Genelec 8010 AP

At the smallest end of the Genelec 8000 bi-amplified monitor series is the 8010A. Though relatively light (1.5kg each), the 8010As are solid thanks to the die-cast aluminium enclosure, with metal driver grilles to prevent damage in transit.

Portability is key, with power and input sockets neatly tucked in at the rear. They come with tiltable Iso-Pod rubber stands attached, simultaneously taking care of axis angle and transmission reduction. They feature standard 8000 series mounting sockets for a variety of options, from truss hanging to floor stands.

These are rear ported (bass reflex) enclosures, and just beneath the port is a recess housing five dip switches. Three contour the low-frequency response: -2dB and -4dB bass tilts which combine for -6dB, and Desktop Control which dips -4dB at 200Hz.

A Sensitivity switch pads the input by -10dB to adjust the external volume control range. The ISS disable control switches off the auto-standby mode, which drops power to below 0.5W when no input signal is present.

Big sound

"We were initially taken aback by how large these tiny speakers sound"

The 8010As have a maximum output around 96dB SPL at 1m - a realistic listening distance for this size monitor. We were initially taken aback by how large these tiny speakers sound. Once trimmed to match our main monitors, flicking between them is audibly less dramatic than expected, though they have temporarily replaced a pair of Auratones, so we shouldn't be surprised.

Having become accustomed to them we continue to be impressed by the low-frequency response in particular. Though running out of steam a good octave above their larger neighbours, they still ably translate bass components without over-compensating in the low mids/upper bass.

Being in a well damped room we haven't had to use the bass tilt controls, but the Desktop dip of -4dB at 200Hz helped clear up a muddiness caused by proximity to the mixing desk.

The clarity in the lower end of the frequency spectrum is testament to a quality design that keeps things tight enough to easily identify mix clashes. The solid enclosure combined with a well-balanced woofer (stiffness vs flexibility) provides a fast, punchy response with no overt ring-on.

Balanced and accurate

At the top-end the 8010As possess a smooth characteristic, accurate and free from hyping. As with the low-end, there is less extension than on much larger models, though to a lesser extent, so fine adjustments in the 'air' range are harder to perceive.

"With a monitor of this size we would expect a harshness in the highs and upper-mids that is not in evidence here at all"

With a monitor of this size we would expect a harshness in the highs and upper-mids that is not in evidence here at all, and we have been happily working away without any ear fatigue.

The mid-frequencies are well-balanced and accurate, making mixing and tonal decisions quick and easy. This also helps with depth perception, by which we mean the ability to pick out reverb tails, natural decays and relatively quiet sources behind dominant mix components.

The acoustic design of the enclosure and the wave guiding of the front baffle that covers the whole 8000 series allows excellent off axis response and stereo field accuracy. We've been quite happy leaning across to an EQ to make HF adjustments without losing any reference due to strong phase shifts.

Genelec monitors are not cheap and, considering the quality of design, components and sound, nor should they be. The quality of the 8010A is no exception and easily worth the price. If you are regularly on the move they will make a great investment, combining portability and durability equal to the calibre of sound.

There is enough scope for response adjustment to suit any number of mounting situations, from desktops to stands, and there's plenty of power to use even in large spaces

? also ich meine: ich willkomme mich selbst im Club der Genelec-Begeisterten. Oft gehört, immer erstaunt und nun täglich glücklich!

Eigentlich suchte ich nur eine angenehme Sat-Sub-Combo für meinen iMac Pro Arbeitsplatz. Bose Soundsticks bestellt: Holterdipolter-Zischelfipps! Versucht spektakulär zu sein, aber nervt nach nur 3 Minuten ? Dann an Genelec erinnert, recherchiert und war erfreut, dass es auch die ganz kleinen Einsteiger-8000er gibt. Bei Thomann bestellt und zacko geliefert. Die Bose standen noch da zum Vergleich. Erstmal Ernüchterung, die Genelecs wirkten mumpfig matt, wiesooo? Sie mussten sich einspielen und ich mich einhören! (Meine Ohren waren schon ganz Bose verkorkst) ? Einen Abend lang verschiedenes Material verschieden laut gehört. Bald stellte sich der Genuss ein. Und die Erinnerung daran, wie gute Aufnahmen klingen müssen (hatte vor 20 Jahren JBL Ti 5000, das war schon ne Nummer).

Dieser Winzling macht so gut wie alles richtig: Breite Bühne, super Differenzierung, keine nervigen Frequenzen und ein beachtlicher Schalldruck. Obendrein traumhafte Verarbeitung, kaum fassbar für diesen Preis. Die Farbe passt übrigens exzellent zum Spacegrau des iMac!

Selbst im Bass vermisst man nicht viel ? Dennoch hab ich mir nach einigen Tagen den Fostex PM-SUBmini 2 dazu bestellt: "Jetzt wirds Tag"! Noch lässigere Impulse und die untenrum fehlende Wärme ist da, plus Punch, wenns lauter wird. Für den Preis ne Top-Kombi!

Meine Empfehlung: die 8010 auf -10dB (sonst geht der Sub nicht laut genug) und Bassabsenkung -2dB. Am Fostex Phase 0, Frequenz 80-90, Volume fast max.

Was eigentlich klar ist: Die Genelecs möglichst genau ausrichten, also die senkrechte Achse zwischen Hoch- und Tieftöner genau zu den Ohren, sonst fehlen wichtige Mitten und Höhen! Dann erst geht bei der Raumortung die Sonne auf und man kann durchaus auch den Kopf im Stereodreieck bewegen.

Seit den o.g. JBLs hatte ich nicht mehr soviel Freude am Musikhören, sogar leise geht super! Meine iTunes Bibliothek läuft rauf und runter und offenbart einige Schätze - ich schließe oft die Augen und bekomm Gänsehaut. Dabei sollt ich auch mal was arbeiten ?

Fazit: Beide Daumen hoch und volle 5 Sterne! Nur für Features ziehe ich 1 Stern ab, weil bei den Eingängen Cinch oder Klinke dabei sein könnte *duckundweg*

Depuis 1 mois je le compare avec les yamaha HS8, HS5 et HS8S ainsi que focal Aria 926 en accompagnement d'un 7040 et je doit dire que je ne comprend pas pourquoi je n'ai pas acheté cela avant car au vue de la minuscule taille il est possible d'être beaucoup plus proche pour moi 90cm de triangle avec le 7040 posé sur le bureau juste en face cela rend les problème de phase acoustique beaucoup moins compliqué à gérer car inexistante à 85hz la fréquence du crossover, niveau puissance j'ai du enclencher le pad -10 dB car sur sinon mon volume d'écoute est a 1/3 du volume de ma Motu M2 donc avec -10Db j'ai plus de précision dans le contrôle du volume car a plein volume cela envoi beaucoup trop pour 90cm de distance.
de plus niveau controle Eq intégré est super efficace ete bien pensé car suit a un passage sous earthworks via REW puis EQ Apo cela est tout juste parfait, de plus l'auto extinction est très bien pour économiser de l'énergie. je dirai que le seul point faible est le faite que les led verte devant ne sont pas éteignable mais rien de bien méchant car elle sont très peu puissante et donc n'éblouissent pas.
pour un 2.1 couvrant 25Khz a 30Hz rien de mieux possible pour moi pour le moment, je dirai bien meilleur que mes deux colonne focal aria 926 amplifié par un yamaha P7000 certe plus puissant mais je le rappel se sont des enceintes tellement petite que cela permet d'être très proche et donc de profité de 101dB pour 1000 euro !!!!
pour finir le kit 8010+7040 contre le principal concurrent yamaha HS5+HS8S je dirait que l'avantage de la taille est du design fait passer le kit genelec largement devant les yamaha car plus de puissance perçu car plus proche, les basse sont plus maitrisé et semble plus profonde que le HS8S qui est déjà très bon car le controle EQ interne au 7040 permet de gérer réellement jusqu'à 18Hz en dessous cela coup très fort au Hightpass pour éviter que le HP ne s'affole pour rien

These are used in my home studio for music listening and produktion.
I am positively surprised by the sound quality: Clear and crisp with a great soundstage. They do not sound "bigger" than they are, which is positive to me. They do their thing really really well within the limits of physics. For a small home studio it's nice to have monitors like these that come alive at reasonable volumes. Not a lot of bass, but that was not expected. Acoustic sound material sounds amazing but be prepared to help them out with the low end if you are producing bass-heavy electronic music. The bass that IS there is very nice and tight. Impeccable build quality: These fit perfectly on my crowded desk and look/feel even better in real life than in images. Included desktop ISO-stands are a nice addition but would ideally allow me to angle the speakers more upwards. The 8010s XLR contacts require flexible cables when placed on a desk and Cordial CFM 1,5 MV ones from Thomann work great. If, like me, you are placing the monitors up-close I would advice to get the Genelec L-stand while you're at it. If you already spent money on these, the stand is a no-brainer to raise sound quality even further. These speakers deserve the best placement you can give them, and if like me you are limited for desktop space desktop stands will make a positive difference.