Genelec 1238A SAM PM Genelec

The Genelec 1238A SAM (PM) 

The Genelec 1238A SAM is a 3-way monitor with 15″ woofer, 5″ midrange driver and 1″ metal dome tweeter mounted in a proprietary waveguide, powered by optimized Class D and wide-bandwidth Class AB amplifiers, plus Genelec speaker management technology – Producer Grey finish (P), magnetically shielded (M).

The Genelec 1238A SAM is a 3-way monitor that can be easily flush mounted and remotely powered and controlled thanks to the removable RAM-L integrated amplifier module and Genelec’s Smart Active Monitoring. While the Genelec 1238A SAM can be stand mounted for midfield operation, which creates a wider sweet spot than nearfields, it offers the advantage of in-wall flush mounting. The plusses of flush mounting, are first and foremost the elimination of front-wall reflections behind the monitors) combining with direct sound. Since the behavior of sound in a room is often counterintuitive, it may be surprising to note that front-wall reflections are actually perceived before the direct sound. Flush mounting creates an infinite baffle* or sealed cabinet, which offers very linear phase response with a shallow bass roll-off. For tuning the system to the room, the 1238A SAM features Genelec’s Smart Active Monitor room compensation technology including Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) software, which allows for precision adjustment of up to 30 individual Smart monitors and Smart subwoofers, while AutoCal automatically compensates for adverse room characteristics to calibrate your set-up to your control room.

Genelec 1238A SAM – Just the Facts:

• Networked Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) systems feature automatic room calibration
• Directivity Control Waveguide (DCM™) provides flat response both on and off axis
• Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) power-saving auto shutoff 
• Highly efficient custom Class-D LF and MF amplifiers, custom ultra wide-bandwidth Class AB high-frequency amplifier
• Active crossovers
• Protection circuitry
• Producer Grey finish (P)
• Magnetically shielded (M)

* PAD Pro tech note: The infinite baffle (aka sealed cabinet) is one of three main approaches to speaker design (ported reflex and passive radiator being the other two). Infinite baffle is a theoretical concept that deals with the division of sound emanating from the front and rear of the speaker, with both loaded identically in the same infinite volume of air. Since this can’t occur in the real world, the more accurate description is the sealed cabinet. The sound projecting from the front of the speaker only is called “half space,” which is how monitor performance is measured. The sealed cabinet offers a very linear phase response with a shallow bass roll-off, which enables small sealed speakers to reproduce bass at very low frequencies.

Genelec 1238A SAM – Behind the Grille

The 1238A 3-way active monitor has a 15″ woofer and 5″ midrange driver powered by 500W and 250W Class D amplifiers respectively, with custom modifications to optimize their performance. The 1238A’s 1″ metal dome tweeter is powered by a 200-watt Class AB amplifier, which combines efficiency with ultra-wide bandwidth for phase-linear performance in the audible spectrum. Combined, these amplifiers produce 121dB peak SPL. Of particular note is the large Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) that ensures frequency response maintains a linear behavior and excellent imaging both on and off axis. This is of particular benefit for engineers working with large-format consoles and multi-operator systems. Tying it all together in your control room is Genelec’s Smart Active Monitoring (SAM) technology, with GLM monitor management software and auto calibration.      

The 1238A also lends itself easily to wall-mounting thanks to the removable RAM-L amplifier module, which enables it to be rack mounted in a machine room. Plus, all parameters can be remotely set via GLM network.

Networked Smart Active Monitor (SAM) Systems

Genelec’s advanced SAM Systems can automatically adapt to acoustic environments and correct for levels, delays and room anomalies. SAM Systems can be controlled via Genelec proprietary Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) network and software, enabling you to build a highly flexible and reliable monitoring system. If the monitors have to move between rooms, you can rely on SAM technology to give you absolute consistency, a neutral soundstage, and low distortion. All electronics, drivers, and enclosures are designed, assembled, tested, and calibrated in Genelec’s factory in Finland. Genelec quality and reliability ensure a secure long-term investment, with environmentally conscious, low energy consumption and outstanding audio quality.

AutoCal room calibration

Genelec AutoCal is a system integrator’s dream and gets you out of stasis and into production faster. It facilitates setup by measuring acoustic response in the listening area and applying the appropriate compensation in the low and low-mid frequencies to minimize the muddying effect of room modes and other unwanted room resonances, while simultaneously accounting for the differences between various listening positions.

All this combines with the color-free accuracy of the Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE), and precise on- and off-axis frequency reproduction of the Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW). The result is the ideal small monitor to fit the way you work.

Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) Technology

Genelec’s Directivity Control Waveguide shapes the emitted wave front of direct radiating multi-way monitors in a way that allows predictable tailoring of the speaker’s dispersion pattern. DCW technology also minimizes early reflections, providing a wide, controlled listening area with accurate sound reproduction both on- and off-axis.

Another advantage of minimized early reflections and controlled constant directivity is that the frequency balance of the room’s reverberation field is essentially the same as the direct field from the monitors. As a result, the monitor’s performance is less affected by room acoustic characteristics.  

The consistent off-axis frequency response of the waveguide enables engineers to move in and out of the sweet spot without losing perspective while working.    

DCW technology key benefits:

• Flat on- and off-axis response for wider usable listening area
• Increased direct-to-reflected sound ratio for reduced control room coloration
• Improved stereo and soundstage imaging
• Increased drive unit sensitivity up to 6dB
• Increased system maximum sound pressure level capacity
• Decreased drive unit distortion
• Reduced cabinet edge diffraction
• Reduced complete system distortion

Intelligent Signal Sensing function

Genelec’s Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS) is a power-saving feature that prolongs the service life of the monitor. ISS reduces power consumption to less than 0.5 watts by automatically switching the active monitor to standby when no audio signal has been detected for some time. When playback begins, the mode indicator light on the loudspeaker lights up and the playback resumes after a slight delay (<2 seconds).

Protection circuitry

The protection circuitry prevents driver failure by detecting signal levels and responding accordingly. In the case of sudden peaks or levels that are too high for long periods, the protection circuitry reduces signal level automatically. This feature does not affect the sound quality in any way when working within the specifications of the loudspeaker, but only prevents inappropriate input signals from breaking the loudspeaker.

Protection circuitry features and benefits:

• Reduces the output level when required (e.g. when driver voice coil temperature reaches the safe limit), which highly improves system reliability
• Appropriate protection circuitry design for each loudspeaker and subwoofer maximizes system output level

Room compensation controls

Each room changes the monitor’s response in a unique way, e.g. reflective vs. damped rooms, or placement against a wall vs. on a stand away from the walls. All Genelec loudspeaker systems feature room response adjustments to compensate for the room influences and retrieve a flat frequency response at the listening position. Frequency response can be adjusted to match the acoustic environment by setting the tone control switches on the rear panel of all Genelec monitors.

Optimized amplifiers with active crossover

In a typical 2-way loudspeaker system, the active crossover needs two power amplifiers; one for the woofer and one for the tweeter. Electronic crossovers split the audio signal into separate frequency bands that can be separately routed to individual power amplifiers optimized for the frequency band of their respective transducers.

The power amplifiers are connected directly to the drivers of an active loudspeaker, resulting in the power amplifier’s load becoming much simpler. Each driver-specific power amplifier has only a limited frequency range to amplify (the power amplifier is placed after the active crossover), which adds to the ease of design.

The active design principle offers multiple benefits:

• The power amplifiers are directly connected to the speaker drivers, maximizing the control exerted by the power amplifier’s damping on the driver’s voice coil, reducing the consequences of dynamic changes in the driver electrical characteristics. This may improve the transient response of the system
• There is a reduction in the power amplifier output requirement. With no energy lost in the passive crossover filter components, the amplifier power output requirements are reduced considerably (by up to 1/2 in some cases) without any reduction in the acoustic power output of the loudspeaker system. This can reduce costs and increase audio quality and system reliability
• No loss between amplifier and driver units results in maximum acoustic efficiency
• Active technology can achieve superior sound output vs. size vs. low-frequency cut-off performance
• All loudspeakers are delivered as a factory aligned system (amplifiers, crossover electronics, and enclosure-driver systems)

Class AB amplification

The Genelec 1238A uses a 200-watt Class AB amplifier for the tweeter. Class D amplifiers, which are known for their high-power efficiency and low distortion, require a low-pass filter to separate the modulation frequency (the point where power switches from the supply rails) from the audio band. The Class AB amplifier is widely used in audio applications due to its ability to eliminate crossover distortion.

Fill your mid-size to large control room with Genelec audio quality and advanced software control capabilities. For more information, or to integrate a Genelec 1238A SAM into your studio, call or chat online with your PAD Professional today.

 

Specifications

• Lower cut-off frequency, ”“3dB: 33Hz
• Upper cut-off frequency, ”“3dB: 21Hz
• Free field frequency response, ± 2.5dB: 35Hz-20kHz
• Maximum short term sine wave acoustic output on axis in half space, averaged from 100Hz to 3kHz @ 1 m: >121dB SPL
• Maximum long term RMS acoustic output in the same conditions with IEC weighted noise (limited by driver protection circuit) @ 1m: > 116dB
• Maximum peak acoustic output per pair in a listening room with music material @ 2 m: > 124B
• Self-generated noise level in free space at 1 m on axis (A- weighted): < 10dB
• Harmonic distortion at 95dB SPL at 1 m on axis:
• Frequency 50-200Hz: < 1%
• Frequency > 200Hz: < 0.5%

Drivers

• Bass: 15″ (385 mm)
• Midrange: 5″ (125 mm)
• Treble: 1″ (25 mm)
• (All drivers are magnetically shielded)

Amplifier Section

• Bass amplifier short-term output power: 500W
• Midrange amplifier short-term output power: 250W
• Treble amplifier short-term output power: 200W
• Long-term output power is limited by driver protection circuitry
• Amplifier system THD at nominal output: < 0.01%

Signal-to-noise ratio, referred to full output

• Bass: >115dB
• Midrange: >115dB
• Treble: >115dB
• Mains voltage: 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz

Power consumption

• Standby: <0.5W
• Idle: 25W
• Full output: 750W

Signal Processing Section

• Analog signal input connector: XLR female, balanced 10k ohm
• Maximum analog input signal: +25dBu
• Analog input sensitivity (100dB SPL at 1 m): -6dBu
• Analog input gain selection: 0, +6, +12, +18dB
• Digital input connector (XLR female 110 ohm): AES/EBU single/dual wire
• Digital output/thru connector (XLR male 110 ohm): AES/EBU single/dual wire

Digital audio input

• Word length: 16/24-bit
• Sample rate: 32kHz ”“ 192kHz
• Digital input sensitivity (100 dB SPL at 1 m): 30dBFS
• Digital input gain selection: 0, +6, +12, +18dB

Control network

• Type: Proprietary GLM network
• Connection: 2x RJ45, CAT5 cables

Crossover frequency

• Bass/Mid: 420Hz
• Mid/Treble: 3kHz

GLM software frequency response adjustment

• Notch filters: 4 LF, 2 HF
• Shelving filters: 2 LF, 2 HF
• System calibration: Genelec GLM AutoCal

Physical

• Weight (monitor with integrated amplifier): 126 lb. (457 kg)
• Weight (monitor with amplifier removed): 113 lb. (51 kg)
• Amplifier weight: 13 lb. (6 kg)

Dimensions (monitor enclosure)

• Height: 32″ (810 mm)
• Width: 19″ (480 mm)
• Depth: 16-1/2″ (420 mm)

Amplifier dimensions (in rack mount configuration)

• Height (front panel): 3U 5-3/16″ (132 mm)
• Height (amplifier casing): 3-1/8″ (80 mm)
• Width (front panel): 19″ (483 mm)
• Width (amplifier casing): 16-3/4″ (425 mm)
• Depth: 9-15/16″ (252 mm)