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GENELEC CUSTOM INSTALLATION SYSTEMS CELEBRATES
30 YEARS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
— A historical look at the pioneer in Active Monitoring technology
—
CEDIA EXPO, DENVER, CO, September 3, 2008 —
When the first Genelec Active Monitoring Loudspeaker, the S30, was introduced
thirty years ago, listeners were stunned by its ability to reproduce
sound with remarkable accuracy. Since its inception in 1978, Genelec
has concentrated its efforts and resources into the design and manufacturing
of active monitoring loudspeakers for true and accurate sound reproduction.
Genelec is credited with promoting the concept of active monitors, a
trend in technology that many manufacturers are now incorporating into
their products. To this day, Genelec continues to advance the art of
active monitor system technology with products specifically designed
for the high-end custom install/home theater, professional recording,
project, post-production, and broadcast markets.
Based on the shore of Lake Porovesi in Iisalmi, Finland,
Genelec Oy was founded in 1978 by Mr. Ilpo Martikainen, President, Mr.
Topi Partanen, Vice President & Technical Director, and Ms. Ritva
Leinonen, Financial Director. Genelec was launched when the original
three founders were awarded the contract to design and manufacture monitoring
loudspeakers for a new broadcast complex being built by the Finnish
Broadcasting Corporation in Helsinki, Finland. As a result, Genelec
established an early reputation mainly with broadcasters in Scandinavia
and Europe, which still remains an important customer base. However,
in the mid-1980s, Genelec saw the opportunity to expand its market segment
to include the music industry and recording studios.
In the late 1980s, intensive R&D efforts were devoted
toward the design of a new large monitor for the main control rooms
of recording studios, which ultimately resulted in the introduction
of the Model 1035A at the 1989 AES Convention in Hamburg, Germany. Extremely
high standards were set for the design criteria on this product, including
the use of Genelec’s proprietary Directivity Control Waveguide
Technology™ (DCW) and the development of an exclusive midrange
driver capable of producing very high SPLs with extremely low distortion.
The 1035A monitor was immediately accepted as the new reference standard
for the recording industry, and Genelec monitor loudspeakers rapidly
found their way into many of the most prestigious studios in England,
Japan and the United States. The introduction of the 1035A immediately
helped to solidify Genelec’s world-renowned reputation for the
design and manufacture of the finest audio monitors available. The creation
and development of the original 1035A monitor was the foundation for
Genelec’s legendary 103x range of Active DCW™-equipped monitors.
As the high-end consumer audio market evolved, Genelec
Active Monitors found their way into home theater and surround sound
installations. Genelec was then asked by consumers and custom installers
to develop specific products for the custom install/home theater market.
The objective was to develop an active monitoring line with the ability
to handle extremely high SPLs with the wide dynamic range necessary
to meet the needs of today’s home theater audiophile. This R&D
effort resulted in the launch of a new dedicated line of Custom Installation
Systems products, which was introduced at the 1999 Hi-Fi Show in Chicago,
IL. Since its introduction, the Custom Installation product line has
continued to evolve and now includes the HT206B, HT208B and HT210B Two-Way
Bi Amplified Active Loudspeakers; AIW26, AIW25 In-wall Active Loudspeakers
and AIC25 In-ceiling Active Loudspeaker; HT320BC, HT312B and HT315B
Active 3-Way Loudspeakers; AOW312B On-wall Active 3-Way Loudspeaker;
HT324AC, HT324A and HT330A Active Large Loudspeakers; and HTS3B, HTS4B
and HTS6 Active Subwoofers, as well as several products launched at
this year’s CEDIA Expo. In addition, to provide an interface between
unbalanced single source outputs and Genelec’s Active Home Theater
Systems or Professional Audio Monitors, Genelec developed the DI8A Active
Balancer, which converts an unbalanced line signal to a balanced line
signal, minimizing its susceptibility to electronic interference and
maximizing its sonic performance.
Since the company’s founding and the advent of active
monitoring technology, Genelec has taken great pride in its entire ever-evolving
product line. Several products in particular represent landmark technological
advances, relevant to not only Genelec but also the wider industry as
a whole.
A short list of notable Genelec products:
- S30 Monitoring Speaker (1978): The very first Genelec product, single-handedly
revolutionizing the monitoring paradigm by promoting the concept of
Active Monitoring to the broadcast and professional audio market sector.
- 1022A Monitoring Speaker (1983): The product that introduced Genelec’s
proprietary Direct Control Waveguide Technology (DCW), which greatly
increases performance by matching the frequency response and directivity
of the drivers.
- 1035A Control Room Monitor (1989): The first large-scale monitor featuring
DCW.
- 1031A Bi-Amplified Monitoring System (1991): Genelec’s first
nearfield monitor featuring DCW. The 10301A became a standard in reference
monitors to audio professionals worldwide and to this day is still used
by leading engineers, producers and facilities.
- 1029A Bi-Amplified Monitoring System (1996): Genelec’s first
sub-compact monitor made from die-cast aluminum, offering unprecedented
volume and reliability relative to unit size.
- 2029A Digital Monitoring System (1998): The first Genelec product
with a digital input and built-in D/A converter.
- Genelec’s Custom Installation Systems (1999): Genelec’s
Custom Installation Systems, the division of the company that concentrates
its efforts on the Custom Installation and Home Theater market, was
established. Their mission was to develop an Active Custom Installation
product line with the ability to handle extremely high SPLs, wide dynamic
range and reliability necessary to meet the needs of today’s system
integrator or home theater audiophile. This R&D effort resulted
in the launch of the HT line. Since its original introduction, the HT
models within the Genelec Custom Installation product grouping have
continued to evolve.
- 8000 MDE™ Series Bi-Amplified Monitors (2005): The introduction
of Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) technology. The 8000 Series eventually
replaced the venerable 1029A, 1030A and 1031A Active Monitors and was
the impetus behind the creation of the 6020A Bi-Amplified Active Loudspeaker
system for the Custom Installation Systems division.
- 8200 Bi-Amplified Monitor/7200 Subwoofer (DSP Series Products, 2006):
Built on the solid foundation of Genelec’s celebrated 8000 MDE
and 7000 LSE Series products, the Genelec 8200 Series Bi-amplified Active
Monitors and 7200 Series Active Subwoofers are designed for end-users
who want a network speaker system that can be set up, measured, analyzed
and calibrated quickly. Employing the company’s proprietary DSP
(Digital Signal Processing), GLM™ (Genelec Loudspeaker Manager
software) and AutoCal™ (Automated Calibration software) technologies
yields a robust and reliable speaker system that maximizes ease of integration
into the end-user’s studio environment.
- AIW Series Active In-Wall/In-Ceiling Products (2006): Genelec’s
Custom Installation Systems introduced a new level of convenience for
system integrators and those looking for the most advanced/low-profile
active speaker solutions: the AIW25 Active In-Wall Loudspeaker, the
AIC25 Active In-Ceiling Loudspeaker and the AOW312 Active On-Wall Loudspeaker.
Each model is designed to meet the needs of the custom installer and
further underscores Genelec Home Theater Sound Systems’ ongoing
commitment to the high-end home theater and custom installation market.
- 6010A Bi-Amplified Active Monitor/5040A Active Subwoofer (2008): Genelec
introduces its smallest speaker system to date. This system has been
designed for computer sound systems, workstations and other close proximity
listening applications requiring a low-profile monitoring solution.
However, size is no handicap to performance as the 6010A two-way Active
Monitor and 5040A Active Subwoofer system incorporates Genelec’s
acoustic design innovations to minimize all forms of distortion.
At this year’s CEDIA Expo, Genelec is launching
the 6010A Bi-Amplified Active Speaker and 5040A Active Subwoofer; the
6020A Two-Way Active Speaker and 5050A Active Subwoofer; the 5041A Active
In-Wall Subwoofer; and the RAM4 and RAM5 Amplifiers.
In addition to its continued presence in the Custom Installation/Home
Theater market sectors, Genelec has been honored with providing active
monitoring solutions for high-profile live broadcast events here in
the U.S., most notably 2005 Super Bowl coverage and XM Productions/Effanel
Music’s use of the 8200 DSP Active Monitors at the 2007 and 2008
GRAMMY® Awards. Additionally, year after year, Genelec consistently
has been presented with numerous industry awards for its innovative
designs and technical excellence.
Genelec’s current range of Custom Installation products
is the most complete line of active loudspeakers, from floor to ceiling,
available from any manufacturer, definitively positioning Genelec as
the leader for the entire range of loudspeaker applications. Genelec’s
challenging and original concept that “active” monitor loudspeakers
are necessary to achieve true and accurate sound reproduction has gained
widespread acceptance in the industry, resulting in competitive manufacturers
recognizing the importance of the active monitor. When asked to comment
on the company philosophy, Genelec President Ilpo Martikainen remarked,
“From the beginning we could see it was better to build a speaker
this way. It offered so many benefits over passive designs and that’s
why we’ve been so stubborn about it. It was hard for the first
ten years, but in the mid-nineties, the market moved from passive to
active so we felt vindicated by our perseverance. At Genelec, we simply
design monitors that speak the truth of the recording.”
...ends 1,457 words
Photo files: Genelec_Headquarters.JPG,
Genelec_Logo.JPG
Genelec, the pioneer in Active Monitoring technology, is celebrating
30 years of designing and manufacturing active loudspeakers for true
and accurate sound reproduction. Genelec is credited with promoting
the concept of active transducer technology, which many manufacturers
are just now incorporating into their products. Since its inception
in 1978, Genelec has concentrated its efforts and resources into creating
active monitors with unparalleled sonic integrity. The result is an
active Custom Installation speaker system that has earned global acclaim
for its accurate imaging, extremely high acoustic output from small
enclosures, true high-fidelity with low distortion, and deep, rich bass.
Other brand and product names may be trademarks
of the respective companies with which they are associated.
—For more information on the complete range of Genelec Custom
Installation Systems, please contact: Genelec Inc., 7 Tech Circle, Natick,
MA 01760. Tel: (508) 652-0900;
Fax: (508) 652-0909; Web: www.genelecusa.com.