Short answer: the Genelec 8330A. It ranks #7 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $2,250. The Airpulse A100 ranks #35, rated 4.0/5, at $999.99, $1,250.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Genelec 8330A is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. An accurate compact studio monitor with room calibration support and deeper bass than its smaller sibling. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.54 against 4.56 for the Airpulse A100. Its bass reaches about 55.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Airpulse A100. The tradeoff: The listening-window response has more local variation than the Genelec 8030C or KH80 in the selected measurements, so DSP capability should not be mistaken for superior native neutrality.
Why pick the Airpulse A100: A compact powered pair with a ribbon tweeter, Bluetooth, digital inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Genelec 8330A lacks. The tradeoff: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight.
Buy the Genelec 8330A. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,250.01 you would save on the Airpulse A100 does not close the gap.
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An accurate compact studio monitor with room calibration support and deeper bass than its smaller sibling.
A compact powered pair with a ribbon tweeter, Bluetooth, digital inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8330A | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,250 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #7 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 108 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 | 5.54 | 4.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.79 | 7.08 |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.1 |
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