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Genelec monitors are one of the top choices for immersive studios—in fact, you’ve probably seen a few Genelec-equipped Dolby Atmos rooms on our blog. Genelec’s extensive product range, advanced GLM configuration software, and solutions like the UNIO Personal Reference Monitoring System make it possible to create almost any kind of immersive mixing system. And, with immersive monitoring bundles based on price point or room size, going all-Genelec in your studio can be affordable, too.
We’ll be the first to admit it: browsing Genelec’s monitor selection can be a little intimidating at first. But the sheer amount of options guarantees that you’ll be able to find the ideal solutions for your studio. To make the process a little smoother, we’ll focus on Genelec’s Smart Active Monitor (SAM) ecosystem.
Genelec’s Smart Active Monitors are ideal for setting up the kinds of complex speaker arrays you need to mix in immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, Ambisonic, and MPEG-H. All Genelec monitors will give you the transparency and detail you need to mix immersive content, but SAM products feature powerful DSP and network connectivity that allows them to interface directly with the powerful Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) software.
“The Ones” are Genelec’s point-source monitors, featuring 3-way coaxial drivers and a unique baffle design that projects the entire wavefront from one point in space. Compared to spaced woofers and tweeters, point-source monitors like The Ones can enhance the spatial accuracy of any setup.
Genelec’s point-source monitors include the flagship 8361A, the mid-sized 8351B and 8341A, and the compact 8331A. The floorstanding W371A Woofer System combines a supplemental woofer and subwoofer to augment the low-end of smaller monitors (from 23-500 Hz) while also acting as a speaker stand.
Genelec’s Main Monitors represent the state of the art for mid- and far-field applications such as large studios and theater-style dub stages. Every model is engineered to deliver reference-quality performance, even at the highest sound pressure levels and longest distances.
Genelec Main Monitors come in a range of form factors, including the floorstanding 8381A Point Source Monitor, desk-sized options like the S360 and 1238DFM, and a wide range of soffit-mountable speakers—all the way up to the behemoth 1236AM.
This range of monitors provides signature Genelec transparency and performance in a traditional two-way configuration. With a lower price point than Genelec’s other SAM products, these monitors make it possible to build an immersive setup even on a moderate budget.
The 2-Way SAM line consists of five models: four ceiling- and wall-mountable options with varying woofer sizes (ranging from the 4-inch 8320A to the 8-inch 8350A), plus the larger 1032C, which features a 10-inch driver in a soffit-mountable cabinet.
Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) is the software control hub for SAM systems that provides guided monitor setup, automatic calibration, remote control, and more. To use GLM, you’ll need a device such as the 9320A SAM Reference Controller, GLM Network Adaptor, or a rackmount device such as the 9401A or 9310B.
Initial setup in GLM is fairly intuitive, thanks to its hexagonal grid display. After selecting your speaker configuration, you simply drag and drop your monitors and subwoofers to their rough positions on the grid, which tells GLM which signals to send to each one. You can then adjust bass management settings, select analog or digital input modes, and name your configuration.
The AutoCal and AutoPhase pages are where the real magic happens. Using the Genelec 8300A measurement mic, AutoCal will automatically measure each speaker’s frequency response and apply corrective EQ to compensate for the room’s acoustics. You can do a single-point measurement from the listening position or take multi-point measurements for a spatial average.
Your calibration results are displayed in the Acoustic Editor, where you can make further adjustments. The Sound Character Profiler provides global EQ adjustments, which is useful if you need to match a target curve such as the Dolby Atmos Music Curve. During calibration, you can enter your room’s dimensions to generate an in-depth GRADE report.
The AutoPhase function calculates the phase relationship between your speakers and uses millisecond-scale delays to achieve nearly perfect phase coherence across the entire array. Finally, GLM will help you calibrate your listening level to a target reference level (as recommended by Dolby for Atmos mixing).
After you’re all set up, the main page of GLM gives you direct control over all connected speakers. From here, you can power your entire system on or off, adjust the volume (including muting, dimming, and preset levels), toggle bass management, and even install firmware updates. You can also change your change monitor configuration on the fly, instantly switching from your full immersive array to audition mixes in stereo, mono, and traditional surround formats like 5.1 or 7.1. For hands-on control, we recommend the 9320A SAM Reference Controller.
Adding overhead speakers can be the trickiest part of an immersive upgrade. Depending on how many overheads you need, the size of your room, your ceiling and wall materials, and other factors, you may run into significant logistical challenges. But with good planning and the right hardware, it’s possible to add overheads in almost any room.
There are two primary ways to install overhead monitors: ceiling and wall mounting. typically, ceiling mounting is best for hemispherical arrays, while wall-mounting is used in orthogonal arrays (learn more about those terms here).
As long as your ceiling is strong enough, ceiling-mounted overheads are the best option. Ceiling mounting allows you to place speakers at the exact positions and angles needed for a hemispherical array, avoiding the need for delay compensation. Genelec offers a variety of ceiling mounts to suit rooms of all sizes.
Wall mounting can be a great option in spaces where ceiling mounting isn’t possible. Wall-mounted overheads are placed along the side walls and corners in a rectangular room, as close to the ceiling as possible. GLM’s AutoPhase feature can help you compensate for the varying distances of each speaker.
Subwoofers can provide two functions in an immersive setup: bass management and low-frequency effects (LFE). Bass management is a routing configuration that allows the subwoofer to take over the lowest frequencies from other speakers that can’t reproduce them accurately. LFE is a dedicated channel that plays only through the subwoofer and is used for specific low-end content from about 20-120 Hz.
Full-range loudspeakers don’t always require bass management, but it is recommended for smaller monitors. Although the LFE channel is used more often in film than in music, it’s an essential component of both Dolby Atmos and surround formats. Therefore, any immersive setup should have at least one subwoofer capable of reproducing 120 Hz (additional subwoofers for spatialized bass management are optional).
Genelec’s SAM subwoofers come in various sizes and specifications, but the most important aspects are the frequency response and maximum sound pressure level (SPL).
The beauty of Genelec’s SAM ecosystem is the freedom it gives you to build a custom setup that meets your needs (and budget). Do you like big, powerful mains but need something smaller for overhead mounting? No problem. Can’t afford point-source monitors in every position? Not to worry; SAM will sort things out! Here are three examples to inspire you.
9.2.6 provides deep immersion and spatial accuracy with nine primary speakers, six overheads, and two subwoofers. This format is mainly used in large commercial studios and audio post-production facilities.
7.1.4 offers a great balance of immersion and value, especially for medium-sized rooms. This layout is based on the standard 7.1 surround layout with a four-speaker overhead array for detailed spatialization.
5.1.2 is the most basic immersive mixing format, but it can be a great starting point to build from. This configuration simply adds two overhead speakers to a standard 5.1 surround layout.
Even with a state-of-the-art immersive monitor system, headphone monitoring is still a critical part of the process. Binaural playback is the most accessible way to experience spatial audio content, so checking your mixes on headphones is essential. For accurate binaural playback and integrated monitor control, Genelec offers the UNIO Personal Reference Monitoring System. Here’s what’s included:
The 8550A headphones are electronically matched to the 9320A’s headphone amp for optimal transparency and headroom. Genelec’s Aural ID software generates a custom HRTF (binaural filter) based on 360-degree video of your head, ears, and upper body; then combines this data with GLM’s calibration measurements to recreate the sound you’d hear in the sweet spot of your studio—no matter where you’re working.
Genelec’s wide selection of Smart Active Monitors makes any immersive setup possible, from world-class Dolby Atmos rooms to bedroom-sized setups and everything in between. Their GLM software is one of the most elegant loudspeaker management systems available, and the UNIO system provides top-notch binaural monitoring. With all of these tools at your disposal, you can’t go wrong with Genelec. Talk to a Vintage King Audio Consultant today to start planning your upgrade!
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