Genelec 8050B 8-Inch Two-Way Active Nearfield Studio Monitor (Single)

Producing high SPL over a very wide frequency response, the bi-amplified 8050B is a powerful and very accurate reference monitoring system. Very high SPL output, high dynamic range, low colouration and wide frequency response characterise Genelec 8050B active monitor. The 8050B all-aluminium Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE™) contains drivers, power amplifiers, active crossover and protection circuitry. The surface optimized advanced Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) provides outstanding frequency balance, stable and neutral sound imaging in all environments. 8050B features Genelec Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) circuitry which switches the monitor to standby when no audio input is detected (ErP 2013 Directive). It is the monitoring tool for large recording studios, mastering suites, post-production houses, radio and TV broadcasting.

Drivers - The bass driver dimensions are 165 mm (6 1/2") and 205 mm (8") for 8040B and 8050B respectively. The long, flow optimized reflex tube has a large cross sectional area and terminates with a wide flare at the back of the enclosure. The high frequency driver is a 19 mm (3/4") metal dome on the 8040B and a 25 mm (1") metal dome on the 8050B. Both drivers are magnetically shielded.

Crossover - The active crossover network consists of two parallel bandpass filters. The crossover frequency is 3.0 kHz on the 8040B and 1.8 kHz on the 8050B. The active crossover controls ("treble tilt", "desktop low frequency", "bass tilt" and "bass roll-off") allow precise matching of the loudspeakers to any room environment.

Amplifiers - The amplifier unit is mounted in the rear of the loudspeaker enclosure. The unit incorporates special circuitry for driver thermal overload protection. Variable input sensitivity allows accurate level matching to console output section.

Connections - Each loudspeaker is supplied with a mains cable and an operating manual. Before con- necting up, ensure that the mains switch is off (see figure 1). Audio input is via a 10 kohm balanced XLR Connectr, but unbal- anced leads may be used as long as pin 3 is grounded to pin 1 of the XLR (see figure 3). Once the connections have been made, the loudspeakers are ready to be switched on.

Mounting considerations

Align the loudspeakers correctly - Always place the loudspeakers so that their acoustic axes (see figure 2) are aimed towards the listening position. Vertical place- ment is preferable, as it minimises acoustical cancellation problems around the crossover frequency.

Maintain symmetry - Check that the loudspeakers are placed sym- metrically and at an equal distance from the listening position. If possible, place the system so that the listening position is on the center- line of the room and the loudspeakers are placed at an equal distance from the center line.

Minimise reflections - Acoustic reflections from objects close to the loudspeakers like desks, cabinets, computer monitors etc. can cause unwanted colouration and blurring of the sound image. These can be minimised by placing the loudspeaker clear of reflective surfaces. For instance, putting the loudspeakers on stands behind and above the mixing console usually gives a better result than placing them on the meter bridge.

Minimum clearances - Sufficient cooling for the amplifier and func- tioning of the reflex port must be ensured if the loudspeaker is installed in a restricted space such as a cabinet, or integrated into a wall structure. The surroundings of the loudspeaker must always be open to the lis- tening room with a minimum clearance of 5 centimeters (2") behind, above and on both sides of the loudspeaker. The space adja- cent to the amplifier must either be ventilated or sufficiently large to dissipate heat so that the ambient temperature does not rise above 35 degrees Celsius (95°F).

Mounting options - The vibration insulating Isolation Positioner/ Decoupler™ (Iso-Pod™) table stand allows tilting of the loudspeaker for correct align- ment of the acoustic axis. The stand can be attached to three mounting points allowing vertical and symmetrical horizontal position- ing (see figures 1 and 5). Genelec 8040B and 8050B can be fitted to Omnimount® Series 30 (8040B) and 60 (8050B) and Konig & Meyer loudspeaker mounts on two sets of M6x10 mm threaded holes on the back of the enclosure. On the base of the enclosure is an M10x10 mm threaded hole which can be used for secur- ing the loudspeaker to its base. Do not use this thread for mounting the loudspeaker on a microphone stand which has a 3/8" UNC thread.

Setting the input sensitivity - The input sensitivity of the loudspeakers can be matched to the output of the mixing console, or other source, by adjusting the input sensitivity control on the rear panel (see figure 1). A screwdriver is needed for the adjustment. The manufacturer's default set- ting for this control is -6 dBu (fully clockwise) which gives an SPL of 100 dB @1m with -6 dBu input level.

Autostart function - The signal sensing Autostart function of the loudspeakers powers them up when playback begins. Automatic powering down of the loud- speakers happens one hour after the playback has ended and the loudspeakers go to standby mode. The power consumption in standby mode is less than 0.5 watts. The loudspeak- ers will automatically and rapidly start once an input signal is detected from the source.

Setting the tone controls - The frequency response of the system may also have to be adjusted to match the acous- tic environment. The adjustment is carried out by setting the three tone control switch groups "treble tilt", "bass tilt" and "bass roll-off" on the rear panel of the amplifier. There is also a special "desktop low frequency" tone control which gives an attenuation of 4 dB at 160 Hz to compensate the effect of a mixing console, desk or other reflective surface between the listener and the loudspeaker. The factory set- tings for these controls are all "OFF" to give a flat anechoic response.

Bass roll-off - Ccontrol Bass roll-off (first switch group from the left) affects the low frequency roll-off of the loud- speaker and attenuates its energy output near the cut-off frequency. Attenuation levels of -2, -4 or -6 dB can be selected.

Desktop low frequency control - The desktop low frequency control (fourth switch of first switch group from the left) attenuates the bass frequencies around 160 Hz by 4 dB (see figures 7 and 9). This feature is designed to compensate for the boost often occurring at this frequency range when the loudspeaker is placed upon a meter bridge, table or similar reflective surface.

Bass tilt control - The bass tilt control switches (second switch group from the left) offer three attenuation levels for the bass response below 800 Hz, usually necessary when the loudspeak- ers are placed near room boundaries. The attenuation levels are -2 dB, -4 dB and -6 dB.

Treble tilt control - Treble tilt (third switch group from the left) allows adjusting the treble response above 5 kHz by +2, -2, or -4 dB, which can be used for correcting an excessively bright or dull sounding system. An acoustic measuring system such as WinMLS is recommended for analyzing the effects of the adjustments, however, care- ful listening with suitable test recordings can also lead to good results if a test system is not available. Table 1 shows some typical settings in various situations. Figures 7 and 9 show the effect of the controls on the anechoic response. Always start adjustment by setting all switches to "OFF" position. Then set only one switch per group to the "ON" position to select the desired adjustment. If more than one switch is set to "ON" (within one switch group) the attenuation value is not accurate. Measure or listen systematically through the different combinations of settings to find the best frequency balance.