‘First thoughts’ review of the Genelec 8350’s.
Yamaha HS8
Adam S2X
Genelec 8040
Genelec 8350
I just bought a pair of Genelec 8350 (+ GLM kit) and I want to write a ‘first thoughts’ review. But I want to give the full story, give context & start way way way back. Studio monitors are subjective after-all 
Yamaha HS8 : Around 2011 I started producing electronic music. I used my High-Fi speakers first, but replaced them with the Yamaha HS8 series (€700?).
It was amazing! Dedicated power just for monitoring? A huge step up from my High-Fi!
In that time my friend Marcos Salon (Outlander) helped me with mixing & mastering. He uses Focals (can’t remember which ones). Every time I came with new material to the studio, I noticed translation issues. The HS8’s were very loud with lots of bass, … but not precise enough?
Adam S2X : I was looking to upgrade to Adam A7X, but saw these in b-stock / promo for a good price (new €4000). It was amazing! Accurate lows, stereo field, depth, 3D - control!
In that time I started to go from “beginner” to “medio” producer. I knew what I wanted, how it worked, kind of 
Marcos also gave me a licence for the Sonarworks Systemwide calibration tool. And my translations became better & better. Great speakers, great calibration. Happy.
THE END.
Genelecs 8040 : I moved to a new apartment where my Adam’s had interference (RFI) from wifi / cellphone towers nearby. Sad. Genelecs 8040’s solved that problem. Them being magnetically shielded. (Bought them for €800 second hand from a buddy). Honestly? I never liked the 8040’s. Why? They sound boring. Not deep. No stereo field. Not flattering, but also just not interesting sounding or detailed enough. Annoying to my ears. No upgrade. I moved from that apartment, sold the 8040’s, back to my Adam’s. Yey!
In that period I stared getting along with CJ Bolland. You could say that by that time my skills went from medio to semi/pro producer? Anyway, CJ’s a professional producer with a professional sound-system, in a professionally designed studio. He has Genelec 8361 monitors + a 7380 sub (pretty sure, but I should check).
And there we go again. My calibrated Adam S2X were super nice to work with, but every time I went to CJ’s, my mixes sounded … boring. As if the spark I heard in my studio was missing. And I knew, as a producer, that I could do better, but I felt limited. I could not hear it in my studio. Were my beloved Adam’s missing something?
Genelec 8350 : Life goes on. I buy a top floor apartment in central Antwerp. Again my Adam’s have interference. Too much RFI (Wifi/4G/5G - no conspiracy theories, please! ). Sad. I try & buy Genelec 8350. Problem solved. (Got ‘em for €2600 via Turnlab, €4000 new).
Genelecs were not my first choice but they have 100% magnetic shielding (No RFI) and no more translation issues with CJ’s studio monitors. (We’re doing a collaboration, so the Genelecs are also a bit like an investment).
Now, how do I feel about the Genelec 8350? Mixed!
(PS: I still have to GLM / Calibrate them!! Whoops )
CON : Let’s start with the con: They don’t flatter anything. They are distant. They don’t give a damn about you or your shitty bass 
(also, your snare sounds weak . So, if you don’t provide them with the right frequencies, … well, it won’t sound good and it’s your own damn fault.
PRO : Brutally honest & accurate. Exceptional stereo info & frequency depth (So much low end! The high end very precise too - aka the whole sound spectrum ). They don’t hype, mask or excite anything. It’s like a perfectly polished mirror. No filter, no ‘sexy polaroid’ vibez, only surgical detail & precision… and this can feel like a CON. Because, to be honest, I think this is the reason why Genelecs get this love/hate reputation. I understand it! But I’m not here to have a good time, I’m here to make pro sounding music.
SHORT : If what you hear through the Genelec 8350 sound bad, it’s your fault. If it sounds good? You are a pro. It’s honesty vs flattery.
OK! This was my first impression review. I wrote this quite tipsy to fill time. Now it’s time to go out to TRAUM club, and have good time. Cheers!
PS: I might update my thoughts on the Genelec 8350 later. When I for instance installed the GLM and finished my studio (still a mess here) + made my first few songs, etc etc, like, in a few months or so.
Be sure to add your thoughts on the 8350 - or Genelec’s - or any other studio monitor experience in general!
Alright have a good night.
Grt,
M.
