In this review, we will be comparing G Four and G Three, two Powered Bookshelf speakers by Genelec. 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 Four and Genelec G Three first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Genelec G Four | Genelec G Three |
|---|
| Brand | Genelec
Finland · founded 1978 | Genelec
Finland · founded 1978 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 180-watt RMS | 100-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Dome | 0.75" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cone | 5.1" Cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 48-20k Hz | 54-20k Hz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | No |
|---|
| Weight | 8.60kg / 18.9lbs | 5.00kg / 11lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.4" x 9.3" x 8.8"
365 x 237 x 223 mm | 11.8" x 7.4" x 7"
299 x 189 x 178 mm |
|---|
G Four and G Three are members of Genelec's G series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both G Four and G Three are 2-way speakers.
Genelec G FourGenelec G Three
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 Four |
Genelec G Three |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.1-inch
|
G Four features a 0.75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the G Three features a 0.75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.1" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
G Four has a frequency range of 48-20k Hz whereas G Three has a frequency range of 54-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the G Four can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the G Three's min frequency of 54Hz.
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 Four and G Three 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 Four's and Genelec G Three's external dimensions. Genelec G Four has external dimensions of 365 x 237 x 223 mm (13.8 x 9.3 x 8.8) whereas Genelec G Three has external dimensions of 299 x 189 x 178 mm (11.8 x 7.4 x 7).
Genelec G Four is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 48mm wider, 66mm taller and 45mm deeper than Genelec G Three.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Genelec G Four and Genelec G Three in scale.
Comparison image of Genelec G Four and Genelec G Three 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 Four is approximately 528.5cm2 / 81.9inch2 and base area of the Genelec G Three is approximately 336.4cm2 / 52.1inch2. The G Four requires 57% more surface area than the G Three which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Genelec G Four and Genelec G Three on a Media Console
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 Four weighs 8.60kg / 18.9lbs and the Genelec G Three weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the G Four 72% heavier than the G Three.
Here is a comparison of how G Four and G Three'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 Four?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of G Four:
- Genelec G Four 2-Way Powered Bookshelf Speaker (Polar White, Single)
- Iso-Pod Stand
- 5.9-feet Power Cable
What's in the Box of Genelec G Three?
Here are the items that come with the G Three:
- Genelec G Three 2-Way Powered Bookshelf Speaker (Polar White, Single)
- Iso-Pod Stand
- 5.9-feet Power Cable
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.1 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
48 Hz
vs
54 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Height |
299mm
vs
365mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
336cm2
vs
528cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1390USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
| General |
Genelec G Four |
Genelec G Three |
| Brand |
Genelec |
Genelec |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
48-20k Hz |
54-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
180-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.1" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Cone |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
3000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
365.0mm (14.4") |
299.0mm (11.8") |
| Width |
237.0mm (9.3") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
223.0mm (8.8") |
178.0mm (7") |
| Weight |
8.60kg (18.9lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
White,Black,Raw(Aluminum) |
White,Black,Raw(Aluminum) |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA,XLR |
RCA,XLR |
| USB Port |
No |
No |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Digital Input |
No |
No |
| 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 |
Siblings in Genelec's G series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Genelec G Four digs deeper - 48Hz against 54Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Built-in power | A | Genelec G Four has the bigger amplifier (180W vs 100W RMS). |
| Size | depends | Genelec G Three is easier to place; Genelec G Four is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Genelec G Three is cheaper - $1,390 against $2,300, about 40% less; arguably a different class. |
A Genelec G Four B Genelec G Three
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?
The usual trade-off: Genelec G Four measures better, Genelec G Three costs about about 65% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 54Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Genelec G Three much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Genelec G Four has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Genelec G Three 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.