The demo 8351Bs arrived today . . . . . I think I've heard the future!
Setup was easy, until I discovered that Genelec's GLM software (essential for calibration) does not (yet) run on Apple Catalina and so I was forced to spend an hour or so setting up a virtual Windows machine on my Macbook - grrrrrrr.
Anyhoo, once running the software worked beautifully and auto-calibrated the speakers pretty flat. Unfortunately it does not seem easy to apply a house curve to the response (beyond some basic slopes etc. that are included as presets) in GLM. This may however be wrong - as I have not spent much time (beyond the basics) with the software.
With only the GLM software calibration this what they looked like:
I then manually added a 6db lift below 60Hz and a slow roll-off above 2.5KHz in my MiniDSP SHD's PEQ and sat back for a listen.
Subjectively:
I am astounded by the bass! The depth available (relative to the size of the cabinet) is
extraordinary. I'm really not sure how it is done but it works amazingly. Correspondingly, as Echopraxia already noted, any concern about maximum sound level is unwarranted and VERY loud in (my 3x4m room)
is easy.
I've not spent any time with coaxial speakers before and there is an immediate 'correctness' to the sound which I suspect is a result of this. Likewise imagery is first rate and, in comparison with my ATCs, the Genelecs are definitely the better speaker.
I have them till Tuesday so I will listen and experiment some more. I've also arranged to try the Neuman KH420 (an entirely different beast).
Will add more later . . .
Doug