Genelec 1031a vs 8050a

[audioeren]

Hi there. I need to buy one of those. They are abit similar right? One is the old model the other new. What are the differences.

Currently i do use KRK VXT8, a big mistake. Before that i had 8040a but needed more bass, but dont want to use a sub. I dont own a Real Big Studio Room. I changed my living room in to a studio.
I need to buy one of those this week.

(i'm working on a album that sounds like Justin Timberlake's last album, that genre)

[sinchi]

IMO they are very different. You should try both to know which ones you like. 1031 has a "harsh" tone where 8050 sounds more neutral... If you ask Genelec they will tell you to take 8050s.

As a conclusion of my opinion: try both or if you can't test them, buy 8050s.

[Cabbage]

Seems that quite a few people, myself included, prefer the 8040s to the 8050s. I would pass on the 1031s. The 10xx series is what gave Genelec a bad reputation for being harsh.

Petter

[kingofswing]

8050A's here

I also owned 8040s and Adam P33s. The 8040s were slightly hyped in the bottom end. I did put up a more detailed review sometime ago.

Go with the 8050s, they are fairly neutral and smooth, with a decent headroom for small to medium rooms. I found the bottom similar to the K&H o300D

[robot gigante]

I wouldn't call the 1031's harsh so much as misleading. I have no experience with the 8040's/8050's.

[aidyhall]

I'm loving my 8050's!

I used to use the old Mk 1 version of the KRK V8's, which were great except for being slightly 'cloudy' in the lower mids. The Genelecs have been really great in all the control rooms I've worked in. No real surpises when I get the mixes home. As an aside, depending on the clients you work with, they don't seem to go as loud as some other monitors. If you want to really crank them, the tweeter protection kicks in, and they seem to have slightly less headroom than the old 1031's, and certainly don't go as loud as KRK 9000B's with a decent amp (Bryston).

The K+H 0300's I've also used, and they're good, as are KRK E8t's, if your budget will stretch to either of those.

Have fun trying monitors. Best of luck!

[NOCCA]

For every person who finds the 1031a harsh/misleading, you find one who loves them.

I'm one of those people.

That is all.

>>AG

[MIKEHARRIS]

The new 8000 series has been an improvement for our clients.If you need the level...the 8050 is the way to go....the 8040 is a touch smoother in the low to mid transition.
Have your dealer demo a pair of 8040...see if you need more output.
In some instances a workstation is setup adjacent to a main console in not the ideal position...in that case we have found the 8200 series can correct for the non-ideal listening position.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by MIKEHARRIS

In some instances a workstation is setup adjacent to a main console in not the ideal position...in that case we have found the 8200 series can correct for the non-ideal listening position.

Just to comment on this, Genelec did a demo for me here in my (still not-completed!) control room and I was absolutely floored by the versatility of that system. It's way more than just EQ that's available with their DSP, you can maximize virtually any area of the room as a sweet spot and enable that when needed (like a producer's chair for example). Amazing stuff and very simple to use actually.

War

[Blenn]

After spending a good few weeks with the K+H 0300D's and the Genelec 8050's I went for the Genelec's. THe K+H are great but a little bit Hifi for me and a good 1/3 more expensive. They, however, did have the best low end of the two.

As for the 8040's - I much prefer the 8050's. I found the 8040's to have a hyped low end - though they're still excellent value for the money.

Paul

[MIKEHARRIS]

I too was floored...and the software can assist you in getting the speaker placement just right...amazing the difference a 1/4 inch makes in setup...how the image locks into place

[mljung]

Originally Posted by aidyhall

I'm loving my 8050's!

I used to use the old Mk 1 version of the KRK V8's, which were great except for being slightly 'cloudy' in the lower mids. The Genelecs have been really great in all the control rooms I've worked in. No real surpises when I get the mixes home.

I came from the same KRK to the same 8050. I really like the full body the 8050 have. The reason for choosing them compared to 8040 was the fact that they can portray a huge sound stage with wonderful depth [if the music have the information] and with enough power to give a "physical" impact of the music. The 8040 sounded a little smoother, but was more just representation of a sound, not as much delivering physical music; if this description gives any meaning for you. I'm in a relatively small room, but they work very nice and translate well. The KRK had problems in this regard [or I had..]

Best,
Mads

[lostinmusic]

It's funny how divided opinion is on the 1031s. People are starting to upgrade now but for the last 15 years I've seen them in sooo many studios - and also owned a pair myself. If placed in the right place in the right size room they're can be outstanding but I wouldn't ever wanted to have mixed only on them. Great tracking speakers, not so good maybe for mixing.

The 8050s are meant to be the replacement for them (the 8040s are less powered, a bit more 'distant' to my ears). By comparison with the 1031s there's an octave more bass and the high end is less distorted when pushed. I went for the 8250s when I moved into a bigger room and am still bowled over by them. The dsp thing is subtle but it moves them into another league - like a veil being lifted from the sound (cliche no. 237 :-)). I still use a second pair of monitors (BM6A) when mixing but the big difference between the old and new speakers is that I could quite easily track & mix on just the 8250s.

Just my opinion, but I prefer the 8250s over comparable Adams, Focals etc but have never heard the K+H 0300 so couldn't comment there.

[audioeren]

Thank u guys. I have another question: Is the difference between 8050a and 8250a verry big? I was thinking of getting the 8050a and spend a few dollars to the room acoustics. I don't trust the DSP thing that much. Afraid of colloration and stuff.

[3rd world order]

i'm hard-pressed to think of a mix speaker which is worse than 1031s.. they give me almost no useful info about a mix at all... but clients love em

[gainreduction]

Originally Posted by warhead

Just to comment on this, Genelec did a demo for me here in my (still not-completed!) control room and I was absolutely floored by the versatility of that system. It's way more than just EQ that's available with their DSP, you can maximize virtually any area of the room as a sweet spot and enable that when needed (like a producer's chair for example). Amazing stuff and very simple to use actually.

War

Originally Posted by MIKEHARRIS

I too was floored...and the software can assist you in getting the speaker placement just right...amazing the difference a 1/4 inch makes in setup...how the image locks into place

I have the 8240 + GLM kit system. One of my best gear purchases ever.

[MIKEHARRIS]

Originally Posted by audioeren

Thank u guys. I have another question: Is the difference between 8050a and 8250a verry big? I was thinking of getting the 8050a and spend a few dollars to the room acoustics. I don't trust the DSP thing that much. Afraid of colloration and stuff.

I too was worried that the DSP would add noise & coloration...and voiced those concerns with Ilpo at the NAB. He assured me great attention to detail was placed on the converters & DSP implementation....and the installations we have completed have confirmed that.
Proper acoustical treatment should always accompany a listening environment... & the DSP permits a level of integration even the best rooms can utilize.