Short answer: the Genelec 8340A, if you are buying new. The Genelec 8040B measures as well as the Focal Solo6 ST6 (#54 vs #51 of 113 powered bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Genelec 8340A, is rated 4.4/5 at $3,790 and is still sold new.
What the Genelec 8040B does well: A compact professional monitor with balanced XLR input and analog room-adjustment controls. The catch: It lacks GLM calibration and consumer streaming inputs.
What the Focal Solo6 ST6 does well: ASR measured a tight 1.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 7.34 ideal-subwoofer score, supporting accurate midrange monitoring. The catch: The measured -3dB point is 46.9Hz, so deep-bass work benefits from a subwoofer.
Buy the Genelec 8340A, the replacement for the discontinued Genelec 8040B; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Solo6 ST6.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8040B | Focal Solo6 ST6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,790 per pair Discontinued | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #54 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 113 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 14.4”H x 9.3”W x 8.8”D (365.8 x 236.2 x 223.5 mm) | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each | 28.7 lbs (13 kg) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 1” Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5” “W” composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 180w Per Speaker | 130W total (80W LF + 50W HF); Bi-amped (Class G LF + Class AB HF) |
| 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 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.34 |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM 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 8040B: $2,790 per pair Discontinued B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the Genelec 8340A, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5. It uses the same cabinet and woofer size, adding GLM room calibration and an AES/EBU digital input.
Same family: the Genelec 8010A (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.5/5), the Genelec 8020D (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.4/5), the Genelec 8030C (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.6/5) and the Genelec 8050B (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A compact professional monitor with balanced XLR input and analog room-adjustment controls. The manufacturer’s 41Hz limit is specified at -6dB, offering a useful reference for system planning without confusing it with a measured -3dB point.
Cons: It lacks GLM calibration and consumer streaming inputs. The balanced XLR connection may require an interface or controller for a typical desktop source. It is expensive. Discontinued.
Full Genelec 8040B review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 14.4”H x 9.3”W x 8.8”D (365.8 x 236.2 x 223.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Solo6 ST6: $2,998 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Focal ST6 Twin6 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 3.8/5) and the Focal Trio6 ST6 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: ASR measured a tight 1.6dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and a 7.34 ideal-subwoofer score, supporting accurate midrange monitoring. The beryllium tweeter and Focus mode offer a useful professional workflow, with Focus serving as an alternate mix-check presentation. Its beryllium inverted-dome tweeter and 6.5-inch W composite sandwich-cone woofer are a low-mass, low-distortion pairing. Measured bass extension of 46.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is 46.9Hz, so deep-bass work benefits from a subwoofer. The standard-mode score does not apply to Focus mode. There is no automatic room-calibration system, and premium driver materials alone do not establish superior sound.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 130W total (80W LF + 50W HF); Bi-amped (Class G LF + Class AB HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 24.6 x 33.4 x 29.5cm (9.7 x 13.1 x 11.6 in) each, 13kg (28.6 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1” Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5” “W” composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 40kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.32 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs (13 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons