How to setup Genelec 8030C sensitivity adjustment with Matrixaudio mini-i Pro 4

[Tedaz]

Below are snapshots of the Genelec 8030C Matrixaudio mini-i Pro 4.

mini-i Pro 4 output level: 4.4 Vrms @ 0db.

which level shall I set for the 8030? -6, -3, 0, +3, +4, or +6?

 

[staticV3]

Set the 8030C to the lowest sensitivity = the highest number.

 

[Tedaz]

Set the 8030C to the lowest sensitivity = the highest number.

would you explain more detailed reason?

 

[unpluggged]

would you explain more detailed reason?

It's trivial. Your mini-i Pro 4 outputs about 15.1 dBu at 0 dBFS. With this output, your Genelecs will be forced to generate about 115 dB SPL at 1 m at the lowest sensitivity setting (+6).

Now, there are two quirks about that:
1) The speaker is not designed to generate such SPLs (it has peak SPL rating of 110 dB and short term max SPL rating of 104 dB), so its limiter will be actively engaging, distorting the FR;
2) such volumes are very much uncomfortable.

So I would actually look for a way to even further attenuate the signal (using passive attenuators, for instance).

 

[Tedaz]

It's trivial. Your mini-i Pro 4 outputs about 15.1 dBu at 0 dBFS. With this output, your Genelecs will be forced to generate about 115 dB SPL at 1 m at the lowest sensitivity setting (+6).

Now, there are two quirks about that:
1) The speaker is not designed to generate such SPLs (it has peak SPL rating of 110 dB and short term max SPL rating of 104 dB), so its limiter will be actively engaging, distorting the FR;
2) such volumes are very much uncomfortable.

So I would actually look for a way to even further attenuate the signal (using passive attenuators, for instance).

Thanks for your reply.
How to get this information - "mini-i Pro 4 outputs about 15.1 dBu at 0 dBFS"?

 

[staticV3]

How to get this information - "mini-i Pro 4 outputs about 15.1 dBu at 0 dBFS"?

4.4Vrms = 15.08dBu

On line Calculator by Reference Audio Analyzer

reference-audio-analyzer.pro

 

[Tedaz]

4.4Vrms = 15.08dBu

On line Calculator by Reference Audio Analyzer

reference-audio-analyzer.pro

Thanks.
In this case, shall I get some "passive attenuators", what is the actual specs I should get?
or, can I reduce the volume to make it better?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks.
In this case, shall I get some "passive attenuators", what is the actual specs I should get?
or, can I reduce the volume to make it better?

You can simply reduce the volume.

 

[Tedaz]

You can simply reduce the volume.

that's great. As long as it doesn't affect the sound quality, I'm fine to listen at lower volume.

 

[unpluggged]

that's great. As long as it doesn't affect the sound quality, I'm fine to listen at lower volume.

I would still opt for the attenuators. By using them, you optimize the DR of your setup and also, by setting the attenuation so that even at the maximum volume on your mini-i Pro your speakers still will not exceed safe sound pressure levels, you protect your hearing from accidents caused by user error or by software glitches.

 

[Tedaz]

I would still opt for the attenuators. By using them, you optimize the DR of your setup and also, by setting the attenuation so that even at the maximum volume on your mini-i Pro your speakers still will not exceed safe sound pressure levels, you protect your hearing from accidents caused by user error or by software glitches.

Would give more detailed brand/specs of attenuators that I should choose?
also, is there a quick way to set both speakers to same sensitivity? after I changed one, it is hard to set the other one to same level sensitivity.

 

[unpluggged]

Would give more detailed brand/specs of attenuators that I should choose?

Courtesy of @MC_RME, there is this thread at the RME forum with some suggestions and discussion: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=25399

is there a quick way to set both speakers to same sensitivity? after I changed one, it is hard to set the other one to same level sensitivity.

I'm afraid I don't really get the question. You set the knob on each of your speakers to "+6" position, and that's it, no fiddling needed. Being not very familiar with the Genelecs, I don't know if the knob is notched or is it continuously adjustable. Well, with the "+6" setting it should not be a problem since it should be at the hard stop of the knob.

 

[Tedaz]

Courtesy of @MC_RME, there is this thread at the RME forum with some suggestions and discussion: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=25399


I'm afraid I don't really get the question. You set the knob on each of your speakers to "+6" position, and that's it, no fiddling needed. Being not very familiar with the Genelecs, I don't know if the knob is notched or is it continuously adjustable. Well, with the "+6" setting it should not be a problem since it should be at the hard stop of the knob.

Genelec 8030C's sensitivity adjustment knob is continuously, thus only the max and min values are hard stops. max=-6, min=+6.
Any value in the middle are very difficult to sync both speakers. Let's say if anyone want to set the value to +3 or -3, it will be very hard to set the synced values.
My question is how to sync the sentivity value of two speakers if I want to set the value to -3 or +3, as the knob is continuously.

Please correct me if my below understands are wrong:
Assuming that the volume of the speaker does not exceed the design limit: the lower the sensitivity I set, the more volume range I can adjust, and the smaller the volume change produced by each volume step value; the higher the sensitivity I set, the smaller the volume range I can adjust, and the larger the volume change produced by each volume step value, that's all. Anyway, it has no effect on the sound quality itself, right?

I found that after setting the sensitivity to +6, I need to adjust many step values to hear the change when adjusting the volume. Although I can adjust the volume more accurately, it is more inconvenient to use. If the sensitivity is set to -6, it only takes a few step values to adjust the volume to a satisfactory volume, which seems to be more convenient.

I can set the upper limit of the volume step value on the mini-i 4 Pro to limit the maximum volume, and adjust the sensitivity of the 8030C to the highest (-6), so that I can adjust the volume conveniently. Is there any problem with this?

 

[staticV3]

the lower the sensitivity I set, the more volume range I can adjust
the higher the sensitivity I set, the smaller the volume range I can adjust

Yes

and the smaller the volume change produced by each volume step value
and the larger the volume change produced by each volume step value

Not generally.

Anyway, it has no effect on the sound quality itself, right?

Right.

I found that after setting the sensitivity to +6, I need to adjust many step values to hear the change when adjusting the volume. Although I can adjust the volume more accurately, it is more inconvenient to use. If the sensitivity is set to -6, it only takes a few step values to adjust the volume to a satisfactory volume, which seems to be more convenient.

Only possible if your volume control uses a logarithmic curve where steps at the lower range are larger and steps at the upper range are smaller.

 

[Tedaz]

Yes


Not generally.


Right.


Only possible if your volume control uses a logarithmic curve where steps at the lower range are larger and steps at the upper range are smaller.

To be honest, after read the 8030C and mini-i 4 pro manuals many times, I still cannot understand which paramaters are connected.
Below is the 8030C manual snapshot.
Can I reduce the mini-i 4 pro volume to a value, which can match 8030C's max acceptable power?

 

[staticV3]

Can I reduce the mini-i 4 pro volume to a value, which can match 8030C's max acceptable power?

Sure you can.

 

[Miguelón]

It's trivial. Your mini-i Pro 4 outputs about 15.1 dBu at 0 dBFS. With this output, your Genelecs will be forced to generate about 115 dB SPL at 1 m at the lowest sensitivity setting (+6).

Now, there are two quirks about that:
1) The speaker is not designed to generate such SPLs (it has peak SPL rating of 110 dB and short term max SPL rating of 104 dB), so its limiter will be actively engaging, distorting the FR;
2) such volumes are very much uncomfortable.

So I would actually look for a way to even further attenuate the signal (using passive attenuators, for instance).

Little correction, with +6 dB setting Genelec 8030C will produce 109 dB SPL. “+6 dB” in Genelec convention means that a +6 dBu signal will give 100 dB SPL @ 1m. Therefore 15 dBu signal will be at 15-6 + 100 = 109 dB SPL.

Still over range, but personally I don’t find any issue with 0 dB setting and adjusting volume digitally at -45 dBFS (usually listening at 70 dB SPL from my position), I don’t find any sound degradation.

Take into account that the mentioned DAC operates at 24 bits so even at -48 dBFS the OP will have 16 bit depth and full CD dynamic range.

Having a Genelec 8030C I find +6 dB sensitivity altered tonality (very pronounced mids and highs, I don’t know the reason), -6 dB too much noisy and 0 dB a good sweet spot.

 

[Miguelón]

Below are snapshots of the Genelec 8030C Matrixaudio mini-i Pro 4.

mini-i Pro 4 output level: 4.4 Vrms @ 0db.

which level shall I set for the 8030? -6, -3, 0, +3, +4, or +6?
View attachment 410456

View attachment 410457

There’s no standard on monitors sensitivity in music production but generally studio monitors are built with a 4 dBu signal in mind, and an alignment level with the source at -20 dBFS to that voltage (1,2 Vrms).

Is a supposition and a good experience having Genelecs and tried them with their natural source, that’s it a professional audio interface. The 8030C is not supposed to work with signals louder than 4 dBu (peak) so 0 dB may be the best adjustment on your speaker. Then use the digital volume in your device

 

[Miguelón]

Below are snapshots of the Genelec 8030C Matrixaudio mini-i Pro 4.

mini-i Pro 4 output level: 4.4 Vrms @ 0db.

which level shall I set for the 8030? -6, -3, 0, +3, +4, or +6?
View attachment 410456

View attachment 410457

After going around a lot, I found that many professionals that work with studio monitors advise to keep the gain knob at its maximum gain to avoid tonality alterations when lowing sensitivity.

It seems a little bit counterintuitive, but take into account that there are not conceived to consumers devices: more concretely nobody connects a DAC directly to a studio monitor in the workplace.

It’s natural source are audio interfaces, where yes they work good approximately with the gain knob at 12 o’clock or just a little more but not more than 1 Volt.

As a resume: if your want the full tonality of 8030C should have an audio interface or add to your DAC a monitor controller (simple pot meter): keep the gain knob at maximum (-6 dB) and enjoy a delicious sound.

If you have home sources, go to Genelec G Three which is 10 dB lower in sensitivity to match usual DACs (unbalanced, another issue is when you connect it by XLR): the let also the by default sensitivity.

Of course one can “force” your 8030C to match consumer levels with +4 dB adjustment, but it sounds like if had a HS filter or light roll over. If you can access an audio interface you will easily verify the change.

Apparently is the same to all studio monitors, the gain knob is meant to don’t be reduced except to protect the unit in case of inusual connections (like the mentioned direct DAC to speaker, or people the connect dongles to them via smartphones, mini jack output from computers, etc)