8381A
An Adaptive Point Source main monitor integrating three 380mm LF drivers, five 125mm MF drivers, a 25mm HF driver, 5,426W total Class D amplification and GLM room adaptation.
- Drivers
- 3 × 380mm LF + 5 × 125mm MF + 25mm HF
- Frequency range
- 20Hz–35kHz (-6dB)
- Amplification
- 5,426W Class D per monitor
Product Overview
The 8381A is a floor-standing SAM (Smart Active Monitor) main monitor introduced by Genelec in 2023. Its driver system combines a central 125mm MDC coaxial MF/25mm HF unit, four surrounding 125mm MF drivers, and three 380mm LF drivers: one at the front and two at the sides. Genelec specifies a 20Hz–35kHz (-6dB) range and 126dB short-term maximum SPL for recording, mixing and mastering in medium to large control rooms.
PCD (Point Source Continued Directivity) extends point-source behaviour and controlled directivity below the coaxial MF/HF unit by combining it with the QMS (Quad Midrange System) and DLW (Double Low-Woofer) arrangement. Two external RAM-81 Class D amplifier units, DSP and GLM automatic calibration complete the monitoring system.
Specifications
- System
- Floor-standing SAM Adaptive Point Source main monitor
- Drivers
- LF: 3 × 380mm cones; MF: 4 × 125mm domes plus 125mm coaxial cone; HF: 25mm coaxial compression dome
- Frequency range
- 20Hz–35kHz (-6dB)
- Frequency-response accuracy
- ±1.5dB
- Short-term maximum SPL
- At least 126dB SPL (1m, half-space, averaged from 100Hz to 3kHz)
- Maximum peak SPL per pair
- At least 129dB
- Amplification
- 2 × RAM-81 Class D amplifier units, 5,426W total per monitor
- Crossovers
- 50–100Hz variable, 150–250Hz variable, 500Hz and 1.8kHz
- Analogue I/O
- 2 × balanced XLR inputs and 2 × XLR outputs
- Digital I/O
- 2 × AES/EBU XLR inputs and 2 × outputs/thrus
- Network control
- 4 × RJ45 GLM network ports, SAM/GLM support
- Dimensions
- 1,458 × 500 × 694mm (H × W × D)
- Weight
- 162kg per monitor plus 2 × 11kg RAM-81 amplifier units
- Power consumption
- Up to 1.2W in ISS, 140W idle and 2,200W at full output
Design & Technology
MDC coaxial MF/HF driver
At the acoustic centre is an MDC (Minimum Diffraction Coaxial) driver combining a 125mm MF cone and 25mm HF compression dome. Smooth transitions join the MF diaphragm to the HF unit and the diaphragm's outer edge to the DCW, reducing diffraction from discontinuities around the coaxial assembly. The MF cone profile also acts as the HF waveguide.
QMS extends the coaxial section with four MF drivers
The QMS (Quad Midrange System) places four 125mm MF domes symmetrically around the MDC to handle frequencies below 500Hz. The central MDC, QMS and front-baffle DCW operate as a continuous radiating structure, reducing the separation of acoustic centres that can occur across the bands of a large main monitor.
Three 380mm LF drivers and PCD
The LF system comprises one front-facing and two side-facing 380mm drivers. The DLW (Double Low-Woofer) system adjusts the side drivers through DSP and links their directivity and timing to the front LF driver, QMS and MDC. Genelec calls the complete approach PCD (Point Source Continued Directivity), extending point-source behaviour into lower frequencies.
Two external RAM-81 amplifier units
Amplification is provided by two external 3U rack-mount RAM-81 units with 5,426W total output per monitor. Each RAM-81 is factory calibrated to its specific loudspeaker enclosure. This separates amplifier heat and weight from the large cabinet while retaining a dedicated system of drivers, DSP and protection circuitry.
Room adaptation with SAM and GLM
The 8381A connects to the GLM network for automatic calibration of level, time of flight and frequency response using a measurement microphone. DLW operation is also optimised for the installation position, adapting low-frequency radiation for floor-standing, boundary-adjacent or free-standing placement. Settings can be stored in the monitor.
Analogue, AES/EBU and GLM
The two RAM-81 units provide balanced XLR analogue inputs and AES/EBU digital inputs/thrus, with RJ45 ports forming the GLM control network. Audio enters through analogue or AES/EBU connections, while GLM handles configuration and monitoring rather than carrying network audio.
Free-standing main monitor
The 1,458mm-high, 162kg monitor uses a two-section enclosure. It is primarily floor-standing but can also be installed at elevated positions. Included Incliner wedges adjust the cabinet angle so the acoustic axis can be aimed at the listening position. Unlike traditional soffit-mounted main monitors, it is designed around free-standing placement in the room.
Medium to large control rooms
The combination of 20Hz low-frequency extension, 126dB short-term maximum SPL and PCD directivity intended to maintain tonal balance over distance is designed for main monitoring in recording, mixing and mastering. As a SAM product, it can be managed in stereo, multichannel and immersive systems.
Sources
- 01Genelec8381A SAM Adaptive Point Source Main Monitor
Manufacturer product page · Accessed August 15, 2026
- 02Genelec8381A Operating Manual
Official manual · Accessed August 15, 2026
- 03GenelecGenelec 8381A Brochure
Official datasheet · Accessed August 15, 2026
- 04GenelecGenelec 8381A Point Source Main Monitor Delivers Unrivalled Power and Precision
Manufacturer press release · Accessed August 15, 2026
- 05GenelecGLM Software
Manufacturer technology page · Accessed August 15, 2026