Genelec's studio monitors fall into three families. The 8000 series (8010A to 8050B) is analogue: you set it up with rear-panel switches. The SAM 8300 series (8320A to 8350A) uses the same two-way sizes but adds digital processing and GLM room calibration. The Ones (8331A, 8341A, 8351B) are three-way coaxial SAM monitors that behave like a single point source.
Quick verdict: if your room is treated and your budget is set, an 8000 series pair is the simplest route. If your room is an untreated bedroom or you plan to add a subwoofer or immersive setup, pay for SAM. If you want the most precise imaging at close listening distances, The Ones are the reason people buy Genelec.
Below we explain what each family does, what the numbers mean for Indian home and professional rooms, and what each model costs at proaudiobrands.com in September 2026.
At a glance: Genelec 8000 vs SAM 8300 vs The Ones
Specifications are from genelec.com product pages. Frequency response is the -6 dB range; SPL is Genelec's maximum short-term sine wave output at 1 m. Prices are as listed on proaudiobrands.com in September 2026 and are per single monitor (Genelec packs each monitor on its own, so a stereo pair costs double).
| Model | Family | Drivers | Amplifiers | Response (-6 dB) | Short-term SPL | Price (each) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8010A | 8000 analogue | 76 mm + 19 mm | 25 W + 25 W | 67 Hz to 25 kHz | 96 dB | ₹44,500 | Desktop, travel, editing |
| 8020D | 8000 analogue | 105 mm + 19 mm | 50 W + 50 W | 56 Hz to 25 kHz | 100 dB | ₹69,000 | Small desks, video editing |
| 8030C | 8000 analogue | 130 mm + 19 mm | 50 W + 50 W | 47 Hz to 25 kHz | 104 dB | ₹95,900 | Bedroom studios |
| 8040B | 8000 analogue | 165 mm + 19 mm | 90 W + 90 W | 41 Hz to 25 kHz | 105 dB | ₹1,41,999 | Mid-size music rooms |
| 8050B | 8000 analogue | 205 mm + 25 mm | 150 W + 120 W | 32 Hz to 25 kHz | 110 dB | ₹2,36,900 | Larger control rooms |
| 8320A | SAM 2-way | 105 mm + 19 mm | 50 W + 50 W | 55 Hz to 23 kHz | 100 dB | ₹89,000 | Entry to GLM calibration |
| 8330A | SAM 2-way | 130 mm + 19 mm | 50 W + 50 W | 45 Hz to 23 kHz | 104 dB | ₹1,25,900 | Untreated home studios |
| 8340A | SAM 2-way | 165 mm + 19 mm | 150 W + 150 W | 38 Hz to 22 kHz | 110 dB | ₹2,04,900 | Pro music and post rooms |
| 8350A | SAM 2-way | 205 mm + 25 mm | 200 W + 150 W | 33 Hz to 22 kHz | 112 dB | ₹3,04,000 | Loud, large rooms |
| 8331A | The Ones | 2 x 130 x 65 mm woofers, 90 mm + 19 mm coaxial | 72 W + 36 W + 36 W | 45 Hz to 37 kHz | 104 dB | ₹2,99,900 | Near-field precision in small rooms |
| 8341A | The Ones | 2 x 170 x 90 mm woofers, 90 mm + 19 mm coaxial | 250 W + 150 W + 150 W | 38 Hz to 37 kHz | 110 dB | ₹3,88,900 | Mixing, Dolby Atmos rooms |
| 8351B | The Ones | 2 x 218 x 101 mm woofers, 130 mm + 25 mm coaxial | 250 W + 150 W + 150 W | 32 Hz to 43 kHz | 113 dB | ₹4,92,900 | Mastering, mid-field main monitors |
The 8000 series: analogue two-way monitors
The 8000 series is the classic Genelec range: die-cast aluminium enclosures with rounded edges, a Directivity Control Waveguide around the tweeter, an Iso-Pod stand in the box, and a balanced XLR analogue input. Room adjustment is done with rear-panel switches such as bass tilt, bass roll-off, treble tilt and desktop control, depending on the model. There is no software, no network and no microphone calibration.
8010A and 8020D: small rooms and desks
The Genelec 8010A is the smallest model: a 76 mm woofer, 1.5 kg, and 195 mm tall on its Iso-Pod. It reaches 67 Hz, so it suits dialogue editing, podcast work, travel rigs and desktop listening at close range rather than bass-heavy music. The Genelec 8020D steps up to a 105 mm woofer, 56 Hz extension and 100 dB short-term SPL, which makes it a sensible choice for video editors and composers on a narrow desk.
8030C: the bedroom-studio sweet spot
The Genelec 8030C has a 130 mm woofer, reaches 47 Hz and weighs 5 kg. It is a two-way monitor with a 19 mm metal dome tweeter, powered by 50 W for each driver. For a typical 10 x 12 ft room in an Indian flat, listened to at 1 m to 1.5 m, this is about as large as you need before room bass problems outweigh the extra low end.
8040B and 8050B: more bass and headroom
The Genelec 8040B (165 mm woofer, 41 Hz, 9.4 kg) and the Genelec 8050B (205 mm woofer, 32 Hz, 110 dB, 14.4 kg) use Class AB amplifiers, unlike the Class D units in the smaller models. They make sense in rooms with some acoustic treatment and enough space to sit further back. In an untreated small room, their deeper bass tends to excite room modes and make mixes harder, not easier.
SAM 8300 series: the same sizes, with GLM calibration
The SAM (Smart Active Monitoring) two-way models mirror the 8000 series sizes. The 8320A matches the 8020D's 105 mm woofer, the 8330A has the 8030C's 130 mm woofer and cabinet size, the 8340A matches the 8040B's dimensions, and the 8350A matches the 8050B. All four use Class D amplification, and the 8340A and 8350A get noticeably more power than their analogue siblings.
What GLM actually does
GLM is Genelec's free Loudspeaker Manager software. Each SAM monitor has two RJ45 network ports. With a measurement microphone in the listening position, GLM's AutoCal measures the room and applies compensation in the low and low-mid frequencies, and aligns levels and time of flight for every monitor and subwoofer on the network. Genelec states calibration requires GLM plus either the 9320A SAM Reference Controller or the GLM Calibration Kit, both sold separately, so budget for that when comparing prices.
In practical terms, SAM earns its premium in rooms you cannot treat properly: a rented flat, a bedroom with a bed against one wall, or a desk pushed into a corner. It also makes adding a subwoofer much easier. The Genelec 7350A SAM subwoofer (205 mm driver, 150 W, down to 22 Hz at -6 dB, ₹2,05,900) sits on the same GLM network and GLM handles its crossover phase alignment.
Digital inputs
The 8320A has an analogue XLR input only. The 8340A and 8350A add an AES/EBU digital input and a digital thru output, which matters in broadcast and post-production facilities running digital signal paths.
The Ones: 8331A, 8341A and 8351B coaxial monitors
The Ones are three-way SAM monitors built around Genelec's Minimum Diffraction Coaxial driver: the midrange cone and tweeter sit on the same axis, and the bass comes from two racetrack woofers that radiate through slots in the enclosure, which Genelec calls Acoustically Concealed Woofers. Because the midrange and treble come from one point, the sound holds together even when you sit very close or move your head. Genelec describes the 8331A as a three-way point source monitor with the footprint of a compact two-way.
All three have analogue XLR and AES/EBU digital inputs, a digital thru output, two GLM network ports, and the same GLM calibration requirement as the 8300 series.
Genelec 8331A
The Genelec 8331A has the same 285 mm cabinet height and 189 mm width as an 8330A, and is deeper at 212 mm (305 mm tall on its Iso-Pod). It reaches 45 Hz with 104 dB short-term SPL and runs 72 W for bass, 36 W for midrange and 36 W for treble. This is the one for a small room where you sit within about a metre of the speakers and want the imaging of a much larger system. At ₹2,99,900 per monitor, it costs more than twice an 8330A, and you are paying for the coaxial design rather than louder output.
Genelec 8341A
The Genelec 8341A is about the size of an 8340A, slightly deeper, but three-way, with 250 W + 150 W + 150 W of amplification, 38 Hz extension and 110 dB short-term SPL. It weighs 9.8 kg. It is the most sensible The Ones model for a proper mixing room or a Dolby Atmos bed, where you need several identical monitors and each one must image precisely off-axis.
Genelec 8351B
The Genelec 8351B is the flagship of the three: a 130 mm coaxial midrange with a 25 mm tweeter, two 218 x 101 mm woofers, 32 Hz to 43 kHz, 113 dB short-term SPL, and 14.3 kg. It works as a near-field or mid-field main monitor in larger rooms, which suits mastering rooms and larger post-production suites. In a small Indian bedroom studio it is more monitor than the room can use.
What the numbers mean for your room
- Low cut-off (-6 dB): the point where bass output has dropped noticeably. A 32 Hz monitor in a 10 x 12 ft room will not sound deeper than a 45 Hz one; it will sound boomier, because small rooms reinforce certain bass notes. Match bass extension to room size, or add GLM calibration.
- Short-term SPL: how loud one monitor can play cleanly at 1 m. 100 to 104 dB is plenty for near-field work at a desk. 110 dB and above matters when you sit 2 m or more back or mix loud genres at reference level.
- Two-way vs three-way coaxial: a two-way crosses from woofer to tweeter; the coaxial Ones keep midrange and treble on one axis, so imaging stays consistent close up and at different head heights.
If you are also considering other brands, our Neumann KH 120 vs KH 150 vs KH 310 comparison covers the closest rival range. Browse every model in our Genelec collection.
Buying Genelec monitors in India: practical points
- Mains voltage: the 8010A, 8020D, 8030C and all SAM monitors on genelec.com are listed for 100 to 240 V AC. The 8040B, 8050B and 7350A are built for a specific mains voltage by region, so an 8040B or 8050B for India must be the 230 V version. Buying through an authorised dealer settles this.
- Voltage fluctuation: in areas with frequent dips and surges, run monitors, interface and computer from a good online UPS or a quality servo stabiliser, and switch the monitors on last and off first.
- Heat and dust: the aluminium enclosures also act as heat sinks for the amplifiers. Leave space behind the monitors, keep the rear ports clear of dust, and cover the monitors when the room is not in use during dusty months.
- Power saving: Genelec's ISS function puts the monitors into a low-power sleep state when there is no signal, and wakes them when audio returns. It can be disabled with a rear switch if you prefer.
- Warranty: Genelec lists a 2-year warranty plus a 3-year extension when you register the product on MyGenelec. Buy from an authorised Genelec dealer so the registration and service are straightforward.
Which Genelec should you buy?
- Desktop editing, podcasts, travel: 8010A or 8020D.
- Bedroom music studio, treated room, fixed budget: 8030C pair.
- Bedroom or rented-flat studio you cannot treat: 8330A pair with the GLM Calibration Kit, adding a 7350A later if you need more bass.
- Professional music or post room with some treatment: 8340A, or 8040B if you prefer analogue simplicity.
- Close near-field mixing where imaging matters most: 8331A.
- Dolby Atmos or multichannel room: 8341A all round, with SAM subwoofers.
- Mastering or larger control room: 8351B, or 8050B / 8350A where budget matters more than coaxial imaging.
FAQ
What is the Genelec 8341A price in India?
The Genelec 8341A SAM Studio Monitor is listed at ₹3,88,900 per single monitor on proaudiobrands.com as of September 2026, so a stereo pair is ₹7,77,800. The GLM Calibration Kit or 9320A controller needed for room calibration is sold separately.
Genelec 8351B vs 8341A: which should I buy?
Both are three-way coaxial The Ones monitors with the same amplifier power. The 8351B has a larger 130 mm coaxial midrange and 25 mm tweeter, reaches 32 Hz instead of 38 Hz, and plays to 113 dB instead of 110 dB, but weighs 14.3 kg against 9.8 kg. Choose the 8351B for larger rooms and longer listening distances, the 8341A for typical mixing rooms and Atmos setups.
Is the Genelec 8331A worth it over the 8330A?
The 8330A and 8331A share the same cabinet height and width, the same 45 Hz bass extension and the same 104 dB short-term SPL. The 8331A adds the three-way coaxial design, which gives more stable imaging close up, and a digital input. If precise stereo imaging at a desk is your priority, the 8331A is worth the difference; if you need calibration on a budget, the 8330A does the job.
Does the Genelec 8030C work with GLM?
No. The 8030C is an analogue monitor with rear-panel room response switches and an XLR input. GLM calibration needs a SAM monitor, and the 8330A is the SAM model of the same size.
Which Genelec is best for a small home studio in India?
For most bedroom studios, a pair of 8030C or 8330A monitors is the right size. Pick the 8330A if the room is untreated, because GLM calibration can correct bass problems that switches cannot.
Are Genelec prices per pair or per monitor?
Per monitor. Genelec ships each monitor in its own box with its own Iso-Pod or network cable, and the prices on our site are for one unit. Double the figure for a stereo pair.
Do I need a subwoofer with Genelec monitors?
Not with the 8040B, 8050B, 8340A, 8350A, 8341A or 8351B in a typical room, since they already reach 41 Hz or lower. With smaller models, or for film and Atmos work, a SAM subwoofer such as the 7350A extends bass down to 22 Hz and GLM integrates it.