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

[DatSpeakerTho]

It's priced for time. You could definitely make a low freq system that makes your similarly priced genelec options seem like a joke, but it takes extra time and experience. Granted I'd say that only applies to the SAM enabled subs, the ones without it are like the worst value ever. A single 6.5" sub for 1k is wild.

 

[Mort]

the ones without it are like the worst value ever. A single 6.5" sub for 1k is wild.

Agree 100%.

 

[gnarly]

Genelec subs are heavy, huge, ugly and expensive.

Well, we all have our perspectives, huh?

I'd call the Genelec subs little, cute, and very dang expensive.
(I'm setting aside heavy, because optimally designed subs will always be as heavy for their size, as one can tolerate.)

Subs more to my (DIY) tastes...
Stack of single 18" sealed, or double 18" vented.

Cost of 4 sub sealed stack: $2500. Cost of double 18" vented $1250.
Amps and processor for stereo pair of either: $2500.

I use stereo subs, so a total of either $7500 or $5000. (yes, it takes four sealed single 18" subs to equal one double 18" vented).....
.....vs a single mono-use, top of line Genelec 7382A 3 x 15" at $16,000 (Sweetwater)

I've got more SPL; probably equal or lower distortion at same SPLs; more amplifier power and far greater DSP capability (using live-sound amps and an install-sound open-architecture processor).

Also have ...as I'm sure most of you guys see it.... mo' bigger, and mo' ugly...lol
To each our own, huh?

 

[Mort]

Ha ha, that's PA system territory. Love it.

I have two 15" 7381a's in my 10x10x10 listening room which does the job on bass heavy content at high spl.

 

[Chanur]

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

Please keep me posted on any developments along those lines.

Klipsch Museum Of Audio History

www.klipschmuseum.org

No replacement for displacement.

 

[Salt]

I figured I might as well try. Gave chatgpt a picture of my 7360A and asked it to make it look less ugly. This is what it came up with.

View attachment 538849View attachment 538850


Similar prompt to Claude but it had a bit of a brain fart. After ages it came up with this

McClaude ..

 

[Salt]

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 more like an exponential horn than bass reflex ..

 

[gnarly]

Ha ha, that's PA system territory. Love it.

I have two 15" 7381a's in my 10x10x10 listening room which does the job on bass heavy content at high spl.

Very nice setups you have !!

Yeah, I'm sure most folks see mine as PA....but honestly, it's about hi-fi for me. I'm convinced uncompressed, unclipped SPL all the way through lowest bass extension is the biggest missing property in home audio. (and one of the most sonically benefical)

My strong guess is you feel the same

 

[mhardy6647]

No replacement for displacement.

Lii apparently think(s) so...

Lii Audio 21 Inch Woofer for Bass Compensation of Open Baffle or Cabinet | W-21

I like the specs of the Lii Audio Fast 15 for open baffles but noticed it's a lightweight compared to the original F-15. The new Fast 15 weighs only 9.9 lbs ( ? ) vs 24 lbs for the original F-15. If true that should help with shipping costs. It's interesting that Lii Audio values the sound of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

43 inches (i.e., ca. 109 cm)...

 

[Pearljam5000]

Lii apparently think(s) so...

Lii Audio 21 Inch Woofer for Bass Compensation of Open Baffle or Cabinet | W-21

I like the specs of the Lii Audio Fast 15 for open baffles but noticed it's a lightweight compared to the original F-15. The new Fast 15 weighs only 9.9 lbs ( ? ) vs 24 lbs for the original F-15. If true that should help with shipping costs. It's interesting that Lii Audio values the sound of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

View attachment 539207
43 inches (i.e., ca. 109 cm)...

Ascendo 100 inch sub

 

[Chrispy]

Not sure. I doubt I could justify a 6k sub to myself let alone the wife. But hey maybe if I heard it I'd be willing to throw a small fortune at one.

Just one sub, tho? I only need to self-approve, no WAF.

 

[mhardy6647]

Ascendo 100 inch sub View attachment 539210

Makin' the Genelecs in question seem rather sensibly banal...

 

[darth]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Can be used as a stool also.

 

[Chrispy]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Can be used as a stool also.

That instagram link is annoying...

 

[thunderchicken]

Well, we all have our perspectives, huh?

I'd call the Genelec subs little, cute, and very dang expensive.
(I'm setting aside heavy, because optimally designed subs will always be as heavy for their size, as one can tolerate.)

Subs more to my (DIY) tastes...
Stack of single 18" sealed, or double 18" vented.
View attachment 539135

Cost of 4 sub sealed stack: $2500. Cost of double 18" vented $1250.
Amps and processor for stereo pair of either: $2500.

I use stereo subs, so a total of either $7500 or $5000. (yes, it takes four sealed single 18" subs to equal one double 18" vented).....
.....vs a single mono-use, top of line Genelec 7382A 3 x 15" at $16,000 (Sweetwater)

I've got more SPL; probably equal or lower distortion at same SPLs; more amplifier power and far greater DSP capability (using live-sound amps and an install-sound open-architecture processor).

Also have ...as I'm sure most of you guys see it.... mo' bigger, and mo' ugly...lol
To each our own, huh?

Do you have a build thread anywhere for that cart MEH? I’m in the research phase of a project just like that. Looking at a slightly reconfigured SAWMOD with the bass below instead of to the side.

As to the Genelecs, cost was a factor for me. I ended up with the Kali IN-5 and WS-12 rather than some Lilliputian Genelecs and no sub for the same money. I could have stepped up to Neumann, but didn’t see the point when I have access to EQ. Both are big ugly rectangles. I much prefer the look of the Genelecs subs notwithstanding.

 

[gnarly]

Do you have a build thread anywhere for that cart MEH? I’m in the research phase of a project just like that. Looking at a slightly reconfigured SAWMOD with the bass below instead of to the side.

Here ya go https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/syn-10.383607/
It has two 10"s in it, that I cross to sub at 110Hz. Weighs under 50lb.
Getting a MEH to go below 100Hz it tough ime....without really adding size and weight....so I've always designed them to crossover at around 100.

 

[traind]

I asked this in the Genelec lounge and there was a short discussion, but I thought maybe it's fun as it's own thread.

Genelec subs are heavy, huge,

First, don't get me wrong this is hardly a complaint. Sadly, if one wants to use SAM, the excellent Gelenec DSP and management tool, you have to buy a Genelec sub. I have five of these subwoofers in my house, so I have drunk plenty of the Kool-Aid. (In fact, I've moved on to stronger stuff.)

Remember, it's what was put into the koolaid that was the 'stronger stuff'.

 

[Mort]

I did get a second 7380a 15" sub and it's expensive, huge, ugly and heavy.

 

[MattHooper]

Well, we all have our perspectives, huh?

I'd call the Genelec subs little, cute, and very dang expensive.
(I'm setting aside heavy, because optimally designed subs will always be as heavy for their size, as one can tolerate.)

Subs more to my (DIY) tastes...
Stack of single 18" sealed, or double 18" vented.
View attachment 539135

Cost of 4 sub sealed stack: $2500. Cost of double 18" vented $1250.
Amps and processor for stereo pair of either: $2500.

I use stereo subs, so a total of either $7500 or $5000. (yes, it takes four sealed single 18" subs to equal one double 18" vented).....
.....vs a single mono-use, top of line Genelec 7382A 3 x 15" at $16,000 (Sweetwater)

I've got more SPL; probably equal or lower distortion at same SPLs; more amplifier power and far greater DSP capability (using live-sound amps and an install-sound open-architecture processor).

Also have ...as I'm sure most of you guys see it.... mo' bigger, and mo' ugly...lol
To each our own, huh?

Do you mind if I save this picture to show to my wife if she ever complains about my set up?

 

[Mort]

the endgame needs a W371A in-between

They would tower over my nearfield head. I contacted Genelec and they said I would still be within recommended vertical axis but I'm not so sure. Probably not in the cards for me, I'll have to let that nasty SBIR continue to dirty my 100-300hz range.