Genelec
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Genelec Oy is a manufacturer of active loudspeaker systems based in Iisalmi, Finland. It designs and produces products especially for professional studio recording, mixing and mastering applications, broadcast, and movie production. The company was co-founded by the late Ilpo Martikainen (1947–2017) and Topi Partanen in 1978.[5]
| Type | Private limited company (Osakeyhtiö) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional audio Consumer electronics |
| Founded | 17 February 1978 in Helsinki, Finland[1][2] |
| Founders | Ilpo Martikainen[3] Topi Partanen |
| Headquarters | , Finland |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Siamäk Naghian (CEO) |
| Products | Active loudspeakers and subwoofers |
Number of employees | 190 (2020)[4] |
| Website | www |
History
Early history
Genelec began operations to meet the needs of Finland's national public-broadcasting company YLE. YLE was building a new radio house in Pasila, Helsinki. Juhani Borenius, who worked for YLE as an acoustician, asked his friends at a postgraduate acoustics seminar if they could make an active monitoring speaker. Ilpo Martikainen and Topi Partanen had the first sample in two weeks. The prototype was promising enough to raise serious interest. In 1978, after two years of research and development, the company opened for business with their first speaker, the S30. The company moved immediately from Helsinki to Iisalmi, in the center of Finland. The first facilities were in Satamakatu, 190 square metres (2,000 sq ft) in the basement of an apartment building where Martikainen lived.
The first order went to RAI in Italy, the second to YLE in Finland. Four people worked for the company at the time, so YLE's order for 340 pieces gave work for one year. It also gave one year's time to explore other options to keep the company running. The company also began providing sound reinforcement contracting services.
Sound reinforcement contracting was half of the business. Genelec installed systems in many drama theatres in Finland—including the National Theatre, city theatres in Rovaniemi and Kuopio, the congress hall of the new cardiologic hospital in Moscow, the Moscow Circus, and two recording vans for YLE. The last contract job was Tampere Hall and the last audio system supplied went to the Royal Opera in Madrid.
The decision to quit the sound reinforcement business in 1989 was crucial for the future of Genelec. There was no financial need to leave contracting, but the company wanted to be known as a manufacturer.
There was high demand for Genelec speakers from the beginning, and production quantities grew every year, as did the number of employees. In 1981 Genelec delivered active monitors to ZDF’s new control rooms in Mainz. The facilities in Satamakatu became far too small. By 1981 the company had spread across different locations and searched for either a new factory or a lot where they could build one. In 1983, the town offered a lot next to lake Porovesi at Luuniemi. The company has expanded their facilities four times since then. In addition to production areas, the last expansion adds more room for training and quality listening.
International business
Genelec has exported speakers from their beginning, and has increased exports over the years. In 1980, they exported 20% of production, in 1984 80%, and on into the 1990s exports peaked at 95% but have settled to around 90% in the 2000s. The first export countries were Italy, the Nordic countries, Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Great Britain. Cooperation with Otaritec Corp. in Japan began in 1986. In 1993, Genelec had distributors in 45 countries, and now has sales in more than 70 countries.
As the export trade has grown, the degree of domestic added value of the products has remained around 80%. The 77th AES convention in Hamburg in 1985 was a turning point for Genelec. They introduced the 1022A and displayed a whole family of speakers: Biamp 1019A mini monitor, broadcasting monitors S30 and 1022A, and music monitors 1024B and 1025A. By 1985, Genelec produced 12 models. They also made sound reinforcement and passive Hi-Fi speakers for the domestic market. The passive Biway 1050A and Triway 1051A were in production in 1980–1982 and production of the small 1049A began in 1988. They have long since discontinued production of passive hi-fi speakers.
In the 1990s, Genelec was increasingly known as a manufacturer of active monitoring speakers. They designed new products, notably the large control Room Monitors 1035A, 1034A and 1033A between 1988 and 1990. In 1991 Genelec designed the 1031A, which was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame in 2014. Genelec followed the 1031A with the 1030A, 1032A, 1029A, 1037A, and 1038A, and subwoofers 1091A, 1092A and 1094A.
21st century
The first years of the 21st century presented challenges. Genelec introduced the LSE-series of subwoofers and replaced most of the 2-way series with the new 8000 Series. The 8000 Series comprises four models (8020B, 8030A, 8040A and 8050A 2-way Active Loudspeakers), some of which are clearly smaller than their predecessors, which was obtained by using aluminium as the material of the speaker enclosures instead of traditional MDF. Renowned Finnish industrial designer Harri Koskinen designed the 8000 Series' appearance.[6] Adding to the series are the smallest 6010A 2-way loudspeaker and its supporting 5040A Active Subwoofer, introduced in 2008.
Many new Genelec products feature digital signal processing and software control. The 8200 DSP series adds three products to the line (8240A, 8250A 2-way and 8260A 3-way Active Loudspeakers) with ability to automatically adapt their performance to any acoustical conditions with AutoCal calibration through the GLM Software.
As of 2010, Genelec produced over 50 active loudspeaker models, and numerous modifications and versions of these for specific applications. They also produced software products for acoustic calibration. After finishing sound reinforcement contracting, Genelec concentrated solely on active speakers.
Products
Current products
As of October 2021[update]
| Studio Monitors[7]
| Home Speakers[10]
| AV Installation Speakers[11]
|
Retired products
Limited-production models are not included. Models shown in bold in the "Replaced by" column are in production as of October 2021[update].
Studio Monitors[12]
| Two-way systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| 1018A Active Speaker | 1987–1989 | — |
| Biamp 1019A Studio Monitor | 1979–1994 | 1030A |
| 1029A Studio Monitor | 1996–2005 | 8030A |
| 1030A Studio Monitor | 1994–2005 | 8040A |
| 1031A Studio Monitor | 1991–2005 | 8050A |
| 1032A Studio Monitor | 1992–2013 | 1032B |
| 1032B Studio Monitor | 2013–2017 | 1032C SAM™ |
| 2029A Digital Active Monitor | 1998–2005 | 8130A |
| 2029B Digital Active Monitor 2029B-Y Digital Active Monitor | 2000–2005 | |
| 6010A Active Speaker | 2008–2013 | 6010B |
| 6010B Active Speaker | 2013–2014 | — |
| 8020A Studio Monitor | 2005–2009 | 8020B |
| 8020B Studio Monitor | 2009–2013 | 8020C |
| 8020C Studio Monitor | 2013–2017 | 8020D |
| 8030A Studio Monitor | 2005–2013 | 8030B |
| 8030B Studio Monitor | 2013–2017 | 8030C |
| 8040A Studio Monitor | 2005–2013 | 8040B |
| 8050A Studio Monitor | 8050B | |
| 8130A Digital Active Monitor | 2007–2015 | — |
| 8240A SAM™ Studio Monitor | 2006–2016 | 8340A SAM™ |
| 8250A SAM™ Studio Monitor | 8350A SAM™ | |
| M030 Studio Monitor | 2013–2019 | — |
| M040 Studio Monitor | ||
| Three-way systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| Triamp 1022A Studio Monitor | 1985–1990 | 1037A |
| 1022B Studio Monitor | 1987–1993 | |
| Triamp 1024A Studio Monitor | 1979–1986 | Triamp 1024B |
| Triamp 1024B Studio Monitor | 1985–1990 | Triamp 1024C |
| Triamp 1024C Studio Monitor | 1990–1992 | 1038A |
| Triamp 1025A Control Room Monitor | 1983–1986 | Triamp 1025B |
| Triamp 1025B Control Room Monitor | 1986–1989 | 1035A |
| 1033A Control Room Monitor | 1990–1999 | — |
| 1034A Control Room Monitor | 1989–1999 | 1034B |
| 1034B Control Room Monitor | 2000–2015 | 1234A SAM™ |
| 1034BC Studio Monitor | 1234AC SAM™ | |
| 1035A Control Room Monitor | 1989–1994 | 1035B |
| 1035B Control Room Monitor | 1995–2015 | — |
| 1036A Control Room Monitor | 1997–2015 | 1236A SAM™ |
| 1037A Studio Monitor | 1992–1996 | 1037B |
| 1037B Studio Monitor | 1995–2003 | 1037C |
| 1037C Studio Monitor | 2004–2015 | 1237A SAM™ |
| 1038A Studio Monitor | 1992–2003 | 1038B |
| 1038AC Studio Monitor | 1998–2003 | 1038BC |
| 1038B Studio Monitor | 2004–2015 | 1238A SAM™ |
| 1038BC Studio Monitor | 1238AC SAM™ | |
| 1038CF Studio Monitor | 2009–2015 | 1238CF SAM™ |
| 1039A Control Room Monitor | 1995–2015 | — |
| 1238CF SAM™ Studio Monitor | 2011–2017 | |
| 8260A SAM™ Studio Monitor | 2010–2019 | 8361A SAM™ |
| 8351A SAM™ Studio Monitor | 2014–2019 | 8351B SAM™ |
| Triamp S30 Studio Monitor S30NF Studio Monitor | 1978–1992 | S30B S30BNF |
| S30B Studio Monitor S30BNF Studio Monitor | 1990–1992 | S30C |
| S30C Studio Monitor | 1992–2001 | S30D |
| S30D Digital Active Monitor | 2000–2006 | — |
| Subwoofers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| 1091A Active Subwoofer | 1996–2003 | LSE™ Series (7000 Series) |
| 1092A Active Subwoofer | 1994–2003 | |
| 1094A Active Subwoofer | ||
| 7050A Studio Subwoofer | 2002–2005 | 7050B |
| 7050B Studio Subwoofer | 2005–2018 | 7050C |
| 7060A Studio Subwoofer | 2002–2006 | 7060B |
| 7060B Studio Subwoofer | 2007–2016 | 7360A SAM™ |
| 7070A Studio Subwoofer | 2002–2016 | 7370A SAM™ |
| 7071A Studio Subwoofer | — | |
| 7073A Studio Subwoofer | 2003–2016 | |
| 7260A SAM™ Studio Subwoofer | 2006–2016 | 7360A SAM™ |
| 7270A SAM™ Studio Subwoofer | 7370A SAM™ | |
| 7271A SAM™ Studio Subwoofer | — | |
| SE7261A Digital Active Subwoofer | 2007–2015 | |
Home Speakers[12]
| Two-way systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| Biway 1049A Passive Speaker[b] | 1988– N/A | — |
| Biway 1050A Passive Speaker[b] | 1980–1982 | |
| 6020A Active Speaker | 2005–2010 | G Two (A) |
| 6040A Active Speaker | 2002–2010 | 6040R |
| G One (A) Active Speaker | 2013–2017 | G One (B) |
| G Two (A) Active Speaker | G Two (B) | |
| G Three (A) Active Speaker | G Three (B) | |
| HT205 Home Theater Speaker | 1999–2007 | — |
| HT206 Home Theater Speaker | 1999–2003 | HT206B |
| HT206B Home Theater Speaker | 2003–2015 | — |
| HT208 Home Theater Speaker | 1999–2003 | HT208B |
| HT208B Home Theater Speaker | 2003–2015 | — |
| HT210 Home Theater Speaker | 2000–2003 | HT210B |
| HT210B Home Theater Speaker | 2003–2016 | — |
| Three-way systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| Triway 1051A Passive Speaker[b] | 1980–1982 | — |
| HT312A Home Theater Speaker | 2006–2008 | HT312B |
| HT312B Home Theater Speaker | 2008–2016 | — |
| HT315A Home Theater Speaker | 2006–2008 | HT315B |
| HT315B Home Theater Speaker | 2008–2016 | — |
| HT320AC Home Theater Speaker | 2006–2008 | HT320BC |
| HT320BC Home Theater Speaker | 2008–2016 | — |
| HT324A Home Theater Speaker | 2006–2016 | |
| HT324AC Home Theater Speaker | ||
| HT330A Home Theater Speaker | ||
| Subwoofers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| 5040A Active Subwoofer | 2008–2013 | 5040B |
| 5040B Active Subwoofer | 2013–2014 | F One (A) |
| 5050A Home Theater Subwoofer | 2005–2012 | — |
| 5051A Active Subwoofer | 2011–2012 | F Two (A) |
| F One (A) Active Subwoofer | 2012–2019 | F One (B) |
| F Two (A) Active Subwoofer | F Two (B) | |
| HTS2 Home Theater Subwoofer | 1999–2002 | — |
| HTS3 Home Theater Subwoofer | 2001–2003 | HTS3B |
| HTS3B Home Theater Subwoofer | 2003–2016 | — |
| HTS4 Home Theater Subwoofer | 2001–2003 | HTS4B |
| HTS4B Home Theater Subwoofer | 2003–2016 | — |
| HTS6 Home Theater Subwoofer | ||
AV Installation Speakers[12]
| 4000 Series | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| 4020A Installation Speaker | 2010–2013 | 4020B |
| 4020B Installation Speaker | 2013–2017 | 4020C |
| 4030A Installation Speaker | 2010–2013 | 4030B |
| 4030B Installation Speaker | 2013–2017 | 4030C |
| Architectural Series | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Produced | Replaced by |
| AIW26 Active In-Wall Speaker | 2001–2015 | AIW26B |
| AOW312 Active On-Wall Speaker | 2006–2008 | AOW312B |
| AOW312B Active On-Wall Speaker | 2008–2017 | — |
See also
Notes
a. ^ The networked SAM™ (Smart Active Monitor) DSP systems feature automatic calibration to the environment.[13]
b. ^ ^ ^ The passive hi-fi speakers, Biway 1050A and Triway 1051A, were in production only for the domestic market in 1980–1982 and the production of the small Biway 1049A began in 1988. Production of passive hi-fi speakers has since been discontinued and the company has concentrated solely on active loudspeakers.[14]
References
- ^ "Genelec". Iisalmen yritysrekisteri (in Finnish). Retrieved 2018-12-01.
- ^ "Genelec". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
- ^ "The Genelec Story". Genelec. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^ "Genelec Oy". Finder.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Watkinson, John (2017-02-09). "John Watkinson Remembers Ilpo Martikainen (1947–2017)". The Broadcast Bridge. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ "Genelec and Harri Koskinen". Genelec.com. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ "Studio Monitors". Genelec.com. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
- ^ "The Ones". Genelec.com. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ Robjohns, Hugh (July 2017). "Review: Genelec The Ones". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ "Home Speakers". Genelec.com. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ "AV Installation Speakers". Genelec.com. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
- ^ a b c "Previous Models". Genelec. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
- ^ "Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) Systems". Genelec.com. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
- ^ "Genelec Oy - äänentoistoa maailmalle - Menestystarinat". Iisalmi internet (in Finnish). Retrieved 2019-07-03.
External links
- Official website