Im currently running Yamaha HS7 + Sub in a 10’ x 13’ x 8’ room. It’s fairly small, but has been well treated with absorption and diffusion. I actually kind of like how Yamaha’s sound and have no complaints. My biggest problem is Sonarworks Reference 4, that flattens the sound, which runs as either a plugin on a master bus (which I constantly forget to turn off), or as a virtual sound card when I’m just listening to music. Aside of a bit of latency and occasional inconvenience of a software solution, it’s ok and sounds quite good. I just don’t really like to deal with software, especially when I’m working OTB and still have to run the whole thing through Ableton to apply room correction.
I’ve been looking into other ways to improve the room by possible harware solutions and stumbled on Genelec 83xx line of speakers and am thinking of getting a pair of 8330a + 7350a sub. They have hardware room correction, which is really awesome from what I read so far, but most importantly it’s something you do and then forget after the profile is uploaded into speaker. This removes a software layer, which I’m not really enjoying.
Now aside from never having heard Genelecs before, it’s also a bit pricy. So if’s only room correction that I’m solving with this - I’m ok living with Sonarworks for the time being or until I win a lottery. Now if this setup will also sound much nicer - it’s a different story. I know it’s a bit subjective, but I’m sure some of you heard both Yamaha’s and Genelecs and can describe the sonic difference between the two.
Regarding the sub - I’m currently running a JBL sub, as I could not get my hands on Yamaha HS8s at a time. It’s in the same price range, but I’m not sure how much non matching sub is ruinging anything. I think HS8s and JBL LSR310S have different crossovers, but not sure if it makes any real world difference. Having Genelec sub with SAM system that configure everything (Speakers + Sub) for you also removes this point of error from equation, which I really like.
I have the Genelec 8330 + 7350 combo. I love it. It did hurt when i bought them, but it is one of the few purchases i havent felt even a bit of regret doing.
I got them so i wouldnt need to use software on my computer. With the Genelec GLM i just save the settings to the speakers.
My room is about 19 x 11 x 8 feet, and it works very well here. What impressed me most is how “attached” the sub sounds when set up. It blends perfectly with the rest of the signal. And after calibration i got a pretty flat response from 22 hz and up. That 8" sub goes very low for its size. I think i have -2db at 20hz.
Another thing i noticed is that because it cost a bit, i trust them more. I stopped second guessing every desicion when mixing. Some friends commented that even the quick noodles i shared after getting them sounded much better. And the mixes i spent some time on was much better than earlier stuff. And i used to mostly use Sennheiser Hd600 headphones.
Genelec SAM-Monitors are also on my GAS-Bucket-List particular 8320 & 7350A so I would also like to know if anybody from this forum has some Genelecs 83XX running?
I can’t share any experience with the the SAM-System just a few infos to consider:
Today (15.12.2020) Genelec is launching the GLM 4 Software for their SAM-Monitors. https://www.genelec.com/glm4
but…
2 weeks ago Neumann finally made an announcement for their Neumann MA 1 (Automatic Monitor Alignment) after years of promising something better than their iOS app:
The MA 1 can be used with their KH 80 DSP Monitors and the KH 750 DSP Sub.
As Neumann states the MA 1 & KH 750 DSP can also be used in conjuction with their classic analog monitors like the KH 120 A or KH 310 A.
I placed an order for a pair of 8340 yesterday. Given that it cost a ton, these are likely the speakers I won’t replace for a very long time, so I stepped to the next model. This put the 7350 sub out of my price range. I’ll try the 8340 by themselves first tomorrow, when they arrive. If it feels like the bottom end is lacking, I’ll probably end up selling a few pieces of gear to fund the sub. Really excited to get 8340’s a listen. I’m pretty sure it will be night and day compared to Yamaha HS7’s.
I was thinking of that when I bought mine. Didn’t have a possibility to try any of them so went with the sub. That gives some more possibilities with regards to the placement of the monitors. But you can just add a sub if you need more. I would have to replace everything, so you are better off than me. He he.
Only thing I was worried about was if my setup would be loud enough for some fun jams with some friends. Luckily it is.
Enjoy your monitors when they come. And follow Genelecs setup guides. A lot of pointers on placement and info there!
Installed them yesterday and oh my god, was I blind before. It’s such a huge contrast that it even impacted music I listen to now. There is so much new information and sometimes there is so much bad information, that it changed perception on a few artists. I do want to get a sub at some point. Artists like “Lorn” certainly lost a little on the low end (~sub bass) compared to Yamahas + 10" sub.
My sub arrived today so I moved a speakers around, but haven’t had time to find the sweet sport. It worries me a little bit, as it’s probably due to my 8ft ceilings, which have a mode around 90hz. Ceiling panes will only arrive at the end of January, so right now a plan is to find a better place within the room and with treatments that I already have so far (maybe move a few panels around).
Here are my measurements. Will spend some time tomorrow to find better spot for speakers and for the sub.
Cool. I have pretty similar curves as you, but about half the amplitude. I have a dip at the same frequencies, but only about -3 to 4 db on the sub, and a bit more on the speakers. I had better curves when i had everything further back in the room. But it felt a bit of a waste to have so much unused space between the speakers and the wall.
I have made the whole front wall into an absorber, so i think that helps a bit. And i have a freestanding one in the back that also helps a bit. I gonna build a new desk soon, and add more absorbers all over the room.
I would guess that your listening position is at about 30% from the front wall?
