Short answer: both are excellent, and the Neumann is measurably the more accurate of the two. It ranks #2 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers at $1,898, just ahead of the Genelec at #3 for $1,750, a $148 difference for a genuine but small step up in measured accuracy.
Audio Science Review’s Klippel data separates these two more than the rankings suggest. The Neumann shows only a 1.5dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz with a listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.208, both notably tighter than the Genelec’s 1.9dB span. The Genelec is still very good, with smooth directivity and an excellent predicted in-room response, but both speakers share a small dip in the 2 to 3kHz region that shows up in on- and off-axis measurements alike.
Bass extension and output favor the Neumann outright. ASR measured the Neumann reaching -3dB at 46Hz against the Genelec’s 59Hz, and the Neumann’s max SPL of 116.8dB at 1m comfortably beats the Genelec’s 110dB, backed by nearly double the amplifier power at 245W against 100W. The Genelec’s review also notes that demanding bass material could cause audible distress beyond moderate levels, a limitation the Neumann’s larger amplifier section handles more comfortably.
The Neumann adds DSP-based room and driver alignment through its MA 1 app, something the Genelec doesn’t offer; the Genelec instead relies on physical bass tilt, treble tilt, and room response switches on the back panel.
Buy the Neumann KH120 MKII if you want the more measurably neutral speaker with deeper bass and more headroom, and the price premium isn’t a dealbreaker.
Buy the Genelec 8030C if you want nearly the same measured performance for less money and don’t need DSP-based room correction.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8030C | Neumann KH120 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,750 per pair | $1,898.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #3 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 36Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 46Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 11.7”H x 7.4”W x 7”D (297.2 x 188 x 177.8 mm) | 11.3”H x 7.2”W x 8.9”D (287 x 182.9 x 226.1 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) each | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer, 0.75” metal dome tweeter | 5.25” woofer, 1” titanium fabric dome tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Bass tilt, treble tilt, room response) | Yes (via DSP) |
| Frequency Response | 54Hz - 20kHz (±2.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 44Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W (50W woofer + 50W tweeter) | 245W (145W woofer + 100W tweeter) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 116.8dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| DSP | - | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.49 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 8.44 |
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