Genelec 8320A vs Neumann KH-80 DSP

[@deonlee7353]

Litereally have these exact same models and on the edge comparing them as to whcih one to let go and expand my setup in a small home studio. Debated myself whether to add a sub to the KH80 or the 8320 for a while. First got the genelecs thinking I would love the sound until I came across the Nuemanns KH80 DSP. These sounded incredible with never got the ear fatique compared to the genelecs. But then tonight I place the 8320 further away from the listening distance and compare against the Neumanns that are sitting a meter in distance vs 2 meters with the Genelecs. They sound identical to my ears with Genelecs now having more bit more bass than KH80 with little bass. The GLM somehow made the 8320 thin from 1 meter listening distance but it now sounds better from two meters away. Can't decide which one to keep.f

[@matus3303]

I am selling the neumanns tomorrow. I had a last listen between the two models and CLEARLY the Genelecs sound better. Try to play Angel Of My Dreams by JADE. There I could hear a big difference. Overall build quality is better on genelec. Their ones are superb. I have the 8331 with dual 7350s and they sound perfect. GLM changes the sound so you cannot compare them with eq. Neumanns have more headroom. But they have nasty port noise before clipping so I would not use them that loud without a sub. I never reached the limit with genelecs and the sub anyway. Genelecs sound more open, lifelike and cleaner. IMO the neumanns have more treble. I would say they sound harsher. The neumann sounds more compressed. Get the sub for the genelecs and you will be happy. I get to 22Hz on one and 19Hz flat on the second one. I had the Genelecs first and bought the neumann for a test. I thought I liked it more at first but with more listening I went back to genelec. Genelecs support team is superb and from what I heard their warranty is great also they service their products for a long time. Not sure about neumann as I never asked their support team but I have seen a few Neumann subs for sale after they were given a new sub from the repair. KH80s Generate quite a bit of heat from the back while genelecs are cold. That may have an effect on the longevity. Both are good i just prefer the genelecs for listening to music. The neumanns may be better for music production I do not know as I just listen to music. But I was recently in a studio and the guy had there a Adam audio S3V and Focal trio6. I asked him why he had both because they are quite similar he told me that he barely uses the focals because they sound too flat and not enjoyable. I would say I enjoy the genelecs a lot more :)

[@yasunakaikumi]

owning a 8020 and had also experiencing comparing it with the KH-80, genelec definitely needs a sub as it only goes around 60hz, and it seems to be KH-80 has softer rolloff cut at the low frequency and front ports so the low end sound more apparent compare to the genies, genelec is quite notorious on steep AF roll off at the low end so even with my 8020 I only hear it around 55hz but lower than that it just cut off quick. although for mixing music, I feel like I will get much more better low end mix with a sub on 8020+7040subwoofer since it has more tight transient than the KH-80 with a sub. At my side using ARC Studio pretty much solved that weird boxy sound of that 4 inch speaker, I think the boxy sound was pretty much because the rolloff of the low end is just too abrupt being 55hz, genelec could just widen the port to allow it to go 49hz or just cut it around 70hz. that 55hz cut made it boxy sounding

[@matus3303]

Yes, the neumann has more bass and cuts at lower frequency but the box is way bigger than the genelec. That is why. I also have the 8331 and they go to 40Hz flat in my room (37 at -3db) but still use subs as they can not reach the SPL. neumann has incredible spl for the size but you can hear that 4" struggle I could feel the air coming out at 3m from the speaker and still not clipping

[@lukabosnjak3829]

Extremely similar... Maby the Genelecs are slightly more colored in comparison

[@matus3303]

They are close, Neumann has more bass and integrates better with a sub. Genelec has more spacious sound but may sound boxy at times. It has more echo

[@matus3303]

Neumann feels like a toy. It has a plastic body all round. The amps get hotter but it has way more headroom. I never saw a clipping light on the neumann while I saw it a couple times when listening to music at higher volumes. The Genelec feels like a rock and amps do not heat up. You can hear port noise with both. I would say You will need a subwoofer with genelecs and I recommend one with neumanns. Both are small so it would benefit them. When using the genelec with a sub I never saw the clipping light again