Short answer: the Genelec 8330A for better sound quality, the Airpulse A100 for the lower price. The Genelec 8330A ranks #7 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $1125. The Airpulse A100 ranks #25 at $999.99, $125.01 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8330A offers: ASR’s measurements give a 2.3dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 56Hz. Scores of 4.78 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer indicate solid tonal accuracy, while deeper bass than the 8320A helps without a sub. GLM calibration, the waveguide and rounded aluminum enclosure make it a practical compact studio system. Watch for: The listening-window response has more local variation than the 8030C or KH80 in the selected measurements, so DSP capability should not be mistaken for superior native neutrality. GLM calibration hardware costs extra. Small-driver bass headroom remains finite, and neither the modeled ideal-subwoofer score nor the fitted bass Q establishes maximum output or freedom from resonances.
What the Airpulse A100 offers: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Buy the Genelec 8330A when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Airpulse A100 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8330A | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,250 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) | - |
| Country | Finland | - |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.78 | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 | 6.18 |
| Inputs | - | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Genelec 8330A:
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8330A
- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Genelec 8330A
- Genelec 8030C vs Genelec 8330A
- Genelec 8330A vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Genelec 8330A
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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 8330A: $2,250 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s measurements give a 2.3dB midrange response span and a -3dB point around 56Hz. Scores of 4.78 standalone and 7.03 with an ideal subwoofer indicate solid tonal accuracy, while deeper bass than the 8320A helps without a sub. GLM calibration, the waveguide and rounded aluminum enclosure make it a practical compact studio system. Measured bass extension of 55.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening-window response has more local variation than the 8030C or KH80 in the selected measurements, so DSP capability should not be mistaken for superior native neutrality. GLM calibration hardware costs extra. Small-driver bass headroom remains finite, and neither the modeled ideal-subwoofer score nor the fitted bass Q establishes maximum output or freedom from resonances.
Full Genelec 8330A review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | Finland |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.18 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons