Short answer: the Genelec 8361A for the higher ranking, the Genelec 8351B for the lower price. The Genelec 8361A ranks #3 of 20 powered bookshelf speakers at $10900. The Genelec 8351B ranks #4 at $9150, $1750 cheaper.
What the Genelec 8351B gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows exceptionally flat response both on- and off-axis. The tradeoff: Deep bass distortion rises substantially at higher output (96dB SPL/1m) - the reviewer notes “deep bass suffers” below about 100Hz.
On the Genelec 8361A side: Three-way coaxial design: 5” mid-range with an inset 1” metal dome tweeter. The catch: Approximately $11,000 per pair.
Buy the Genelec 8351B if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Genelec 8361A if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8351B | Genelec 8361A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9150 | $10900 |
| Ranked | #4 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #3 of 20 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28Hz | 29Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 33Hz | 34Hz |
| Dimensions | 17"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (431.8 x 287 x 276.9 mm) | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Inputs | XLR | XLR |
| Weight | 31.1 lbs / 14.1 kg each | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 kg each |
| Drivers | 8.6" woofer, 5" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 0.75" (19mm) coaxial tweeter | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1" (25mm) coaxial tweeter |
| App | Yes (GLM) | Yes (GLM) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| DSP | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (±1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 113dB @ 1m | 118dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 550w Per Speaker | 1000w Per Speaker |
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8351B: $9150 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows exceptionally flat response both on- and off-axis. Predicted in-room response is “as good as it gets” - should sound very neutral in nearly any room. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±50 degrees is described by the reviewer as exceptionally smooth, a model example of well-executed directivity control. Vertical directivity is nearly as good as horizontal, a benefit of its coaxial driver design that’s rare among non-coaxial monitors. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is remarkably low - the reviewer says it’s “better than many headphones.”
Cons: Deep bass distortion rises substantially at higher output (96dB SPL/1m) - the reviewer notes “deep bass suffers” below about 100Hz. A distortion spike also appears near 8-10kHz at that same higher output level. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) measurements show resonances around 1-2kHz. Very expensive.
| App | Yes (GLM) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 28Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 33Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 17"H x 11.3"W x 10.9"D (431.8 x 287 x 276.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 8.6" woofer, 5" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 0.75" (19mm) coaxial tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 40kHz (±1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 113dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 550w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 31.1 lbs / 14.1 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Genelec 8361A: $10900 Bhphotovideo
Pros: Three-way coaxial design: 5” mid-range with an inset 1” metal dome tweeter, flanked symmetrically above and below by two 10” front-loaded woofers, giving nearly identical vertical response whether you’re sitting or standing. Wide, consistent horizontal radiation of about ±60°, very forgiving for multiple seats or a home-theater row. Distortion at both 86dB and 96dB/1m stays below roughly 1%, and multitone distortion is also under about 1% - among the cleanest speakers reviewed. Long-term compression is practically non-existent, with no woofer bottoming or audible intermodulation even driven to 90dB+ at 10 feet. In-room bass extension reaches down to about 35Hz without a subwoofer. Extensive back-panel tuning (bass rolloff, bass profile, treble profile, and a desk/console compensation switch) for boundary placement.
Cons: Approximately $11,000 per pair; Genelec’s GLM room-correction add-on (measurement mic plus software) is another ~$450 and wasn’t used in this review. Shows an on-axis dip around 200Hz that may be tied to some rear-panel radiation or resonance the reviewer couldn’t fully explain. In far-field listening there’s a mild upper-midrange/lower-treble rise (roughly 2-3kHz) that only smooths out with 5-10° of toe-out or closer near-field placement. Short-term compression testing shows some tweeter limiting, though it didn’t translate to audible issues in real-world listening. At about 70 lbs, awkward to lift onto a stand alone.
| App | Yes (GLM) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1" (25mm) coaxial tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Max SPL | 118dB @ 1m |
| Output Power | 1000w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 kg each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.