Genelec 8351 vs 8350 - Forum

The 8351 is something very special.

I haven't heard the 8340's or 8350's yet, but we have 8351's on demo next to 8250's. There is no comparison, the 8351 is the most coherent speaker i've ever heard. Even playing them against 8260's, they only lose out in terms of extension and SPL. Don't worry about the processing power, class d amps etc... I can't think of a better speaker, and down the track, if you want a little more extension you could add one of the new 73XX subwoofers.

From what i understand, the 8351 has the same processing horsepower as the new 8340's and 50's. The coax MF/HF driver is spectacular, go listen to a pair, you will love them.

The 8351 is something very special.

I haven't heard the 8340's or 8350's yet, but we have 8351's on demo next to 8250's. There is no comparison, the 8351 is the most coherent speaker i've ever heard. Even playing them against 8260's, they only lose out in terms of extension and SPL. Don't worry about the processing power, class d amps etc... I can't think of a better speaker, and down the track, if you want a little more extension you could add one of the new 73XX subwoofers.

From what i understand, the 8351 has the same processing horsepower as the new 8340's and 50's. The coax MF/HF driver is spectacular, go listen to a pair, you will love them.

8351 has unfortunately less processing horsepower: 6 notch filters and 4 shelves, while other 83XX speakers have 16 notch and 4 shelves.

It wouldn't be why you'd choose one over the other, here is a screen shot of the filters in our demo room, as you can see both speakers only use 10 filters.

I see in your posts you want to have some user adjustability and i understand that these extra notchfilters will allow this, but overall as soon as you listen to a pair of 8351's vs anything else, you'll understand

Hi Steve, I have 8351 and 8260. So therefore know how great superb they are. But I am still wondering whether 8350 might be better option, due to the additional filters, more SPL capability, flatter specified response and significantly lower price.

Hi Jantex,

sorry i didn't see your username, i thought i was still talking to the OP.

All the published specifications are very close to each other, i don't know what you think of the 8351's Vs 8260, but i believe the 8351 betters the 8260 in all respects other than extension and SPL, Listening day to day, the 8351's presentation is phenominal. their ability to render a rock solid 3D presentation of the signal is unsurpassed.

The 8350 will be a great speaker, and another great option for the OP, he will need to provide more information about his wants. Stereo or Home Theatre, If it is SPL and extension over imaging, then a combination of 8340/8350 and sub would be a better solution than 8351's..... If it is fidelity, then i'd recommend 8351's all day every day.

My use will be desktop pc stereo. Just looking for the better performer. I'd choose overall audio quality.

Do you then recommand the 8351 with or without sub? That would be the 7370 then, right?

I'm not in a position to audition them.

I would start without the sub, typically with the 8351's you will get flat down to just below 30Hz in room, i usually specify them without sub, but if the client needs high SPL and wants the extension down to 19Hz, then you could add the sub at a later date.

What are the sample rates of the two drivers on 8350, is that 96kHz for the tweeter and 48kHz for 8" woofer?

What are the sample rates of the two drivers on 8350, is that 96kHz for the tweeter and 48kHz for 8" woofer?

It is 48 kHz for both channels.

What would be the better option when willing to go multichannel 5.1? Would 2.0/2.1 Genelec 8351 still beat the 5.1 multichannel 3x 8350 + 2x 8340 + sub in terms of fidelity and overal performance?
Thanks.

Yes...

You'd have more SPL with the 8350's x 3.... but how loud will you be playing it?

A pair of 8351'a and a 7370A would be stunning..

What would be the better option when willing to go multichannel 5.1? Would 2.0/2.1 Genelec 8351 still beat the 5.1 multichannel 3x 8350 + 2x 8340 + sub in terms of fidelity and overal performance?
Thanks.

I don't know how you can even compare stereo to a multichannel system? If you will only play stereo material, you can go with a stereo system but if you play multichannel material, you a multichannel system, easy? You can't compare them apples to apples.

What would be the better option when willing to go multichannel 5.1? Would 2.0/2.1 Genelec 8351 still beat the 5.1 multichannel 3x 8350 + 2x 8340 + sub in terms of fidelity and overal performance?
Thanks.

Dimoroc,
You have a difficult in decision taking? I remember chatting with you over DAC recommendations and 8030/8330 differences back in January/February. You´ve escalated to ideas around a "3x 8350 + 2x 8340 + sub" setup?! Hehe. Quiet a trip.
If you are travelling in these budget clouds I´d say you can pick ANY DAC on the market and pop it in to a 8351 sterero setup and rock your neighbours out of their houses. Don´t bother about SPL:s.
Don´t know your preferences but 111dB is some punch, I promise! I used to own a pair of Event Opal and I´d tell you, rocking those maniacs "up there" hurt your pets already at 90dB:s. SPL:s is part of music productioneers. For homies?...forget it. 8351 will do more than fine.

See you in another thread, another year.

The 8351 is something very special.

I haven't heard the 8340's or 8350's yet, but we have 8351's on demo next to 8250's. There is no comparison, the 8351 is the most coherent speaker i've ever heard. Even playing them against 8260's, they only lose out in terms of extension and SPL. Don't worry about the processing power, class d amps etc... I can't think of a better speaker, and down the track, if you want a little more extension you could add one of the new 73XX subwoofers.

From what i understand, the 8351 has the same processing horsepower as the new 8340's and 50's. The coax MF/HF driver is spectacular, go listen to a pair, you will love them.

8351 has unfortunately less processing horsepower: 6 notch filters and 4 shelves, while other 83XX speakers have 16 notch and 4 shelves.

I love my 8351's. Are u sure it is a different dsp chip / power. Perhaps the 8351's will receive a firmware update to increase the amount of notch filters. Ikka; could you enlighten us please? I actually hope a firmware update makes them in line with the new ones.

I doubt their chips will be updated. But in the end I really don't care much. It would be useful to have at least one more notch filter, but I am still doing my best work of all times using these monitors, so not really that I am thinking about any change

Would the Genelec 7370 suit the 8340 in 2.1 setup? Or is the 7360 the way to go then? Since the 7370 gives the ability to add 8350 in the future for multichannel, or can the 7360 fulfill this purpouse too?
Thanks

Would the Genelec 7370 suit the 8340 in 2.1 setup? Or is the 7360 the way to go then? Since the 7370 gives the ability to add 8350 in the future for multichannel, or can the 7360 fulfill this purpouse too?
Thanks

Connectivity wise they both fit but maximum SPL capability needs to matched for each system.

Here is our recommendation:

8340 stereo --- 7360
8340 multichannel --- 7370
8350 stereo --- 7370
8350 multichannel --- 2x 7370

Which sub would be recommended for 3x 8350 front and 2x 8340 rear? I think I see this on the commercial video having this setup with just one 7370 sub.

What would suit my 7x5x2.7m living room better in 2.0/2.1 stereo, 8340 or 8350? Listening position is nearfield aprox 0.6m and also through the entire room.

Are there Genelec table stands for the 8350? What is the recommanded hight from the floor to put the monitors on?
Thanks

Which sub would be recommended for 3x 8350 front and 2x 8340 rear? I think I see this on the commercial video having this setup with just one 7370 sub.

Our recommendation is to use 2x 7370 for sufficient maximum SPL capability.

What would suit my 7x5x2.7m living room better in 2.0/2.1 stereo, 8340 or 8350? Listening position is nearfield aprox 0.6m and also through the entire room.

Both monitors would suit for that purpose and room.

Are there Genelec table stands for the 8350?

Unfortunately we don't offer any.

What is the recommanded hight from the floor to put the monitors on?
Thanks

Please see our Monitor Setup Guide: http://www.genelec.com/sites/default/fi ... e_2015.pdf

Which monitors are shown in the commercial video then, is it 3x 8340 front, 2x 8330 rear and one 7370 sub?

Commercial video is just a commercial video, it does not represent 100% the recommended system configuration in all cases.

Commercial video is just a commercial video, it does not represent 100% the recommended system configuration in all cases.

The three front monitors are 8350's in the commercial video?
Thanks

Commercial video is just a commercial video, it does not represent 100% the recommended system configuration in all cases.

The three front monitors are 8350's in the commercial video?
Thanks

Do you mean this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L82O3PRPU0

I believe the LCR monitors are 8350's. I can confirm this next week.

Commercial video is just a commercial video, it does not represent 100% the recommended system configuration in all cases.

The three front monitors are 8350's in the commercial video?
Thanks

Do you mean this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L82O3PRPU0

I believe the LCR monitors are 8350's. I can confirm this next week.

Yes, that's the video. Thank you.

I believe the LCR monitors are 8350's. I can confirm this next week.

Can you confirm it is the 8350 used in the commercial video as front LCR monitors?
Thanks

I believe the LCR monitors are 8350's. I can confirm this next week.

Can you confirm it is the 8350 used in the commercial video as front LCR monitors?
Thanks

Yes I can. I got this confirmation from the person who set them up for the video shoot so it is 100% accurate.

I know this is a stale thread, but I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight about the 8350 vs 8351 for my uses. It is for a home environment where these will be used in a 2 channel stereo rig for music listening. I want to replace my old-school DAC-preamp-amp-passive speaker system. Room is rather large at 20x30 ft (approx 6x9 meters), but the listening side is only at one end of it in a space probably 15x20ft (4.5x6 meters.) Either speaker will go plenty loud and if it will reach down to 30-ishHZ before too much roll-off then that will suffice for now, but maybe could add a sub later. Listening positions would be on a couch approx 15 ft from the speakers, so i suppose it is an intermediate field distance.

Obviously I expect the 8351 to outperform the 8350, but in terms of fidelity, how superior is it? I can understand the advantages of the coaxial driver arrange, expecially in the near-field, but for my situation is the 8351 still going to be a dramatically superior speaker? Vocals and natural timbre are my most important criteria for an audio chain. I know most on this forum are from a recording-engineering perspective, but for my uses, is the 8351 worth the 60% premium?

thanks,
pkb

you should go and demo them both at some shop at the same time, youll make up your mind, im sure.

If this is not possible I would still recommend the 8351's everyday of the month.

Thanks for the response. I wish that I could go and hear them but unfortunately the best I am likely to find is the 8050. My purchase is on hold for a bit now anyway, but I suspect the 8351 is a whole different ball-game from the 8350. I will likely have to delay my purchase to go for the 8351, but this is my most likely route.

In my opinion, the 8351 is simply the best speaker Genelec has produced to date!

It's a big call and there are many performance aspects we all value differently when it comes to "Fidelity"... If it is suitable for you in regards to SPL, this will be determined by listening distance and room volume... It simply paints a holographic image with extension typically down to 25-28Hz...

The Co-axial MF/HF driver is stunning, both in the 8260's and 8351's, but the point source performance with the dual oval LF drivers convincingly betters the 8260's in regards to coherence... the 8260's have more output and in room LF extension down to 18Hz... But side by side, every time i listen in average sized rooms, the 51's win, only in large rooms will the 51's be bettered by the 60's, but a 7370A could always be added to the 51's in these situations..

One listen is all you'll need, the difference is that profound....

@pkbrown. ,

I had a demo with 8350 and 8351 last year - they are totally different.

The 8351 plays in another league. with regards to clarity , perfection and tightness it even outperformed my 8260 in a smaller room.

to answer to your main question "is the 8351 worth the 60% premium?" . YES , if you are using SAM calibration plus a decent clocked DAC, go for it. You will never look back

Ilkka,

have you measured 8351A and 8350A maximum output at 40 Hz, 50 Hz and 60 Hz (<5% THD)? Also what is the maximum output of 7370 at 20 Hz and 30 Hz (<5% THD)?