Genelec 6040R Review

For 45 years, Genelec has been building loudspeakers. And 22 years ago, in 2001, the Genelec 6040A saw the light of day. The active two-way monitor was created in collaboration with designer Harri Koskinen, who designed an aluminum housing that provided plenty of space for the electronics and optimal conditions for sound dispersion.

Koskinen departed from the rather angular shapes of Genelec speakers at the time and gave the 6040A a few curves at the request of Genelec founder Ilpo Martikainen. The speaker and its design were a hit; the 6040A became a modern classic that was built until 2010.

Reissue

The newly reissued 6040R, available since October 2021, is the first model from Genelec’s new Signature Series, in which the Finns celebrate “pure sound and Finnish design.” The series will soon include a selection of classic Genelec speakers, all of which have been appreciated and repeatedly awarded for their “groundbreaking technology and design.” All models are undergoing revisions to bring the technology up to date.

Among the improvements the developers have given the revised 6040R are new bass drivers, proprietary Class-D amplifiers, and SAM (Smart Active Monitor) technology, which, in combination with the calibration and control software GLM (Genelec Loudspeaker Management), allows for adjustment of the frequency response to the room. The accessories required for calibration (microphone and network adapter = GLM Kit) are optionally available ($350). Alternatively, a dealer can lend the kit.

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Special features of the speaker include the Directivity Control Waveguide around the tweeter, which is intended to provide slightly directed dispersion. This makes the room in which the speaker plays somewhat less critical, at least in the treble range. Active crossovers are used here, as well as Class-D amplifiers—two per speaker.

But perhaps the biggest special feature is the design. The Genelec is not a compact speaker on a stand but a unit consisting of both stand and speaker. Accordingly, a pair of 6040Rs is delivered fully assembled in a flight case. One reason for this is the base, which houses an important part of the electronics. In addition to the connections, the DIP switches are located on the underside of the base, allowing you to adapt the speaker quite well to the room and personal taste (such as bass levels). There are two bass and one treble controls per channel. While the treble above 5 kHz can be both boosted (+2 dB) and attenuated (-2/-4 dB), the bass range can only be attenuated (Low Bass for deep bass below 200 Hz, Bass for everything below 800 Hz, each at -2, -4, and -6 dB). Additionally, on the underside, you can enable auto-standby, turn off the operation LED, reduce the playback level by up to 30 dB, and select whether the DIP switches take effect or a stored profile created with room calibration is active. For very loud playback without bass distortion, connecting a subwoofer is recommended—Genelec also offers these (the HiFi models are called the F-Series).

Signals can be input either analog via XLR or digitally via AES/EBU. In digital cabling, only one speaker is connected to the source; the other receives its signal via cable from the first. Internally, the signals are processed digitally, meaning that music supplied analog is first A/D converted. The DSP cannot be used otherwise.

While the original 6040A had 240 watts per speaker, the new version offers 2×150 watts per channel. The Finns are very secretive about the drivers. However, the distributor was able to find out that the mid/bass driver consists of a vinyl composite material. The tweeter, on the other hand, is made of aluminum.

Listening Test

Of the active speakers that visited the listening room in recent weeks (see stereoplay 9/23), the 6040 was undoubtedly the one that left the least to be desired. It combined the precision of the PSI A17-M with the playfulness of the Focal Alpha 80, without quite reaching the impulsiveness of the JBL 4329P. The first thing that stood out was that music seems to have more energy through the Genelec than through other speakers.

It felt as if the drivers had enormous power behind them. This impression was certainly underlined by the wide frequency range the speaker offers (-3/-6 dB: 43/38 Hz). It played fully; we did not miss a subwoofer—in fact, quite the opposite. After a few tracks, we reduced the bass and upper bass range by two decibels, which gave the best result in the listening room. Subsequently, the sound image on the “James Bond Theme” by Pure Desmond was perfectly balanced. And “Die Another Day” showed how crisp, fast, and transparent this wonderful speaker can play. It’s logical that it doesn’t reproduce concert levels due to its bass level limitation (see box); it’s not designed for that. However, it handles significantly increased volumes without complaint. Particularly impressive is its playback at low listening levels. Its excellent impulse response was a fine thing even when listening quietly, its timing always flawless. The backing vocals in Sheryl Crow’s “Solidify” were immensely well distinguishable, and the voice of The Chicks’ singer Natalie Maines was very present, giving the music a captivating immediacy.

CONCLUSION:

The Genelec 6040R is a hi-fi speaker from studio professionals. Hi-fi because it never overdoes it with details and directness. Studio because precision, cleanliness, and balance were top priorities here. The 6040R can make you perfectly happy, even without the optional room calibration. In problematic rooms, however, this can bring the perfect finishing touch. Give it a listen!

TECHNICAL DATA

GENELEC 6040R

Distributor: Audiopro Elektroakustik

www.genelec.com

List price: $8,000

Warranty period: 2 years

Dimensions W × H × D: 23.7 × 100 × 22 cm

Weight: 15 kg

Finish: Lacquer

Colors: Black, White, Gray

Operating principles: Active, closed

Room adjustment: Calibration optional

Special features: Fixed to stand

PRO / CONS

Neutral, lively sound

Flexibly adjustable

Optional calibration

Speaker is fixed to stand

DIP switches on the underside of the stand base

RATING

Neutrality (2x): 9.5

Detail Fidelity (2x): 10

Localization: 10

Spatiality: 9.5

Microdynamics: 9.5

Maximum Level: 7.6

Bass Quality: 8.6

Bass Depth: 8.1

Build quality: Outstanding

AUDIO BENCHMARK

OVERALL SCORE:8.1 POINTS

PRICE/PERFORMANCE:OUTSTANDING

Creative Mind

Finnish designer Harri Koskinen is a versatile creative mind. From tealights to knives and furniture to industrial design (including plenty for Genelec), the Karstula-born Koskinen (1970) designs objects with pleasantly clear lines. Wood and glass play a special role in his art. Among his best-known works is the award-winning “Block Lamp,” a light bulb enclosed by two halves of glass. For Genelec, he has designed the 8351A speakers, the discontinued M Series, the G Series, the 6040A and 6040R, as well as the 7000A subwoofer.

Genelec / 6040R

The Genelec reveals an almost flawless frequency response with variations smaller than ±1 dB on-axis as well as at slightly offset measuring positions (10° vertical, 30° horizontal). In the default setting, the highs around 5 kHz are broadly attenuated by about 1 dB. Up to 85 dB SPL, playback is completely distortion-free; above that, the bass distorts (maximum level 91 dB SPL), while mid and high frequencies play with low distortion up to 95 dB SPL. The time behavior is impeccable, as the waterfall measurement without significant resonances (below) shows. Despite DSP, there is no measurable input signal delay (latency), making the speaker perfectly suitable for music-making and home theater use. Power consumption: 10 W (idle, per unit).