In this review, we will be comparing G Five and Focus 20 XD, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Genelec and Dynaudio. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Genelec G Five and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Genelec G Five | Dynaudio Focus 20 XD |
|---|
| Brand | Genelec Finland · founded 1978 | Dynaudio Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 270-watt RMS | 300-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 1.1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Cone | 6.7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 34-20k Hz | 39-24k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | — | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Optional |
|---|
| Weight | 12.70kg / 27.9lbs | 8.62kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17 13/16 " x 11 1/4" x 10 15/16" 452 x 286 x 278 mm | 14.25" x 7.8125" x 12.125" 362.0 x 198.4 x 308.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both G Five and Focus 20 XD are 2-way speakers.
Genelec G FiveDynaudio Focus 20 XD
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Genelec G Five |
Dynaudio Focus 20 XD |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.7-inch
|
G Five features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the Focus 20 XD features a 1.1" Coated-Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer.
Frequency Response
G Five has a frequency range of 34-20k Hz whereas Focus 20 XD has a frequency range of 39-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 34Hz, the G Five can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Focus 20 XD's min frequency of 39Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both G Five and Focus 20 XD have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Genelec G Five's and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD's external dimensions. Genelec G Five has external dimensions of 452 x 286 x 278 mm (17 13/16 x 11 1/4 x 10 15/16) whereas Dynaudio Focus 20 XD has external dimensions of 362.0 x 198.4 x 308.0mm (14.25 x 7.8125 x 12.125inch).
Dynaudio Focus 20 XD is 87.6mm narrower and 90mm shorter than Genelec G Five but it is also 30mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Genelec G Five and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD in scale.
Comparison image of Genelec G Five and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Genelec G Five is approximately 795.1cm2 / 123.2inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Focus 20 XD is approximately 611.1cm2 / 94.7inch2. The G Five requires 30% more surface area than the Focus 20 XD which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Genelec G Five weighs 12.70kg / 27.9lbs and the Dynaudio Focus 20 XD weighs 8.62kg / 19lbs. This makes the G Five 47% heavier than the Focus 20 XD.
Here is a comparison of how G Five and Focus 20 XD's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Genelec G Five?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of G Five:
- Genelec G Five 2-Way Powered Bookshelf Speaker (Polar White, Single)
- Iso-Pod Stand
- 5.9-feet Power Cable
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Focus 20 XD?
Here are the items that come with the Focus 20 XD:
- 2 Powered loudspeakers
- 2 AC power cords
- Remote control
- Setup Manual
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.7 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
34 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Price per pair* |
3590USD
vs
6000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
XLR Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via XLR input |
Subwoofer Output |
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
Height |
362mm
vs
452mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
611cm2
vs
795cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
Digital Input |
Coax
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
| General |
Genelec G Five |
Dynaudio Focus 20 XD |
| Brand |
Genelec |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
34-20k Hz |
39-24k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
270-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
n/a |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
n/a |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
452.0mm (17.8") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Width |
286.0mm (11.3") |
198.4mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
278.0mm (10.9") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Weight |
12.70kg (27.9lbs) |
8.62kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
White,Black |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA,XLR |
RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
No |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
n/a |
No |
| Digital Input |
No |
Coax |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Dynaudio Focus 20 XD costs roughly 1.7x what Genelec G Five does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Genelec G Five digs deeper - 34Hz against 39Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (270W vs 300W RMS). |
| Connections | B | Dynaudio Focus 20 XD adds Bluetooth and digital inputs. |
| Size | depends | Dynaudio Focus 20 XD is easier to place; Genelec G Five is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Genelec G Five is cheaper - $3,590 against $6,000, about 40% less; arguably a different class. |
A Genelec G Five B Dynaudio Focus 20 XD
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 39Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Genelec G Five has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Dynaudio Focus 20 XD is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.