NAMM 2017: Genelec introduces the 8351A Smart Active Monitor

Boasting a compact footprint and “outstanding acoustic performance” the new Genelec 8351 from hopes to make waves, especially armed with the Acoustically Coaxial SAM™ system that “marks a bold step forward in active monitoring”…

Here’s the Genelec press release with all the details on the 8351.

Genelec (booth 5876), the leader in active monitoring technology for over 35 years, offers the revolutionary 8351 three-way Smart Active Monitor™ (SAM™), developed in response to the need for increasing audio perfection for near-field recording and mix environments. Offering unique size and technological innovations, the 8351 breaks new ground in electro-acoustic engineering, as the mechanical, acoustical and signal-processing designs are linked closely together. The result is a system that is completely unique in the professional monitoring industry and represents a bold step forward for the active monitoring pioneer.

The 8351 borrows its size attribute from Genelec’s acclaimed 8050. With dimensions of 17.75″ x 11.25 ” x 11″, the 8351 has a particularly compact footprint for a three-way monitor. The center of the 8351’s enclosure features the Minimum Diffraction Coaxial midrange/tweeter driver evolved from the 8260. This breakthrough in coaxial driver design provides extremely accurate imaging and improved sound quality, with crystal clear accuracy, both on and off-axis, vertically as well as horizontally. Aesthetically striking is the absence of any visible woofers which are concealed beneath the Directivity Controlled Waveguide (DCW™). The areas on the perimeter of the DCW are the acoustic openings for the proprietary Genelec-designed Acoustically Concealed Woofers (ACW™).

It’s this arrangement, the Coaxial midrange / tweeter in combination with the innovative bass drivers, together form a three-way coaxial enclosure with large continuous DCW across the entire front. The 8351 is perfectly at home in either the vertical or horizontal orientation, with closely similar directivity characteristics as users move off-axis. The extremely smooth frequency response and dispersion pattern lead to outstanding clarity and definition of the audio signal.

Delivering the SPLs needed for near-field monitoring can often be a challenge depending on client needs or desires. The 8351 is capable of delivering 110dB at 1 meter through a combination of efficient Genelec-designed Class D amplifiers for the bass (150 W) and midrange (120 W) drivers, while a discrete (90 W) Genelec-designed Class A/B amplifier applies power to the tweeter. The 8351 has a system frequency response of 35Hz to 40kHz +/-3dB, (38Hz to 21kHz +/-1dB) with extremely low distortion.

Genelec knows that smaller environments can cause significant problems with regards to the room performance, but SAM (Smart Active Monitoring) technology takes all that can be good about a monitor by itself and integrates it further into the listening environment. SAM technology creates a computer controlled, flexible network of monitors and makes them as a fully aligned system with regards to level, timing and room response equalization – all done automatically – as well being manually adjusted by the end user. Like all active monitors in the Genelec SAM range, the 8351 is capable of automatically adapting to acoustical environments to offer an indispensable tool for sound professionals in broadcasting, post production, music studios and remote recording environments.

Every sub-system in the 8351 – electronics, the drivers and mechanical assembly – is designed by Genelec’s R&D team and built entirely in-house at the Genelec factory in Iisalmi, Finland, to ensure accuracy and reliability.

The 8351 is a remarkable achievement in electro-acoustic design by a group of engineers who remain committed day after day to delivering performance-based solutions for the professional audio market.

The Genelec 8351 three-way Smart Active Monitor is available now so head to the their site here to find out where to buy and any further info you may need.