Why are Genelec subwoofers so expensive, huge, heavy and ugly?

[Oddball]

I don't think that they're that expensive
A pair of subs for $12K plus a pair of 8351 for another $8K
And for $20K you get an endgame system

Many endgame systems for less. Let's take Arendal 1528 monitors and two 1723 2V subs as an example. All in for EUR 13K.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Many endgame systems for less. Let's take Arendal 1528 monitors and two 1723 2V subs as an example. All in for EUR 13K.

Yes but the small difference is that the Arendals are passive
So not 100% comparable

 

[Oddball]

Yes but the small difference is that the Arendals are passive
So not 100% comparable

Is that really a problem? For 7K plenty of options for amps and AVP. I'd probably go passive as they don't break until 118dB at peaks and 115dB constant for the monitors. The subs don't break at all under any circumstances. DSP just protects them from overload when they are exposed to torture like 130dB output.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Is that really a problem? For 7K plenty of options for amps and AVP. I'd probably go passive as they don't break until 118dB at peaks and 115dB constant for the monitors. The subs don't break at all under any circumstances. DSP just protects them from overload when they are exposed to torture like 130dB output.

I prefer active in general
Plus the ease of use of GLM
But yeah $7000 is a lot of money if someone's on a budget

 

[Mort]

Size: Ported subs will by necessity always be larger than a similar sealed sub, so at least compare with other ported subs.

If you look at the ported 15" from SVS it's 23x20x28" and weighs 174lbs. Soo...,comparing to the Genelec 7380 at 27x28x19 and 152lbs it's a little bit smaller, but actually heavier. So you're mostly left with price as a differentiator.

Right, good point. It does look somewhat better compared to other ported subs, althought it's still bigger and a ton more expensive...

 

[Mort]

they claim the spiral enclosure subwoofer "acoustically has a very long reflex port with a large surface area so it's linear. The air changes direction very smoothly and slowly so it's very clean and has excellent linearity.'

I'm still wondering if this is nonsense.

 

[darth]

Doesn't work. The big grill not only protects the speaker but also serves as cooler for the power amp.

I am pretty sure a heatsink can be pushed away from sight. Many things have heatsinks (including their own other speakers) just not in the primary visual view

 

[Mort]

RE: Ugly

Which has the lowest spouse acceptance factor? I'm fortunate my spouse accepts the Genelec's in our living spaces.

 

[darth]

Guessing the 2nd one with a plain clean front

 

[Pearljam5000]

I like the Rel and Svs look

 

[levimax]

I'm still wondering if this is nonsense.

The concept of a larger port area to reduce velocity in the port for better linearity and reduced "chuffing" is not nonsense, without measurements we can't say how well they executed it but I would not bet against them. Also the bigger the size of the enclosure the better for a subwoofer as it allows for better efficiency which translates directly to lower extension and less distortion. How "well" the extra size is used is the question but again I would not want to bet against the Genelec engineers. The main question is "value" which at their prices is certainly a concern. The other extreme is a DIY sub kit from GSG or similar. For <$1,000 all in including amp you can build giant subwoofers with high quality pro drivers that will outperform almost all commercial offerings regardless of price, the only extra "cost" is a 10 to 15 cubic foot box in your living space.

 

[Mort]

The concept of a larger port area to reduce velocity in the port for better linearity and reduced "chuffing" is not nonsense, without measurements we can't say how well they executed it but I would not bet against them. Also the bigger the size of the enclosure the better for a subwoofer as it allows for better efficiency which translates directly to lower extension and less distortion. How "well" the extra size is used is the question but again I would not want to bet against the Genelec engineers.

Thanks. This was my basic understanding as well, just curious about confirmation. Here is the port design. I would love for one of these to be thouroughly tested so we could see how good is the execution.

 

[EasyC]

Shouldn't we view Genelec as pro-audio maybe? All this talk about them fitting in living spaces...
I mean, they have a special line-up for in the living room right - the G series?
I think a strong point is, important in pro-audio, that everything is built like a tank. You can throw this sub
of a cliff and just plug it in again. Nice handles to move it around also...
And the integration with their mid-high speakers is excellent. Especially with GLM, go to a different studio, plug it in, run it, go...

 

[Martini]

I like the Rel and Svs lookView attachment 538938

Nothing dresses up an elegant room & fireplace like an array of subwoofers.

 

[LTig]

I am pretty sure a heatsink can be pushed away from sight. Many things have heatsinks (including their own other speakers) just not in the primary visual view

Of course you can, but Genelec designed it this way - just sayin'.

 

[Frank Dernie]

Thanks. This was my basic understanding as well, just curious about confirmation. Here is the port design. I would love for one of these to be thouroughly tested so we could see how good is the execution.

View attachment 538940

Looks like clever logical engineering to me.
It is probably a very good design in the engineering sense but not styled for domestic acceptability - it probably didn't need to be.

I am sure it has been thoroughly tested by Genelec to confirm their design decisions. Its specifications are in their documentation.

If you don't like the look or can't afford it, don't buy one.

 

[Martini]

I would have liked the end plates to have been made of multi-layer carbon fiber & honeycomb aluminum instead of 2-inch thick HDF. If it were, my back wouldn’t be in the state it is today .

 

[mhardy6647]

Why huge? is easily addressed.
Paul W. Klipsch famously quipped:

They make miniature tubes and miniature loudspeakers, but they have yet to come up with a miniature 32-foot wavelength.

Please keep me posted on any developments along those lines.

Klipsch Museum Of Audio History

www.klipschmuseum.org

 

[ivayvr]

I would have liked the end plates to have been made of multi-layer carbon fiber & honeycomb aluminum instead of 2-inch thick HDF. If it were, my back wouldn’t be in the state it is today .

Neither would be your wallet!

 

[Zetti]

Shouldn't we view Genelec as pro-audio maybe? All this talk about them fitting in living spaces...
I mean, they have a special line-up for in the living room right - the G series?
I think a strong point is, important in pro-audio, that everything is built like a tank. You can throw this sub
of a cliff and just plug it in again. Nice handles to move it around also...
And the integration with their mid-high speakers is excellent. Especially with GLM, go to a different studio, plug it in, run it, go...

Yes, for pro-audio this matters far less, but the G-series have no GLM, so there is really no substitute for their ugly, huge and expensive subs if one would go that route at home. I think the problem is a bit less pronounced on the monitor side of things.