Genelec 8050B Active studio monitor

Genelec 8050B Active Studio Monitor

The Genelec 8050B is the largest speaker in the 80X0 series and a true powerhouse. It represents a size class where compromises regarding bass reproduction and sound pressure are minimal. This speaker is designed for larger recording studios, mastering, and situations where the sound must be felt as much as it is heard. And why not for home listening, too, if you can suitably place a speaker slightly over 50 cm tall, for example in a larger living room.

If you are looking for a system that offers reference-level accuracy but is also capable of producing a massive dynamic impact, the 8050B is the right choice.

Available in dark grey, black, and white versions.

• Massive 2-way active speaker: 150 W bass and 120 W treble amplifiers.
• Frequency response: Extends down to 35 Hz (-3 dB), which rivals many floor-standing speakers.
• Drivers: 8-inch (205 mm) bass driver and a 1-inch (25 mm) metal dome tweeter.
• Large aluminum enclosure (MDE™): Optimized volume and rigidity ensure distortion-free reproduction even at high volumes.
• Connections: Balanced XLR input.
• Finnish quality craftsmanship: designed and manufactured in Iisalmi, Finland.

Studio-level performance – What kind of space does this fit?

The Genelec 8050B is a physically large and heavy speaker that requires space around it to sound its best.

• 1.5–2.5 meters (Studio / Mastering / Living room): At this distance, the 8050B shines and direct sound dominates. It creates a large and stable soundstage.
• Mid-field and large spaces: The 8050B's directivity and power are sufficient to fill even a large control room or living room with sound, and it performs reliably even at listening distances over 2 meters without running out of sound pressure.

Note: This model is too large for most standard computer desks. We recommend placing it on sturdy stands or mounts to achieve the best results.

Wide Sweet Spot and DCW™ Waveguide
Genelec's patented DCW™ (Directivity Control Waveguide) is particularly effective in this size class. It seamlessly matches the large 8-inch driver and the tweeter to each other (crossover frequency 1.8 kHz). In practice, this means:

Stable stereo image: The soundstage holds together even if the listener moves laterally.

Fewer room reflections: The large waveguide controls the sound down to lower frequencies than in smaller models, which reduces the harmful impact of the room on the sound.

Placement Control and Tone Adjustments

To keep the larger sound in check in different rooms, the rear panel of the 8050B features comprehensive tone controls:

Bass Tilt & Roll-Off: A large speaker has a lot of energy in the bass region. With these settings, you can tame room-induced boominess (-2, -4, -6 dB) if the speaker must be placed close to walls or in a corner.

Desktop Control: Even though the model is large, it can be placed on a sturdy surface in a studio, in which case this setting compensates for reflections coming from the surface by attenuating the 160 Hz frequency.

What does it sound like?

The 8050B's sound is a physical experience. It is extremely accurate, but unlike small monitors, it reproduces the foundation and body of the music with full weight. Dynamic impacts (e.g., drums) are reproduced effortlessly and without compression.

It is a tool that ruthlessly reveals mixing errors, but at the same time offers an impressive listening experience, especially in this price range.

Do I need a subwoofer?

Short answer: Not necessarily.

The 8050B cleanly reproduces bass down to 35 Hz (-3 dB). This covers almost all musical information, including the lowest notes of synthesizers and 5-string basses. In most stereo systems, the 8050B is a full-range solution, but at high sound pressure levels, the bass might run out of headroom before the midrange, and a separate subwoofer allows for a better overall sound. 

A subwoofer is additionally necessary in multi-channel surround systems (LFE channel) or if you want to reproduce infrasonic frequencies at very high sound pressure levels in the room.

Technology and Usability

Die-cast Aluminum Enclosure (MDE™): The enclosure is made of die-cast aluminum. With the 8050B's power reserves, this is crucial—the enclosure is completely dead and does not resonate even at high volumes. The design minimizes diffraction and maximizes internal volume.

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 automatically when you resume listening.

Iso-Pod™ Stand: The massive rubber stand isolates the heavy speaker from the surface and allows the tilt angle to be adjusted toward the listener.

Note: The Genelec 8050B is an active speaker designed for professional use without its own volume control knob. Ensure you have a high-quality monitor controller or preamplifier in use.

Technical Specifications:

• Bass driver: 8" (205 mm)
• Treble driver: 1" (25 mm) metal dome
• Free field frequency response: 38 Hz - 20 kHz (± 2.0 dB)
• Crossover frequency: 1.8 kHz
• Amplifier power / channel: 150 W (Bass) + 120 W (Treble)
• Sound pressure level, short-term RMS, 1m distance: ? 110 dB SPL
• Maximum peak acoustic output (pair) with music material: ? 120 dB SPL @ 1m
• 1 x analog XLR input
• Available in black, dark grey, and white
• Dimensions: 452 x 286 x 278 mm (with Iso-Pod stand)
• Weight: 14.4 kg
  
  

The sales package includes:

• 1x Genelec 8050B active speaker
• 1x Mains cable
• 1x Operating manual
• 1x Iso-Pod stand (attached to the speaker)