Short answer: the HEDD Type 20 MK2 on measured response. Its CEA2034 spinorama shows a nice flat on-axis response with a very smooth directivity index, though its horizontal beamwidth is asymmetric (+60/-80 degrees depending on reference point) and narrows above 10kHz. The Genelec 8040B is ranked on its smaller speaker’s performance and is very expensive. The Genelec 8040B is discontinued; its replacement is the Genelec 8340A.
The case for the Genelec 8040B: Based on the smaller sibling’s measured performance against others, it is ranked accordingly. The tradeoff: Very expensive.
Buy the HEDD Type 20 MK2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Genelec 8040B is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8040B | HEDD Type 20 MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,790 per pair Discontinued | $4,798 per pair |
| Ranked | #57 of 119 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 119 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) | 14.1”H x 11”W x 13.3”D (358.1 x 279.4 x 337.8 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 41Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR (Analog/AES) |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) each |
| Drivers | 6.5” (165mm) woofer | 7” honeycomb composite woofer, 4” honeycomb composite midrange, HEDD AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter |
| App | No | Yes (HEDD CTRL) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Desk filter, shelf filters) |
| DSP | No | Yes (96kHz/32-bit) |
| Amplifier Power | 180w Per Speaker | 900W (3x300W) |
| 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 | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 26Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 32Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Outputs | - | XLR (AES pass-through) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 120dB @ 1m (per pair) (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.11 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.69 |
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