Genelec 8010A studio monitor

Genelec 8010A Studio Monitor

The Genelec 8010A is the smallest member of the 8000 series. It is designed for situations where space is extremely limited or the speakers need to be portable, but there is no room for compromise on sound quality. It is a popular choice for mobile recording, OB vans (outside broadcasting), and of course, workstations, such as next to a computer monitor.

Even though the 8010A fits in the palm of your hand, it is a genuine Genelec. It offers amazingly accurate reproduction and an impressive sound for its size. This is a great choice when you need a reliable reference monitor in a backpack-friendly size.

• True 2-way active speaker: Optimized 25 W amplifiers for both the bass and treble drivers.
• Frequency response: Linear playback range of 74 Hz – 20 kHz (± 2.5 dB), with the lower cut-off extending to 67 Hz at -6 dB.
• Drivers: 3-inch bass driver and a 3/4-inch metal dome tweeter.
• The classic aluminum enclosure (MDE™): Minimal diffraction and excellent durability.
• Connections: Balanced XLR input (no RCA or digital connections).
• Finnish quality craftsmanship: designed and manufactured in Iisalmi, Finland.

Optimized for True Nearfield Monitoring – Is the power enough for my space?

The Genelec 8010A is specifically designed for short listening distances. Because it is an extremely compact speaker, the laws of physics set limits on the sound pressure level as distance increases:

• 0.5–1 meters (Desktop / Laptop setup): This is the 8010A's "sweet spot". Accuracy is at its peak, and the sound pressure level is more than sufficient.
• 1–1.5 meters (Small room): Works well at moderate volumes for background music or editing.
• Over 2 meters: This distance is large for this size class. The sound will start to feel thin, and dynamics will suffer. In this case, we recommend a larger model (e.g., the 8030C).

The 8010A is at its best when placed close to the listener. It is a true "spot monitor," effectively eliminating room influence simply by being so close to your ears.

Wide Sweet Spot and DCW™ Waveguide
Despite its small size, the 8010A utilizes Genelec's patented DCW™ (Directivity Control Waveguide). It is seamlessly integrated into the enclosure design and perfectly matches the drivers to each other at the crossover frequency. In practice, this means:

Even listening area: You can move around a bit at your workstation without the sound color changing drastically.

Fewer reflections: The controlled directivity helps reduce harmful reflections from desk surfaces and side walls.

Placement Control and Tone Adjustments

Because the speaker's goal is neutral reproduction, it must be adaptable to different rooms. The rear panel features DIP switches for tone controls:

Bass Tilt: If the speaker is placed in a tight space or against a wall, the bass will naturally be boosted. With the Bass Tilt switches (-2, -4, or -6 dB), you can cut this boost and clarify the sound.

Desktop Control: This is a critical setting for the 8010A, as it is often placed on a desk. This setting attenuates the boost caused by the desk surface (by 4 dB at 200 Hz), making the sound more natural.

Note: Due to its smaller size, this model does not have the separate Treble Tilt or Bass Roll-Off adjustments found on larger models.

What does it sound like?

The 8010A's sound is the recognizable Genelec sound: neutral, clear, and highly resolving. It ruthlessly reveals flaws in a recording, which is exactly the purpose of a professional tool. The midrange and treble are of extremely high quality.

However, it is important to understand the laws of physics: the bass produced by a 3-inch driver won't thump in your chest. The sound is tight and accurate, but the lowest octaves are naturally missing.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Because the 8010A's response rolls off below 67 Hz, the answer is often yes if you produce music or want a full-bodied movie experience.

• Voice work and light editing: You do not necessarily need a subwoofer.
• Music production and entertainment: We highly recommend a Genelec subwoofer (e.g., 7040A or F One), which is designed precisely to pair with this size class. It adds the missing low frequencies and frees the small speaker to sound even cleaner.

Technology and Usability

This speaker is built to last—forget about MDF boards and wood veneers! The speaker enclosure is made of die-cast aluminum. The structure is acoustically dead, extremely rigid, and offers maximum internal volume relative to its external dimensions. In addition to the studio-friendly dark grey and black, and the living room-friendly white, it is also available in a RAW version, where the aluminum surface is left stylishly untreated. 

Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS): This technology monitors the signal and automatically switches the speaker into a power-saving standby mode (<0.5 W) when playback ends. It wakes up immediately when you resume listening. The feature can also be disabled if desired.

Iso-Pod™ Stand: The included vibration-insulating rubber stand isolates the speaker from the desk surface and allows you to tilt the speaker to the exact right angle toward your ears.

Note: The Genelec 8010A is an active speaker designed for professional use and does not have its own volume control knob. Connect it to an audio source that has volume control (e.g., a preamplifier, audio interface, or DAC). The rear panel features a -10 dB sensitivity switch for adjusting the signal level.

Technical Specifications:

• Bass driver: 3"
• Treble driver: 3/4" metal dome
• Free field frequency response: 74 Hz - 20 kHz (± 2.5 dB)
• Crossover frequency: 3.0 kHz
• Amplifier power / channel: 25 W (Bass) + 25 W (Treble)
• Sound pressure level, short-term RMS, 1m distance: ?96 dB SPL
• Maximum peak acoustic output (pair) with music material: >105 dB SPL @ 1m
• 1 x analog XLR input (7 kOhm)
• Colors: Dark grey, black, white, RAW untreated
• Dimensions: 195 x 121 x 115 mm (with Iso-Pod stand)
• Weight: 1.5 kg
  
  

The sales package includes:

• 1x Genelec 8010A active speaker
• 1x Mains cable
• 1x Operating manual
• 1x Iso-Pod stand (attached to the speaker)