Genelec 8040A or 8050A?

[magnuspater]

Hi everyone,

The audio school that I attend in Bangkok has a special offer with Genelec. I can get a pair of 8040As for ~ $1,500 USD or a pair of 8050As for about $2,600 USD. I'm going to listen to both pairs next week but in the meantime, do you guys think the 8050As are worth the extra $1,100 USD? I'm mostly doing my own recording at home with an M-box 2 (acoustic guitar and vocals) and editing school assignments now, but I do want something that will be a one-time purchase instead of something that I'll need to upgrade in a year or two. Currently I'm mixing and editing at home on headphones (had to travel light to Bangkok).

I was looking at prices for both pairs online and this offer seems too good to pass up. What do you guys think?

Thanks,

mp

[kingofswing]

Hi,

I recently purchased a pair of Genelec 8050A's to use with my Adams (now sold), and they are fantastic monitors. I started doing some mixes on them, and they have come out well balanced, and things remain as mixed on other playback systems - no suprises. I never felt that i had to get used to them.

I have also used a pair of 8040a's, which are great for the size and price. The 8050s are bigger sounding (obviously), as well as providing a deeper bass (not that the 8040s lack any). IMO the 8040s have a little more midrange going on (not a bad thing), whilst the 8050s do seem more neutral in the mids (which i prefer, as Adam monitors cover the mids very well for me). Both Genelec models share a similar overall family sound though. For a home studio, the 8040s are more than enough, and you can add a sub later on if needed.

BTW, thats a great price you got.

[danasti]

Have you heard the 8040s? If you are in an apartment with an mbox I'd get the 40s because that is plenty.

Damn - that is a good price. I've owned and worked with a ton of genelec speaker/amps. I also was really sceptical of the 80 series but when I heard the 8040 I was amazed at what they'd achieved with a 6.5 inch woofer.

[Schmacko]

I use the 8040A's and have worked with the 8050's as well. Those are both great prices, but you'll probably find yourself very happy going with the 8040's, or even 8030's. The 8050's are great and have such great low-end response that a sub isn't necessary - but they would definitely be overkill. They are HUGE too.

Verdict = the 8040's are your best bet. They're probably more than you need now, but will probably be a perfect fit for you when you find a regular mix space. If you need more accurate low-end response, you can always add the Genelec sub which isn't too expensive.

[magnuspater]

Wow, it's unanimous.

I'm leaning towards the 8040s. They'll be easier to ship to the States than the 8050s when/if I move back to L.A. and that gives me another $1,000 to buy something else .

Thanks!

[AdamJay]

Originally Posted by danasti

I also was really sceptical of the 80 series but when I heard the 8040 I was amazed at what they'd achieved with a 6.5 inch woofer.

i thought the same thing about the 8030a's and the 5 inch woofer.


so i bought em!

[Autocrat]

Another vote for 8040s here too. I've had mine for a few weeks and love them. More than enough bass for my 14x17 room.

You could also wait for the new 8200 series. Which is the same speaker as the 8000s but with digital I/O and room correction capabilities.

http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp...7200-8200.html

[magnuspater]

I had a chance to listen to the 8240As and 7270 at Pala, an exposition in Bangkok (http://www.palaonline.com/). They sound great, and even better after calibration, but I just can't get over the fugly champagne color! I feel so shallow...I mean, it's what's inside that matters, right?