Short answer: the Genelec 8331A for better sound quality, the Genelec 8330A for the lower price. The Genelec 8331A ranks #1 of 48 powered bookshelf speakers at $4500. The Genelec 8330A ranks #5 at $2250, $2250 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8331A gets right: A true compact point source: the coaxial mid/tweeter and acoustically concealed opposed woofers produce exceptionally uniform directivity, superb nearfield summation and pinpoint imaging. The catch: At $4,500/pair it is expensive for a monitor whose protection circuit mutes near its limit rather than allowing short-term overload; larger rooms and bass-heavy playback still benefit from a subwoofer.
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. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Genelec 8331A if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Genelec 8330A if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8331A | Genelec 8330A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,500/pair | $2,250/pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #5 of 48 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) | - |
| Maximum Output | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Amplification | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF | - |
| Drivers | Dual 130x65mm woofers; 90mm coaxial mid; 19mm tweeter | 0.75" metal dome tweeter, 5.1" cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.4"W x 8.3"D (305 x 189 x 212 mm) | 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) |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7kg each | 11.2 lbs / 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs) each |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Power Output (Watts) | - | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Max SPL | - | 104dB |
| Warranty | - | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Country | - | Finland |
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- Neumann KH120 MKII vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Genelec 8030C vs Kali Audio SM-5
- Kali Audio SM-5 vs Genelec 8020D
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8030C
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8331A: $4,500/pair Amazon Genelec
Pros: A true compact point source: the coaxial mid/tweeter and acoustically concealed opposed woofers produce exceptionally uniform directivity, superb nearfield summation and pinpoint imaging. Erin measured F3 at 49Hz and F10 at 39Hz, heard useful 40Hz in-room extension, and reached 100dB at 3m before protection activated. Response is highly neutral, distortion is low, and GLM provides calibrated level, delay and room-response correction. The die-cast aluminum waveguide/enclosure is both structurally inert and nearly diffraction-free.
Cons: At $4,500/pair it is expensive for a monitor whose protection circuit mutes near its limit rather than allowing short-term overload; larger rooms and bass-heavy playback still benefit from a subwoofer. GLM calibration requires separate network hardware, and connectivity is studio-centric—analog/AES XLR with no consumer streaming. The compact dual racetrack woofers cannot match larger Genelec Ones for deep-bass headroom, and passive sensitivity is not applicable because all filtering and amplification are internal.
Full Genelec 8331A review and specifications →
| Amplification | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.4"W x 8.3"D (305 x 189 x 212 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 130x65mm woofers; 90mm coaxial mid; 19mm tweeter |
| Maximum Output | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Not applicable (active DSP loudspeaker) |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7kg each |
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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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons