Genesis G5.3
Overview
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The G5 Generation III is the latest generation of the revered 5-Series loudspeakers starting with the Genesis V in 1994. It comes from immaculate pedigree; the second generation G500 was reviewed and recommended by Stereophile, and received numerous accolades from around the world. The third generation G501 was renowned for setting standards in bass performance and musical coherence and the fourth - G5.2 - was featured on the cover of the February 2006 issue of Stereophile.
The new G5 represents a shift in design direction for the company. Careful steps were taken to raise the impedance of the crossover in the frequency ranges most affected on the previous model. A higher impedance crossover network works better with a tube amplifier because the lowest impedance point does not result in reduced output voltage from the amp, and a consequent hollowness in the midrange. With a solid-state amplifier, the higher impedance results in less stress on the power supply, and no hardness in the midrange because of distortion at that point. This was done without resorting to Zobel networks, which would have filtered off some of the musicality and dynamics of the loudspeaker. The higher impedance and new crossover makes it easier for real-world amplifiers to drive. That results in a loudspeaker that will be able to realize its potential when used in any music-lover's system.
The new G5 also features a unique suspension system for the cabinet so that it can be used on the many types of flooring encountered throughout the world - including uneven natural stone tiles, granite and marble floors, deep pile carpet, and suspended wooden floors.
The suspension system is like that of a race car. It has wheels (spikes), the suspension frame, and shock absorbers (decouplers). It isolates the speaker from floor-borne vibrations when used on suspended wooden floors (like the common construction used in the US). It also makes sure that speaker vibrations do not get transmitted into the floor and as a result affect your electronic and source components. The result is cleaner, much tighter bass, a more precise and holographic soundstage, and better imaging in more rooms and installations.
While the G5 is first and foremost a loudspeaker for music, doing duty as part of a home theater system would not embarrass it. It will play to audacious levels, and bass response is full and extended with the built-in 500W servo-controlled bass amplifier and three 8" aluminum cone woofers per channel.
The servo-bass amplifier allows for both single-ended and balanced inputs and outputs for LFE - because most home theater systems only have single-ended outputs. The newly designed 8-inch woofers use a stronger motor structure, stiffer frame, and larger suspension to achieve higher SPL's with less distortion. The woofers have a 12% longer throw than the older G5.2 woofers. This results in the three woofers moving as much air as the four woofers in the first generation G-V.
