Genelec 9320A SAM Reference Controller

Introducing the 9320A SAM Reference Controller.

Monitor controller, calibration set, output interface, GLM remote and headphone amp.

UNIO Audio Monitoring

UNIO empowers professionals to confidently work anywhere. As a key UNIO element, the 9320A integrates in-room and headphone monitoring for a single, reliable workflow – completely personalised for total accuracy.

With its flexible connectivity, reference grade headphone output and physical control of our adaptive technologies, the 9320A is the ideal hub for professional audio work – from stereo to immersive – in any space.

Whether working in acoustically treated studio environments, at home, in temporary spaces or on the road, UNIO and the 9320A ensure a seamless listening experience when switching between professional in-room and headphone monitoring.

With UNIO, the power of our adaptive technologies is now easier to access than ever before, so you can confidently work beyond the studio.

UNIO – Bridging in-room and personal headphone monitoring

“Audio professionals in music, broadcast, post-production and game audio are increasingly wanting the flexibility to work wherever and whenever they want, even if that sometimes involves unpredictable and challenging acoustic environments.

To be able to switch instantly between well calibrated in-room and headphone monitoring without any interruption in workflow is crucial to this way of working, and so we see UNIO and the 9320A as powerful tools in creating a truly next-generation reference quality monitoring system.”

Genelec Managing Director Siamäk Naghian

As a bridge to UNIO, the compact 9320A enables you to create, optimise and manage a single, liberating workflow – for professional loudspeaker and headphone monitoring options, from stereo to immersive and beyond, which are easy to access, trust and cross-reference, wherever your work takes you.

1. Tactile monitor control from stereo to immersive

Management of scalable Genelec Smart Active (SAM) Monitoring systems

With tactile control of key functionality in Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM™) software, the 9320A provides an intuitive, quick-to-access physical user interface with clear haptic feedback – allowing you to speed up your workflow and hide the graphical user interface of GLM, so you can retain focus on your DAW.

Easy management of alternative monitoring systems in one room

Having GLM control at your fingertips enables fast switching and management of in-room SAM Monitoring layouts, while the 9320A also provides level alignment and standard control of directly connected stereo monitoring systems. This simplifies movement between monitoring options and allows you to fully trust what you hear. Working with any DAW and audio interface system, the 9320A – with GLM – can handle an unlimited channel count for SAM Monitoring systems. And alternative stereo loudspeaker monitoring is easily connected using in-device AES/EBU and analogue inputs.

Intelligent one-button switching for seamless in-room and headphone monitoring

The 9320A also provides level alignment for headphone monitoring, meaning it's able to switch from any of your monitoring systems to another without a level change. This gives you smooth and easy switching between all loudspeaker and headphone-based monitoring, without the need to readjust the monitoring level each time.

2. AES/EBU connectivity for the purest signal path

Versatile in-device monitoring options

Stereo and stereo-with-subwoofer monitoring systems can be directly connected to the 9320A using its analogue and AES/EBU input/output connectivity, while the 9320A can also be used as a USB output interface for high resolution stereo audio input from a computer. The 9320A outputs support both fixed line level output in ‘SAM’ mode and adjusted line output. Both modes are available over its balanced analogue outputs and AES output. This makes the 9320A compatible with any professional loudspeaker monitor or headphone sets.

High-quality DAC conversion of signal

It's also possible to use the 9320A as a high-quality converter from analogue inputs to AES out and from AES to analogue outputs – as well as converting USB audio input to any output. This makes it hugely versatile – and an extremely effective hub for professional monitoring tasks. The maximum level of the analogue balanced line input can be set to +12 dBu or +24 dBu. The USB audio and AES digital audio inputs to AES digital output offer an A-weighted dynamic range of 138 dB.

3. Reference grade headphone output

Professional headphone monitoring

Personal headphone sound character calibration is a natural part of the 9320A as a device for reference level listening. The headphone output can handle headphone impedances ranging from 16 to 600 ohms, with excellent linearity (THD+N less than -110 dB) and dynamic range (126 dB), offering a maximum RMS output of 6 volts – for access to the best possible performance from any high-quality professional headphones.

Enhanced headphone monitoring using Aural ID™ Technology

Genelec Aural ID Technology enables access to obtain and use your unique personal HRTF data to render reliable stereo, multichannel and immersive monitoring layouts with accurate virtual loudspeaker positioning and out-of-the-head externalised reproduction – using any high-quality professional headphones. Aural ID integrates perfectly with the headphone output of the 9320A, for the highest possible standard of headphone monitoring.

4. Monitor calibration with GLM and calibrated listening level

Automatic GLM AutoCal™ calibration

GLM software works with Genelec Smart Active (SAM) Monitoring systems to enable neutral, carefully aligned audio reproduction over loudspeaker monitors – with correctly calibrated and equalised subwoofer support as needed – and access to detailed GRADE™ Room Acoustic Reports. For this, a factory-calibrated reference microphone is included with the 9320A.

Alignment of all monitoring options

The 9320A offers reproduction level alignment across all loudspeaker-based monitoring layouts and headphones, for the smoothest possible transitioning between loudspeaker and headphone-based monitoring.

5. Safe listening – Noise dose estimation 

Hearing health support during monitoring

Continuous A, C and Z weighted SPL monitoring, shown on the backlit display of the 9320A, allows quick assessment of listening safety. SPL is sampled using the included reference microphone for in-room audio and calculated using headphone sensitivity data for the headphone audio. The audio engineer sound exposure dose is logged, and hearing health exposure dose alarms can be easily set.  Combined with the ability to create highly linear monitoring systems – which naturally support minimal hearing fatigue – these features make the 9320A a key ally for hearing protection.

How is the 9320A it used?

The 9320A is designed for professional audio engineering on fixed and mobile setups.

Ideal for stereo and immersive music studios, game audio studios, broadcasting, streaming and AV post-production, the 9320A offers smooth management of SAM Monitoring systems – from stereo to immersive – and direct connectivity for monitoring of analogue and digital AES/EBU stereo audio over loudspeakers and headphones.

The in-device audio input options are: 

• Stereo USB audio
• Two analogue balanced line inputs
• Stereo AES/EBU digital audio

These three alternative inputs provide extremely flexible connectivity, with the ability to smoothly switch between each input and to easily channel the signal to directly connected analogue and digital stereo or stereo-with-subwoofer loudspeaker monitoring or professional headphones. Each output can be level-aligned for smooth switching across all inputs and outputs.

The 9320A is intended to be set up and used with a computer running GLM software and Aural ID software but can be also used in independent mode.

Powered by USB and equipped with a Type C USB interface, the 9320A consumes a maximum of 2.5 W of power, making it compatible with any computer-based DAW. Additionally, when USB interfaces cannot offer power, a separate USB Type C power input is provided. The audio bandwidth for all input/output combinations extends up to 46 kHz and offers a dynamic range exceeding 120 dB, THD+N lower than -110 dB, and minimal input to output latency in the range 2 to 3.2 ms.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

• 9320A GENELEC SAM™ Reference Controller.
• USB Type C to Type C cable (length 2 m).
• Genelec factory-calibrated reference microphone and microphone holder.

Warranty
2 years unregistered, and 5 years (in total) for registered users.

Connectivity

• Genelec measurement microphone connector.
• Headphones output (6.3 mm stereo jack).
• Stereo analogue balanced line outputs (6.3 mm tip-ring-sleeve connectors).
• Stereo analogue balanced line inputs (6.3 mm tip-ring-sleeve connectors).
• XLR digital audio output, supports AES/EBU (AES3) format.
• XLR digital audio input, supports AES/EBU (AES3) format and SPDIF format when used with a separate 75 to 110 ohm impedance converter.
• GLM management network connection (bottom connector) and GLM network terminator connector needed for long networks (top connector).
• USB type C auxiliary power input for use when the computer USB output cannot supply sufficient power for 9320A.
• Kensington compatible anti-theft lock opening (top).
• USB type C computer interface, used for management, audio input, and power supply for 9320A.

The 9320 uses power from one USB connector at a time. When both connectors are connected, the PWR connector is used for power. The computer USB-C power input limits to 2.5 W input power (500mA input current). When the PWR connector is in used, the output power available to the headphone is slightly higher; the benefit is +0 dB to 2.5 dB more output, depending on the load impedance. The PWR input connector is designed to work with a standard 5 V 1A USB power adapter.