The S360A delivers high SPL monitoring without compromising on predictability, speech intelligibility or sound quality.
S360 SAM™ Studio Monitor

Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) Systems

Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) Technology

SPL
118 dB

Frequency Response
36 Hz - 22 kHz (-6 dB)

Dimensions
H 530 x W 360 x D 360 mm, with Iso-Pod™ (view in inches)

Loud and Clear
The S360A’s fusion of main monitor performance and compact size makes it perfect for demanding film, post and music production, and in combination with a subwoofer, the S360A satisfies the demands of EDM playback or Dolby film mixing even in rooms where the listening distance exceeds 10 metres (33 feet). Equally at home in free-standing, in-wall or on-wall positions, the S360A delivers neutral reproduction with a short-term SPL capability of 118 dB, with peaks even higher.

Calibrate for your environment
The S360A integrates closely with our GLM software via which it can be configured and calibrated for your listening environment, compensating for detrimental room influences to create a truly optimised monitoring solution from mono to immersive. Not only does help produce mixes that translate beautifully, but GLM also doubles as a comprehensive Mac or PC-based monitor controller, allowing you to calibrate your listening level to accepted loudness standards, switch between formats, monitoring systems and primary listening positions – and much more.
Genelec
S360 SAM™ Studio Monitor Black
S360 SAM™ Studio Monitor White
1 x S360A monitor
1 x mains cable 1,8 m
1 x RJ45 cable 5 m
1 x operating manual
S360 SAM™ Studio Monitor
Utmärkelser

Now in its 35th year, the annual TEC Awards are widely recognized as the highest honour dedicated to the pro audio and sound recording industry. It’s where the most outstanding products in the worlds of music making, live performances, video games, television and films are recognised, and we were thrilled that our S360 and Aural ID were both voted winners for Outstanding Technical Achievement in their respective product categories.
This year was the first time that three companies all picked up double TEC awards, so congratulations also to our friends at Universal Audio and API for their success, and also to Joni Mitchell for being the deserved recipient of the Les Paul Innovation Award – presented by Herbie Hancock.
After a ‘Call for Entries’, the TEC Award nominations were made by a panel of professionals and thought leaders from all areas of the audio and sound production industries, and then voted upon by pro audio, live event and music industry professionals across the globe. The winners were then announced at a special awards dinner last Saturday - during the NAMM Show in California - and our team were on hand to step up and accept the awards.
The S360 high-SPL Smart Active Monitor triumphed in the Studio Monitors category, and has quickly become a benchmark for those working in music, film and post that demand a true reference that fuses main monitor performance with compact size – from stereo through to immersive formats.
By contrast, our Aural ID technology helps delivers a more truthful headphone listening experience by modelling the user’s personal head and upper torso features to produce a personalised file that then can be integrated into their audio workstation. This enables those in the worlds of music recording, post production, academic research, VR and games development to experience a far more natural sense of space and direction in their headphones, thus promoting more accurate and reliable headphone mixing.
Will Eggleston, our US marketing director commented “We thank all the voters who selected the S360 and Aural ID to win their respective categories. It is indeed an honour and a privilege to be recognised by our peers for the hard work of our R&D and engineering teams. They are incredibly outstanding products representing the spirit of innovation and market-driven development that Genelec strives to embody.”
Thank you to everyone that voted for us - we’re hugely proud, and grateful for your support!

We’d like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone that voted for our S360 high-SPL two way monitor, which has just been announced as the winner in the Monitoring category of Resolution Magazine’s prestigious 2019 awards.
Launched last summer at the AES Immersive Conference in Tokyo, the S360 is fast becoming an essential choice for both stereo music recording and immersive post-production, where the S360’s fusion of main monitor performance and compact size makes it perfect for those requiring precision listening at higher SPLs or longer listening distances.
Housed in a low diffraction enclosure with premium quality Finnish woodwork, the S360 features an enhanced 10-inch high efficiency woofer and 1-inch titanium diaphragm compression tweeter housed in an extended directivity control waveguide – delivering neutral reproduction with a short-term SPL capability of 118 dB, with peaks even higher.
As part of the growing Smart Active family of Genelec monitors and subwoofers, the S360 tightly integrates with GLM software, via which it can be configured, calibrated and controlled. Using GLM, any Genelec Smart Active model can be incorporated into a system configurable from simple stereo to high-channel count immersive formats.
Having been shortlisted by Resolution’s panel of industry experts and practitioners, voting was then opened to the magazine’s readers, social media followers, and the general public – who thankfully gave the S360 a resoundingly positive thumbs-up.
Once again thank you to everyone who supported us – we are extremely proud and grateful!
Technical Specifications

SPL
118 dB

Amplifier Power
250 W Bass (Class D) + 100 W Treble (Class D)

Frequency Response
36 Hz - 22 kHz ("-6 dB")

Accuracy of Frequency Response
± 2 dB (39 Hz - 19 kHz)

Driver Dimensions
⌀ 250 mm Bass + ⌀ 25 mm Treble (view in inches)

Dimensions
H 530 x W 360 x D 360 mm, with Iso-Pod™ (view in inches)

Weight
30 kg / 66.1 lb

Connections
1 x XLR Analog Input
1 x XLR AES/EBU Input
1 x XLR AES/EBU Output
2 x RJ45 Control
S360 SAM™ Studio Monitor
Technical Specifications
System Specifications
Frequency Response
39 Hz - 19 kHz (± 2 dB)
Low cutoff -6dB
36 Hz
High cutoff -6dB
22 kHz

SPL
Peak SPL Maximum peak acoustic output per pair in a listening room with music material at 1 m.
≥128 dB
Short term max SPL Maximum short term sine wave acoustic output on axis in half space, averaged from 100 Hz to 3 kHz at 1 m.
≥118 dB
Long term max SPL Maximum long term RMS acoustic output in the same conditions with IEC weighted noise (limited by driver protection circuit) at 1 m.
≥112 dB
Self-generated noise
Self-generated noise Self generated noise level in free space at 1 m on axis (A-weighted).
≤10 dB SPL
Weight
Weight30 kg (66.1 lb)
Dimensions
Height
530 mm
Height with Iso-Pod
530 mm
Width
360 mm
Depth
360 mm

Enclosure
Enclosure material
MDF
Enclosure type
Reflex port
Drivers
Driver type
Cone
Diameter
250 mm
Driver type
Compression
Compression driver 44 mm (1.7 in) into a 25 mm (1 in) throat.
Diameter
25 mm
Directivity


Harmonic distortion
100 Hz...5 kHz ≤0.5 %
> 5 kHz ≤1.5 %
Group delay
The latency at high frequencies from the input to the acoustic output, measured in the analog input:
Extended Phase Linearity in GLM set to OFF
5.2 ms
In Genelec performance graphics, the time of converting the from an electronic input signal to the acoustic output in a Genelec monitor is described by two factors – latency and group delay. The group delay factor can be read in the graphics for a specific frequency. The total frequency-specific input-to-output delay is a sum of the latency and group delay factors. To understand the significance of this total delay, consider that moving a loudspeaker away by 1 meter creates an additional delay of about 3 ms.

Amplifier Section
Amplifiers
250 W Class D
100 W Class D
Mains voltage
100-240 VAC 50/60Hz
Power consumption
ISS Active
≤1 W
Idle
≤11 W
Full output
230 W
Signal processing section
Connectors
Input Analog signal input connector XLR female, balanced 10 kOhm.
Input Digital signal input connector XLR female 110 Ohm.
Output Digital signal output / Thru connector XLR male 110 Ohm.
2 x Control Two CAT5 (RJ45) GLM Network connectors for computer control using the Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) software.
For even more technical details please see product operating manual.
Key Technologies

Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) Systems

Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) Technology

Active Crossovers

Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) Technology

Laminar Integrated Port (LIP™) Technology

Protection Circuitry

Optimized Amplifiers

Room Response Compensation

Versatile Mountings
Networked Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) Systems feature automatic calibration to the environment.
The last decade has experienced a rapid increase in global media content creation, resulting in significant changes in the way network facilities deal with increased workload. Now, more than ever, a growing number of audio productions are done in tighter, more confined working environments. This increases acoustic problems and lowers the reliability of monitoring. At the same time, a professional audio engineer needs to have high confidence in a reliable and precise monitoring system that reproduces sound neutrally and without distortion.
Built upon the solid electro-acoustic foundations of the 1200, 8000 and 7000 Series products, Genelec advanced SAM Systems are today’s most advanced and flexible monitoring solutions. They are an indispensable tool for audio professionals, as they are capable to automatically adapt to the acoustic environments and correct for levels, delays and room anomalies. SAM Systems can be controlled via Genelec proprietary Loudspeaker Manager (GLM™) network and software, enabling you to build a highly flexible and reliable monitoring system.
The GLM 3 software is a highly intuitive and powerful monitor control networking system that manages connectivity to all SAM studio monitors and subwoofers on the network – up to 30. The GLM 3 software features adjustment of levels, distance delays and flexible room response compensation equalization with the state-of-the-art and robust AutoCal™ automated calibration system. All parameters and settings are stored in system setup files or saved in each individual monitor or subwoofer if the GLM network needs to be disconnected.
Also, all acoustical features of SAM Systems can be optimised for different working styles or client demands. Additionally, even if the monitors or the production projects move between rooms, you can expect SAM technology to achieve the highest consistency in monitoring, providing a neutral sound stage imaging with low distortion.
Genelec SAM Systems offers a comprehensive, solution-oriented, intelligently networked product range supporting analogue and digital signals in virtually any working environment.
Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) for flat on- and off-axis response.
A revolutionary approach was taken by Genelec in 1983 with the development of its Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) used at the time in an egg-shaped enclosure. The Genelec DCW technology developed and refined over more than 30 years greatly improves the performance of direct radiating multi-way monitors.
The DCW technology shapes the emitted wavefront in a controlled way, allowing predictable tailoring of the directivity (dispersion) pattern. To make the directivity uniform and smooth, the goal is to limit the radiation angle so that the stray radiation is reduced. It results in excellent flatness of the overall frequency response as well as uniform power response. This advanced DCW technology minimizes early reflections and provides a wide and controlled listening area achieving accurate sound reproduction on- and off-axis.
Minimized early reflections and controlled, constant directivity have another important advantage: the frequency balance of the room reverberation field is essentially the same as the direct field from the monitors. As a consequence, the monitoring system's performance is less dependent on room acoustic characteristics.
Sound image width and depth, critical components in any listening environment, are important not only for on-axis listening, but also off-axis. This accommodates not only the engineer doing his or her job, but also others in the listening field, as is so often the case in large control rooms.
DCW™ Technology key benefits:
- Flat on- and off-axis response for wider usable listening area
- Increased direct-to-reflected sound ratio for reduced control room coloration
- Improved stereo and sound stage imaging
- Increased drive unit sensitivity up to 6 dB
- Increased system maximum sound pressure level capacity
- Decreased drive unit distortion
- Reduced cabinet edge diffraction
- Reduced complete system distortion
Active crossover operating at low signal levels.
Audio electronic crossovers allow to split the audio signal into separate frequency bands that can be separately routed to individual power amplifiers which then are connected to specific transducers optimized for a particular frequency band.
Active crossovers come in both digital and analogue varieties. Genelec digital active crossovers include additional signal processing, such as driver protection, delay, and equalization.
Genelec analogue active crossover filters contain electronic components that are operated at low signal levels suitable for power amplifier inputs. This is in contrast to passive crossovers that operate at the high signal levels of the power amplifier's outputs, having to handle high currents and in some cases high voltages.
In a typical 2-way system the active crossover needs two power amplifiers — one for the woofer and one for the tweeter.
The active crossover design offers multiple benefits:
- The frequency response becomes independent of any dynamic changes in the driver's electrical characteristics or the drive level.
- There is an increased flexibility and precision to adjust and fine tune each output frequency response for the specific drivers used.
- Each driver has its own signal processing and power amplifier. This isolates each driver from the drive signals handled by the other drivers, reducing inter-modulation distortion and overdriving problems.
- The ability to compensate for sensitivity variations between drivers.
- The possibility to compensate for the frequency and phase response anomalies associated with a driver’s characteristics within the intended pass-band.
- The flat frequency response of a high-quality active loudspeaker is a result of the combined effect of the crossover filter response, power amplifier responses and driver responses in a loudspeaker enclosure.
Using the active approach enables frequency response adjustments and optimization of the full loudspeaker system, placed in various room environments, without expensive external equalizers. The end result is a simpler, more reliable, efficient, consistent and precise active loudspeaker system.
Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) for power consumption reduction in stand-by mode.
Introduced early 2013, Genelec’s Intelligent Signal-Sensing technology has been developed to meet with both European Union ErP Directives and the company’s own wider sustainability commitments.
The Intelligent Signal Sensing, ISS™ circuitry tracks the signal input of the loudspeaker and detects if it is in use. If the ISS circuit does not find any audio on the input for a period of time, it sets the loudspeaker to a low-power sleep state and the loudspeaker will consume less than 0.5 watts. When an input signal is detected, the loudspeaker immediately turns itself on. Basically, the loudspeaker system will start saving power as soon as work is interrupted.
Additionally an ‘ISS Disable’ switch is located on each product’s back plate next to the other room response controls. First, when the mains power switch of the loudspeaker is set to “ON”, the ISS™ auto-start function (low-power sleep state on/off) of the loudspeaker is active.
If this function is not desired, the ISS™ function can be disabled by setting the “ISS Disable” switch on the back panel to “ON” position. In this mode, the monitor is only powered on and off using the mains power switch.
Note that the mains power switch will always turn the monitor off completely.
Laminar Integrated Port (LIP™) allows for precise bass reproduction.
Genelec’s choice for vented (or bass reflex) enclosures dates back to 1978 and the first active monitor developed by Genelec, the S30. Research to improve the performance and efficiency of reflex ports has been pursued ever since.
A typical reflex port enclosure features a tube and an opening area. To avoid turbulences in the tube the air flow should not meet any acute angles as this would generate noise, compression, distortion and losses of the total radiated energy. To minimize the air flow speed, both the tube and its cross section have to be large. Often, the outer enclosure dimensions become a limitation, because a long tube will not fit in the available volume anymore.
The M Series features two vent tubes having opening stretching across half of the enclosure depth to address these specific issues. The novel patent-pending Laminar Integral Port, LIP™, has been flow-optimized using computer-based finite element models to achieve low distortion and high efficiency even at very high audio output levels.
The reflex ports are integrated in the NCE enclosure during the moulding process, avoiding the need for separate additional components. The cross-section plot (Figure) demonstrates the efficient flow characteristics of the port. The natural installation orientation of the M Series is vertical and to allow easy placement of the monitor against a wall, the M Series ports opening face downwards, in the space under the monitor.
The novel Laminar Integrated Port, LIP™, bass reflex system provides accurate low frequency response and faithful tonal reproduction characteristics.
Sophisticated drive unit protection circuitry for safe operation.
When working in critical audio production environments it is essential that monitoring systems remain reliable and functional at all times. One of the main reasons behind Genelec’s excellent success in broadcasting environments is the reliability of our products and a key element behind the reliability is the internal protection circuitry found in all products since 1978.
The protection circuitry prevents driver failures by detecting signal levels, and in case of sudden peaks or constantly too high levels, taking the signal level down automatically. Of course this feature does not affect the sound quality in any way when working within the specifications of the loudspeaker, but only prevents inadequate input signals from breaking the loudspeaker.
Protection circuitry features and benefits:
- Reduces the output level when required, (e.g. when driver voice coil temperature reaches the safe limit) which highly improves the system reliability
- Appropriate protection circuitry design in every loudspeaker and subwoofer enables to maximise system output sound level.
Each transducer is driven by its own optimized amplifier.
Audio electronic crossovers allow to split the audio signal into separate frequency bands that can be separately routed to individual power amplifiers which then are connected to specific transducers optimized for a particular frequency band.
In a typical 2-way loudspeaker system, the active crossover needs two power amplifiers — one for the woofer and one for the tweeter. The power amplifiers are connected directly to the drivers of an active loudspeaker, resulting in the power amplifier’s load becoming much simpler and well known. Each driver-specific power amplifier has only a limited frequency range to amplify (the power amplifier is placed after the active crossover) and this adds to the ease of design.
The active design principle offers multiple benefits:
- The power amplifiers are directly connected to the speaker drivers, maximizing the control exerted by the power amplifier’s damping on the driver’s voice coil, reducing the consequences of dynamic changes in the driver electrical characteristics. This may improve the transient response of the system.
- There is a reduction in the power amplifier output requirement. With no energy lost in the passive crossover filter components, the amplifier power output requirements are reduced considerably (by up to 1/2 in some cases) without any reduction in the acoustic power output of the loudspeaker system. This can reduce costs and increase audio quality and system reliability.
- No loss between amplifier and driver units results in maximum acoustic efficiency
- Active technology can achieve superior sound output vs. size vs. low frequency cut-off performance
- All loudspeakers are delivered as a factory aligned system (amplifiers, crossover electronics and enclosure-driver systems)
Precise room response compensation for optimizing in-room performance.
The interaction between room acoustic and loudspeaker radiation is complex. Each room changes somewhat the monitor’s response in a unique way, e.g. reflective vs. damped rooms, or placement against a wall vs. on a stand away from the walls.
All Genelec loudspeaker systems feature room response adjustments to compensate for the room influences and retrieve a flat frequency response at the listening position.
Analogue Systems
Genelec analogue loudspeaker systems provide versatile Room Response Controls. They include (depending on models):
- Bass Roll-Off and Bass Tilt
- Treble Tilt and Treble Roll-Off
- Bass Level
- Midrange Level
- Treble Level
- Desktop Control
At low frequencies two main controls are provided. The Bass Tilt control, which acts as a shelving filter together with the Bass Roll-off control allowing you to optimize the low and very low frequency response of the system in different installations. Bass, midrange and treble level controls are provided in large systems. These controls allow to optimize the relative balance between the various pass bands.
The operating manual and datasheet of each loudspeaker contains a list of preferred room response control settings for different installations. These have been specified out of long practical experience and measurements of various kind of typical acoustic environments.
Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) Systems
Genelec SAM Systems offer a comprehensive, solution-oriented, intelligently networked product range which all feature Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM™) software and its automatic calibration system called AutoCal™.
Genelec AutoCal provides the industry’s first integrated process for complete automated measurement, analysis, and adjustment of every monitor on the GLM control network. The system measures the response in the listening area and applies relevant compensation in the low and low-mid frequencies to minimise the detrimental room acoustic anomalies as well as the differences between various listening positions. AutoCal also aligns relative levels, time-of-flight, as well as adjusts correct crossover phase (called AutoPhase) for all subwoofers on the network.
The Acoustic Response Editor provides accurate graphical display of the measured response, filter compensation and the resulting system response for each monitor, with full manual control of acoustic settings.
Versatile mounting options for all installation needs.
In addition to perfect acoustical design and advanced tailoring options to optimize the loudspeaker’s behaviour to the room environment, Genelec loudspeakers offer a variety of mounting options for easy installation in different applications.
Our wide range of accessories and fixed mounting points on the back of our aluminium enclosure products offer solutions to all common installation situations. M6 support points have been integrated in the die-cast enclosure for wall and ceiling mounts.
Some models also feature a 3/8” thread at the bottom of the enclosure to fit a robust microphone stand. Other larger and heavier models feature M10 fixing points. Special floor stand plates have been designed in order to fit the Iso-Pod stand that is part of our product design.
With these features our loudspeakers have found their way to a variety of applications beyond the professional audio and studio world, for example in commercial and AV installation projects as well as in home environments all around the world.
References
The Technische Hochschule Lübeck – University of Applied Sciences – has upgraded its recording studio from 5.1 and stereo recording to more object-based immersive mixing, thanks to Genelec Smart Active Monitoring. The facility has been upgraded to provide the university’s students with hands-on experience of the latest recording techniques.
Ralf-Ingo Koch, Information Technology and Design Lecturer, always puts focus on supporting students’ careers with the very latest production tools. “Today’s full-service agencies need experts and generalists who know all the production paths, possibilities and limits of the entire cross-media portfolio,” he explains. “That’s why we train students comprehensively – from photography and print to 3D animation, web programming and film, to stereographic fulldome productions with immersive 3D sound.”
After scanning the market for studio monitors and testing various systems, Genelec’s The Ones three-way monitors were selected for the project primarily for their coaxial design, compact size and impressive sound. The studio now boasts six workstations each with a Dolby Atmos Production Suite for mixing over headphones, plus one workstation with an Avid S6 console, Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite with RMU, and a Genelec monitoring system. This system comprises S360s in the LCR positions, 8351s and 8341s as surrounds and overheads, with 7380 subwoofers delivering low end support.
Genelec speakers have powerful performance, and we are thrilled with the sound!
“The Ones models allow for very good sonic imaging even in more difficult seating locations, thanks to their wide dispersion pattern,” says Arne Heyna, Lab Engineer at the university. “Genelec speakers have powerful performance, and we are thrilled with the sound!”
Additionally, GLM software played an important role in the new studio by efficiently configuring all the monitors. “There are only a few systems that can calibrate a sufficiently large number of monitors at the same time. We did not only plan for Dolby Atmos formats, but also equipped the studio with fulldome projects in mind, and here, GLM was very helpful in calibrating the different setups. This was a crucial point in choosing Genelec,” Koch explains.
“It’s very nice to make measurements and corrections easily and quickly without a lot of manual work,” Heyna adds. “We were surprised to see how well and easily this works with GLM, and by the possibilities there are for subsequent individual adjustments. It’s also great to be able to save the calibration settings directly to the monitors, so they can wake up with the same calibration over and over again. This is definitely a welcome relief in an already technically complex work environment.”
GLM was very helpful, and a crucial point in choosing Genelec.
The room’s entire signal routing and monitoring has been programmed and configured from stereo music production to 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos and 10.1.4+1 fulldome mixes – including backwards compatibility with previous technology set-ups – meaning that the upgraded space provides everything the university’s team was looking for. “It was quite an elaborate process, but also a very exciting and instructive one,” Heyna recalls.
“Another challenge was familiarising ourselves with Dolby’s technical and format-related specifications, since we wanted to implement as much as we could ourselves, to understand the whole background and context,” adds Koch. “We could have hired a planning office for that, of course, but instead we wanted to achieve as much as possible independently. So once again I designed the studio in advance, this time to scale in a 3D modelling software, for perfect speaker orientation.”
Heyna concludes: “Students’ feedback has been great so far – everyone is really excited about the studio’s new sound and look.”
Mumbai’s luxury private members-only club, Jolie’s, is a hidden gem that truly encapsulates the meaning of its namesake. Sprawling over an impressive 20,000 square feet, the club takes its members on a journey through the senses with its numerous zones, each carefully designed to foster its own distinct atmosphere. From the open, bright, and inspiring design of the breakfast lounge and work area to the exquisite, sultry lighting of the cigar lounge as well as the art and music spaces, the team at Jolie’s have considered all the minute details, with the best of artisan cuisine, cocktails, and culture. To elevate the customer experience further still, the club also features a premium Genelec loudspeaker solution, which was integrated by Genelec’s local AV distribution partner Pandam Professional Audio.
With Jolie’s vision to deliver the best to its members in all aspects, Abhishek Bindal, the Senior Vice President of Jolie’s, approached Pandam’s owner Prashant Damle for further consultation. In response, Abhishek and his team were invited to Pandam’s Genelec Experience Centre located in Mahim, Mumbai. They were so impressed by the sound demonstration that they immediately decided to go with Genelec, proving why the brand is synonymous with both prestige and quality. Furthermore, the ease of installation and operation of Genelec loudspeakers further sweetened the deal. In situ, the pleasing aesthetic of the loudspeakers’ iconic rounded design blends seamlessly with the establishment’s sophisticated decor.
The sound demonstration was so impressive that they immediately opted for Genelec.
Under the guidance of Prashant, the project was intensively planned over a two-month period. However, the actual integration was carried out in an extremely tight 20-day period, leaving no room for error. In total, over 40 loudspeakers were deployed, with the assistance of Pandam Audio’s installation engineer, Sunil Jambhale. This includes a relatively even split of Genelec S360A and 8010A models, complemented by four 7382A subwoofers to handle low frequency duties. Any questions or further support that Club Jolie required would be directed towards Nikhil Pagedar, Pandam’s customer support engineer.
Prashant explains the key decisions: “In the event space area we installed the S360As paired with a 7382A subwoofer. This combination delivers a class-leading balance of extraordinary SPL output, wide dynamic range and an intensely detailed, transparent performance.” It was important to equip this room with the capacity to satisfy a wide range of different functions, which is precisely what this Genelec pairing achieves.
The club’s bar area also benefits from the performance of the S360As. Although it preserves an intimate feel, it is an expansive space with high ceilings, which properly utilises the headroom that the S360As provide. “To ensure that they blend seamlessly with the environment, and that there are no unwanted vibrations propagating from the loudspeakers, we positioned them on the wall. From there, we precisely tilted the mounting bracket for the best possible listening angle,” explains Prashant.
It was a colossal task which had to be delivered in just 20 days.
In the restaurant, however, Pandam opted to use the 8010As, which deliver Genelec’s hallmark sound quality in an ultra-compact format. Additionally, other smaller rooms like the private dining area, business lounge, hidden bar and the cigar lounge were also equipped with 8010As, primarily serving as a background music system (BGM). Naturally, the playback volume for all areas can be individually tuned at the management’s discretion, and this in tandem with each loudspeaker’s integrated room compensation switches ensures perfect optimisation for each room environment.
“It was a colossal task, but we endeavoured to provide Jolie’s with the best possible solution. The team were very happy with the system we delivered,” says Prashant, “It helped immensely that the team at Jolie’s were so co-operative. Without such clear communication, it would have been hard to achieve the goal in the limited time frame we had.”
Manish Rathi, the Senior Vice President at Jolie’s reaffirms the success of this collaboration: “Working with the team at Pandam Professional Audio was an absolute pleasure - from start to finish. The team’s professionalism and sensitivity with regards to this project were both impeccable. We are delighted with the result!”
"Marco Guadagno and Laura Ciafaloni wanted to keep this operation secret from the first steps to the last, and incredibly they did it," explains Donato Masci from Studio Sound Service, the acoustic design firm responsible for the design and construction of the facility.
As a company, 3Cycle had a history of using various studio facilities around Rome for dubbing work. But strong growth, combined with client support led to the decision to create a dedicated space of their own. While it was important that the dubbing element was catered to, the team wanted to expand the business further and took the opportunity to create a post-production hub that could offer much more. As a result, 3Cycle features seven ADR dubbing rooms, a pair of 5.1 QC rooms, two 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment rooms and a Dolby Atmos theatrical room.
Genelec monitors were the right choice for 3Cycle because they are a standard for post-production facilities around the world.
The design work was carried out by Studio Sound Service’s team of designers made up of Donato Masci, Cecilia Torracchi and Giulia Bondielli, with the acoustic consultancy of Andy Munro. “We have designed a lot of studios together and created a sort of standard for post-production and dubbing, which is recognised and appreciated by numerous broadcasters,” says Donato Masci from Studio Sound Service. “3Cycle wanted to reach an international level and therefore we decided to also involve Andy.”
“3Cycle’s studios have been designed and built following the latest R&D in acoustics,” he continues. “In particular, the acoustics of the recording rooms have been given a neutral balance with the reduction of colouration and artifacts that can affect the final mixing of voices in all forms of media. The control rooms and mixing environments have been given a different approach, to match established international standards and Dolby certification requirements.”
Alongside the cutting-edge acoustics, Genelec Smart Active Monitors feature prominently throughout the facility. Each of the seven ADR rooms feature L-R 8330 monitors with an 8340 for the centre channel. The QC rooms are both equipped with 8340 monitors and a 7380 subwoofer for the 5.1 setup. Finally, the two Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment rooms have been installed with flush-mounted L-C-R S360 monitors, 8340s for the surrounds and overheads, and a 7382 subwoofer delivering the low frequencies.
“Genelec monitors were the right choice for 3Cycle because they are a standard for post-production facilities around the world,” states Masci, explaining the reasons behind selecting the studio monitors. “In addition to this, the GLM loudspeaker manager software helps a lot for the fine tuning, even if the rooms already sound really good.”
With this project taking place during the pandemic, there were obvious challenges. The Studio Sound Service team had difficulty travelling from their headquarters in Florence to the site in northern Rome (as Tuscany remained isolated from Rome for months) meaning that the supervision of the construction site was carried out from a distance. “It definetely wasn't a walk in the park,” notes Masci. “The construction was slowed down by numerous inconveniences related to the pandemic, but nevertheless all the collaborators made all the leaps so as not to accumulate large delays.”
Another major challenge came from isolating the facility. However, With Munro’s assistance, the team managed to create perfectly floating rooms that were mechanically decoupled from the structure. “All the recording rooms have been isolated using floated, room-within-room construction with vibration isolation throughout,” explains Masci. “Control rooms have also been given appropriate isolation, to avoid interference and also to allow accurate monitoring of the recordings themselves.”
the GLM loudspeaker manager software helps a lot for the fine tuning, even if the rooms already sound really good.
Reflecting on the overall project, Masci is proud of the end results. “The 3Cycle facility is the largest post-production facility that we’ve designed. It was a challenge but in the end it gave us great satisfaction. 3Cycle’s partners Marco Guadagno and Laura Ciafaloni, and CTO Simone Nobili, believed in us from the beginning and this was very important for us. Of course, during the implementation phases there were difficult moments, especially linked to respecting deadlines which were affected by the pandemic, but the 3Cycle guys have always shown a great and sincere sense of satisfaction.”
This reaction has been mirrored by the local industry, particularly following the secrecy around its creation. “Obviously when the facility opened, it was a big surprise for the city, and talent and producers are still talking positively about the first experiences they had,” says Masci. “It seems they really appreciate the acoustics, but also the general comfort of the rooms that have a particularly refined design.”
Part of Mediapro’s image and sound post-production company, Telson.Tres60 opened its new facility in May 2019, and decided to upgrade its monitoring capabilities to better serve its clients. “The system upgrades were driven by client demands - for example Movistar asks for everything in Dolby Atmos,” explains sound production co-ordinator, Ana Belén Martín. “We must be able to fit the standards of each of these clients. This means that we have to generate much more material than before because of the different types of broadcast formats – from a mobile phone to a Smart TV.”
The Telson.Tres60 team, alongside Unitecnic – Mediapro’s engineering company which handled the installation – turned to local Genelec partner Audio-Technica Iberia for the 7.1.4 monitoring solution. In both rooms S360A monitors were installed in the LCR positions, with four 1032C monitors as surrounds and the same number of 8340As covering the overhead channels. Low frequency content is handled by a 7382A subwoofer, and with all of the monitors being calibrated and controlled via Genelec’s GLM loudspeaker management software, the monitoring system is able to provide the flexibility required to work to different standards.
“These are the only two Dolby Atmos Home rooms in Spain approved to work at a 79 dB SPL monitoring level,” adds Pelayo Gutiérrez, sound supervisor and head of the fiction sound department of Telson.Tres60. “Ricardo Viñas from Dolby was responsible for adjusting the rooms and equalising them to the three required levels: at 85 dB for cinema, 79 dB for Netflix and 82 dB for Telefónica.”
Alongside the two Dolby Atmos Home rooms, the facility features a 7.1 room, two 5.1 rooms, a foley room and a movie theatre, which also benefit from Genelec monitoring technology. “In terms of technical expectations, Genelec has delivered exactly what we anticipated,” reflects Gutiérrez. “We are very happy – it's a perfect setup. We have real confidence when it comes to making premixes here and moving on to the movie theatre or vice versa - the mixes translate perfectly.”
Combining an ambient music performance with a multi-channel listening experience, both the performers and the live audience were surrounded by a ring array of Genelec loudspeakers, creating a truly unique listening environment. This type of playback system is tailor-made for ambient music, emphasising the sense of space and the abstract nature of the compositions – and creating an incredibly thought-provoking and stimulating live event.
The planning and creation of the show took place over a two month period, using the demonstration space in Modern Sky to evaluate how the sound elements combined, how they moved, and what type of speaker configuration would be best suited to the ambient material. The creative team included electronic musician Wang Lu, also known as L + R, music producer/mixer Shen Lijia and visual artist Tami-musiXgal, and working alongside our colleagues at Genelec China, a system comprising eight S360 high-SPL smart active monitors and a 7382 subwoofer was used to surround the audience, while a smaller smart active array of four 8330 two-ways, four 8331 coaxial three-ways and a 7360 subwoofer was used to envelop the musician and the VJ. Genelec GLM software was then used to analyse the room and optimise the frequency response, distance delay and playback level of each speaker in the system – thereby delivering the best possible listening experience to both performers and audience alike.
In planning the event, the team were seeking a good combination of manual control, programming and random machine triggering, with the pre-programmed foundation of the 8.1 audio mix being handled by Ableton Live, with Cycling 74’s Max allowing communication with external hardware instruments – and plenty of real-time musical improvisation was included too!
Prior to the event, the demand for tickets was so high that it was decided to stage three separate performances, to allow every listener to position themselves comfortably within the speaker array and experience the finest sound quality. And from our own perspective, the whole process of planning and executing the event gave us a much deeper understanding of the shaping of space, the precise positioning of sound and the design of moving trajectories in music.
There’s no doubt to us at Genelec that as the world’s exposure to immersive audio becomes greater, the future of multi-channel live music performances is increasingly looking brighter. There are a whole new generation of music fans who are seeking more and more ‘experiential’ live performances, and Genelec is excited to play its part in the growth of this exciting medium.
In the wake of the unmitigated success that is G Livelab Helsinki, the Finnish Musicians’ Union has opened a brand new – and bigger – venue in the vibrant city of Tampere, some 200km north of the Finnish capital. The same team was deployed to realise the Tampere project which is built according to the same ‘music first’ philosophy as Helsinki. The result is an extraordinary live music experience based on quality programming, modern design, and state-of-the-art Genelec audio systems including the ground-breaking new 4430 Smart IP loudspeaker.
Housed in a striking red brick building which was formerly the boiler house of the Frenckell paper mill in the heart of the city, the venue hosts up to 250 people and offers a hugely varied programme including jazz, folk, world music, pop/rock, chamber music, electronic music and more. Akukon Oy designed the acoustics, electroacoustics, lighting, sound, video, communication systems and basic IT structure as well as the rigging systems, as they did for Helsinki, and leading Nordic AV integrator, Bright – another key member of the Helsinki team – brought Akukon’s vision to life.
“Genelec was already a tried and tested solution with the first G Livelab project in Helsinki which has had great reviews,” explains Bright’s Head of Installation, Santtu Sipilä. “People really liked what we achieved in Helsinki, so it was an obvious decision to equip the Tampere club with Genelecs as well.”
The biggest difference between the two venues is the space – Tampere is much bigger with significantly higher ceilings. Although this posed certain challenges in terms of acoustic treatment, it also allowed greater freedom for the audio design.
The second notable difference is the use of Genelec’s 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers which weren’t available at the time of the Helsinki installation.
“We definitely wanted the new 4430s for easier cabling and added control; it’s opened up a world of possibilities for us,” admits Sipilä. “We have a fully networked system running on Dante – this includes the big loudspeakers used for the main PA – and any of the 4430s can take any signal from anywhere. This means that we can use the same loudspeakers for virtual acoustics, surround sound, background music, delays… the possibilities are endless, and it’s enabled us to considerably reduce the total amount of loudspeakers required in order to achieve what we wanted. We are able to make art with loudspeakers and we are not limited in any way in terms of how we can use the system.”
Tapio Ilomäki, the project manager for Akukon, agrees: “Our primary objective was the same as for Helsinki: to deliver a high-quality system with high musicality that serves the performer best. However, the versatility of systems and spaces was a key element of the design; modern venues need to be multi-purpose and they have to be able to facilitate these changes as quickly and easily as possible, for optimum functionality and quick return on investment. The use of the 4430s plays an important role at this level as well as offering extremely musical sound with very low distortion.”
The ability to have everything delivered over just a single cable is every installer’s dream.
Sipilä is also extremely impressed with the PoE (Power over Ethernet) capabilities of the 4430s. “We were really surprised by the SPLs and sound quality from this size of loudspeaker over PoE. We honestly didn’t think it was possible, so yes, we’re very impressed. The ability to have everything delivered over just a single cable is every installer’s dream, so I think that Genelec’s Smart IP range will be figuring in a great many of our future designs!”
In addition to the 4430s, the main PA system comprises a pair of 1236 SAM studio monitors, the flagship of the Genelec range, seventeen S360s for surround and delay, a pair of 1238s as the first delay line, and finally a flown sub array of nine 7380 subwoofers. “We didn’t have either the height or the space to include subs in Helsinki, so this is a welcome addition in Tampere which gives us some extra headroom in the system and helps add body and fullness to the sound,” continues Sipilä.
When you come here to listen to live music, it will most likely sound even better than it did on the record.
Renowned Finnish singer/songwriter, Markus Nordenstreng of Tuomo & Markus and the Latebirds considers G Livelab as his favourite venue for intimate performances. “Some of the best music I have ever heard has been live, but sound quality is often let down by the venue, either through bad acoustic treatment or a sub-par sound system – or both. What you have here at G Livelab is just the opposite end of the scale – for me it’s the ultimate live sound experience. When you come here to listen to live music, it will most likely sound even better than it did on the record – you can hear things you never heard before. It would be a great service to mankind if there was a G Livelab in every city around the world!”
The final word goes to Annamaija Saarela, CEO of G Livelab Tampere: “G Livelab isn’t just about the technology or the programming – it’s about the whole experience of enjoying live music, and I’m proud to say that in bringing together the best of everything and everyone involved, we have achieved a result that is even greater than the sum of the parts. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback since we opened, both from the public and musicians alike.”
The Finnish Music Hall of Fame is Helsinki’s most recent and innovative cultural landmark. Located in the newly redeveloped Pasila district of the Finnish capital, already noted for its vibrant street art, the museum is attracting visitors in droves thanks to the unique concepts that have been deployed to depict the history of Finnish music.
Genelec was approached from the outset to be a part of this exciting project, the design and installation of which was awarded to renowned Nordic AV integration specialists, Bright.
“Genelec is the world leading company in professional audio monitoring,” says Music Hall of Fame board member, Olli Ilmolahti. “We knew that Genelec has been researching and developing products over many decades and already has much experience in this field.
"We wanted to have the best of the best, so Genelec was the perfect choice."
As the Finnish Music Hall of Fame, we were not ready to make any compromises concerning the listening environment and sound quality. We wanted to have the best of the best, so Genelec was the perfect choice to be a part of the story of Finnish music throughout history.”
The new music museum offers a multisensory experience for all music lovers covering genres from three centuries - from symphonies to Finnish rap music to folk and heavy rock plus everything in between - made possible by utilising the newest technologies available. The aim was to provide an interactive museum experience at a whole new level, offering visitors the chance to experience full musical immersion and a dive into the textures of music. Virtual technology enables visitors to embark on spectacular musical journeys whilst modern sound technology permits them to explore the roles that various instruments and voices play in a symphony orchestra, a mixed choir and a military band. Visitors can make their voice heard by performing on Finland’s finest stages, from the Helsinki Music Centre to Olavinlinna Castle on a virtual karaoke tour, and much more besides.
Genelec’s new Smart IP platform was an absolutely key element in making all of this a reality. Genelec worked with Bright and various content creators to establish the optimum audio design for each space and each exhibit. Bright deployed 124 of Genelec’s new 4430A two-way, active installation loudspeakers throughout the museum - the first model to incorporate Genelec’s ground-breaking Smart IP technology. The Smart IP platform enables IP networking via both Dante and AES67, and derives power via both PoE and PoE+ Power-over-Ethernet formats. As well as receiving both power and audio-over-IP, the 4430’s rear panel CAT connector also allows access to Genelec’s Smart IP Manager – a sophisticated downloadable software tool running on Windows 10 that allows installers to configure an almost unlimited number of rooms, zones, speakers and audio channels, and includes device discovery, versatile room equalisation, system organisation and status monitoring. External control via third-party hardware, software or house automation is also possible.
“We were responsible for designing a digital experience system with the possibility to change exhibitions efficiently when required,” says Bright’s Head of Installation, Santtu Sipilä, who worked closely with Genelec throughout the design and installation process. “As this was the Finnish Music Hall of Fame, some extra attention was needed regarding the sound quality. We investigated several other music museums to ensure that our solution would deliver the best sound quality of them all.
The decision to use Genelec was clearly a determining factor in achieving that goal, and the possibility of using the new networked loudspeakers made it even easier. The Smart IP technology enables us to drive each loudspeaker independently, and that opens up a wealth of opportunities for immersive sound experiences.”
In order to ensure the best possible audio experience, particular attention was paid to the acoustics of the museum during the design stage: “Even the best loudspeakers are no good if the acoustics don’t work!” says Santtu with a smile. “We also had to pay careful attention to the network to be able to run perfectly synchronised sound and video at the same time. Again, the Smart IP platform played an important part in making this work successfully.”
The Board members are thrilled with the results, and customer feedback confirms the success of the project. “The Finnish Music Hall of Fame is full of technology - virtual reality and digital technology are used to convey music, video, audio, sound effects and live music. I strongly believe that the sound world and acoustics form the most important and memorable experience at the Music Museum from the customer’s point of view,” says Olli Ilmolahti. “Genelec´s new Smart IP technology was a perfect choice for us, offering a complete solution with the highest quality and flexibility which means savings in working time, maintenance and investment costs. We achieved everything we wanted and more, and the immersive sound world and listening environment in certain areas of the Fame Music Museum - as well as the neutral, transparent sound throughout - is something to be experienced. Customer feedback has been nothing but positive.”
Mikko Vanni, chairman of the board for the museum, agrees wholeheartedly. “We wanted to use the most advanced technology available, and all the technological solutions devised by Genelec and Bright have been successful. We have been able to leverage this by informing the media and our main target groups that we have a very advanced Genelec solution (including an immersive voice system) combined with other sophisticated technology, which has given added value to the content credibility of the museum. We think that the Genelec system is amazing - the vocal reproduction throughout the venue is truly special. We set out to achieve a level above what is already out there, and we’ve done it. We’re delighted with the results.”
The company has recently transformed an old red brick factory building into their new Miltton House headquarters in Helsinki. High quality audio visual technology naturally plays a key role in the new venue. Systems integration specialists, Digisähkö Oy, who were charged with designing and installing the AV systems, selected Genelec loudspeakers throughout, for a premium audio experience.
Designed as a physical meeting place and an inspiration hub as well as a workplace for Miltton’s talent and its stakeholders, high quality AV systems were a priority from the start. “The investment in Miltton House represents the next phase in Miltton’s growth story,” explains Camilla Linniemi, Partner & Director at Miltton Group. “The ways of working are under constant change and the best ideas happen when people connect in a meaningful way.” To that end, in the early stages of the project, Miltton engaged top acoustic consultants and AV designers, Akukon Oy, to come up with an initial design, which was then developed and refined by Digisähkö as the project progressed.
They are extremely aesthetic, so they blend well into every environment, and so very easy to install.
“Akukon had specified that the speakers should be ‘separate, high quality active loudspeakers,’ so as far as we were concerned, Genelec was the obvious choice,” relates Digisähkö CEO, Jani Hirvonen. “The brand is synonymous with quality and matched all of Miltton’s criteria concerning sustainability. It was a very easy decision.”
Digisähkö installed a total of 50 loudspeakers from Genelec’s 4000 Series installation range throughout the building. 42 compact 4020 speakers equip Miltton’s wide variety of meeting and conference rooms. Two of the more powerful 4030s grace the company’s airy entrance lobby whilst a pair of the heavy-hitting 4040s are reserved for the demo room. “The 4000 Series loudspeakers make life very easy for us as an integrator,” confirms Hirvonen. “They are extremely aesthetic, so they blend well into every environment; they are active loudspeakers, and so very easy to install; there is a good range of mounting accessories; and of course, they sound fantastic with incredible clarity and detail, even at low levels.”
We asked for a design that would combine flawless audio quality with sufficient power and coverage.
However, there was one area where Miltton had very specific – and high-level – requirements, and that was for their 350m2 event space in the heart of the building, known as Tori. Designed for events of up to 500 people, the space is easily adaptable for the style of the occasion – from cocktail parties to seminars – with seating for up to 300 people. The audio system needed to be similarly versatile with the ability to cater for everything from a DJ or live band to seminar material.
“The requirement was clearly for a high output, high fidelity sound system with connections for a DJ mixer, which is a very different animal from a conference room system,” notes Hirvonen. “We asked Henri Ulmanen at Genelec to come up with a design that would combine flawless audio quality with sufficient power and coverage to fill the space with no hot spots or dead zones.”
Ulmanen decided on a main system of two S360 smart active loudspeakers supported by two powerful 7380 subwoofers for low end reinforcement, supplemented by four 4040 loudspeakers (two per side) as delays/sidefills. “I decided on the S360s because of their excellent, neutral reproduction and a long-throw capability that delivers reference-quality accuracy at listening distances of over 10 metres,” explains Ulmanen. “Combined with the 7380 subs they are an excellent solution for any environment looking for premium quality, high SPL vocal and music reproduction in a compact form factor.
“Another important element was the fact that, as a smart active loudspeaker, we can use our GLM software to configure and optimise the S360s to compensate for any detrimental room influences,” he continues. “The Tori event space has a pretty industrial feel with concrete floors and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows, so this was very helpful in ironing out anomalies, especially when the room is being used at full capacity.”
All of the AV systems and the Helvar Dali lighting throughout the building are controlled by the Control4 automation system, via individual touch screens in each of the meeting rooms and the Tori event space for easy operation. Digisähkö implemented the integration between the systems as well as the installation of all of the AV technology.
“We’re very proud of this installation and Miltton are thrilled with the results,” said Hirvonen. “They wanted a modern, high quality, sustainable AV solution that is versatile, easy to operate, and reflects their values as a company. Genelec ticked all the boxes and integrates perfectly into the total solution. It’s a great success all round.”
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