Short answer: the Genelec 8010A for neutral monitoring, the Audioengine A2+ for a small desktop setup. The 8010A is extremely neutral for mastering and mixing, though its bass is not as deep as the iLoud Micro Monitor. The A2+ has a small footprint with RCA, 3.5mm, USB and Bluetooth inputs, but its raw anechoic response has an on-axis midrange dip the reviewer called “too much” at about 6dB and a persistent 2dB dip from 3-5kHz.
What the Audioengine A2+ gets right: Genuinely small footprint for real desktop use, with a wide input selection (RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth) plus a rear volume knob and variable RCA output. The catch: Raw anechoic response has an on-axis midrange dip the reviewer called “too much” at about 6dB peak-to-peak, and a persistent 2dB dip from 3-5kHz that desk placement doesn’t fix - possibly a crossover integration issue.
Buy the Genelec 8010A. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $601 saving on the Audioengine A2+ is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8010A | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 per pair | $299.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #2 of 25 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 25 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 7.7”H x 4.8”W x 4.5”D (195.6 x 121.9 x 114.3 mm) | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 67 Hz-25 kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, Desk proximity) | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W (25W woofer + 25W tweeter) | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.10 |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Genelec 8010A:
- Adam Audio D3v vs Genelec 8010A
- Genelec 8010A vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Genelec 8010A vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Edifier M60 vs Genelec 8010A
- Genelec 8010A vs HiVi Swan X3
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The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8010A: $900 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel measurements support a neutral compact monitor: the response spans 2.5dB from 300Hz to 5kHz, with lower narrow-band variation in the listening window than directly on-axis. Spinorama predicts 4.10 standalone and 7.01 with an ideal subwoofer, making it a strong choice when bass is handled separately. Its measured balance provides firmer evidence for critical listening than a recorded sound demonstration alone. Measured bass extension of 74Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is about 78Hz, so deep bass is missing without a subwoofer. The small enclosure and woofer are better suited to close listening than room-filling levels; the preference score does not measure headroom. The D3V offers substantially deeper measured bass in a similarly compact format, while the Genelec’s premium price is harder to justify for casual desktop use.
Full Genelec 8010A review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W (25W woofer + 25W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7”H x 4.8”W x 4.5”D (195.6 x 121.9 x 114.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, Desk proximity) |
| Frequency Response | 67 Hz-25 kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs iLoud Micro Monitor Sound Demo w/ Bass Test More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Presonus Eris E4.5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (G One) vs JBL LSR305 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Audioengine A2+ Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Genelec 8010A vs Adam Audio D3v
- Genelec 8010A vs Cambridge Audio L/R S
- Genelec 8010A vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Genelec 8010A vs Edifier M60
- Genelec 8010A vs HiVi Swan X3
- Genelec 8010A vs Edifier MR3
- Genelec 8010A vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Genelec 8010A vs Audioengine HD3
- See all 12 comparisons
Audioengine A2+: $299.00 per pair Amazon Audioengine eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 6.10 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tiny footprint, multiple inputs and variable RCA output are useful for desktop listening. The existing review found desk placement more forgiving than free-space placement, with no major port-chuffing problem in its tests. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.78 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer. Midrange and crossover-region dips remain; desk gain is placement-dependent and cannot be assumed to correct them. Compression becomes substantial above roughly 87dB at 1m in the review, so this is a quiet nearfield option rather than a high-output monitor.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Audioengine A2+ vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
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- Audioengine A2+ vs Kanto YU4
- Audioengine A2+ vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
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- Audioengine A2+ vs Edifier MR3
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- See all 16 comparisons