Hi all, I've been lurking on this forum for quite a while and really enjoy the detailed reviews and measurements. Signing up to try and get a specific recommendation.
I purchased a pair of Genelec 8010A's last week to replace some cheaper monitors I've used, the JBL LSR305's and the iLoud Micros. I'm using these exclusively on my home office desk, about 1m away, and at fairly low volumes (around conversation levels). I mostly use them for listening to music and playing/recording music (mostly electric guitar). I definitely prefer flatter speakers, and found both the JBL 305's and the iLoud Micros to be a bit hyped in the highs and lows. Additionally, the JBL's are WAY too big for my desk, and the Micros sound like they are strained in the low end.
The Genelec 8010's sound flatter than both in the midrange, although I was surprised they were a bit warmer (less bright) sounding than I expected. Getting them off the desk on some stands definitely helped to clear up the sound, as they had a proximity boost in the lows when sitting on the desk. In terms of volume, I'm not pushing them too much, and I do have the -10 dB switch in and feeding them less than half the volume on my interface.
While the 8010's are an improvement over the other speakers, I can't shake the impression that they are a tiny bit boxy sounding, especially in the low end. I don't need rumbling bass at all, but I'm wondering if the 8010 low end extension rolls off a little too early. So while I'm still in the return policy, I'm wondering if the 8020's would have a more open/natural sound with the larger woofer.
I can't spend all the way up to the 8030's and those would take up too much space on the desk, but I could bump up to the 8020's for price and size. Unfortunately, the 8020's aren't stocked locally so I'd have to order them, but wanted to get some feedback before going through all the trouble.
So for low volume desktop use, is there a benefit to going up to the 8020's over the 8010's?
I purchased a pair of Genelec 8010A's last week to replace some cheaper monitors I've used, the JBL LSR305's and the iLoud Micros. I'm using these exclusively on my home office desk, about 1m away, and at fairly low volumes (around conversation levels). I mostly use them for listening to music and playing/recording music (mostly electric guitar). I definitely prefer flatter speakers, and found both the JBL 305's and the iLoud Micros to be a bit hyped in the highs and lows. Additionally, the JBL's are WAY too big for my desk, and the Micros sound like they are strained in the low end.
The Genelec 8010's sound flatter than both in the midrange, although I was surprised they were a bit warmer (less bright) sounding than I expected. Getting them off the desk on some stands definitely helped to clear up the sound, as they had a proximity boost in the lows when sitting on the desk. In terms of volume, I'm not pushing them too much, and I do have the -10 dB switch in and feeding them less than half the volume on my interface.
While the 8010's are an improvement over the other speakers, I can't shake the impression that they are a tiny bit boxy sounding, especially in the low end. I don't need rumbling bass at all, but I'm wondering if the 8010 low end extension rolls off a little too early. So while I'm still in the return policy, I'm wondering if the 8020's would have a more open/natural sound with the larger woofer.
I can't spend all the way up to the 8030's and those would take up too much space on the desk, but I could bump up to the 8020's for price and size. Unfortunately, the 8020's aren't stocked locally so I'd have to order them, but wanted to get some feedback before going through all the trouble.
So for low volume desktop use, is there a benefit to going up to the 8020's over the 8010's?