Short answer: the Genelec 8010A for better sound quality, the Fiio SP3 for the lower price. The Genelec 8010A ranks #1 of 11 powered bookshelf speakers at $700. The Fiio SP3 ranks #11 at $299.99, $400.01 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8010A offers: An extremely neutral speaker for mastering and mixing recordings. Watch for: Not as deep of bass as the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor.
What the Fiio SP3 offers: Solid build quality that feels more substantial than the ribbed, 3D-printed-looking exterior would suggest. Watch for: Treble runs too hot and the mid-range is heavily scooped out on-axis, the supposedly ideal listening position.
Buy the Genelec 8010A if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Fiio SP3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Fiio SP3. It ranks near the bottom of the 11 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8010A | Fiio SP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $700 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #1 of 11 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 11 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) | 6.4"H x 4.7"W x 5.2"D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 67 Hz-25 kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | AUX, RCA |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg | 4.3 lbs / 1.95 kg each |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 0.75" metal dome tweeter | 3.5" carbon fiber midwoofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| App | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, Desk proximity) | - |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 50W (25W woofer + 25W tweeter) | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Audioengine HD3 vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Adam Audio D3v vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor vs JBL 305P MKII
- Genelec 8010A vs IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor
- Genelec 8010A vs Yamaha HS5
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8010A: $700 Bhphotovideo
Pros: An extremely neutral speaker for mastering and mixing recordings. Although for mastering, it’s highly recommended to use a larger speaker with deeper bass extension or add a subwoofer
Cons: Not as deep of bass as the IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor. Probably not the best choice for general music listening due to the price and limited bass extension.
Full Genelec 8010A review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 96dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 50W (25W woofer + 25W tweeter) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs iLoud Micro Monitor Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- 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
- Reddit Search for Genelec 8010A Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Fiio SP3: $299.99 Amazon
Pros: Solid build quality that feels more substantial than the ribbed, 3D-printed-looking exterior would suggest. RGB lighting accent on the base. Genuinely good dynamic range and compression behavior at higher frequencies - the one area where the reviewer says the manufacturer’s marketing claims actually hold up. Compact footprint for a desktop setup, with a 7° riser built into the base to angle the drivers toward the listener.
Cons: Treble runs too hot and the mid-range is heavily scooped out on-axis, the supposedly ideal listening position. A severely mismatched enclosure-to-driver tuning creates a very high-Q bass resonance - a one-note bass “boom” rather than usable extension, with a steep 7dB rolloff between F3 (59Hz) and F10 (53Hz). Tilting the speaker to change listening angle doesn’t fix the tonal problems; because the crossover itself is poorly executed, off-axis listening just trades one set of problems (5-10dB dip at the crossover region) for another. The reviewer found no EQ or placement adjustment that made it sound acceptable, and specifically calls out the manufacturer’s marketing claims (driver size, dynamics, soundstage) as misleading relative to comparably-priced competitors like the Presonus Eris 3.5. No volume knob on the front panel. Recommended alternative: the Monoprice MM3.
Full Fiio SP3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 6.4"H x 4.7"W x 5.2"D (163 x 120 x 132 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5" carbon fiber midwoofer, 1" silk dome tweeter |
| Inputs | AUX, RCA |
| Output Power | 40W total (30W midwoofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs / 1.95 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons