New Genelec 8380 main monitors

[Tovarich007]

A day of testing and listening in Paris, in a permanent Genelec showroom

View attachment 496469View attachment 496470View attachment 496471

Can you tell me where is this showroom and how to make an appointmen ? Many thanks. MP if you prefer

 

[patoulol]

Can you tell me where is this showroom and how to make an appointmen ? Many thanks. MP if you prefer

We already know each other, send me a PM on HCFR (I'm Patrick-HC)

 

[Pearljam5000]

Theoretically could they work in a 3X3 meters room?

 

[Mort]

Theoretically could they work in a 3X3 meters room?

Sure. 1.3m minimum listening distance. The issue might be if you have to pull them into the room (minimum 110 cm). You'll be cramped but it works.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Sure. 1.3m minimum listening distance. The issue might be if you have to pull them into the room (minimum 110 cm). You'll be cramped but it works.

Thanks
If I win the lottery they're the first thing I'll buy

 

[dfuller]

Thanks
If I win the lottery they're the first thing I'll buy

What if you actually bought a set of speakers?

 

[Pearljam5000]

What if you actually bought a set of speakers?

Lol
Yeah
I'm starting to realize that I have no choice but to compromise

 

[markstein]

It seems that Genelec is going towards slightly rising DI on their latest models (8380 below and also 8381)
View attachment 497349

Compared to a more flat DI on the older ones (8361 below)
View attachment 497351

Have you seen any explanation as to why?

Constant directivity and thus having the reflections with the same frequency response as the direct sound makes more sense to me than having the reflections with less high frequency than the direct sound.
It seems nevertheless that the DI on the new models is more smooth/regular than on the older ones (with dips around 1k and 8k). There might be some value in it?

Maybe different applications? Nearfield (constant directivity) vs. midfield/farfield? Neumann has similar chracteristics (e.g. compare KH310 vs KH420).

 

[markstein]

 

[markstein]

Briefly listened to them yesterday during a Genelec event in Hamburg/ Germany.

The setup was not optimal and room was very loud (people talking), so I will not comment too much about the sound quality.

Imaging was outstanding in nearfield listening. Someone else said "razorsharp" in an earlier post - that was also my impression. Closing my eyes I thought I can touch the different instruments in front of me.

Overall tonality was absolutely not to my personal taste. Somewhat shouty mid/treble (not natural sounding to me). Maybe due to console reflections? Not "neutralized" by GLM.

Overall thin sound, no impact, slightly "boxy" - due to two massive room modes <100Hz and almost flat GLM target curve (100Hz region had more SPL than <100Hz). Definitely related to the non optimal setup.

I was surprised how little I liked these speakers during this specific demo... clearly showing that a great speaker is no guarantee for pleasant sound if the framework conditions are not right.

 

[outfaced]

A day of testing and listening in Paris, in a permanent Genelec showroom

View attachment 496469

that is extremely interesting
can you compare 8380 with the 8351 + W

 

[patoulol]

that is extremely interesting
can you compare 8380 with the 8351 + W

The listening room does not highlight the two systems. I know the 8361+W well because I have already listened and even calibrated at an owner (bernard54).

-W371A clearly faster and more articulated .
The 8380A is a bit more “round” deeper and more impactful at the plexus
-Imaging: 8361A slightly wider sweet spot and sweeter off-axis; 8380A a touch more “in-your-face” but razor-sharp.

 

[tj999]

Our daughter lives in London and this year, instead of her coming to us in the States as she's done for years and years, this year we did Christmas in London. Although I am happy with my current setup (Denon AVR-X3700H, Buckeye Amps 1ET400A 3-channel, Ohm 1000 Tall's for my LCR speakers), I had become intrigued by Genelec Ones based upon reviews and comments here in ASR and from additional research. However, to actually audition these speakers from my home in North Central Arizona meant a substantial investment in time and money to get to the Genelec Experience Centre in Boston. So, I reached out to the London Experience Centre, explaining that I was not in buying mode at this time and that I just wanted to audition the Ones, and they were very accommodating and set up an appointment for me. My 90 minutes in the Center with Perry, my Genelec host, was an amazing experience. From the Ones lineup they had 8331a, 8341a and 8351b along with 8010s and 8380s. Perry was an amazing host: incredibly knowledgeable and yet very chill - encouraging me to not rush and while never trying to be the expert. Their setup was first class, enabling switching between speakers to be literally seamless. Two things stood out to me: (1) the sound of a track was amazingly identical from the 8010s through the 83080s - with just a difference in lower frequency realism, and (2) listening to a jazz duo track and an orchestral track on the 8380s, the speakers literally disappeared and in front of me were the piano and string bass or the orchestra respectively. I've never had that experience before and it was revelatory. And honestly, the 8351b's and 8341a's sounded almost as amazing as well. Ever since a friend directed me a year or so ago to Amir's review of the 8361s, I've become obsessed with Genelec the company. My experience in London only served to reinforce that they are an absolutely top class operation with products that reflect that 100%. I truly hope I am able to afford to upgrade to Genelec in my home system in the next couple years.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Our daughter lives in London and this year, instead of her coming to us in the States as she's done for years and years, this year we did Christmas in London. Although I am happy with my current setup (Denon AVR-X3700H, Buckeye Amps 1ET400A 3-channel, Ohm 1000 Tall's for my LCR speakers), I had become intrigued by Genelec Ones based upon reviews and comments here in ASR and from additional research. However, to actually audition these speakers from my home in North Central Arizona meant a substantial investment in time and money to get to the Genelec Experience Centre in Boston. So, I reached out to the London Experience Centre, explaining that I was not in buying mode at this time and that I just wanted to audition the Ones, and they were very accommodating and set up an appointment for me. My 90 minutes in the Center with Perry, my Genelec host, was an amazing experience. From the Ones lineup they had 8331a, 8341a and 8351b along with 8010s and 8380s. Perry was an amazing host: incredibly knowledgeable and yet very chill - encouraging me to not rush and while never trying to be the expert. Their setup was first class, enabling switching between speakers to be literally seamless. Two things stood out to me: (1) the sound of a track was amazingly identical from the 8010s through the 83080s - with just a difference in lower frequency realism, and (2) listening to a jazz duo track and an orchestral track on the 8380s, the speakers literally disappeared and in front of me were the piano and string bass or the orchestra respectively. I've never had that experience before and it was revelatory. And honestly, the 8351b's and 8341a's sounded almost as amazing as well. Ever since a friend directed me a year or so ago to Amir's review of the 8361s, I've become obsessed with Genelec the company. My experience in London only served to reinforce that they are an absolutely top class operation with products that reflect that 100%. I truly hope I am able to afford to upgrade to Genelec in my home system in the next couple years.

8380 is much better than the Ones?

 

[tj999]

I didn't focus on that comparison and they didn't have any 8361a's on hand which would be the closest competitor, but my gut reaction is that IF I had the money and a larger space, I'd go for them.

 

[Tovarich007]

Theoretically could they work in a 3X3 meters room?

Sure they can work. But it's a bit an overkill speaker for such a small room, though you don't indicate the heigh of the ceiling. it's the volume that matters, but a modern room is in genral not higher than 2,50 m or so.
Don't forget they're obtrusive, heavy of course to handle, and moreover they can play VERRRYYY LOUD.

Frankly with such a room size I'll go for a 8351, but I've loved the the 8380 demo in Paris PAVS.

 

[Mort]

Sure they can work. But it's a bit an overkill speaker for such a small room, though you don't indicate the heigh of the ceiling. it's the volume that matters, but a modern room is in genral not higher than 2,50 m or so.
Don't forget they're obtrusive, heavy of course to handle, and moreover they can play VERRRYYY LOUD.

Frankly with such a room size I'll go for a 8351, but I've loved the the 8380 demo in Paris PAVS.

I have the 8361a in a room that size and a single monitor shakes the entire room.