Short answer: the Genelec 8361A for better sound quality, the Neumann KH 310 A for the lower price. The Genelec 8361A ranks #5 of 40 powered bookshelf speakers at $10900. The Neumann KH 310 A ranks #13 at $4400, $6500 cheaper.
The case for the Genelec 8361A: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
What the Neumann KH 310 A gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a near-perfect on-axis response with superb directivity control and minimal off-axis variation. The catch: An unidentified dip around 80Hz shows up in the measurements, which Neumann was asked to investigate.
Buy the Genelec 8361A if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Neumann KH 310 A if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8361A | Neumann KH 310 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10900 | $4400 |
| Ranked | #5 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 40 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 22.5"H x 14"W x 13.6"D (571.5 x 355.6 x 345.4 mm) | not published by manufacturer |
| Inputs | XLR | - |
| Drivers | Dual 263 x 137 mm woofers, 5.1" coaxial with tweeter midrange, 1" (25mm) coaxial tweeter | 8.25" woofer, 3" midrange, 1" tweeter |
| Weight | 70.3 lbs / 31.9 kg each | not published by manufacturer |
| App | Yes (GLM) | No |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| DSP | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 43kHz (±2dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 34Hz - 21kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max SPL | 118dB @ 1m | - |
| Output Power | 1000w Per Speaker | 290W total (150W woofer, 70W mid, 70W tweeter) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Neumann KH420 vs Genelec 8050B
- Genelec 8351B vs HEDD Type 20 MK2
- Genelec 8351B vs JBL 4329P
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 4329P
- Genelec 8361A vs Buchardt A500
The Two Speakers In Full
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.
Full Genelec 8361A review and specifications →
| App | Yes (GLM) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| 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 |
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Neumann KH 310 A: $4400 Bhphotovideo
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a near-perfect on-axis response with superb directivity control and minimal off-axis variation. Distortion measured very low at 96dB SPL/1m. Bass stays clean and dry without bloat, and vocals show no harshness. Tri-amplified design delivers 290W combined output and up to 116.3dB SPL.
Cons: An unidentified dip around 80Hz shows up in the measurements, which Neumann was asked to investigate. Bass response shifts somewhat with amplifier temperature. Distortion rises above 100% THD at the very bottom of the bass range, as expected at that extreme. Expensive at $4,400 per pair.
Full Neumann KH 310 A review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | not published by manufacturer |
| Drivers | 8.25" woofer, 3" midrange, 1" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz - 21kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 290W total (150W woofer, 70W mid, 70W tweeter) |
| Weight | not published by manufacturer |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons