. I started with the Wiim Ultra and working my way up. What colour did choose in terms of the G3s?

I prefer white and dark grey. Is it a dark grey or black? The white really stands out and reveals the beautiful curves. Raw would be nice for a modern industrial based interior design.

Is black, I had the stands in black before and chose same color to monitors.

RAW looks ugly to me, but is very personal. I find white gorgeous but it would made a bizarre mix with the stands. White would be my choice for speakers and stands

 

[Sam Ash]

I will probably go for black even though I like white. White may standout too much and will grab the attention of people walking into my living room. I need to think about this carefully.

Is the black more like a dark grey or is it proper black?

 

[Miguelón]

I will probably go for black even though I like white. White may standout too much and will grab the attention of people walking into my living room. I need to think about this carefully.

Is the black more like a dark grey or is it proper black?

Is totally black, here are mines with Stewart the guardian.

 

[Sam Ash]

@Miguelón - The black looks nice!

 

[Miguelón]

@Miguelón - The black looks nice!

Darth Vader speakers, as black as my phone case. Very cool!

 

[Sam Ash]

The speaker looks more like dark grey in that photo, it's probably the exposure of the camera.

 

[Miguelón]

The speaker looks more like dark grey in that photo, it's probably the exposure of the camera.

Yes, I realized after. But are totally black, no grey nuance. Thomann had also an anniversary edition of 8030C in the same black