Short answer: the Genelec 8330A for better sound quality, the Genelec 8320A for the lower price. The Genelec 8330A ranks #5 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $2250. The Genelec 8320A ranks #10 at $850, $1400 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8330A offers: Sits between the compact 8320A and the larger 8331A in Genelec’s SAM lineup, with a die cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide that deliver a measured 55.7Hz extension point, well beyond the 8320A’s smaller cabinet. Set against that: On axis deviation measures 0.324dB average, rougher than several similarly priced monitors in this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.38.
What the Genelec 8320A gets right: The Directivity Control Waveguide and die cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.53 and a low frequency alignment Q of just 0.227, the cleanest, least resonant bass rolloff of any speaker in this whole batch. Watch for: On axis deviation measures 0.169dB average, decent but not class leading next to the AsciLab and Audio Smile entries in this batch.
Buy the Genelec 8330A if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Genelec 8320A if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8330A | Genelec 8320A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,250/pair | $850 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #10 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | ported |
| Drivers | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 4.1" cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 11.8"H x 7.4"W x 7"D (299 x 189 x 178 mm) (11.8 x 7.4 x 7.0 in) | 9.5"H x 5.9"W x 5.6"D (242 x 151 x 142 mm) (9.5 x 5.9 x 5.6 in) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs) each | 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg (7.1 lbs) each |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB | 55Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 53.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Max SPL | 104dB | Peak 107dB |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Country | Finland | Finland |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8330A: $2,250/pair Bhphotovideo
Pros: Sits between the compact 8320A and the larger 8331A in Genelec’s SAM lineup, with a die cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide that deliver a measured 55.7Hz extension point, well beyond the 8320A’s smaller cabinet. The bass alignment is well damped at a measured Q of 0.379, so the low end rolls off cleanly rather than peaking near the tuning frequency.
Cons: On axis deviation measures 0.324dB average, rougher than several similarly priced monitors in this catalog, and listening window smoothness sits at a moderate 0.38. GLM room calibration requires the separate 9320A SAM Reference Controller or GLM Calibration Kit, an extra cost on top of the speaker price. At $1,125 each it costs roughly double the smaller 8320A for a moderate step up in bass extension and output.
Full Genelec 8330A review and specifications →
| 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) (11.8 x 7.4 x 7.0 in) |
| Drivers | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Max SPL | 104dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs) each |
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Genelec 8320A: $850 each Bhphotovideo
Pros: The Directivity Control Waveguide and die cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.53 and a low frequency alignment Q of just 0.227, the cleanest, least resonant bass rolloff of any speaker in this whole batch. It network calibrates through Genelec’s GLM software for automatic room correction, and Intelligent Signal Sensing drops standby power to under 0.5W.
Cons: On axis deviation measures 0.169dB average, decent but not class leading next to the AsciLab and Audio Smile entries in this batch. The compact 4.1 inch woofer limits low frequency extension to a measured 67.4Hz at -3dB, so a subwoofer is needed for full range use. The GLM calibration kit that unlocks its room correction features is sold separately from the speaker price, and max SPL tops out around 100dB, modest next to Genelec’s larger 8000 series monitors.
Full Genelec 8320A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | Finland |
| Dimensions | 9.5"H x 5.9"W x 5.6"D (242 x 151 x 142 mm) (9.5 x 5.9 x 5.6 in) |
| Drivers | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 4.1" cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Max SPL | Peak 107dB |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg (7.1 lbs) each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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