Please advise: 8330/7350 vs 8240 - Forum

Hi imrecs,

firstly i have to say that i haven't heard 8330's yet, we are still waiting for ours in Australia..

BUT....

Based on the conversation we have been having in the other thread, i'd stay with the 8240's. Once you get GLM everything is going to change, typically in most rooms we are finding autocal is attenuating the LF region at least 10dB.

In most rooms we measure the 8240's are flat to around 30Hz, so the 7350 will give you some extra extension, but it might cause you more troubles. Once you get GLM you can also create a custom file and call it something like late night or reduced LF. You can dig into your calibrated file and apply an LF shelf filter (you can also do this with the 7350)

I'm a big fan of the 8240's. My demo pair are coming up to 10 years old, they have been all over Australia and never missed a beat. I think that their size/performance ratio is spot on, having said that the 8330's interest me, i can't wait to hear a pair.

Thanks for the reply! I guess after reading this from genelec in the forum I started to wonder if the 8330/7350 would be a step up...quote: "There are several improvements in the new 83xx products. The capability to adapt to the room acoustics has been improved greatly, and these products provide four to five times higher number of tools for room response compensation compared to the 82xx products. The delay alignment capability has been expanded from about 80 ms to about 200 ms in 83xx. 83xx have been time-equalized internally to have a constant input-to-output delay above 400 Hz. 83xx products can level align by 60 dB. All 83xx and 73xx products support distributed bass management, enabling the audio signal to be passed unmodified from the source and through the subwoofer into the monitors. 73xx subwoofers support a multichannel audio signal and stereo AES/EBU digital audio signal."

I'm trying to imagine what the differences between a calibrated set of 8240s and 8330s would be, with and without the sub...i would a/b with 8030s but I read that the 8330s go a bit lower....what situation would the 8330 + 7350 be recommended over the 8240?

Just actually returned from my dealer's listening room where I compared 8040s with 8030s + a sub (not a genelec sub unfortunately)...

First observation...their larger room sounded completely different than my mix room so there will be no way to know for sure until I get both sets of speakers in here, calibrate, and compare...I think their room was just too large for both of the speakers to really show their low end how I am going to end up hearing it in my room.

That being said, the 8030s sounded brighter and more punchy than the 8040s, which sounded almost muffled next to them...the 8030s midrange was more clear and focused...I am wondering about the statement from Ilkka in another post: "...Of course the larger model is also better when it comes to mids, highs, dynamics, distortion etc."...Is there a point/volume level where this isn't necessarily true? To my ears, at equal volume, the 8030s sounded a bit better in the mids and highs...didn't notice a difference in terms of dynamics and distortion...perhaps this only becomes a factor in a larger room when pushing the speakers to capacity SPL? Since I tend to mix around 75db and rarely ever get it up to 85, I'm not sure if the larger model will be better in the mids, highs, dynamics, and distortion, but I'd like to know more about this so I can know what to listen for specifically.

The 8040s had more low end, though again, since in my room I am running -2db bass tilt, and -2/-4db roll off, I am wondering if that will even be noticeable to me if going down to 8330s and keeping them flat in my room...I also read that the 8330s go down a bit lower than the 8030s for their -6db point. Since the 8330s have more calibration functions than the 8240s, I am really looking forward to comparing both in here and seeing which sounds best in the lows, mids and highs.

The 8030s + Sub sounded awesome. Definitely could tell they weren't perfect phase calibrated, with roll off, volume, placement, etc....but I got the general idea. My thoughts are that if I can make the sub work in my room without causing issues with neighbors it will be my favorite sound. The 8030s with sub just sounded richer to me than the 8040s...clearer, bigger, awesome!...I do wonder if the 8240s are calibrated to my listening position, and the 8330s + 7350s, and they are at equal volume, will the low end from the sub actually disturb the neighbors more, or will both pretty much travel in the same way and disturb neighbors at about equal volume? I do like the idea of turning off the sub and using 8330s at night, as I can't really get much volume on the 8240s past 9 or 10pm without feeling bad...perhaps the 8330s could be turned up louder after 9 or 10pm...and during the daytime I could turn the sub on and off...though for all I know the sub will sound terrible in my apartment 14x12x10 mix room, and the 8240s will be the clear answer...we will see.

Anyway, I think I am going to get both 8330 + 7350 and the 8240 in my room, calibrate, and make a decision from there....Ilkka, please let me know what you think of my observations and if you have any thoughts or suggestions for me.

So far in my experience with the 8240s, they have plenty of low end in my apartment mix room, so no need for a sub with them...I haven't done the GLM calibration yet, but using the internal dip switches I am running the bass tilt at -2db (tilts down from 800hz) and the bass roll off at -2db at 45hz...even with that, I have to keep them pretty low volume during the evening hours in an apartment (will try -4 on both settings tomorrow)...wondering if the 8330s would be a better speaker for me to use during the evening hours since they don't go as low.

I didn’t know that the 8240 or the DSP (SAM) speakers have switches on their back. I thought that all peaks and nulls was taking care by the DSP. Are you sure that your 8240 has switches in its back? Maybe you’re using 8040 and not 8240.

IMHO if you’re tilting your speakers -2db or even -4db you would be better with 8330 and not the 8240. With these settings the 8240 will sound very close to 8330 in the bass region.

That being said, the 8030s sounded brighter and more punchy than the 8040s, which sounded almost muffled next to them...the 8030s midrange was more clear and focused...I am wondering about the statement from Ilkka in another post: "...Of course the larger model is also better when it comes to mids, highs, dynamics, distortion etc."...Is there a point/volume level where this isn't necessarily true? To my ears, at equal volume, the 8030s sounded a bit better in the mids and highs...didn't notice a difference in terms of dynamics and distortion...perhaps this only becomes a factor in a larger room when pushing the speakers to capacity SPL?

I own the 8040’s and I was waiting also for 8330 as I believe that they would take care some of my room problems.
Recently I had the chance to compare my 8040’s side by side with Genelec’s older model 1030A, you can read my observations here> viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1476&start=20

Bottom line is that the older model was very tight and punchy and revealed many mistakes on the tracks that I mixed with 8040’s. My 8040’s sounded very silky and forgiving in the mid and high frequencies.

After this comparison I’m very confused and disappointed with my 8040’s. As I said, I was looking to switch to 8330’s so that they could fix some problems of my room, but I’m afraid if they’ll sound forgiving just like my 8040’s.

If you buy 8330’s please remember to share your experience with us, and do check your mixes to other monitors to see if they are forgiving.

Good luck!

The 8240s also have the switches on the back, though they get disabled when using the GLM apparently.

I'm excited to get the 8330s in here to compare though I am afraid the 7350 sub will cause more of a disturbance for neighbors than the 8240s w/out sub, even at lower volumes. Will have to see how the systems compare in my room, but so far I am very happy with the 8240s, even without room calibration. Hopefully Ilkka can chime in here and comment on some of my observations above.

One more question actually. I read that there is no perceivable difference when using digital vs analog inputs to the 8240s...If I had a very high quality DA converter/clock, such as a Prism Lyra or a Burl B2, would I get the benefits of the Lyra/Burl's clock/conversion going into the analog inputs of the 8240s? Or would the 8240's DA make the Lyra/Burl's conversion redundant/not noticeable? If I had a Lyra/Burl, would it still be better to run SPDIF/AES to the Genelecs than Analog for monitoring?

Hi,

First of all, do get your 8240s calibrated with the GLM! It is not even remotely same to use the dip switches on the back (they function the same as on analogue products) as to run the AutoCal DSP calibration. I often compare it to giving a surgeon an axe instead of a scalpel.

As Steve wrote earlier, I would also stick with your 8240s. I don't see much benefit from changing to 8330+7350 other than the extended bass response, but obviously that isn't your concern now.

Once you get into the of GLM, you will realize you can easily tune the frequency response and sound to your needs. You can even roll-off the bass earlier or set it at lower level for late night mixing sessions.

I would definitely run them directly through S/PDIF. I haven't seen a single D/A or A/D conversion that would in fact improve the sound quality so why would you want to introduce any more of them in the signal path than is absolutely necessarily? With a digital signal, you will only have a single D/A inside the speaker, after the signal processing is already done.

Thanks for the response! I do need to get them calibrated, I can't wait to hear that. I am going to wait to purchase the GLM until GLM 2.0 is available to purchase, however it would be awesome if Genelec could loan me a 1.0 calibration kit, or send a rep to calibrate the speakers to my room (right outside of NYC).

I guess my other considerations for 8330 other than extended bass response are:

1) smaller = more portable. Could bring the 8330s on the road while on tour to produce in hotels...that being said, since it's my main monitor for my studio, if 8240 sounds better then I'll keep them anyway.

2) newer model and superior design. If it sounds just as good/if not better, then I'd prefer the newer technology

3)in person at the showroom I though the 8030 + a sub not only had better bass response but clearer midrange. The 8040 sounded muffled in the room next to the 8030. 8040 felt better on it's own since it had more bass but once the sub was added 8030/sub felt better. However I need to calibrate the 8240s and compare in my room as the 8040 in the showroom sounded very different than my room.

I appreciate the advice and will not spend the money on a superior da converter for monitoring.

Thanks for the response! I do need to get them calibrated, I can't wait to hear that. I am going to wait to purchase the GLM until GLM 2.0 is available to purchase, however it would be awesome if Genelec could loan me a 1.0 calibration kit, or send a rep to calibrate the speakers to my room (right outside of NYC).

Please contact genelec.usa (at) genelec.com

I am sure they are able to help you with the calibration!

Another possibility just opened up.

I can get a used pair of 8250s made in 2013 for the same price as the used 8240s I currently have from 2007. Would this be a good idea if the serial numbers check out as showing no history of repair? Will the 8250s be too much in my room, even with GLM calibration?

Thanks!

1) smaller = more portable. Could bring the 8330s on the road while on tour to produce in hotels...that being said, since it's my main monitor for my studio, if 8240 sounds better then I'll keep them anyway.

2) newer model and superior design. If it sounds just as good/if not better, then I'd prefer the newer technology

3)in person at the showroom I though the 8030 + a sub not only had better bass response but clearer midrange. The 8040 sounded muffled in the room next to the 8030. 8040 felt better on it's own since it had more bass but once the sub was added 8030/sub felt better. However I need to calibrate the 8240s and compare in my room as the 8040 in the showroom sounded very different than my room.

Another possibility just opened up.

I can get a used pair of 8250s made in 2013 for the same price as the used 8240s I currently have from 2007.

Hey imrecs, have you compared these models (8330-8240-8250) in your room so far? I’m very curious to hear your opinion about these speakers. I don’t have the chance to audition these models and I’m looking for user experiences.

I own the 8040’s but I don’t have a good impression about these speakers after comparing them with older model 1030A. I have a similar experience like yours when you compared 8040’s to 8030’s, in my case the 1030A sounded by far more punchy and tighter in the bass region but also more reviling in the mid and high region. My 8040’s was sounding very forgiving in the mid and high region which I guess is something similar to your findings……

That being said, the 8030s sounded brighter and more punchy than the 8040s, which sounded almost muffled next to them...the 8030s midrange was more clear and focused.

I’m aware that un- treated or mid-treated rooms along with speakers with great LF extension can cause many troubles and that may be the problem in my room, that’s why I’m now looking at DSP models right now.

But to be honest after comparing 8040's with 1030A I’m afraid that 8040’s or even 8240’s may have been designed to sound forgiving in the mid and high region.
DSP models are quite expensive and I really can’t afford to go wrong for a second time with Gennie’s, that’s why I’m seeking for user experiences on DSP models.

Cheers!