8020s with a non-Genelec sub? - Forum

Hi Eerikki,

Naturally you can use a non-Genelec subwoofer but the end result won't most probably be as good as with a Genelec subwoofer. This in mainly related to subwoofer integration, or in other words, how the very important crossover region is being handled. All Genelec subs come with integrated bass management which means that the subwoofer has built-in crossovers that enable a perfect match with Genelec main speakers. A non-Genelec subwoofer doesn't have this benefit so the end result will be unknown. That's why Genelec subs are a bit more pricey than the others but you will notice the better sound quality too.

Thanks Ilkka,

Naturally I do believe that he sound quality would be better with Genelec because of the quality of the elements and so on, but if my cheap sub has a adjustable crossover and I set it in the same as Genelecs sub has it, is there still some difference in this crossovering procedure? If you get what I mean...

I could also go with Geneles smaller 5000 series sub, but as I read it is a little bit problematic to connect with 8000 series monitors...

I only need a little sub for my tiny room, but I anyway want those low freqs to be there.

Sound quality doesn't come only from the quality of the drivers and so on. How well the subwoofer integrates to the rest of the system affects the end result by a huge margin.

Crossovers are not similar in the way they operate. Frequency is just one variable, other as important ones are level, slope and phase. If one wants to have a good match between subwoofer and main speakers, all four need to be carefully matched, not just frequency.

If you require a small sub with good extension but doesn't require huge SPL capability, the 5040A would be a very good candidate. There are no problems with connecting it with the 8020s you have. You just need RCA to XLR cables from the subwoofer to the speakers.

Aah, okey, then 5040A sounds very good. Would it be enough for my 8,5 m2 (2,6m height) bedroom studio with the 8020's? I don't need a lot of SPL because I want to keep my neighbors semihappy.

And do their SPL match together nicely? I mean is the crossover mechanism and everything else the same as if I would have the 7020 sub? I just get less SPL.

I am pretty confident that the 5040A will be enough for your small studio. It can handle even larger spaces if high SPL is not needed.

The crossover functions are basically similar to the 7000-series subs. Naturally the best possible end result involves setting up both level and phase correctly. The operating manual will guide you through the process.

If you require a small sub with good extension but doesn't require huge SPL capability, the 5040A would be a very good candidate. There are no problems with connecting it with the 8020s you have. You just need RCA to XLR cables from the subwoofer to the speakers.

Hi, I'm joining this old thread because I am not sure about connecting my non genelec sub. My question is if the XLR pin 3 needs to be floating or does it need to be soldered to pin 1 when dealing with the XLR out from the 8020a into the unbalanced RCA from my sub. The inputs on my 8020a 's are symmetrical coming from my Interface. Thanks in advance!

If you require a small sub with good extension but doesn't require huge SPL capability, the 5040A would be a very good candidate. There are no problems with connecting it with the 8020s you have. You just need RCA to XLR cables from the subwoofer to the speakers.

Hi, I'm joining this old thread because I am not sure about connecting my non genelec sub. My question is if the XLR pin 3 needs to be floating or does it need to be soldered to pin 1 when dealing with the XLR out from the 8020a into the unbalanced RCA from my sub. The inputs on my 8020a 's are symmetrical coming from my Interface. Thanks in advance!

Hi,

We recommend that pins 3 and 1 are joined together.