Description

The Genelec 8050B is a high-SPL, active studio monitor with clarity, detail, and superior imaging, plus proprietary room correction features and other high-performance technologies    

The most powerful of the 8000 series monitors, the Genelec 8050B is found sitting on the meter bridge of the world’s top studios and film post-production facilities. Not just another pretty face, the eye-catching front panel of the 8050B is as functional as it is fetching. Its all-aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) enclosure of the 8050B has rounded edges to eliminate comb-filtering effects caused by cabinet reflections combining with the driver’s direct sound. In fact, the 8050B is a study in integrating visual and audial aesthetics with functionality. For example, the 8050B’s Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) shapes the driver’s radiation pattern resulting in accurate on- and off-axis sound reproduction. An air-flow optimized internal reflex tube delivers a controlled and deep low end and high SPL. Plus, for reliability and power savings, the 8050B has Genelec’s Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) circuitry that puts the monitor into energy-saving sleep mode when no signal is detected after a given time period. Whether you have a music production studio or mobile broadcast truck, the 8050B is crafted to combine extraordinary power with absolute precision.

Genelec 8050B Studio Monitor in one take:

• 2-way 8″ LF, 1″ metal dome tweeter
• 150W LF, 120W HF Class D bi-amplification
• Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) technology for accurate on- and off-axis response
• Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) eliminates comb-filtering cabinet reflections
• High air-flow yet quiet reflex port design
• Room response compensation
• Optimized and highly efficient class D amplifiers
• Active crossovers
• Driver-protection circuitry
• Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) power-saving technology
• Iso-Pod™ decoupling and speaker orientation stand
• Versatile mounting options

Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW)

 Genelec’s DCW technology, developed and refined over 30-plus years, significantly improves the performance of direct-radiating multi-amped monitors. The Directivity Controlled Waveguide shapes the radiated wave front in a predictable dispersion pattern resulting in a very linear overall frequency range and uniform power response. Minimized early reflections provide a wide and consistent listening area with accurate on- and off-axis sound reproduction.

Another important advantage of a controlled wave front is that the frequency balance of the room’s reverberation field is essentially the same as the direct field from the monitors. As a consequence, the monitoring system’s performance is less dependent on the room’s acoustic characteristics.

Sound image width and depth, critical components in any listening environment, are important not only for on-axis listening, but also off-axis. This benefits both the engineer and clients outside the sweet spot, particularly in large control rooms.

 DCW Technology key benefits:

 Flat on- and off-axis response for wider usable listening area

• Increased direct-to-reflected sound ratio for reduced control room coloration
• Improved stereo and sound stage imaging
• Increased drive unit sensitivity up to 6dB
• Increased system maximum sound pressure level capacity
• Decreased drive unit distortion
• Reduced cabinet edge diffraction
• Reduced complete system distortion

Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) Technology

In order to improve the linearity of the frequency range and power response of free-standing loudspeakers, Genelec designed a highly innovative enclosure (MDE) with rounded edges, plus gently curved front and sides optimized to match the acoustic properties of the drivers. In addition to achieving a remarkably flat frequency response, minimizing cabinet diffraction yields superb sound stage imaging.

With the waveguide integrated into the 8351’s aluminum MDE enclosure, directivity control is further improved control. In essence the low-frequency limit for constant directivity is determined by the size of the waveguide. Therefore, the larger the surface the better the control. Highly directional off-axis radiation yields a consistent listening window, which is of utmost importance in multi-channel monitoring. Controlled directivity also reduces possible first-order reflections on surfaces near the loudspeaker, such as walls, floors, ceilings, and studio furniture, which contributes to consistent audio reproduction in various acoustical environments.

High air-flow reflex port design

 Bass reflex ports, while providing an excellent means of producing deep bass in compact woofers with small drivers, can also create problems with port noise and unwanted resonances extending up through the low midrange, skewing the frequency response.

Genelec’s long, curved reflex tube maximizes airflow such that deep bass can be reproduced without compression. The reflex tube terminates with a wide flare located on the rear of the enclosure for obvious reasons, minimizing port noises and providing excellent bass articulation. The curvature of the tube has also been carefully designed to minimize any audible noise, compression or distortion. The inner end of the tube has proper resistive termination to minimize once again audible chuffing noise and air turbulence.

Proper reflex port design allows also to significantly reduce the woofer’s displacement, improving the linear low frequency output capacity.

Room response compensation controls

All Genelec monitors feature analog room-response adjustments to compensate for acoustic room characteristics to achieve a flat frequency response at the listening position. Room response controls include (depending on model), bass roll-off and tilt, treble roll-off and tilt, bass level, midrange level, treble level, and desktop control.

Optimized Class D amplifiers

Active monitors, as opposed to powered monitors, use active crossovers, which electronically splits the audio into separate frequency bands. These bands in turn can routed to individual, highly efficient Class D power amplifiers, which drive transducers optimized for each frequency band. The active design offers several benefits. By connecting power amps directly to the drivers, damping control on the driver’s voice coil is maximized, reducing unwanted changes in the driver’s electrical characteristics, which can improve transient response. Active technology can produce superior sound output vs. size vs. low-frequency cut-off performance. All monitors comprise a factory-aligned system (amplifiers, crossover electronics, and enclosure-driver systems).

Active crossovers

Active crossovers come in both digital and analog varieties. Genelec digital active crossovers include additional signal processing, such as driver protection, delay, and equalization. The flat frequency response of a high-quality active loudspeaker is a result of the crossover filter response, power amplifier responses and driver responses in a loudspeaker enclosure.

Using the active approach enables frequency response adjustments and optimization of the full loudspeaker system, placed in various room environments, without expensive external equalizers. The end result is a simpler, more reliable, efficient, consistent and precise active loudspeaker system.

Protection circuitry

Maintaining reliable performance in the studio is essential, which is why Genelec builds protection circuitry into the 8050B. With signal level detection, it prevents driver failure by reducing signal level automatically in case of sudden peaks or constant high levels.

Protection circuitry features and benefits:

• Reduces the output level when required, (e.g. when driver voice coil temperature reaches the safe limit) which significantly improves system reliability
• Protection circuitry specifically optimized to each loudspeaker and subwoofer enables maximum system output levels

Intelligent Signal-Sensing technology

Intelligent Signal Sensing, ISS circuitry tracks the signal input of the loudspeaker. If no audio input is detected for given period of time, it puts the loudspeaker to “sleep” or a low-power state that consumes less than 0.5 watts. When an input signal is detected, the loudspeaker immediately turns itself on. Basically, the loudspeaker system will start saving power as soon as work is interrupted.

Iso-Pod Speaker Stand

Monitors, despite suggestions to the contrary, often wind up on tabletops or the console meter bridge. As such, the suggested 30-degree monitor angle to create an equilateral triangle for optimal listening position is often overlooked. Also, bass coupling and sympathetic vibrations emanate from the speaker to the mounting surface, plus first-order reflections causes comb filtering, resulting in ripples in the frequency response.

To solve these problems Genelec’s integral Iso-Pod – Isolation Positioner/Decoupler enables the monitors to be pointed precisely towards the listener, while its vibration isolation and damping properties reduce midrange coloration caused by unwanted vibration transmitted to supporting surfaces.

Versatile mounting options for all installation needs

In addition to perfect acoustical design and advanced tailoring options to optimize the loudspeaker’s behavior to the room environment, Genelec loudspeakers offer a variety of mounting options for easy installation in different applications. These versatile mounting options enable Genelec monitors to be used in applications beyond the professional studio, for example in commercial and AV installation projects as well as in home environments.

For critical monitoring chores in larger facilities, upgrade your studio with the precision and power of Genelec monitors. For more information, call or chat online with your Westlake Pro Sales Consultant today.

Genelec 8050B specifications:

• Driver dimension: 8″ woofer, 1″ tweeter in metal dome + DCW
• SPL: 110dB
• Frequency response: 32Hz – 25kHz (-6 dB)
• Accuracy of frequency response: ± 2.0dB (38Hz – 20kHz)
• Amplifier power: 150W LF driver, 120W tweeter (both Class D)
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 17-13/16″ x 11-1/4″ x 10-15/16″, with Iso-Pod (452 x 286 x 278 mm)
• Weight: 31.7 lb. (14.4 kg)
• Connections: 1x XLR analog input