This pair of Genelec 8260A was used as a floater pair, going from room to room in a commercial studio. The finish is not very forgiving against scuffs so they did get scuffed but there are no dents or dings to the cabinets and they sound great. You can tune these to your room with the standard SAM/GLM kit (not included) available for $289 retail. If you want a top shelf sound, that tunes to your room and are okay with a little patina, this pair is a great value.

The Genelec 8260A is a high-end, three-way active studio monitor known for its precise sound reproduction, innovative acoustic design, and advanced digital signal processing (DSP) technology. Part of Genelec’s 8000 Series, the 8260A is highly regarded in professional mixing, mastering, and post-production studios, where transparency and accuracy are paramount.

Key Features of the Genelec 8260A:1. Three-Way Active Design

• Three-Way System: The 8260A features a 10-inch woofer, a 5-inch midrange driver, and a 0.75-inch metal dome tweeter, ensuring detailed sound across the entire frequency spectrum.
• Tri-Amplified: Each driver is powered by its own dedicated amplifier: 150W for the bass, 120W for the midrange, and 120W for the high frequencies. This ensures optimal power distribution and precision across all frequency bands.

2. Genelec’s Minimum Diffraction Coaxial (MDC™) Driver

• Coaxial Midrange/Tweeter Design: The 8260A uses Genelec’s MDC™ coaxial technology, where the midrange and tweeter share the same physical axis. This reduces phase issues and ensures a consistent sound image, offering improved clarity and accuracy in the critical mid and high frequencies.
• Improved Imaging: Thanks to the coaxial design, the speaker provides outstanding imaging and a well-defined stereo field, even at off-axis listening positions.

3. Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™)

• DCW™ Technology: Genelec’s proprietary waveguide optimizes the speaker’s off-axis response, resulting in smooth, controlled dispersion and minimizing diffraction artifacts. This provides a stable and accurate sound stage, making the 8260A ideal for larger studios or less-than-ideal acoustic spaces.

4. Advanced Room Calibration with GLM™ (Genelec Loudspeaker Manager)

• Smart Active Monitor (SAM™): The 8260A integrates Genelec’s SAM™ technology, which allows for automatic room calibration and system alignment using the GLM™ (Genelec Loudspeaker Manager) software.
• Room Compensation: With the GLM software, the speaker can be calibrated to compensate for acoustic issues in the listening environment, including bass response problems caused by speaker placement or room reflections.
• DSP Control: The built-in DSP enables precise control over crossover points, phase alignment, and frequency response, further enhancing the monitor’s accuracy in any room.

5. Frequency Response and Performance

• Frequency Range: 29 Hz to 21 kHz, providing extended low-end and accurate high-frequency reproduction.
• SPL (Sound Pressure Level): The monitor can deliver up to 113 dB SPL, making it suitable for both nearfield and midfield monitoring applications.
• Crossover Frequencies: The internal DSP crossover is set at 490 Hz and 2.6 kHz, ensuring smooth transitions between the drivers.

6. Acoustic Design and Enclosure

• Natural Composite Enclosure: The enclosure is made from Genelec’s environmentally friendly, acoustically optimized natural composite, which minimizes resonances and coloration.
• Compact Design: Despite housing large drivers and amplifiers, the 8260A has a relatively compact form factor, allowing it to fit comfortably in most studio spaces.
• Isolated Mounting: It comes with vibration-reducing isolation mounts, reducing unwanted vibrations and ensuring clear sound.

7. Connectivity

• Analog and Digital Inputs: The 8260A features balanced XLR analog inputs and AES/EBU digital inputs, making it compatible with various audio setups, whether fully digital or analog.
• Flexible Controls: Various onboard DIP switches allow for manual adjustment of settings like room EQ, level control, and phase correction, though most users opt for the more detailed tuning offered through the GLM software.

Applications:

• Professional Mixing and Mastering: The 8260A’s flat frequency response, room calibration abilities, and high SPL make it ideal for detailed mixing and mastering work.
• Post-Production: Its clarity and precise imaging are crucial for film and TV post-production, where accurate sound placement and detail are required.
• Broadcast Studios: The robust build and reliability of the 8260A make it a great choice for broadcast and live sound environments.

Sound Quality:

The Genelec 8260A is known for its transparent sound reproduction, with no audible distortion or coloration. The coaxial driver design ensures a coherent, phase-accurate signal, leading to excellent imaging and depth. Its bass response is tight and well-defined, thanks to the 10-inch woofer and smart calibration capabilities, making it a preferred monitor for professional engineers who need accuracy across the spectrum.

Overall, the 8260A offers advanced technology, high power, and precise control, making it a top choice for professionals in critical listening environments.