Bookshelf Speakers — Genelec G Four

The G Four is a model of Genelec's G Series of active home speakers, positioned below the G Five and above the G Three. Its driver sizes, amplifier ratings and dimensions match those of the 8040B studio monitor, but it is equipped for domestic systems with an RCA input, home-level sensitivity and a front without professional controls.

Key specs that matter

Two 90 W Class AB amplifiers drive a 165 mm (6.5-inch) bass cone and a 19 mm metal dome tweeter, with the crossover at 3 kHz. Frequency response is 41 Hz to 25 kHz at -6 dB and within ±2.5 dB from 48 Hz to 20 kHz. Short-term output reaches 105 dB or more at 1 m, or 111 dB at 0.5 m, and long-term output 99 dB. Inputs are RCA and balanced XLR. Consumption is under 0.5 W in standby, 10 W at idle and 110 W at full output, and mains voltage depends on region, at 100, 120, 220 or 230 V. With its Iso-Pod stand the speaker is 365 mm tall, or 350 mm without it, 237 mm wide and 223 mm deep.

Engineering and use context

Genelec die-casts the G Four enclosure from recycled aluminium, with the rounded contours used on its studio models to reduce diffraction, and it acts as a rigid housing for the drivers. The tweeter is set into a shaped waveguide for controlled dispersion, and a reflex port on the back extends the bass. Because the amplifiers are built in, each speaker needs only a mains lead and a signal cable. Compared with the professional version, the home model uses a -10 dB home input sensitivity suited to consumer sources, and adds a Tabletop control for placement on furniture. ISS sends the speaker to standby during silence and wakes it once audio returns. Driver protection guards against overload, and the Iso-Pod decouples the cabinet from the surface. An M10 thread in the base accepts stands. Digital inputs and GLM networking are absent on the G Four. Colours are white and black, plus unpainted RAW aluminium.

Pairing

Any preamplifier, streamer with variable output or DAC with a volume control can drive the G Four directly over RCA or XLR, which removes the need for a power amplifier. A Genelec F Series subwoofer extends the response below its lower limit in a larger living room.

Alternatives

The Genelec G Five sits above it in the G Series, stepping up to a 205 mm bass driver for bigger rooms.