Short answer: the Neumann KH420 has been measured and ranked; the Genelec 8380A has not been measured in a way we can rank yet, so until it is, this comes down to features and price.
What the Genelec 8380A offers: A 15” woofer with two front reflex ports reaches down to a specified 29Hz (-6dB), deep enough for full-range music without a subwoofer.
On the Neumann KH420 side: A 1.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, 8.14 ideal-subwoofer score and 27.8Hz measured -3dB extension combine accurate mids with genuinely deep bass.
Price: the Genelec 8380A lists at $20,500 and the Neumann KH420 at $10,500.
Buy the Neumann KH420 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the Genelec 8380A if you prefer its design or features, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Genelec 8380A | Neumann KH420 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20,500 per pair | $10500 per pair |
| Ranked | - | #5 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 31.9”H x 18.9”W x 16.5”D (810 x 480 x 420 mm) | 25.4”H x 13”W x 17.5”D (645.2 x 330.2 x 444.5 mm) |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) each | 77.2 lbs (35 kg) each |
| Drivers | 15” (380mm) woofer, 4.9” (130mm) coaxial midrange with 1” (25mm) coaxial metal dome tweeter | 10” woofer, 4” dome midrange, 1” fabric dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 950w Per Speaker (500W woofer, 250W midrange, 200W tweeter) | 555w Per Speaker |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB), 29Hz - 43kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 31Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) | 124dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| DSP | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) | Yes (Room response controls) |
| App | Yes (GLM) | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU | XLR |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| 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 | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 24.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 27.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 8.14 |
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Genelec 8380A: $20,500 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 15” woofer with two front reflex ports reaches down to a specified 29Hz (-6dB), deep enough for full-range music without a subwoofer. The midrange and tweeter share one coaxial Minimum Diffraction driver, so the sound comes from a single point and stays consistent as you move around the listening position. Specified at 122dB maximum short-term output with 950W of built-in amplification per speaker, and ±1.5dB from 38Hz to 20kHz. GLM room calibration, an AES/EBU digital input and a fanless, silent amplifier are built in.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 810mm tall and 54kg per speaker it is a large midfield monitor that needs sturdy stands and a room big enough to sit several feet back. The GLM calibration kit is sold separately, and there is no RCA input for consumer gear.
Full Genelec 8380A review and specifications →
| AES Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 950w Per Speaker (500W woofer, 250W midrange, 200W tweeter) |
| App | Yes (GLM) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 31.9”H x 18.9”W x 16.5”D (810 x 480 x 420 mm) |
| Drivers | 15” (380mm) woofer, 4.9” (130mm) coaxial midrange with 1” (25mm) coaxial metal dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (via GLM software) |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 20kHz (±1.5dB), 29Hz - 43kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, AES/EBU |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Neumann KH420: $10500 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 1.2dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz, 8.14 ideal-subwoofer score and 27.8Hz measured -3dB extension combine accurate mids with genuinely deep bass. Its three-way design and low distortion at normal levels make it particularly attractive for larger listening distances and dynamic material. Measured bass extension of 27.8Hz (-3dB).
Cons: It is a large, heavy studio monitor rather than an easy desktop speaker. Vertical alignment matters around the crossover regions. Bass distortion rises as playback levels increase, and the measured high-level limits still apply despite the substantial drivers and amplifiers. Horizontal beamwidth is well controlled but on the narrow side at about ±55°.
Full Neumann KH420 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 555w Per Speaker |
| App | Yes (MA 1 alignment) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 24.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 27.8Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 25.4”H x 13”W x 17.5”D (645.2 x 330.2 x 444.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” woofer, 4” dome midrange, 1” fabric dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Room response controls) |
| Frequency Response | 31Hz - 21kHz (±3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Maximum SPL | 124dB @ 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 7.02 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.14 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 77.2 lbs (35 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons