Short answer: the Dutch & Dutch 8C for the higher ranking, the Genelec 8361A for the lower price. The Dutch & Dutch 8C ranks #1 of 20 powered bookshelf speakers at $13000. The Genelec 8361A ranks #3 at $10900, $2100 cheaper.
The case for the Dutch & Dutch 8C: All-in-one powered design with 1-inch dome tweeter, 8-inch midrange, and dual 8-inch rear subwoofers. Set against that: Premium pricing reflects integrated amplification and DSP cardioid processing.
What the Genelec 8361A gets right: Three-way coaxial design: 5” mid-range with an inset 1” metal dome tweeter. The catch: Approximately $11,000 per pair.
Buy the Dutch & Dutch 8C if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Genelec 8361A if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dutch & Dutch 8C | Genelec 8361A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $13000 | $10900 |
| Ranked | #1 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #3 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz | 29Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 23Hz | 34Hz |
| Dimensions | 19"H x 10.5"W x 15"D (482.6 x 266.7 x 381 mm) | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Drivers | 2x 8" Aluminium Cone woofers, 8" Aluminium Cone midrange, 1" Aluminium/Magnesium dome tweeter | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1" (25mm) coaxial tweeter |
| Weight | 57.3 lbs / 26 kg each | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 kg each |
| App | Yes (Ascend) | Yes (GLM) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (24-band parametric) | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 106dB @ 1m continuous | 118dB @ 1m |
| Streaming Services | Yes (network streaming) | - |
| Wifi | Yes (Ethernet) | - |
| Output Power | 1000W (250W tweeter + 250W mid + 500W dual woofers) | 1000w Per Speaker |
The Two Speakers In Full
Dutch & Dutch 8C: $13000 Tidepoolaudio
Pros: All-in-one powered design with 1-inch dome tweeter, 8-inch midrange, and dual 8-inch rear subwoofers. Cardioid design achieves forward-firing response from 100 Hz upward, eliminating rear-wall boundary reflections that typically muddy imaging and soundstage. Measures nearly flat response (plus/minus 1.5 dB from 25 Hz to 18 kHz) across the full range. Achieved 105 dB listening levels without audible distortion or woofer bottoming, providing exceptional dynamic headroom. Neutral, accurate tonal balance with surprisingly spacious soundstage depth.
Cons: Premium pricing reflects integrated amplification and DSP cardioid processing. Limited to powered amplification; not suitable for passive systems. Relatively fixed setup - bass response heavily dependent on wall placement and room modes.
| App | Yes (Ascend) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | <20Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 23Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 19"H x 10.5"W x 15"D (482.6 x 266.7 x 381 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8" Aluminium Cone woofers, 8" Aluminium Cone midrange, 1" Aluminium/Magnesium dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (24-band parametric) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 106dB @ 1m continuous |
| Output Power | 1000W (250W tweeter + 250W mid + 500W dual woofers) |
| Streaming Services | Yes (network streaming) |
| Weight | 57.3 lbs / 26 kg each |
| Wifi | Yes (Ethernet) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Genelec 8361A: $10900 Bhphotovideo
Pros: Three-way coaxial design: 5” mid-range with an inset 1” metal dome tweeter, flanked symmetrically above and below by two 10” front-loaded woofers, giving nearly identical vertical response whether you’re sitting or standing. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation of about ±60°, very forgiving for multiple seats or a home-theater row. Distortion at both 86dB and 96dB/1m stays below roughly 1%, and multitone distortion is also under about 1% - among the cleanest speakers reviewed. Long-term compression is practically non-existent, with no woofer bottoming or audible intermodulation even driven to 90dB+ at 10 feet. In-room bass extension reaches down to about 35Hz without a subwoofer. Extensive back-panel tuning (bass rolloff, bass profile, treble profile, and a desk/console compensation switch) for boundary placement.
Cons: Approximately $11,000 per pair; Genelec’s GLM room-correction add-on (measurement mic plus software) is another ~$450 and wasn’t used in this review. Shows an on-axis dip around 200Hz that may be tied to some rear-panel radiation or resonance the reviewer couldn’t fully explain. In far-field listening there’s a mild upper-midrange/lower-treble rise (roughly 2-3kHz) that only smooths out with 5-10° of toe-out or closer near-field placement. Short-term compression testing shows some tweeter limiting, though it didn’t translate to audible issues in real-world listening. At about 70 lbs, awkward to lift onto a stand alone.
| App | Yes (GLM) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1" (25mm) coaxial tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 118dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 1000w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.