Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Robust and accurate sound reproduction due to its eight-inch woofer and solid cast aluminum construction
- Integrated waveguide and crossover frequencies ensure a smooth and seamless transition between the woofer and tweeter, resulting in excellent tonal balance
- Employs a design that minimizes the influence of room reflections, ensuring the measured frequency response represents the speaker's true performance
- Exhibits very low distortion levels, particularly in the mid to high frequencies
- Exhibits a controlled and consistent horizontal directivity, which ensures a stable and focused soundstage
Product Considerations
- Amplifier design is based on traditional class A/B amps, which may not provide the same power and efficiency as newer class D amplifiers
- Has limitations in terms of maximum volume, distortion levels rise and sound quality diminishes at extremely high volumes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to newer Genelec speakers, the 8050B is an older design and doesn't have DSP to filter out notches in the frequency response
- Compared to the JBL 708P, the 708P is a powered speaker with no limit, the reviewer could not get that speaker to bottom out, whereas it did with the 8050B
Takeaway: The Genelec 8050B is a powerful speaker that delivers accurate sound reproduction and tonal balance. It's great for critical listening and professional audio, as long as insane volume levels are not needed.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
8050B
reviews
[{"title":"Genelec 8050B Speaker Review (and how to read speaker measurements)","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHNhSRDqqw","source":"Audio Science Review","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"Ultimate Speaker Review: Genelec 8050B (with ...","link":"https://www.toolify.ai/ai-news/ultimate-speaker-review-genelec-8050b-with-speaker-measurement-tips-55659","source":"toolify.ai","datePublished":""},{"title":"8050B Review","link":"https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/genelec-8050b-review-studio-monitor.20542/","source":"audiosciencereview.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 38 Hz - 20 kHz (± 2 dB)
- Low cutoff -6dB: 32 Hz
- High cutoff -6dB: 25 kHz
- SPL Peak: ≥120 dB
- Short term max SPL: ≥110 dB
- Long term max SPL: ≥101 dB
- Self-generated noise: ≤10 dB SPL
- Weight: 14.4 kg (31.7 lb)
- Height: 433 mm (17 in)
- Height with Iso-Pod: 452 mm (17 3/4 in)
- Width: 286 mm (11 1/4 in)
- Depth: 278 mm (11 in)
- Bass Driver: 205 mm (8 1/8 in) Cone
- Treble Driver: 25 mm (1 in) Metal dome
- Bass amplifier: 150 W Class AB
- Treble amplifier: 120 W Class AB
- Input: XLR female, balanced 10 kOhm
- Crossover: 1800 Hz
Description
Nearfield monitoring with real muscle. The 8050B has power in abundance, making it ideally suited to larger spaces and longer listening distances.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Genelec stands out for its cast-aluminum enclosures with rounded edges and integrated Directivity Control Waveguide, which embody a distinctive approach to design, aesthetics, and controlled dispersion.
- The brand's SAM (Smart Active Monitoring) system, coupled with GLM software, enables automated calibration for level, timing, and equalization of room-response anomalies, optimizing performance in diverse acoustic environments.
- Genelec offers a point-source design across "The Ones" series, where the tweeter is mounted in the center of the woofer, creating a single full-range device regardless of listening distance and expanding the listening sweet spot.
- The company is known for their comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to the design of each speaker, carefully considering everything from enclosure materials to the integration of amplifiers and DSP.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Genelec 8361A Stereo Pair
- Positioning: Positioned as a high-end studio monitor within "The Ones" series, offering advanced audio precision for professional environments.
- Description: Features Minimum Diffraction Coaxial (MDC) driver technology, ensuring a smooth frequency response and outstanding sound imaging. Compared to other models like the 8351B, offers a wider frequency range and higher sound pressure level, making it ideal for larger studio spaces where detailed sound reproduction is critical. Its Smart Active Monitoring (SAM) system allows for automatic calibration to the room, providing flexibility and precision in various acoustic environments.
Genelec 8351B W371A Stereo System
- Positioning: Combined with the W371A woofer system, represents a sophisticated stereo setup designed for full-range audio performance, suitable for both professional studios and high-end home listening.
- Description: Known for its compact size yet powerful performance, using Acoustically Concealed Woofers (ACW) technology to deliver controlled low-frequency directivity. When paired with the W371A, it extends the system's low-frequency response, outperforming standalone monitors like the 8361A in terms of bass depth and room adaptability.
Genelec 1236A Stereo Pair
- Positioning: Genelec's flagship main monitor, designed for large-scale professional studios requiring the highest level of audio fidelity and power.
- Description: Stands out with its massive sound pressure level and extended low-frequency response, thanks to its large enclosure and advanced Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) technology. Unlike the 8361A and 8351B, built for expansive spaces where maximum output and precision are paramount, making it the go-to choice for top-tier recording studios. Its Smart Active Monitoring capabilities ensure it adapts seamlessly to any room, providing unmatched consistency and accuracy in sound reproduction.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
18
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
100
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
40
Founding Year
1978
Our take on the brand
Genelec is a hifi speaker brand known for their unique coaxial driver design where the tweeter is embedded in the mid-woofer, ensuring all frequencies come from the same point in space. The brand pioneered the use of recycled aluminum for speaker cabinets in 1996, and their Smart Active Monitoring systems automatically adapt to room acoustics, making them particularly valuable for professional studio environments.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
Genelec
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
No items found.
How to buy
Speakers
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
