These Monitors Made Me Cry (8331A Unboxing & First Impressions)

Unboxing and setting up my new Genelec 8331A studio monitors, and things got a bit emotional. This is a vlog-style video about my studio upgrade and levelling up as a professional. In a couple of months, I will post another video with more technical details about the monitors, setting them up and talking about my experiences with them. For this video, do you have any specific questions you would like to ask?
Genelec 8331A monitors: www.genelec.com/8331a
MORE LNA:
➢ Continue learning from my online courses: www.lnamusic.com/programs
➢ My Music KZbin Channel: / @lnadoesmusic
➢ My Important Links (Music, Socials, Merch, Patreon): linktr.ee/liina_music
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:17 Unboxing & Storytime
03:49 The change from my old monitors to Genelec 8331A
05:00 Calibration with GLM
08:41 Listening to an example with and without calibration
11:36 My first impressions
12:59 Why did they make me cry
Watch More:
➢ Produce full tracks in 10 steps - Playlist: • Produce a full track i...
➢ All About Ableton Live Series: • All About Ableton Live
➢ Music Production Tips and Tricks: • Music Production Trick...
Edited by: Iiris Mäki ❤️ www.iirismaki.com/
Backing tracks:
Bird Cry (Instrumental Version) - Iso Indies
Day Luxe - Molife
Golden Crates - Dusty Decks
Your Vibe - Yomoti
Mellow Soul - Auxjack
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Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission. It does not change the price in any way, however, it enables me to make more content without having to do as many sponsored videos. I am not paid or asked to use these links.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

For my next video about these Genelec 8331a monitors.. what stuff would you like to know? Write your questions below! ❤

[@harrisfrankou2368]

How wide is the sweet spot...Is it a wide reference or really narrow when mixing?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

@Symphonichrome I think they are these: www.genelec.com/accessories/8000-323b/w-table-stand-l-shape

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Why do you not have a set of headphones? Also if you check your mix on a variety of speakers and headphones of various types your probably going to get a better mix.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

off course I have headphones as well you silly@@HOLLASOUNDS

[@defaultHandle1110]

Are these the Ones ? Have you tried 192Khz in a properly treated room and using good quality AES ABU cables ?? When you hear 44.1 vs 192 it is so obvious, the 3D space and definition goes from 320p to 8k. It’s not even hard to hear the difference, it’s like mind blowing obvious!

[@danieljacoby8401]

Its so sweet how excited you are , my compassion and congratulations

[@2255maria]

Every now and then I binge watch your KZbin channel. (I did last night) I always refer to you when I need clarity on something within Ableton, Thank you that. You are an excellent teacher. These monitors are so well deserved. :)

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thank you and so happy you like the content ❤

[@ChristianPelg]

I have Genelec 8331 in my living room and I really envy you your little room so much. I bet it sounds fantastic. But proper room treatment in a living room is just hard to do. Great you enjoy your new speakers! 👍

[@ikamy]

Your passion in this video really interested me to get these monitors, good luck

[@roman2374]

Happy for you to receive these great speakers - in regards to your low end problem in the room - it looks like you have quite a lot of elements in the room to « treat » the room sound, when a room is fairly small and you add absorption most of that will just swallow high and mid frequencies leaving you with kind of a boomy low range problem. In this case sometimes removing some absorbers can actually improve the overall listening environment - and maybe instead place thick bass traps in the corners, this will do wonders in a small room!

[@Mtaalas]

HS7's to The Ones is a truly gigantic leap. Genelec really made something completely new and totally unique and amazing sounding. been able to hear these in many studios and in many contexts and they're simply AMAZING speakers. After these, the only limiting factor is your room and your ability to mix. Obviously they help you with easing out some issues with the room with the calibration, but they can never truly fix all issues. But they're quantum leap forwards.

[@nazimmansuri9986]

Hey... Recently I found your channel.. and it's great stuff. I appreciate your effort and knowledge which you are sharing for free. I just want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart 😁.

[@peternorth6782]

It's not for free though.

[@jamelabanderson4474]

Congrats LNA! You deserve the recognition!

[@tutubeos]

Congrats! 💙

[@thematsc]

Love this video and your (well articulated) honesty! Subscribed! I also have these speakers in an Athmos mix setup. Been with Genelec for almost 40 years now. These speakers will serve you well for a loooong time 🙂When you move to a bigger room (I know this will happen) you can add a sub. For your small room they are absolutely perfect. I don't think there is anything better🙂

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks! I just moved to a bigger room and they are amazing! New video about them coming this monday :)

[@MrThomAce]

Amazing! Enjoy enjoy! :) I know this feeling Liina! You well deserved these speakers. And a big thumbs up for Genelec. I dreamed about Genelec 8010 or 8020 but those were way more expensive to my start... I told my friends that if money would not be a question, I would buy Genelec.

[@henningPietsch]

Enjoy your new speakers. Sounds so wonderful.

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

Touching video. I became aware of the Genelec brand only as few weeks ago, when I saw the tiny ones (8010A) on the desk of Catherine Marks. When I looked them up, they clearly were something special. Concerning perfect, you might want to watch the Eric Rohmer movie Pauline a la plage 🙂

[@sonicsatsuma1256]

Really proud for you. I remember you unpacking your HS7s roughly the same time I’d bought by HS8s. Got to say, the calibrated response of these Genelecs is super clear. Juicy even. Rounded bass and sparkle in the mids and tops. Does anyone know if there’s calibration software for my HS8s. Think I’m almost there with them after all this time but would love to check scientifically. Problem with my HS8s is the volume. I calibrated to mix at around 70dB after researching and sometimes it’s a bit loud to say the least so I end up reducing to 50dB.

[@macmovieman1]

I really love your story and many of us feel the same way. I am trying to decide between between the 31/41/51 with a sub.

[@Rofeu]

Let's go! You deserve it :)

[@jezgomez]

Brian Cox needs to hear this. Come on internet, make it happen 🎉 Found this video whilst looking up Genelec 1029a. I'd be happy with those tbh

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

hah when the track will be published, I'll definitely send it to him!!! The track is part of my album I'll release (hopefully) still this year.

[@stevea8099]

Well I finally got my genelec 8331a and 7350 sub woofer and amazed how great they sound. So happy now.

[@linn4538]

A new discovery (this channel). Good evening from Canada. I listen to music on monitors now. I started with HS5, then to HS7 (liked) and now HS8 (too much bass and the response is way too uneven). I'm considering Genelec as my next move as I'm looking for something with a more consistent response; and I like the die cast construction. The SAM calibration software seems like a must have. That said, I want to take Baby Steps, so I may start with 8030c and slowly move up the ladder. Best of luck with our journey. Cheers.

[@rufusstewart762]

I met you a few years ago working science tent at deer shed, been following you in the years sent and so happy for you! You're smashing it you should be so proud of yourself!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

ah wow that was almost 5 years ago! Just when had started my KZbin and maybe had about 400 subs! Thanks so much for this comment, it made my day. And thanks for all the support!

[@moteleight2045]

Huge fan!!!! I’m Finnish aswell , you rock !

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Kiitos! :D

[@alexbreugelmans8448]

Keep on going, we love you and you learn us a lot over and over again

[@djterhinator]

OMG, I want to have them, too! 🔊🔊

[@ranceriley15]

Congrats! When are you gonna add a genelec sub?? With your GLM calibration, were all levels in the green or did you have to do some tweaking to get there?

[@GuidoGaule]

LNA may I ask you if your mixes are now translating better? Also have you consider buying or at least heard the sub which with the software they say integrate perfectly giving you one sound, so to speak? Any info you can share is highly appreciated, thanks

[@noradrenalinrecords]

Thanks for a great review, i thinking to buy genelec but cheaper models like a 8350

[@leoprodbeatz6816]

I would like to know if you sell your old equipment in the case of audio monitors? 

[@francescodinucci4828]

Hi, you are very nice, I have a desktop station like yours, but I use my passive speakers only for HIFI, I would like to upgrade to Genelec 8331A or 8341A, are they still good for HIFI listening? Thank you!

[@stevea8099]

Your enthusiasm just made me order these. However, I cried when I paid for them. Have not got them yet. LOL

[@GETPlanet]

LNA… you have a way to speak about music stuff that makes it interesting, fun and informative, and Genelec and any other music products manufacturer should be proud to have you as their spokesperson. In fact I don’t know how Ableton has not make you a sponsored artist or something for them, because honestly you are one of the best out there about teaching Ableton Live. I’ve been using Logic for many years, but through your videos I got interested in Live and ended up buying a Live Standard license, and now I’m in love with it. Keep doing what you do, because you are great at it.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

aw thanks sooo much! ☺️

[@zandavid8729]

you made me cry too all the best for your future keep rocking

[@herbertmasing]

A great video! May I ask if those monitor stands are stable? I have a pair of G Three Genelecs (which I love) and was thinking if these stands were able to keep the speaker upright on a motor height adjustable table from ikea (it wobles a little when going up and down + when hit)?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

These are really stable actually!

[@OKvalosound]

Congrats! Just discovered your channels. Genelecs are also on my bucket list. But honestly, the coffee cup also has a huge impact 😊 Greetings from Uusikaupunki!

[@teampyro911]

Madame, So can the glm use a single monitor ??

[@bancombe1]

Did you calibrate your HS7's to the room at first?

[@elboad]

awesome

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

🎉

[@johnbartender3451]

Ohhh yeah ! Just ordered a set of 8030. I remember 15 years ago working on cheap bestbuy headphones….

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

wow Congrats!!

[@opticalman6417]

if you still using the focusrite you wont hear those monitors perform at its best you need something high end like a rme fire face or the uad apollo twin

[@LBJedi]

I’m saving up to get the 8341s! I think they’re just superb. Where did you get your master’s degree?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Hope you get them soon :) I graduated form the University of York

[@SalvoMorbiduZzMorabito]

Hi, can you tell me what is the size of the room?

[@weststarr2046]

My very CONGRATULATIONS LNA...like many of us you deserve this (and maybe much more) Enjoy this beautiful moment as many more coming...💯✨!!!

[@AlexandreLollini]

The contrast in how the voice detach and becomes a slap in the face is astonishing (from without to with calibration) also it's more like the person speaking is there and gets closer to the ear in the second line. Those -12db valleys in the lower end are probably removing part of the mud, but I don't think you can escape the room modes that rely on the dimensions of the room and not anything else.

[@spdcrzy]

JESUS. You weren't kidding. I'm listening on a pair of LSR305s while high off my ass and I INSTANTLY heard it.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Why didn't you check your mix with headphones?

[@teampyro911]

So do these bad boys help you finish a track quicker? , And how many revisions do you do you make now as opposed to before?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Absolutely! I would say it cuts days off from the process. I am making a video soon explaining my experience and why they help me so much.

[@ronedwards8239]

I hope your not crying for paying that much.

[@JP-dm6gi]

Investing in room treatment and quality audio reproduction will pay massive dividens when done right. I'm certain those Genelec monitors fall in the category of doing it right. 👌

[@aicole7]

That's literally an investment in the business.

[@TomislavRupic]

Genelecs can last you a lifetime and if you are into creating music/videos great studio monitors and room are the most important investment…

[@SHKDWN79]

A few tears come from the price! But you will soon realize that you made a lifestyle purchase

[@miguelalonsoperez5609]

Agree, DSP monitors don’t add anything to a measurement and room correction from external DSP or just a software like DIRAC. And even more, if one prefers to keep pure analogue path there’s no way to bypass internal DSP

[@ronbackal]

ahah reminds me of the videos on Sennheiser HE-1 headphones, everyone say are so good they make you cry

[@Tomijee]

Proud of my hometown Iisalmi in Finland. Genelecs are piece of art

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Jess hyvä Iisalmi!

[@miguelalonsoperez5609]

Yes and no… I mean, frequencies are better calibrated but the sound lacks of something 🤔 I have a pair of 8030, and I feel the same whenever I apply filters or I touch the room corrections on the back of the speakers. Room reflection are so complex in timing and nodes distributions to simply apply a filter and “correct” them. I finally leave my speakers to sound as they are, putting some attention to panels and buy the good monitor (I returned a lot of stuff, Amazon sent me various vague menaces 😅) and make fine corrections with the headphones. Yamahas are horrendous, this was the problem I think. Personally I felt a massive improvement when listening Neumann KH 120 or Genelec 8030 (don’t have the money for 8331) Listening carefully to 8330 that is barely the same speaker than 8030 I decided that DSP calibration doesn’t worth the extra money. But I cannot criticize someone who cries with the good sound, music are everything in my life 😅 Enjoy your speakers and thank you for the video!!

[@minutemaid123]

What is the actual dimension of your room?

[@tertozer3543]

Ofc the mix changed drastically, when you're going from basic Yamaha monitor speakers to a premium one. But what confuses me the most is the height of the tweeter in relation to your listening position; like the height of your ears. They are way higher than the tweeters of the Yamaha, which is generally bad. So I am wondering, how much of a difference the speakers really do in comparison to your incorrect listening position. If you are interested: I am using the Nubert XS-4000 RC, which are 2000€ a pair. So nowhere near to yours, when it comes to pice :D

[@mentalalpha100]

Do you get this calibration tool with every speaker types?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

With Genelec ones yes :)

[@RaySanMusicStudio]

Te amo felicidades, te tiraste bien duro

[@thephotodetective8507]

How low can the speakers play? I read a review were the guy is saying it goes down to 35 Herz. Let me know! :D

[@BLUESBOYBENFIELD]

How about iloud micro monitors?

[@MrToots1e]

They should sound good, £3500 in the UK

[@norand022]

Three (3) issues are obvious here (even for beginners): 1. The speakers have bass reflex ports ("holes") at the back, what forces them to be positioned in some distance from the walls 🙈 (like 30cm minimum). 2. The speakers are positioned too low, centers of the speakers shoud be exactly at your ears hight. 3. The mic was also positioned too low during the calibration; should have been on your ears hight. All those issues are yet another STEP to improve the sound and your hearing results. No doubts. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

These don’t need to be positioned away from walls as mentioned in the video. The calibration and position things have also been corrected after filming. ❤️

[@norand022]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff Aha. That's even better. 👍🏻

[@xieqk5938]

Hi.Can I know the artist and the song title that you used for testing?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

It's my track which is not released yet. But will be in the next year :D

[@stephanekiss]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff can't wait it sounds great

[@JayfkProductions876]

Genelec is a fucking Dream Congrats girl

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

thanks so much ☺️

[@ericto3552]

Liina, you absolutely deserve it, you hardworking and intelligent woman.😊

[@ChristianPelg]

Ouch. 🫣😂

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

I would get a wider desk tbh or put the speakers on floor stands next to the desk.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Unfortunately that would need a bigger studio 🤷🏼

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff did it hurt you to spend 5k on these? wow I could buy them but is a lot, the 8030c is good enough for me tbh got them for cheap too like $900 barely used

[@natesilvers2166]

​@@naegleriafowleri2230they look like a monster inc alien

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

@@natesilvers2166wut

[@ThreechTHEdruid]

what where your old monitors? i know when tryed genelec there is no way back xD

[@HeartleaderMusic]

Not a surprise jump from Yamaha HS 7 (250.-) to Genelec 8331A incl. room correction (2'000.-) that there is a big increase. Yamaha has a very special sweetspot anyhow. Is there a reason why you have your monitors not on ear level height or is it just a camera perspective? I tested a couple of times the Genelec but still stay with my Hedd Type 20 MK2 & Neumann KH310 and think about the Trinnov ST2 instead of the Genelec 🙂. Enjoy your new great white suiting monitor !

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks! Yes I will do bit more in depth comparison between the monitors soon :) I was so busy filming that only saw that monitors were not ear hight after filming. Still sounded great though :D

[@glibaudio]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@DWHarper62]

The listening portion was useless on the mono camera microphone... I'm sure the Genelecs are way better than the very flawed Yamaha monitors...

[@RodneyAlanGreenblatMusho]

Dear LNA, This video is not really about (the beautiful) high-end studio monitors at all. This is about the barriers that we all face, and the truly disastrous notions that plague our world. It is the way those notions demean us and create real and imagined barriers. That is where the tears are coming from. The idea that because you are a woman it will be very difficult to be taken seriously in world of technology and music production - is so completely wrong - but at the same time a real barrier felt deeply by you. When the people at the high-end speaker company presented you with the speakers, it was a true recognition - that your expertise and talent is the high-end itself. Yet, somewhere inside you wondered if you were really good enough. The tears arrived when you realized you are really good, with humility still intact. That is why you have those speakers and also 47.4K subscribers. Your video is universal in many ways - if you consider the endless unnecessary barriers placed in front of people of color, people who are gay or challenge gender norms, or the class and economic divides. When anyone succeeds in breaking these barriers it is a celebration. In many ways your videos are about giving musicians the tools to break there own barriers, technically but also in a personal sense. Making great music is about breaking barriers. So rock on! Thanks LNA for all you do!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thank you for these beautiful words. 💖

[@GreySectoid]

Genelecs are from the city where I live, I still prefer Yamaha HS-line, no need to pay the made in finland tax to be honest. Are you finnish? Your accent sounds similar.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Kyllä oon suomalainen. :)

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

With these speakers that cost $5000, is a sin to be using that Focusrite scarlett interface tbh imo avoid anything Focusrite. I tried the Scarlett and Clarett, didn't like them, now I have Motu mk5, it makes my genelec 8030c sound better than even the Clarett ever did. There is a reason why the scarlett is recommended to any noob, cause it is for them lol If you're serious about music, ideally you want an RME interface which are the best on the market, for a desk setup like yours the RME Fireface UCX II would work and is $1600. The Motu mk5 lite is $650 very similar

[@user-ce8vz5zc7x]

Hello. Can I ask you for help, I’m from Ukraine, I’m still trying to find an inexpensive Genelec 8351B. We had 1 model at a price of $8700. Is it possible to ask you to somehow order these monitors directly from Genelec? Please help.

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

Happy new year 🎊🎆🎈 lna does Audio stuff. Flows nicely from start to end is album sequencing every song does have a chapter someone told me on KZbin by name of iamlxgend said that It is a cohesive collection of songs used to tell a bigger theme or project an overall vibe. Think of an album as a book. And your songs as chapters. Every book has chapters. Every album has songs. Each chapter is different. Each song is different. But the collection of chapters (the collection of songs) is what tells the full story of the book (of the album). Because this is the natural order of life. All things have a beginning. All things have an end.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Innocence talks People listen Enjoy the music 🎶

[@lyrex9309]

Well i also started music from being frustrated 😀

[@firecloud77]

This is the first female audio nerd I've run across on KZbin. I've often wondered why audio is almost exclusively a male area of interest.

[@opticalman6417]

large monitors are fine in a small rooms the monitors at hospital records are in a small room with 8itch monitors its a age old myth that you should have smaller monitors in a small room with larger monitors it will prove you with greater detail better stereo imaging for anyone doing sub bass heavey music you need larger monitors that go below 60hzs to hear what going on in the low end

[@stevea8099]

What happened to Brian?

[@VKJ85]

Suosi aina kotimaista. :) ( kirjoittaa HS7:skojen käyttäjä.. vielä)

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

🇫🇮 ihanaa suomalaista laatua! ☺️

[@foruncolo74]

More than 4000 euros? wtf. Even if i had all that money i couldn't buy this type of monitors anyway since the bass reflex is behind and my monitors are too much near the behind wall, i can use only monitors with bass reflex on the front, very good speakers tho, especially because of the SAM "correction" system.

[@Rainer01]

Your tutorials are better than from most men. I watched a lot of the masterclasses too they not been so good as your tutorials. Especially the one on build upsI loved most from you.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

They're very expensive and I thought my 8030c were expensive lol like these 8331a is $2450 each? lol

[@DWHarper62]

"HS7's didn't have enough high end" has never been said before...

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Clarity :)

[@Studioinsession]

Make a Cloud above you

[@spdcrzy]

$500 to $5000 is a SERIOUS jump goddamn lol.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

agree!

[@nomad1517]

Honestly, i cant get jealous of people getting these, primarily because they are made for masters. It would truly be a waste to use these without experience. You cant really say that with a $300 pair.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

How about just use a reference track to compare your mix vs that, Audio Technica 40s will do fine.

[@natesilvers2166]

Not a waste at all just to use them to listen to music

[@KadokiPo]

No matter what room or monitors you have. Just listen your refferense tracks every day many times. And your music wil be the same. Listen your refferenses in each corner of your room.

[@mk-os8gl]

these monitors go for 4.5K WTF

[@jmcframe]

Oh boy... 2.000 Euros per speaker 😫😭

[@nomad1517]

I remember reading a review on focal. A guy who sold them for years. He says its very common to have costomers get emotional because of how well the speakers are made and how detailed they are. Its amazing how humans have gotten from chewing rocks and throwing spears, to making people cry with noise boxes. 😂

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

hah yes beautiful sounds are emotional stuff :D

[@santoshgujar5237]

How are you, Take Care 🦚, 🙏🌺😇

[@santoshgujar5237]

🙏😇🌺

[@mk-os8gl]

"genelecT" 0:50

[@ikamy]

Persian rug

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Sadly not a real one :(

[@user-pn6ub9qd8g]

Hi! Do you need a sound engineer husband from Russia by any chance? _))

[@allahbux860]

Hi❤❤❤✅✅✅

[@plr5854]

You deserve it girl Nordic princess

[@ChunkyLover69420]

hs7s are horrible imo

[@waynemee2606]

BIG ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍💗 Liina

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

thank you Wayne!!