Seeking Nearfield Monitor Advice for Small Room (8x10ft) – Genelec G two/8020D/8320A vs Genelec G three/8030C/8330A vs Neumann KH80 DSP

[SimpleAuricle]

I’m upgrading from DJ Pioneer VM50 monitors in a challenging 8x10ft untreated room. Current setup has speakers clamped to desk stands, but my 49” ultrawide monitor forces a wider-than-ideal speaker separation (unless I find a way around it). Listening distances vary between 80cm and 120cm (and I think I'm too close to my Pioneer VM50's as I notice myself preferring being farther)

Considering three options:

• Genelec G thee/8030C/8330A – Non rear porting design seems better for boundary proximity, but I'm wondering if the larger size (vs 8020) is even necessary given my small room and listening distance.
• Genelec G two/8020D/8320A – I like that it's optimized for closer listening distances. However, rear porting concerns me due to limited rear-wall clearance.
• Neumann KH80 DSP – Front-ported; Built-in DSP/MA 1 room correction, but I like the Genelec design more, especially the stainless steel color.

Other? (Kali IN-5 to save money, etc?)
Might add a subwoofer at some point (but not right away)

Key Questions:

• At my listening distance, would the 8030C’s be adequate or unnecessarily large (→8020D)? And if I went with the 8020Ds, would the rear port cause concerns?
• Alternative recommendations under $1.5k/pair?
• Should I base my decision on whether I get a sub later?

Thank you!

 

[Rosenbloom]

Are you sure “Genelec G thee/8030C/8330A” are “non rear porting”?

 

[SimpleAuricle]

Are you sure “Genelec G thee/8030C/8330A” are “non rear porting”?

you're right, thanks for pointing that out!

 

[Miguelón]

8030C is designed to near field listening as well as 8020D and none of them will present issues at that distances.

Nevertheless if you can go to 8030C you’ll have better linearity and directivity, 8020D doesn’t offer the super clean midrange and directivity of the 5 inch version, you’ll be happier in long term.

With respect to Genelec G Three B it sounds different from 8030C (I had both at home), but speaking by chat with Genelec they confirm that are acoustically identical.

The only explanation I find for that is different harmonics between the attenuation system on 8030C (gain knob) and the fixed one on G Three (amplifier is the same, so I suppose fixed mechanism to have less harmonics distortion).

Another member said “the true Genelec experience begins with 8030C” (or G Three), I’m totally agree with that: 8020 are the lesser evil for extreme lacking of space or portable mixers.

 

[SimpleAuricle]

8030C is designed to near field listening as well as 8020D and none of them will present issues at that distances.

Nevertheless if you can go to 8030C you’ll have better linearity and directivity, 8020D doesn’t offer the super clean midrange and directivity of the 5 inch version, you’ll be happier in long term.

With respect to Genelec G Three B it sounds different from 8030C (I had both at home), but speaking by chat with Genelec they confirm that are acoustically identical.

The only explanation I find for that is different harmonics between the attenuation system on 8030C (gain knob) and the fixed one on G Three (amplifier is the same, so I suppose fixed mechanism to have less harmonics distortion).

Another member said “the true Genelec experience begins with 8030C” (or G Three), I’m totally agree with that: 8020 are the lesser evil for extreme lacking of space or portable mixers.

Thanks Miguelon! I've gone ahead and ordered the G Three B (super excited about getting them!) and thinking about also getting a subwoofer... Although I'm not sure which one to get. Ideally it would be the F Two, but it's so expensive and hard to find second hand (Maybe I should consider the 7050 used if I can find it???)! So I was looking at some other options that are cheaper... I see SVS SB1000 Pro being recommended a lot, as well as the Speedwoofer 10MKII and Kali Audio WS62. I'm also looking at Hsu's VTF-2 MK5 Subwoofer... Maybe I won't even need one? Anyway, thank you so much for your earlier reply! Very helpful...

 

[Miguelón]

Thanks Miguelon! I've gone ahead and ordered the G Three B (super excited about getting them!) and thinking about also getting a subwoofer... Although I'm not sure which one to get. Ideally it would be the F Two, but it's so expensive and hard to find second hand (Maybe I should consider the 7050 used if I can find it???)! So I was looking at some other options that are cheaper... I see SVS SB1000 Pro being recommended a lot, as well as the Speedwoofer 10MKII and Kali Audio WS62. I'm also looking at Hsu's VTF-2 MK5 Subwoofer... Maybe I won't even need one? Anyway, thank you so much for your earlier reply! Very helpful...

I have just a single experience in subwoofer, and was the F Two but I returned it because I prefer going to the 8030 and 7050 was the most logical and less expensive sub.

I found one for 600€ in Valencia (Spain) but the seller specifies that don’t send it. Usually they are one or two second hand here…

Other members gave me good references for the SVS1000 pro, some people here has the combo 8030 or G Three with the SVS and are happy with it.

 

[Miguelón]

Thanks Miguelon! I've gone ahead and ordered the G Three B (super excited about getting them!) and thinking about also getting a subwoofer... Although I'm not sure which one to get. Ideally it would be the F Two, but it's so expensive and hard to find second hand (Maybe I should consider the 7050 used if I can find it???)! So I was looking at some other options that are cheaper... I see SVS SB1000 Pro being recommended a lot, as well as the Speedwoofer 10MKII and Kali Audio WS62. I'm also looking at Hsu's VTF-2 MK5 Subwoofer... Maybe I won't even need one? Anyway, thank you so much for your earlier reply! Very helpful...

Hi, do you enjoy your new G Three? Apparently I’m becoming a big fan of the brand…

Having both 8030C and yours, finally I declined towards G Three B, because the less sensitivity.

Currently looking for a sub, not sure for going to a Genelec one because the price. Did you couple the SVS 1000?

 

[SimpleAuricle]

Hi, do you enjoy your new G Three? Apparently I’m becoming a big fan of the brand…

Having both 8030C and yours, finally I declined towards G Three B, because the less sensitivity.

Currently looking for a sub, not sure for going to a Genelec one because the price. Did you couple the SVS 1000?

I'm really enjoying my new G Three, and I've paired it with the SVS SB-1000 Pro. I couldn't believe the difference a subwoofer makes, so I'm definitely planning to add a high-quality subwoofer to my setup. However, I'm uncertain about keeping the SVS SB-1000 Pro for a couple of reasons:

Firstly, despite its relatively small size, it still feels too large for my room. Secondly, the bass seems a bit too strong and boomy, which might be due to the compact size of my space. I reached out to Genelec for advice, and a very informative representative suggested that the F One would be suitable for my situation.

Given this, I am considering returning the SVS and opting for a smaller subwoofer, or perhaps one that doesn't extend as low as 20 Hz. The bass is so overpowering (even at low volumes) that I can almost pinpoint its origin in my small room, and my ears start to pound when I increase the volume slightly. I would love to buy an F One, but it's kind of expensive so I'm still thinking about out. I even contemplated buying and having it shipped from Japan as it is so much cheaper over there for somer reason lol...

 

[mcochris]

I have the Neumann KH80 DSP's and really like them. I also have the matching DSP sub. I believe room correction is a requirement for accurate sound, and the Neumann measurement system is fast, easy, and slick. The measurement system really helped equalize the bass response. Here's my messy recording studio setup, Taylor Swift is standing just outside of the photo

 

[Miguelón]

I'm really enjoying my new G Three, and I've paired it with the SVS SB-1000 Pro. I couldn't believe the difference a subwoofer makes, so I'm definitely planning to add a high-quality subwoofer to my setup. However, I'm uncertain about keeping the SVS SB-1000 Pro for a couple of reasons:

Firstly, despite its relatively small size, it still feels too large for my room. Secondly, the bass seems a bit too strong and boomy, which might be due to the compact size of my space. I reached out to Genelec for advice, and a very informative representative suggested that the F One would be suitable for my situation.

Given this, I am considering returning the SVS and opting for a smaller subwoofer, or perhaps one that doesn't extend as low as 20 Hz. The bass is so overpowering (even at low volumes) that I can almost pinpoint its origin in my small room, and my ears start to pound when I increase the volume slightly. I would love to buy an F One, but it's kind of expensive so I'm still thinking about out. I even contemplated buying and having it shipped from Japan as it is so much cheaper over there for somer reason lol...

Perhaps you can describe how is your setup, what is your source and what control do you have on the SVS1000?

Also try different locations for your sub, have you done room correction and measurements of your 2.1 system?

Subwoofer integration may take some time and skills to optimize, you can change to another sub with less extension and have the surprise of same issues