Genelec today unveiled their new Ultimate Point Source monitoring systems - "The Ones". at a VIP event at London's Metropolis Studios and we have exclusive interviews with Genelec Chief Technologist Thomas Lund and R&D Director Aki Makivirta.

The award-winning 8351 has now been joined by the 8331 and 8341, which Genelec claim is the world’s smallest three-way coaxial monitors, to complete their compact coaxial range specialising in near-field monitoring.

Utilising their Minimum Diffraction Coaxial (MDC) Midrange and Tweeter designs, combined with twin woofers behind the Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW), these compact monitors deliver performance and accuracy of imaging previously unheard of in monitors of this size.

Ultimate Point Source

Genelec Chief Technologist Thomas Lund, gave me a brief overview of the concept of "Ultimate Point Source", in this exclusive interview....

The 8331, 8341 and 8351 have been designed to deliver precise imaging both on- and off-axis, with the aim of enabling users to make mix decisions with confidence while also listening for longer – the dramatic reduction in unnatural imaging aims to reduce listener fatigue to a fraction of that experienced with other systems. 

Like the 8351, both the 8331 and 8341 can be orientated horizontally or vertically using an adjustable IsoPod base for isolation, offering maximum flexibility to fit even the tightest of working environments. While the 8331 and 8341 both echo the 8351 in form and function, the new models have been entirely re-engineered to meet the challenges of their ultra-compact dimensions (just 299mm x 189mm x 212mm for the 8331, and 350mm x 237mm x 243mm for the 8341).

The Challenge Of A Three-Way System In A Pint Sized Container

Genelec R&D Director Aki Makivirta was kind enough to talk me through the acoustic challenges of such a design, in this exclusive interview....

New innovations include a motor assembly that sees both the midrange and the tweeter share the same compact magnet system, reducing size and weight with no reduction in response. The unique midrange coaxial driver cone is now comprised of concentric sections, optimising midrange linearity – as does the DCW which covers the entire front face of the enclosure. Despite the size of the 8331 and 8341, each unit incorporates three stages of dedicated Class D amplification, developed in-house by Genelec and including eco-friendly Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) energy saving technology.

Small But Powerful

The short-term maximum output capacities for each of the models is 104 dB SPL for the 8331 (at 1m), and 110 dB SPL for the 8341 (at 1m), with accuracy better than ±1.5 dB, and respective frequency responses starting at 45 Hz and 38 Hz (-6 dB) and extending beyond 40kHz both for the analogue and digital inputs.The acoustic design means that the listening distance may be as short as 40 cm, with no loss of precision. At a listening distance of just 50 cm, the maximum SPL capability (headroom) is raised by more than 5 dB.

Finally, with The Ones, Ultimate Point Source meets ultimate flexibility with Smart Active Monitoring (SAM™), the Genelec technology based on Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM™) 2.0 software for PC and Mac, incorporating AutoCal™, allowing you to create smart networks of up to 40 monitors and subwoofers per network, covering instantly recallable configurations from traditional stereo to immersive audio. 

Genelec Managing Director, Siamäk Naghian commented....

The number of big ideas contained within these small monitors is truly remarkable, but no list of features can ever match up to the experience of simply listening to them. For professionals worldwide, the 8351 has already become the trusted standard for its neutrality, and its smooth frequency response both on- and off-axis. Now that same precision and three-way performance is available to everyone. With the 8331 and 8341, the size of your studio is no longer a barrier to the size of your ambition.

Review To Come Soon!

Just in the short amount of time I had with these monitors, I experienced response and clarity of sound and image like I've never heard before from such a small package. Even from metres outside where you would normally consider the sweet spot, imaging was ultra precise. There wasn't so much a sweet "spot", more an entire sweet ROOM!

This news article can't begin to do justice for the sheer level of technology and innovation that's been crammed into these speakers, so I hope to be bringing you a full length review very soon.