Short answer: the Genelec 8050B for better sound quality, the Kali Audio IN-8 for the lower price. The Genelec 8050B ranks #8 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $3800. The Kali Audio IN-8 ranks #11 at $499, $3301 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8050B gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. The catch: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements.
On the Kali Audio IN-8 side: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues; extensive dip switches handle boundary compensation. Set against that: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis, needing about 10° of toe-out (Kali’s own recommendation for the coaxial design) plus some EQ to fully resolve.
Buy the Genelec 8050B if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kali Audio IN-8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8050B | Kali Audio IN-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3800 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #8 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR, RCA |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| DSP | No | No |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker | 140w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | - | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8050B: $3800 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good on-axis response with excellent directivity. Predicted in-room response is smooth, with only a 2kHz dip as a real issue. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is very smooth and well controlled. Vertical directivity is similarly even outside the 2kHz region, as long as listening position stays within about ±20 degrees of the woofer’s border. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m is typical low-frequency behavior with the rest of the range well controlled.
Cons: A dip around 2kHz shows up in both the on-axis and predicted in-room measurements. An unexplained distortion spike appears around 10-15kHz at 96dB SPL/1m that the reviewer couldn’t identify a clear cause for. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a port resonance lingering in the upper-bass/lower-midrange region. Very expensive.
Full Genelec 8050B review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (452.1 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 25kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 270w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs / 14.4 kg each |
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Kali Audio IN-8: $499.00 Amazon
Pros: Three-way coaxial (coincident) driver in a front-ported cabinet, allowing near-wall placement without port noise issues; extensive dip switches handle boundary compensation, plus XLR/TRS/RCA inputs and a gain-matching volume knob. A built-in limiter makes it essentially impossible to push into mechanical distress - no cabinet buzzing, woofer bottoming, or audible failure even driven hard to 80-95dB in testing. Distortion stays below 1% THD at 86dB and under 3% at 96dB, largely thanks to that limiter. Frequency response and dynamic behavior stay essentially unchanged from 76dB up to 96dB/1m before the limiter engages around 96-102dB. Bass extends smoothly to about 50Hz. A clear step up in linearity over the original V1 version both on-axis and in estimated in-room response, and eliminates the hiss that drew complaints on the V1. Excellent soundstage depth, a benefit typical of coaxial designs, at $800/pair.
Cons: Notable forwardness/brashness in the 4-5kHz range when listened to on-axis, needing about 10° of toe-out (Kali’s own recommendation for the coaxial design) plus some EQ to fully resolve. A dip near the tweeter/voice-coil transition, likely a cancellation effect from the coincident driver’s geometry, is also improved by toeing off-axis. Bass rolls off below about 50Hz, so heavy low-bass material still needs a subwoofer. A minor resonance around 160Hz occasionally made low vocals sound a bit “hot,” though the reviewer rates it minor (about 2/10 in severity). Horizontal soundstage is narrower than non-coaxial alternatives, a typical trade-off of coincident driver designs. Vertical placement tolerance is fairly tight - usable to about ±10°, degrading past ±20°. Designed as a near/midfield monitor for roughly 1-3m listening distances, not intended as a home-theater speaker.
Full Kali Audio IN-8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 17.8"H x 10"W x 11.3"D (452.1 x 254 x 287 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Inputs | XLR, RCA |
| Output Power | 140w Per Speaker |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (measured at 0.3V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 22.9 lbs / 10.4 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons