Genelec has unveiled the first model in its new Signature Series with the introduction of the two-way 6040R Smart Active Loudspeaker.
The floor-standing 6040R was created in conjunction with celebrated Finnish industrial designer Harri Koskinen, whose association with Genelec began 20 years ago with the introduction of the 6040A model, the first Genelec loudspeaker to feature the distinctive minimalist curves of the Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) – a cabinet design by Koskinen that now forms the core of much of Genelec’s current loudspeaker range.
Fashioned from die-cast aluminium, the MDE meant that the original 6040A produced a clean acoustic performance, delivered a wide frequency response from a compact enclosure, and was free from the resonances that affected more traditional wooden cabinet designs.
The MDE also allowed the 6040A to feature Genelec’s now-familiar Directivity Control Waveguide, which produces smooth uncoloured reproduction both on and off-axis.
The 20th anniversary of the 6040 launch has given Genelec the opportunity to re-imagine the technology within the 6040 as part of a new Signature Series – a collection of specially cherished loudspeaker models and design collaborations that have marked Genelec’s unique contribution to the world of audio over the last four decades.
Designed and manufactured in Iisalmi, Finland, the re-engineered 6040R now features the same LF driver design and proprietary bi-amplified Class D power amplifier technology as Genelec’s professional loudspeaker models.
Other refinements include both analogue and digital inputs (supporting AES/EBU and SPDIF formats), a digital output, universal mains voltage and sophisticated onboard DSP to allow each 6040R loudspeaker to be intelligently tuned for any acoustic environment via GLM room calibration software.
Having carefully positioned the 6040R loudspeakers in the room, this close integration of onboard signal processing and GLM software has been optimised to allow the user to enjoy pure, natural playback – even in spaces that were not originally intended for critical listening.
The 6040R accomplishes this through GLM 4.1’s new AutoCal 2 room calibration algorithm, which takes advantage of detailed background information of each individual loudspeaker in the system to precisely tailor the performance to the room.