Small footprint monitors for the desk: Price/Performance winner?

[AnalogSteph]

Lack of sensitivity is the last thing that comes to mind when talking about Genelecs... in fact, the smaller the model the worse they are for unavoidable hiss as you tend to sit ever closer in practice and the adjustment range provided is quite narrow. The 8030 is the first to be semi-OK and it's downhill from there. For something like 8010As that top out at 99 dB, a maximum of 106 dB SPL @ 1 m for 0 dBu in is basically "princess on a pea" levels, it's ridiculous... and as opposed to 8020 and up, you can only drop them to 96 dB instead of 94. I once came across a guy on another forum who seemed entirely unaware of the -10 dB DIP switch setting... let's just say he was desperate as he could basically hear the electrons farting in his DAC.

 

[Miguelón]

Note that 4Vrms is about 14,2dBu.
Looking at this article, Genelec speakers reference the input sensitivity as input level in dBu required to achieve 100 dB SPL at 1m - in case of 8020D the same level is also defined as a maximum short-term output.
That means that with the input sensitivity set to minimum (i.e. +6 dBu sensitivity setting) you would start to get clipping when levels hit close to -8 dBFS.

I was unable to find the reference levels for sensitivity of G Two so can't help with that calculation - though I do see it has a switch to reduce input sensitivity by 10dB.

I’m waiting to an TS to XLR cable to compare them: at +6 dB minimum sensitivity imput the Genelec plays louder on a balanced connection than the G Two with the by default level fed by unbalanced (same interface) connection.

I have no mic at home, so is possible that the by default gain of the G Two matches the 8020 at its minimum, and the loudness difference I perceive (very noticeable, is not subtle) is only due to the balanced double voltage of the signal.

As you mentioned more precisely than me, the Genelec 8020 will clip theoretically before achieving 0 dBFS, it is typical of Genelec’s monitors to be excessively sensitive: giving the fact that vast majority of professionals use a 4 volt balanced output.

So I decided to keep the 8020 if it works well with the RCA to XLR cable (or the TS to XLR). Then it will only clip at -2 dBFS or don’t clip at all, and I can also use the balanced connection if I want.

Couldn’t find any information about G Two sensitivity. It also sounds slightly warmer, but can be just into the fabrication tolerance.

Reading specs about the Genelec subwoofers, the 7040 is also better than the home version F One, and also cheaper. I don’t understand why the home version is more expensive, both the monitor and subs.

 

[Miguelón]

Lack of sensitivity is the last thing that comes to mind when talking about Genelecs... in fact, the smaller the model the worse they are for unavoidable hiss as you tend to sit ever closer in practice and the adjustment range provided is quite narrow. The 8030 is the first to be semi-OK and it's downhill from there. For something like 8010As that top out at 99 dB, a maximum of 106 dB SPL @ 1 m for 0 dBu in is basically "princess on a pea" levels, it's ridiculous... and as opposed to 8020 and up, you can only drop them to 96 dB instead of 94. I once came across a guy on another forum who seemed entirely unaware of the -10 dB DIP switch setting... let's just say he was desperate as he could basically hear the electrons farting in his DAC.

Can be some failed units? I don’t hear any hiss (or just minimum) in my 8020 or G Two… only on the 8020 but at the -6 dB maximum input gain.

 

[Miguelón]

I was unable to find the reference levels for sensitivity of G Two so can't help with that calculation - though I do see it has a switch to reduce input sensitivity by 10dB.

I finally get the correct cables to set them an unbalanced signal: G Two at default level equals Genelec 8020D at +4 dB gain input.

I couldn’t find any other difference by informal listening, they sound just gorgeous with my new WiiM Ultra

 

[Mort]

Excellent. I'm about to hear G Twos with a Wiim ultra and an SVS micro subwoofer. Looking forward to it.

 

[Miguelón]

Excellent. I'm about to hear G Twos with a Wiim ultra and an SVS micro subwoofer. Looking forward to it

In my room it sounds fantastic: with the dip switches I was always between -4 dB and -6 dB low shelving but the first was too ‘boomy’ and the latest too ‘dry’. Just added another -1 dB with the WiiM PEQ and now I’m happy.

I didn’t add a sub yet, the also mini Genelec F One tempts me, but don’t find any review about it.

It should be good, Genelec took so serious their home lineup to guarantee a good result, but I will take a look on the SVS

 

[Miguelón]

I would also prefer the 8030+7050 due to the reasons @dominikz wrote above plus also the Genelec has rather a dip than a slight peak in the 2-4 kHz presence region:
View attachment 390544
Above plot generated by the great https://www.spinorama.org/

I can see the same dip but between 1 and 2 kHz on the Neumann’s graph, or is my imagination? I think should be very difficult to perfectly manage crossover region…

Now having the PEQ at home, I prefer a slight rise in 2500 Hz of 2 dB on the Genelecs, no matter the point where I do measurements it appears. I find a little improvement on attacks.

Also deceived by the subwoofer F Two, it captures a lot of interferences of my electric network, bizarrely has XLR outputs but RCA inputs: going to return it and get the 7050 C subwoofer.

 

[thewas]

I can see the same dip but between 1 and 2 kHz on the Neumann’s graph, or is my imagination?

Yes, but having it at the presence region sounds like on the 8030 can make the sound more "forgivable" on some recordings.