GENELEC G Three Active Loudspeaker Instruction Manual
- October 31, 2023
- GENELEC
Table of Contents
- GENELEC G Three Active Loudspeaker
- Product Information
- Product Usage Instructions
- Product Overview
- General description
- Autostart function
- Setting the tone controls
- Mounting considerations
- Maintenance
- Compliance to FCC rules
- Guarantee
- SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
GENELEC G Three Active Loudspeaker
Product Information
The Genelec G Three, G Four, and G Five are two-way active loudspeakers designed to produce broad bandwidth sound with high output and low coloration. Each loudspeaker is supplied with a built-in amplifier unit, mains cable, and an operating manual. The loudspeakers have a power switch on the back panel and feature an auto start function that powers them up when playback begins. They also have tone control switches for adjusting the frequency response to match the acoustic environment.
Product Usage Instructions
- Positioning the Loudspeaker:
- Place the loudspeakers in their required listening positions, pointing them to the center of the listening area.
- If possible, place the listening position along the middle axis of the room and the loudspeakers at an equal distance from the side walls.
- Connections:
- Before connecting, ensure that the power switches on the loudspeakers and the signal source are set to OFF.
- Connect the audio input via a 10 kOhm balanced female XLR connector or unbalanced RCA connector.
- Only connect line level audio signal from a preamplifier, computer sound card, or similar signal source, never a high power signal from the speaker terminals of a power amplifier.
- It is possible to connect two audio sources to the loudspeakers at the same time using both connectors, as long as only one source is used at a time.
- Switching On:
- Once the connections have been made, switch on the power switch on the back panel of the loudspeakers.
- Auto start Function:
- Set the power switch to OFF when the loudspeakers are left unused for several days or when connecting or disconnecting any cables in the system.
- When the power switch is set to ON, the auto start function powers up the loudspeakers when playback begins.
- The loudspeakers automatically power down one hour after playback has ended and go into standby mode. The power consumption in standby mode is less than 0.5 watts.
- The loudspeakers will automatically and rapidly start once an input signal is detected from the source.
- Setting the Playback Level:
- The loudspeakers have two basic settings for playback level: normal and +10 dB.
- The normal setting is the factory default.
- To select the +10 dB setting, turn the LEVEL +10 dB switch on the back panel to 1. This makes the loudspeakers play louder, which is useful if the signal level is low.
- Switching Off the Power Indicator LED:
- To switch off the power indicator LED, turn the LED OFF switch on the back panel to 1.
- Setting the Tone Controls:
- The frequency response of the loudspeakers can be adjusted using the tone control switches on the rear panel.
- The available tone controls are Tabletop, Treble, Bass, and Low Bass.
- Adjust the tone control switches to match the acoustic environment.
Product Overview
Loudspeaker Angle
Connecting the loudspeakers
Loudspeaker Placement
Desktop Positioning
Using Tone Controls
General description
Genelec G Three, G Four and G Five are two way active loudspeakers designed to produce broad bandwidth sound with high output and low coloration.
Positioning the loudspeaker
Each loudspeaker is supplied with a built-in amplifier unit, mains cable and
an operating manual. After unpacking, place the loudspeak-ers in their
required listening positions, point-ing them to the center of the listening
area. If possible, place the listening position along the middle axis of the
room and the loudspeakers at equal distance from the side walls.
Connections
Before connecting up, ensure that the power switches on the loudspeakers and
the signal source are set to OFF. The power switch is located on the back
panel of the loud-speaker. Do not connect the loudspeaker to an unearthed
mains supply or using an unearthed mains cable.
Audio input is via a 10 kOhm balanced female XLR connector or unbalanced RCA
connector. Only line level audio signal from a preamplifier, computer sound
card or similar signal source can be connected, never a high power signal from
the speaker terminals of a power amplifier. It is possible to connect two
audio sources to the loudspeakers at the same time using both connectors, as
long as only one source is used at a time.
Once the connections have been made, the loudspeakers are ready to be switched
on.
Autostart function
Genelec G Three, G Four and G Five a have a power switch on the back panel.
Set this switch to “OFF” when the loudspeakers are left unused for several
days or when connecting or discon-necting any cables in the system.
When the switch is set to “ON”, the signal sensing Autostart function of the
loudspeakers powers them up when playback begins. Auto-matic powering down of
the loudspeakers hap-pens one hour after the playback has ended and the
loudspeakers go to standby mode. The power consumption in standby mode is less
than 0.5 watts. The loudspeaker will automati-cally and rapidly start once an
input signal is detected from the source.
Setting the playback level
The playback level of the loudspeakers has two basic settings, normal and +10
dB. The normal setting is factory default and the +10 dB setting can be
selected by turning the “LEVEL +10 dB” switch on the back panel to “1”. This
makes the loudspeakers play louder, which is useful if the signal level is
low.
Switching off the power indicator LED
The power indicator LED can be switched off by turning the “LED OFF” switch on
the back panel to “1”.
Setting the tone controls
The frequency response of Genelec G Three, G Four and G Five can be adjusted to match the acoustic environment by setting the tone control switches on the rear panel. The controls are “Tabletop”, “Treble”, “Bass” and “Low Bass”.
Table 1. Suggested tone control settings in some typical situations
Loudspeaker Mounting Position| Treble| Bass| Low Bass|
Tabletop
---|---|---|---|---
Flat anechoic response| None| None| None| None
Free standing in a damped room| None| -2 dB| None| None
Free standing in a reverberant room| None| -4 dB| None| None
Near the listener on a table or other reflective surface| None| -2 dB|
None| ON (-4 dB @ 160/200 Hz)
In a corner| None| -4 dB| -4 dB| None
Table 1 shows some typical settings in various situations. Figures 3, 5 and 7 show the effect of the controls on the frequency response.
Tabletop
It is recommended to activate this switch to ‘1’ when the loudspeakers are
placed on a table, desk or similar surface to minimise the effect of such
reflective surfaces between the loudspeak-ers and the listener.
Such a placement typically causes a boost in one region of the bass spectrum.
The “Tabletop” control compensates for this unwanted sound colouration.
Treble
The “Treble” adjustment allows modifying the high frequency response of the
loudspeaker. The G Three has one setting, -2 dB for smoothening down an
excessively bright sounding system, the G Four and G Five provide two
attenuation levels, -2 dB and -4 dB and one boost setting, +2 dB.
Bass
The “Bass” control offers three attenuation levels for the bass response in
frequencies below 1 kHz, usually necessary when the loud-speakers are placed
near room boundaries or other situations when the bass sounds too dominant.
The attenuation levels are -2 dB, -4 dB and -6 dB. On the G Three, the -6 dB
attenuation is selected by setting both “Bass” switches to “1”.
Low Bass
The Low Bass control provides bass attenuation at the lowest frequencies of
the loudspeaker’s bass reproduction. This may be necessary if these deep bass
frequencies sound disproportionally strong. The G Three has one setting, -4 dB
and the G Four and G Five provide three attenuation levels: -2 dB, -4 dB and
-6 dB.
The factory setting for all tone controls is “0” to give a flat anechoic
frequency response. Always start adjustment by setting all switches to “0”
position. Measure or listen systematically through the different combinations
of settings to find the best tonal balance.
Mounting considerations
Align the loudspeakers correctly
Always place the loudspeakers so that they are aimed towards the listening
position. Vertical placement is preferable, as it minimizes acoustical
cancellation problems around the crossover frequency.
Maintain symmetry
Check that the loudspeakers are placed symmetrically, and at an equal distance
from nearby walls. The distance between the listen-ing position and each
loudspeaker should also be identical. If possible, place the system so that
the listening position is on the centerline of the room but not in the middle
of the front-back room dimension.
Minimize reflections
Acoustic reflections from objects close to the loudspeakers like desks,
cabinets, shelves, computer monitors etc. can cause unwanted blurring of the
sound image. These can be mini-mized by placing the loudspeaker clear of
reflec-tive surfaces.
Minimum clearances
Sufficient cooling for the amplifier and function-ing of the reflex port must
be ensured if the loudspeaker is installed in a restricted space such as a
cabinet or integrated into a wall structure. The surroundings of the
loudspeaker must always be open to the listening room with a minimum clearance
of 5 centimeters (2 in) behind, above and on both sides of the loud- speaker.
The space adjacent to the amplifier must either be ventilated or sufficiently
large to dissipate heat so that the ambient temperature does not rise above 35
degrees Celsius (95°F).
Mounting options
G Three, G Four and G Five offer several mounting options: The Iso-Pod™
(Isolation Positioner/Decoupler™) vibration insulating table stand allows
tilting the loudspeaker for correct vertical alignment. There are three
mounting points for the Iso-Pod™ on the back of the loudspeaker cabinet
allowing vertical and symmetrical horizontal positioning. On the base of the
loudspeaker is a 3/8” UNC (M10 on the G Four and G Five) threaded hole
compatible with a standard microphone stand. On the rear there are two sets of
threaded holes for Omnimount® and König & Meyer brackets.
Maintenance
No user serviceable parts are to be found within the amplifier unit. Any maintenance or repair of the unit should only be undertaken by qualified service personnel.
Safety considerations
Although the G Three and G Four have been designed in accordance with
international safety standards, the following warnings and cautions should be
observed to ensure safe operation and to maintain the loudspeaker under safe
operating conditions:
- Servicing and adjustment must only be performed by qualified service personnel.
- The loudspeaker must not be opened.
- Do not use this product with an unearthed mains cable or an unearthed mains connection as this may compromise electrical safety.
- Do not expose the loudspeaker to water or moisture. Do not place any objects filled with liquid, such as vases on the loudspeaker or near it.
- This loudspeaker is capable of producing sound pressure levels in excess of 85 dB, which may cause permanent hearing damage.
- Free flow of air behind the loudspeaker is necessary to maintain sufficient cooling. Do not obstruct airflow around the loudspeaker.
Note that the amplifier is not completely disconnected from the AC mains service unless the mains power cord is removed from the amplifier or the mains outlet.
WARNING!
This equipment is capable of producing sound pressure levels in excess of 85
dB, which may cause permanent hearing damage.
Compliance to FCC rules
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:
- This device may not cause harmful interference, and
- This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment gen-erates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accord-ance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equip-ment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be deter-mined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interfer-ence by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.
Guarantee
This product is guaranteed for a period of two years against faults in materials or workman-ship. Refer to supplier for full sales and guar-antee terms.
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
| G Three| G Four| G Five
Lower cut-off frequency, -6 dB Upper cut-off frequency, -6 dB| £ 47 Hz
³ 25 kHz
| £ 41 Hz
³ 25 kHz
| £ 32 Hz
³ 25 kHz
Free field frequency response of system (± 2.5 dB)| 54 Hz – 20 kHz| 48 Hz – 20
kHz| 38 Hz – 20 kHz
Maximum short term sine wave acoustic output on axis in half space, averaged
from 100 Hz to 3 kHz
@ 1 m
@ 0.5 m
|
³ 104 dB SPL
³ 110 dB SPL
|
³ 105 dB SPL
³ 111 dB SPL
|
³ 110 dB SPL
³ 116 dB SPL
Maximum long term RMS acoustic output in same conditions with simu- lated
programme signal according to IEC 60268-1 (limited by driver unit protection
circuit) @ 1 m| ³ 96 dB SPL| ³ 99 dB SPL| ³ 101 dB SPL
Self generated noise level in free field @ 1m on axis (A-weighted)| £ 5 dB| £
10 dB| £ 10 dB
Harmonic distortion @ 1 m on axis Freq. 50 to 100 Hz
100 Hz
| @ 85 dB SPL
< 2 %
< 0.5 %
| @ 90 dB SPL
< 2 %
< 0.5 %
| @ 90 dB SPL
< 2 %
< 0.5 %
Drivers:
Bass Treble
|
130 mm (5 in)
19 mm (3/4 in) metal dome
|
165 mm (6 1/2 in)
19 mm (3/4 in) metal dome
|
205 mm (8 in)
25 mm (1 in) metal dome
Weight:| 5.0 kg (11 lbs)| 8.6 kg (18.9 lbs)| 12.7 kg (28 lbs)
Dimensions:
Height (without table support) Height (including table support) Width
Depth
|
285 mm (11 1/4 in)
299 mm (11 13/16 in)
189 mm (7 7/16 in)
178 mm (7 in)
|
350 mm (13 13/16 in)
365 mm (14 3/8 in)
237 mm (9 3/8 in)
223 mm (8 13/16 in)
|
433 mm (17 1/16 in)
452 mm (17 13/16 in)
286 mm (11 1/4 in)
278 mm (10 15/16 in)
CROSSOVER SECTION
| G Three| G Four| G Five
Input connectors XLR female RCA female|
1
1
|
1
1
|
1
1
Input impedance| 10 kOhm| 10 kOhm| 10 kOhm
Crossover frequency, Bass/Treble| 3.0 kHz| 3.0 kHz| 1.8 kHz
Treble control operating range in 2 dB steps| -2 dB @ 15 kHz| From +2 to -4 dB
@ 15 kHz| From +2 to -4 dB @ 15 kHz
Tabletop low frequency control operating range| -4 dB @ 200 Hz| -4 dB @ 200
Hz| -4 dB @160 Hz
Low Bass control operating range| -4 dB @ 55 Hz| From 0 to -6 dB
@ 45 Hz in 2 dB steps
| From 0 to -6 dB
@ 35 Hz in 2 dB steps
Bass control operating range in 2 dB steps| From 0 to -6 dB @ 100 Hz| From 0
to -6 dB @ 100 Hz| From 0 to -6 dB @ 100 Hz
AMPLIFIER SECTION
| G Three| G Four| G Five
Bass amplifier short term output power Treble amplifier short term output
power
Long term output power is limited by driver unit protection circuitry
| 50 W
50 W
| 90 W
90 W
| 150 W
120 W
Amplifier system distortion at nominal output THD
SMPTE-IM CCIF-IM DIM 100
|
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
|
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
|
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
£ 0.05 %
Signal to Noise ratio, referred to full output Bass
Treble
|
³ 100 dB
³ 100 dB
|
³ 100 dB
³ 100 dB
|
³ 100 dB
³ 100 dB
Mains voltage| 100 – 240 V AC, 50-60 Hz| 100, 120, 220, or 230 V AC, according
to region
Voltage operating range| ±10 %| ±10 %| ±10 %
Power consumption Standby
Idle
Full output
|
<0.5 W
3 W
60 W
|
<0.5 W
10 W
110 W
|
<0.5 W
10 W
170 W
I nternational enquiries: Genelec, Olvitie 5
FIN-74100, Iisalmi, Finland Phone +358 17 83881
Fax +358 17 812 267
Email genelec@genelec.com
In the U.S. please contact: Genelec, Inc., 7 Tech Circle Natick, MA
01760,
USA Phone +1 508 652 0900
Fax +1 508 652 0909
Email genelec.usa@genelec.com
In China please contact:
Beijing Genelec Audio Co.Ltd
Room 101, 1st floor
Building 71 B33, Universal Business Park No. 10 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang
District Beijing, China
Phone +86 (10) 5823 2014
Post code: 100015
Email genelec.china@genelec.com