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Genelec G One distortion

powerballad, modified 6 Years ago.

Genelec G One distortion

Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 12/30/16 Recent Posts
Hi everybody!

I just purchased a pair of Genelc G One speakers and I must say wow, they sound amazing. While I was testing them at the showrom I noticed that if used at full volume, they distort with any source apart from mobile phone headphones jack. More specific I used line out straight from a cd player, line out from a preamp, line out from a network streamer and from a DAC. We're talking serious gear like Hegel, Audiolab, Hi-end Marantz and such. I bought them anyway because full volume in my small room will never happen.

The question is: Were they not designed to go full volume with line level outputs? Do you think maybe this pair is faulty? What would be the max recommended input level on these, in mV?

Thanks,
Dan
powerballad, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 12/30/16 Recent Posts
For example I used line out signal from a Hegel CDP4A MK2 which has 2.3V output and it was a very bass-free track ( Lyle Lovett - North Dakota), and still distortion all over the place.
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi,

Default input sensitivity of the G One is -6 dBu (referenced to 90 dB output) which means that at the specific maximum output level of 93 dB, equivalent input level is -3 dBu which translates to ~550mV or 0.55V signal level. Anything over that will cause the output stage to overload and cause distortion as the monitor can't play any louder than that.
powerballad, modified 5 Years ago.

New DAC

Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 12/30/16 Recent Posts

Hello again!

I must say I am very happy with my genelecs, they are a daily pleasure. Recently I bought a Roland Mobile UA DAC, which is compatible with DSD Format. The Mobile UA has a 'line-out' setting, with an attenuator ranging from -18db to -6db. These are the specs for the DAC: http://www.roland.com/global/products/mobile_ua/specifications/

What would be the best setting for the attenuator, so that I can get the highest volume but with enough headroom and no clipping? What would you recommend? 

Thanks!

 

 

markus-kahelin, modified 5 Years ago.

RE: Genelec G One distortion

Jedi Knight Posts: 109 Join Date: 3/16/10 Recent Posts

Hi!
 

Not knowing the device you have in full detail, in general -6dB setting should be enough.

 

Best Regards, Markus

Genelec Support Team

aril, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Youngling Posts: 3 Join Date: 1/17/17 Recent Posts
I have same kind of issues with my brand new G2's --- I have Creative Sound Blaster E5 as amp-dac. Loudspeakers are connected to E5's line-out. While volume level is >80% of maximum, especially music with lots of bass causes "distortion" or "resonation" or "blurring".

Is this normal feature if input signal level is too high as you described in the previous mail?
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
80% volume level setting on DAC does not mean that the speakers would still have 20% more output left. It all depends on its real output level (voltage) and the maximum output of the monitors. I could not find the specification for the maximum output of the E5 but typically they can produce several volts which is more than enough to driver speakers to full output much before their maximum volume setting. If you need higher listening volume than this, you should upgrade to larger speakers, such as G3 or G4.
aril, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Youngling Posts: 3 Join Date: 1/17/17 Recent Posts
Thanks Ilkka, this clarifies the case. It's interesting that after a certain input signal level (>0,55 V) the distortion increases exponentially. But up to that level G2 is fantastic.

G2 fits perfectly to my need at the moment, volume level is sufficient to look at movies and to listen music in 40 m2 living room. But of course I was curious to see where is the limit :)
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
It is typical that when the amplifier reaches its maximum output, distortion will raise exponentially after that.
aril, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Youngling Posts: 3 Join Date: 1/17/17 Recent Posts
Hi again,

I noticed that actually my previous DAC was broken and that caused the distortion. There was some problem with line out connections. This explained the huge increase of distortion with higher volumes.

I changed my DAC to Yamaha WXC-50 and now there is very minor distortion with higher volumes. So now everything is in order :) :) :)
ilkka-rissanen, modified 6 Years ago.

Re: Genelec G One distortion

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi Ari,

Thanks for the good news! :)