Genelec 8030C 5" 2-Way 100W Active Studio Monitor (Single, Producer Finish) Review
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Our editorial take on the Genelec 8030C 5" 2-Way 100W Active Studio Monitor (Single, Producer Finish)
The Genelec 8030C is a benchmark in the world of professional near-field monitoring, and for good reason. It delivers a level of sonic honesty that can be jarring for the uninitiated but is absolutely essential for critical mixing and mastering. The sound signature is exceptionally flat and revealing, refusing to flatter your audio and instead exposing every flaw with clinical precision. This transparency, combined with a remarkably wide and detailed stereo image, allows engineers to make confident decisions that translate well to other systems. The iconic cast-aluminum chassis is not just for looks; it's built like a tank and engineered for acoustic performance, minimizing cabinet resonance and diffraction.
While the performance is exceptional for a 5-inch monitor, there are important considerations. The most significant is the price, which places it firmly in the professional investment category and makes it a serious expense for home studios. The bass response, while tight and accurate, does roll off in the lowest octaves, meaning producers of bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or electronic music will likely need to pair it with a subwoofer. However, with its effective room correction controls and clever integrated Iso-Pod stand, the 8030C offers a level of control and reliability that few competitors in its size class can match. It's a long-term tool for serious work.
- Exceptional sonic accuracy and transparent, flat frequency response
- Outstanding stereo imaging and a wide sweet spot
- Extremely durable, high-quality cast-aluminum construction
- Integrated Iso-Pod stand effectively decouples and angles the monitor
- Powerful room compensation DIP switches for acoustic tuning
- Impressive sound pressure level from a compact enclosure
- Premium price point is a significant investment
- Bass extension is limited for sub-heavy genres
- Rear-ported design demands careful room placement
- Unforgiving, analytical sound may not be ideal for casual listening
Synthesized by Geared editors from early expert reviews.
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About this product
The Genelec 8030C is a single 2-way active studio monitor with a 5 1/8” woofer and 3/4” metal-dome tweeter, powered by 100W of Class-D amplification. It features a frequency response of 47 Hz to 25 kHz and is designed for accurate mix referencing in various studio setups. The monitor includes a proprietary waveguide, bass reflex port, and an aluminum enclosure to minimize diffraction.
Specs
- EQ
- 1x LF Tilt: -6 to 0 dB at 100 Hz (2 dB Increments), 1x LF Shelf: -4 to 0 dB at 55 Hz, 1x HF Tilt: -4 to +2 dB at 15 kHz
- USB
- No
- Color
- Producer Gray
- Weight
- 11.0 lb / 5.0 kg
- Woofer
- 1x 5.13" / 13.03 cm Cone
- Tweeter
- 1x 0.75" / 19 mm Metal Dome
- Wireless
- No
- Audio I/O
- 1x XLR 3-Pin Balanced Input (10 Kilohms)
- Enclosure
- Bass-Reflex/Ported, Shielded
- Network I/O
- No
- Amplifiers HF
- 50 W Class-D
- Amplifiers LF
- 50 W Class-D
- AC Input Power
- 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
- Frequency Range
- 47 Hz to 25 kHz (-6 dB)
- Digital Audio I/O
- No
- Enclosure Material
- Aluminum
- Frequency Response
- 54 Hz to 20 kHz ± 2 dB
- Total Power Output
- 100 W
- Crossover Frequency
- 3 kHz
- Monitor Orientation
- Vertical
- Self-Generated Noise
- Less Than 5 dBA (at 3.28' / 1 m)
- Dimensions (W X H X D)
- 7.4 x 11.8 x 7" / 18.8 x 30 x 17.8 cm
- Power Consumption Idle
- 3 W
- Power Consumption Maximum
- 60 W
- Power Consumption Standby
- 0.5 W
- Number Of Included Monitors
- Single Monitor
- Monitor Type & Configuration
- Active 2-Way
- Analog Input Sensitivity/Gain
- -6 dBu (Continuously Variable)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- ≤0.05%
- Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
- 110 dB
Where to buy
Live prices from retailers. We earn a small commission when you click through - never affects ranking.
- B&H Photonew● In stockBest price$875Buy
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