Short answer: the Genelec 8020D. It ranks #12 of 100 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $1,390. The Airpulse A100 ranks #34, rated 4.0/5, at $999.99, $390.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Genelec 8020D is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A compact waveguided monitor with balanced XLR input and placement filters, well suited to a small studio desk. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Airpulse A100. The tradeoff: Small size limits deep-bass reach and headroom.
The case for the Airpulse A100: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Genelec 8020D lacks. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Buy the Genelec 8020D. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $390.01 with the Airpulse A100 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8020D | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,390 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #34 of 100 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9.5”H x 5.8”W x 5.6”D (241.3 x 147.3 x 142.2 mm) | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Frequency Response | 56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | XLR | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Drivers | 4.1” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| App | No | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, desk proximity) | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.08 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Genelec 8020D compares with other leading options:
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8020D
- Genelec 8020D vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8020D vs Genelec 8030C
- Genelec 8020D vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Genelec 8020D vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8020D: $1,390 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Genelec 8010A (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the Genelec 8030C (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5), the Genelec 8040B (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the Genelec 8050B (larger bookshelf, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A compact waveguided monitor with balanced XLR input and placement filters, well suited to a small studio desk. Klippel measurements show a flat, well-behaved on-axis response from about 60Hz to 10kHz, with listening-window and early-reflection curves tracking closely, a sign of well-controlled directivity. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Small size limits deep-bass reach and headroom. It lacks the GLM calibration of the SAM models, and the price is substantial for a compact analog-input monitor. Sound power starts rolling off around 500Hz to 1kHz as the small drivers begin to beam.
Full Genelec 8020D review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5”H x 5.8”W x 5.6”D (241.3 x 147.3 x 142.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.1” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, desk proximity) |
| Frequency Response | 56 Hz - 25 kHz (-6 dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS5 Soun & Frequency Response Comparison More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Yamaha HS8 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Neumann KH80 DSP vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: IK Multimedia iLoud MTM vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: KEF LSX vs Genelec 8020D Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D vs Adam Audo T5V Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8020D & KRK Rokit 5 G4 PR5G4 - Same, same, but different Sound & Response Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A60 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5), the Airpulse A80 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4/5).
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 4.56 standalone and 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion. The remote cannot reach the rear bass and treble knobs, and there is no app EQ.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 11.1” x 10” (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5” hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons