Short answer: the Genelec 8331A is the better monitor, unless the 8330A’s measured 55.7Hz extension is what you need. The 8331A’s coaxial mid/tweeter and concealed opposed woofers bring exceptionally uniform directivity and pinpoint imaging, but it is expensive and its protection circuit mutes near its limit. The 8330A also measures a moderate 0.324dB average on-axis deviation and 0.38 listening window smoothness.
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 is the priority over the price, or the Genelec 8330A if the price is the priority over sound quality.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8331A | Genelec 8330A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5750 per pair | $2,250 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #7 of 68 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) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7kg) each | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.57 | 5.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.51 | 7.79 |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU | XLR, AES/EBU |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 37kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz-23kHz -6dB |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Warranty | - | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Country | - | Finland |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Genelec 8331A:
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Genelec 8331A vs Genelec 8030C
- Genelec 8331A vs Neumann KH80 DSP
- Dynaudio LYD 5 vs Genelec 8331A
- Genelec 8320A vs Genelec 8331A
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM 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 8331A: $5750 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements support its reference-monitor credentials: a 1.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, low listening-window and predicted-room irregularity, and preference scores of 6.57 standalone and 8.51 with an ideal subwoofer. The coaxial mid/tweeter and concealed woofers maintain coherent radiation as listening position changes. Bass reaches -3dB around 48Hz, and GLM adds level, delay and room-response calibration. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Expensive, with studio-oriented XLR connectivity rather than consumer streaming. The compact woofers still limit deep-bass output, and the review reports protection muting when pushed beyond its operating range. GLM calibration hardware is an additional purchase. Its excellent tonal score does not remove the need for a subwoofer or larger monitor at demanding levels.
Full Genelec 8331A review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 72W LF + 36W MF + 36W HF |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 37kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB at 3m before protection (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.57 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.51 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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 5.54 standalone and 7.79 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 →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (50W woofer, 50W tweeter, Class D) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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 |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.54 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.79 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Warranty | 2 years (5 with product registration) |
| Weight | 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons