GENELEC G3BRW G Three Active Speaker Raw User Manual
- June 13, 2024
- GENELEC
Table of Contents
User Manual
G3BRW G Three Active Speaker Raw
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 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 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 loudspeaker.
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 disconnecting 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. Automatic powering down of
the loudspeakers happens 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 automatically 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”.
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. Suggested tone control settings in some typical situations
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 loudspeakers 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 loudspeakers 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 listening 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 minimized by placing the loudspeaker clear of
reflective surfaces.
Minimum clearances
Sufficient cooling for the amplifier and functioning 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 generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance 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 equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference 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 workmanship.
Refer to supplier for full sales and guarantee terms.
Figure 2. The upper curve
group shows the horizontal directivity characteristics of the G Three measured
at 1 m. The lower curve shows the system’s power response.
Figure 4. The upper curve
group shows the horizontal directivity characteristics of the G Four measured
at 1 m. The lower curve shows the system’s power response.
Figure 5. The curves show the
effect of the “Tabletop”, “Bass”, “Low Bass” and “Treble” controls on the free
field response of the G Four 
Figure 6. The upper curve group shows the horizontal
directivity characteristics of the G Five measured at 1 m. The lower curve
shows the system’s power response. 
Figure 7. The curves show the effect of the
“Tabletop”, “Bass”, “Low Bass” and “Treble” controls on the free field
response of the G Five
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
| G Three| G Four| G Five
---|---|---|---
Lower cut-off frequency, -6 dB
Upper cut-off frequency, -6 dB| s 47 Hz a 25 kHz| s 41 Hz a 25 kHz| s 32 Hz a
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 0.5 m| a 104 dB SPL
a 110 dB SPL| a 105 dB SPL
a 111 dB SPL| a 110 dBSPL
a 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) 0 1 m| a 96 dB SPL| a 99 dB SPL| a 101 dB SPL
Self generated noise level in free field 0 lm on axis (A-weighted)| s 5 dB| s
10 dB| s 10 dB
Harmonic distortion 0 1 m on axis Freq. 50 to 100 Hz
100 Hz| 0 85 dB SPL < 2 %
< 0.5 %| 0 90 dB SPL < 2 %
< 0.5 %| 0 90 dB SPL < 2 %
< 0.5 %
Drivers: Bass Treble| 130 mm (5 in)
19 mm (3/4 in) metal dome| 165 mm (61/2 in)
19 mm (3/4 in) metal dome| 205 mm (8 in)
25 mm (1 in) metal dome
Weight:| 5.0 kg (11 Ibs)| 8.6 kg (18.9 Ibs)| 12.7 kg (28 Ibs)
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 (4? 200
Hz| -4 dB @160 Hz
Low Bass control operating range| -4 dB 0 55 Hz| From 0 to -6 dB
0 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 €70 100 Hz
AMPLIFIER SECTION
| G Three| G Four| G Five
---|---|---|---
Bass amplifier short term output power| 50 W| 90 W| 150 W
Treble amplifier short term output power| 50 W| 90 W| 120 W
Long term output power is limited by driver unit protection circuitry| | |
Amplifier system distortion at nominal output| | |
THD| s 0.05 %| 50.%| 50.%
SMPTE-IM| s 0.05 %| 50.%| 50.%
CCIF-IM| s 0.05 %| 50.%| 50.%
DIM 100| s 0.05 %| 50.%| 50.%
Signal to Noise ratio, referred to full output| | |
Bass| alOOdB| a 100 dB| a 100 dB
Treble| a 100 dB| a 100 dB| a 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| <0.5 W| <0.5 W| <0.5 W
Idle| 3 W| 10 W| 10 W
Full output| 60 W| 110 W| 170 W
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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