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Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

vmakinen, modified 6 Years ago.

Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 1/1/17 Recent Posts
Hi,

it seems to me that the Genelec SAM series of speakers would be a very suitable choice for demanding home use because of their capability to adapt to less than perfect listening environments. However, I've had trouble finding a convenient way to connect the speakers in a home setup where remote controllable input switching and volume control is needed.

Have I understood correctly that:
-optimally, the speakers should be connected digitally, avoiding the extra D/A/D -conversion
-no volume control should be done to the digital signal before the speakers (it also seems that there aren't too many digital volume controls available, most digital outputs are fixed)

If I have understood correctly, Genelec's solution to volume control is using GLM with associated Genelec wired or wireless volume control. For me, this seems inconvenient because:
-input selection will still need to be done with a separate unit and volume control and input switching would have to be done with separate remote controls
-Genelec's RF based remote controller is not compatible with universal remote controls (ie. the logitech harmony) that could be used to gather all the controls in one remote
-GLM needs to be connected all the time, resulting in a lot of cabling

Are there any other options available that I don't know of? If GLM is the best option, is there any way to hook up a universal remote to control the GLM? For me, having several remotes seems like a pivotal disadvantage comparing to other setups.
1038, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Jedi Master Posts: 340 Join Date: 4/6/09 Recent Posts
Simply use the analog inputs, we have sold many SAM systems to critical home listeners, in our showroom they are all using the analog inputs....

Go do yourself a favour and simply listen, also make sure you use GLM's Autocal to it's full potential by exploring the correct placement for the speakers. Once you hear the benefits of quality room correction, it will make your decision much easier.
campus, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 9/19/14 Recent Posts
Why 9101A Wireless Volume Controller is not in production anymore?
http://www.genelec.com/studio-monitors/ ... controller

Thomann has this model with a "M" at the end:
https://www.thomann.de/it/genelec_9101a ... arch_prv_4

Is there a new model for RF GLM 2.0 volume control?
Why don't you (Genelec) ask Logitech Harmony Support to include support to 9101A or the new model?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
9101A is a discontinued product but some dealers such as Thomann may still stock it.

There is no replacement wireless control available at the moment.

Thanks for the tip! :)
vmakinen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 1/1/17 Recent Posts
Simply use the analog inputs, we have sold many SAM systems to critical home listeners, in our showroom they are all using the analog inputs....

Go do yourself a favour and simply listen, also make sure you use GLM's Autocal to it's full potential by exploring the correct placement for the speakers. Once you hear the benefits of quality room correction, it will make your decision much easier.


Using the analog inputs is of course an option. However, purchasing a DAC with a remote controllable analog volume control and input switching is a major extra cost compared to a simple digital input switcher.

Adding universal remote support to Genelec GLM would be a solution that would provide home users the convenience of using a single remote and a digital signal path all the way to the speakers.
campus, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 9/19/14 Recent Posts
I agree and I am wondering if the extra AD and DA conversion can degrade the audio quality. I can suggest Logitech Harmony ELITE (good price on Amazon): a wonderful universal remote control and a game changer.
vmakinen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 1/1/17 Recent Posts
Yes. An IR receiver is all that it would take to make the GLM compatible with all universal remotes.
campus, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 9/19/14 Recent Posts
Logitech Harmony hub based remote control (such as Harmony Elite) can substitute even RF (Radio frequency such as Bluetooth) remote not only IR (infra red).
vmakinen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 1/1/17 Recent Posts
In my understanding, the Logitech hub is not able to control other RF devices besides Bluetooth, so this rules out the Genelec GLM.
campus, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 9/19/14 Recent Posts
Are you sure that the GLM 2.0 box does not use Bluetooth to control the RF remote volume control? Can Genelec confirm?
Anyway Logitech Harmony Hub (that is included in Harmony Elite) can transmit at least InfraRed, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
I found this page but I am not sure if it is updated:
https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/har ... ifications
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Are you sure that the GLM 2.0 box does not use Bluetooth to control the RF remote volume control? Can Genelec confirm?

Genelec confirms, our RF remote does not use Bluetooth, but it works in the same 2.4 Ghz frequency range.

Unfortunately it is not possible to use universal remotes to control it without some serious hacking.
campus, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 9/19/14 Recent Posts
Well, since the 9101A wireless volume control is not in production anymore, Genelec could design the new wireless volume control using Bluetooth tecnology so that it will be possible for us to use universal remotes.
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Well, since the 9101A wireless volume control is not in production anymore, Genelec could design the new wireless volume control using Bluetooth tecnology so that it will be possible for us to use universal remotes.

Thank you for the new product idea, I will pass this on to our R&D. :)
philmas, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 3 Join Date: 10/5/15 Recent Posts
Hi!
This is indeed a very sensible question, and I' ve been through that problem myself as the owner of 8260 monitors in a hi-fi domestic setup ( stictly stereo).
I use a mac mini as my primary digital source; digital signal (USB) goes through a Breeze U8 USB / AES interface directly into Genelec's AES digital in.
General audio volume is controlled from the source : the mac mini conveniently comes with an IR remote sensor that allows for Logitech Harmony control.
To this time, I haven't experienced any degration in SQ with this setup, but I plan to do an A/B test with Genelec GLM volume control to be more objective.
I agree with you in that using GLM is everything but user friendly: aside from the cable hassle ( you need to have RJ 45 permanently connected) , you must run GLM software in the background, wich means of course the computer must be on at all times.
For me, this shouldn't be an issue as my source IS actually a computer, but I'd rather run as little software as possible when playing music, and let the system focus on this task only.
But for people using various types of sources (i.e streamers in a network setup, CD or SACD players...) , I understand this could be a major issue.
Anyway, I still doubt controlling volume in the digital domain could cause audible loss in SQ, even if this is frequently stated , at least from a theorical point of view...
Genelec's own volume control is indeed digital; the only question is " how well is it implemented ?".
Most software players (I use Itunes) have a 24 bit volume management , and should not influence SQ even at low level
listening.
My advice is: keep the all- digital setup, SANS GLM, and use your source's volume control: MUCH more convenient (ask your wife ! ), 100 pcent Harmony friendly ( I simply use a cheapo chinese IR remote socket to power the monitors ON/OFF), and just listen...honestly!

Just my 2 cents ;)
campus, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 12 Join Date: 9/19/14 Recent Posts
Here is explained the correct way to control digitally the volume :

http://www.esstech.com/files/3014/4095/ ... ontrol.pdf

summarizing: it must be done inside the DAC (digital to analogue converter) chip.

See also:
http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/Intr ... ontrol.htm
fanciefink, modified 3 Years ago.

RE: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 1 Join Date: 3/4/20 Recent Posts

Hi...I believe with the SAM system you are able to increase the listening distance without loosing too much. Also remember that genelec has a lot of other models, also with SAM, for mid- and far-field listening.I'm really interested in the 8341s because they might be perfect for my desk-top system. I have plenty of active monitors, but for some time I've returned to passive near-fields (small Diapason and Westlake monitors + small REL sub).

pcb quote

colonelbogey, modified 2 Years ago.

RE: Genelec SAM in a home stereo setup

Youngling Posts: 1 Join Date: 6/28/20 Recent Posts

*BUMP*

Anything new in this field? I plan to buy a pair of 8341 SAM for home listening and use something like a MATRIX X-SPDIF 2 USB Interface to stream classical music from IDAGIO service using a laptop or phone. 

BUT what do i do with the volume control??? Doing D/A in a separate box, controlling volume and sending analog to the speakers sounds expensive and unnecessary. Lowering volume in the laptop/phone is bound to decrease quality. Or am I wrong? Is there some kind of volume control for the speakers that does not reqire a GLM connected all the time?