Short answer: the Genelec 8040B for better sound quality, the Focal Solo6 ST6 for the lower price. The Genelec 8040B ranks #9 of 61 powered bookshelf speakers at $2350. The Focal Solo6 ST6 ranks #25 at $1499, $851 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8040B offers: Based on their smaller speaker’s performance against others, I’m ranking this accordingly. Watch for: Very expensive
What the Focal Solo6 ST6 offers: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. Directivity control is the tightest of this entire batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 2.87), and the listening-window response is smooth (smoothness_listening_window 0.380). Bi-amped 130W total (80W Class G woofer + 50W Class AB tweeter), each driver on its own amplifier. ‘Focus Mode’ switches the cabinet to a single-driver full-range reference signature for a second mix-translation check without extra hardware. Bass reaches 46.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, solid for a 6.5” driver. Watch for: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.826) is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment. XLR-only balanced input, no unbalanced/TRS or digital connectivity. No automatic DSP room correction - tuning is limited to fixed analog shelving/high-pass switches. At $1,499 each ($2,998/pair), it’s a meaningful step up from typical prosumer active monitors.
Buy the Genelec 8040B if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Focal Solo6 ST6 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8040B | Focal Solo6 ST6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2350 | $1,499.00 |
| Ranked | #9 of 61 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 61 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) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg each | - |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 1" Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" "W" composite sandwich-cone woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Output Power | 180w Per Speaker | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Maximum Output | - | 110dB peak at 1m |
| Amplification | - | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Genelec 8050B vs Kali Audio LP-8
- Genelec 8050B vs Kali Audio LP-6 V2
- JBL 4305P vs Focal Solo6 ST6
- Focal Twin6 Be vs Focal Solo6 ST6
Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 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 8040B: $2350 Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: Based on their smaller speaker’s performance against others, I’m ranking this accordingly.
Cons: Very expensive
Full Genelec 8040B review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 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) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 180w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Solo6 ST6: $1,499.00 B&H Photo eBay
Pros: Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter over a 6.5” ‘W’ composite sandwich-cone woofer - a low-mass, low-distortion driver combination rarely found below far pricier monitors. Directivity control is the tightest of this entire batch (directivity_spdi_stddev 2.87), and the listening-window response is smooth (smoothness_listening_window 0.380). Bi-amped 130W total (80W Class G woofer + 50W Class AB tweeter), each driver on its own amplifier. ‘Focus Mode’ switches the cabinet to a single-driver full-range reference signature for a second mix-translation check without extra hardware. Bass reaches 46.9Hz at -3dB / 38.1Hz at -10dB, solid for a 6.5” driver.
Cons: Bass alignment Q (lfq 0.826) is on the higher side, which can correlate with a touch of extra bass fullness/looseness versus a more critically-damped alignment. XLR-only balanced input, no unbalanced/TRS or digital connectivity. No automatic DSP room correction - tuning is limited to fixed analog shelving/high-pass switches. At $1,499 each ($2,998/pair), it’s a meaningful step up from typical prosumer active monitors.
Full Focal Solo6 ST6 review and specifications →
| Amplification | 130W total, bi-amped (80W Class G LF + 50W Class AB HF) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.1Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| 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 |
| Maximum Output | 110dB peak at 1m |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons