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Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Genelec product! Fulfilling dreams by
offering people the most truthful sound reproduction possible
has been the source of our enthusiasm since 1978. There´s
already over one million Genelec monitors around the world -
welcome to our story!
All Genelec monitors are designed, hand assembled and
tested at our factory in Iisalmi, Finland. Our monitors are designed
to last for decades and we take care that our customers receive
excellent support and technical services throughout the life-time
of the products.
Please register your monitor at http://www.community.
genelec.com/. You will receive an extended 5 year warranty
for spare parts. For more information about our service and
technical support see
http://www.genelec.com/customer-service.
System Characteristics
Each 8331A is supplied with one mains power cable, one
5-meter GLM network cable and this operating manual.
The Genelec 8331A is suitable for professional monitoring
applications calling for very high precision and reliability.
It combines many remarkable Genelec technologies to
provide point source benefits with directivity control over an
extraordinarily wide audio bandwidth.
Genelec Loudspeaker Manager™ (GLM™)
Software And GLM User Kit
The GLM software gets the most out of 8341 and tailor-fits it to
your room. GLM is available for download free of charge at www.
genelec.com/glm. Check in from time to time to take advantage
of new features, or consider using the cloud-based version. A
GLM User Kit comprising the necessary hardware, including the
GLM Adapter and measuring microphone is needed for building
and operating the GLM network. This kit can be purchased at all
certified Genelec dealers.
Minimum Diffraction Coaxial (MDC™)
The minimum diffraction coaxial driver is comprised of a powerful
midrange driver combined with a tweeter driver extending to
ultrasonic frequencies. This unique arrangement eliminates or
minimizes acoustic diffraction sources that typically exist in
coaxial drivers and produces a flat frequency response both on
the acoustical axis and at all off-axis directions.
The 8331 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically and
is intended for near-field listening where the influences of the
room can be mostly minimized. Typical distances can vary from
1 meter or less to 3 meters depending on room size and SPL
requirements.
Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™)
The 8331A has an unusually large directivity control waveguide
extending over the whole front face of the enclosure. The
midrange driver cone also forms a part of the directivity control
waveguide for the tweeter. From behind the waveguide, two
woofers radiate audio through two openings in the enclosure
front. This unique design enables directivity control of all audio
frequencies down to low bass.
Acoustically Concealed Woofers (ACW™)
A pair of nearly invisible woofers in the 8331A are placed
acoustically coaxially with the midrange/tweeter drivers to
create a three-way system with all drivers having their acoustical
axes in the same position. This creates an ideally working point
source radiator.
Smart Active Monitor (SAM™)
Genelec SAM technology can improve the reliability and accuracy
of monitoring. Smart Active Monitors have several parametric
notch and shelving filters that can be tuned automatically using
the Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) software to exactly
compensate for colorations generated by room acoustics. This
enables SAM monitors to sound neutral and achieve accurate
stereo imaging in all acoustical environments.
Audio Inputs
The 8331A’s audio inputs are designed to integrate easily into
all professional environments, supporting balanced line analog
and AES/EBU format digital signal. The maximum analog input
level is +25 dBu (13.7 Vrms or 19.5 V peak). Set to the maximum
sensitivity, an analog input signal of -6 dBu produces 100 dB
SPL sound level at 1 meter in free space. A -30 dBFS digital
audio input level produces 100 dB SPL level at 1 meter in free
space. Note that 0 dBFS refers to the largest possible digital
input value.
The XLR audio input accepts both AES/EBU format digital
signal and analog line level analog audio signal. With an
extremely low level AES/EBU signal, the automatic selection
may not work properly. In such case, the signal selection can be
made in the GLM software or, if GLM is not available, by setting
the “Stored” DIP switch to “OFF” and selecting the appropriate
AES/EBU channel with the “Digital” switches .
When using a digital audio source with adjustable level, it
may instead be advantageous to lower the output level of the
8331A using the monitors on-board rear panel controls. This
enables the use of a higher source output level with more digital
resolution, while taking full advantage of 8331’s impressively
low self generated noise.
The AES/EBU format supports two channels of audio in a
single cable. The DIGITAL OUT male XLR connector carries an
unaltered copy of the digital input signal. This enables daisy-
chaining of up to four monitors. The proper digital channel can
be selected using DIP switches or GLM.
Power Management
The 8331A mains power input supports any mains voltage
globally (100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz). It can be plugged in anywhere
in the world and will always deliver the maximum output power
to the drivers even when the mains voltage fluctuates. If mains
power is provided with a generator, inverter or lower-quality UPS
device, we recommend filtering out harmonics from the mains
power voltage.
The energy saving function Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™)
puts the monitor automatically into a deep sleep state when no
input signal is present. The device then consumes less than
one watt of power. Upon sensing an input signal, the monitor
automatically awakens. The wait time until entering the power
saving state can be configured using the GLM software. When
ISS is active, you can leave your monitors on at all times and