Used Genesis 300 - Should I buy

bryans

VIP/Donor
Dec 26, 2017
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I'm looking at a pair of Genesis 300 as my next speaker. Anyone have any experience good or bad with them? I'm trying to decide if I should save up for a newer version of Genesis speakers or not. I could grab these for around 8K.

Thanks
 

Audiocrack

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2012
2,175
687
1,158
The Genesis 300 are fine speakers but ... the Genesis 200 (or its later versions) are in my view superior. The bass units are placed in the base of the G300 and this makes them less flexible than the G200. If you have the space and money available I would (always) opt for the G200. It is not only superior in the low end but also in the recreation of space, harmonics, etc.
 

bryans

VIP/Donor
Dec 26, 2017
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Thanks for your reply. I know of a used pair of 200 as well. Not sure my room is large enough but I am planning on having a larger space in a year or two. If I can get the 200 at a good deal it might be worth living with the 200 until I move to a larger space.
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
5,599
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Seattle, WA
www.genesisloudspeakers.com
As with buying anything over 20 years old without a good service record, I would have to advise "buyer beware".

The woofers are likely to require replacing. The suspensions would be shot as woofers need to move to "woof". Although the servo-system keeps the woofers controlled, and not flop about like with the usual loudspeakers, that puts additional strain on the Servo-Bass amplifier. If the amplifier has not been serviced recently, it might require a completely overhaul. Unfortunately, as we do not have the schematics for this model (the bank lost schematics and IP when the original Genesis Technologies went bankrupt in 2001) this is not something that we are able to service.

In the systems of that era that we've seen, the original Monster-manufactured servo-bass cables also have to be replaced because of corrosion and deterioration of the dielectric.

In short, it may cost you $8k to acquire these beauties, but it might cost you much more than that to keep them working.
 

bryans

VIP/Donor
Dec 26, 2017
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Gary,
Thanks for your reply. I think I need to pass on the 300s.
 

ca1ore

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2010
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8
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I've owned a set of 200 speakers since they were about two years old, so I know that they have been maintained, upgraded when necessary and I have acquired key spares of things like the base amplifier. Unless somebody were just about giving them away, I'd not buy into a 20 year olds speaker caveat emptor. Kudos to Gary, BTW, for supporting long-time users of G gear where he can (my 501's have bass thanks to him).
 

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