Genelec Genelec 4020C – 4″ Installation Speaker 100W RMS, 100 dB SPL, Compact Two-Way Active Loudspeaker for Professional Installations

Exceptional sound meets compact dimensions. The 4010A offers the same clarity, reliability and adaptability as its larger 4000 series family members – but in a tiny footprint.

 

Precision and clarity

With beautiful aesthetics and 120 RAL colour finishes, the 4020C delivers Genelec’s trademark precision and clarity, with controlled directivity and the ability to adapt to challenging acoustic environments via simple rear panel room compensation switches. This ensures clean, intelligible, non-fatiguing audio whatever the playback level, plus bulletproof 24/7 reliability as standard.

Get more active

The active design of the 4000 series removes the need for bulky external power amplifiers, since the amplifiers, crossover filters and protection circuitry are contained within the speaker cabinet itself. This not only ensures that the electronics and drivers are mutually optimised, but also reduces the need for racks of external amplifiers and associated cabling. And thanks to our extensive range of mounting accessories, the 4000 series can be installed quickly and conveniently in almost any location.

 

Genelec 4020C Installation Speaker – High-Performance Two-Way Active Loudspeaker for Commercial and Architectural Audio Systems

The Genelec 4020C is a premium-grade two-way active loudspeaker purpose-built for permanent installation applications where both sound quality and design integration are essential. Positioned as a step up from smaller models like the 4010A, the 4020C features a larger 4-inch woofer, increased amplifier power, and deeper bass response, making it suitable for a wider range of environments.

Designed to meet the demands of professional installers and architects, the 4020C delivers powerful, clear audio performance combined with compact dimensions and a discreet, durable enclosure. Whether in hospitality, corporate, retail, or residential spaces, this model provides a maximum SPL of 100 dB and a frequency response from 56 Hz to 25 kHz.

---

Key Features

• Two-Way Active Loudspeaker System:
  Features a 4-inch woofer and a ¾-inch metal dome tweeter, ensuring accurate reproduction across the full frequency spectrum.

• 80W RMS Bi-Amplification:

  • Woofer: 50 W

  • Tweeter: 30 W
    Delivers strong, distortion-free performance even at higher output levels.

• 100 dB SPL Maximum Output:
  Offers the power needed for medium to large spaces without sacrificing clarity or balance.

• Extended Low-End Response:
  Thanks to the larger woofer and more powerful amplifier, bass extension reaches down to 56 Hz, providing fuller sound compared to smaller models.

• Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE™):
  Constructed from die-cast aluminum with rounded edges to reduce diffraction and ensure a smooth, natural sound signature.

• Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™):
  Maintains even sound dispersion and stable stereo imaging throughout a wide listening area.

• Rear Panel Room Response Controls:
  DIP switches allow for bass tilt, treble tilt, and desktop low-frequency adjustments, enabling fine-tuning based on placement and room characteristics.

• Magnetically Shielded Drivers:
  Safe for use near screens and electronic equipment without electromagnetic interference.

---

Technical Specifications

• Woofer Size: 4 inches (105 mm)

• Tweeter Size: ¾ inch (19 mm) metal dome

• Frequency Response: 56 Hz – 25 kHz (±2.5 dB)

• Maximum SPL: 100 dB (per speaker, peak output at 1 meter)

• Amplifier Power:

  • Woofer: 50 W

  • Tweeter: 30 W

• Crossover Frequency: 3 kHz

• Inputs: 1 x Euroblock connector (balanced input)

• Enclosure Material: Die-cast aluminum (MDE™ design)

• Dimensions (H × W × D): 242 × 151 × 142 mm

• Weight: 3.1 kg per unit

• Power Consumption: Less than 0.5 W in standby

---

Performance Overview

The Genelec 4020C stands out as a powerful yet compact installation speaker capable of delivering detailed, full-range audio without the need for external amplifiers or processing.

With its 80W RMS bi-amplification and 100 dB maximum SPL, the 4020C offers significantly more output than smaller models like the 4010A. Its 56 Hz bass extension provides a fuller, richer sound that remains accurate and tight, making it suitable for both background music and more focused listening applications.

The enclosure’s MDE™ curved design combined with DCW™ technology ensures smooth off-axis performance, which is essential in open commercial spaces where audience position varies.

Rear-panel room response adjustment switches allow installers to compensate for placement near walls or ceilings, helping maintain sonic balance in real-world applications.

---

Use Cases and Applications

• Hospitality Venues:
  Perfect for upscale restaurants, hotel lobbies, and lounges requiring both discreet aesthetics and professional-grade audio performance.

• Retail Spaces and Showrooms:
  Provides clear, full-range background music and announcements without visually dominating the space.

• Corporate Installations:
  Ideal for conference rooms, training spaces, and offices where speech clarity and media playback need to meet professional standards.

• Educational Facilities:
  Effective in classrooms, lecture halls, and auditoriums where consistent audio coverage is critical.

• High-End Residential Installations:
  Suitable for home theaters, living rooms, or custom whole-house audio systems that require compact speakers with authentic studio-quality sound.

---

Why Choose Genelec 4020C

• Step Up in Power and Size:
  Compared to smaller models like the 4010A, the 4020C provides larger drivers, more amplifier power, and deeper bass in the same compact format.

• Architectural Flexibility:
  Compact footprint and neutral color options make it easy to integrate into modern interior designs while maintaining Genelec’s signature sound.

• Durable Construction:
  The die-cast aluminum enclosure ensures long-lasting durability in commercial environments while protecting the internal components from heat and wear.

• Energy-Efficient Operation:
  Built with Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) for automatic standby functionality, reducing power consumption during idle periods.

• Customizable Room Integration:
  Onboard DIP switches offer essential acoustic adjustment features, streamlining the installation process without the need for external DSP.

---

Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) Technology
The Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) is designed to shape and control the dispersion of sound emanating from the tweeter and, where applicable, midrange drivers. It ensures consistent frequency response across a wide listening area by maintaining controlled directivity. This results in a stable stereo image, reduced early reflections, and smoother off-axis frequency response, all contributing to clearer, more natural sound reproduction regardless of the listener’s position.

---

Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE™) Technology
The Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE™) design uses a gently curved, die-cast aluminum structure with rounded edges. These shapes minimize acoustic diffraction that can occur when sound waves interact with hard cabinet edges or surface discontinuities. The result is clearer imaging and a more transparent sound field. Additionally, aluminum construction provides high structural rigidity, reducing cabinet resonances while also helping with heat dissipation.

---

Reflex Port Design
Genelec’s Reflex Port Design optimizes airflow within the enclosure to extend low-frequency performance while keeping distortion and port noise to a minimum. These ports are carefully shaped and positioned to avoid air turbulence, ensuring tight, controlled bass response even at higher playback levels. Unlike simple bass reflex systems, Genelec reflex ports maintain clarity and efficiency across the entire operating range.

---

Room Response Compensation
Room Response Compensation refers to the inclusion of adjustable DIP switches on the rear panel, allowing users or installers to fine-tune the speaker’s output according to its position in the room. Settings typically include bass tilt, treble tilt, and desktop low-frequency adjustments. This system provides a practical way to adapt each monitor to its acoustic environment without requiring external DSP processors, ensuring consistent and accurate sound reproduction in varied setups.

---

Optimised Amplifiers
Each Genelec monitor features Optimised Class D or Class AB amplifiers, custom-matched to the specific drivers used in each model. Rather than using generic amplifier modules, Genelec engineers carefully design these amplifiers for maximum efficiency, headroom, and minimal distortion. This ensures that every watt of power contributes directly to cleaner, more precise sound with zero compromise on dynamic range.

---

Active Crossovers
Genelec uses active crossover networks rather than passive components. Active crossovers split the audio signal into frequency bands before amplification, allowing each driver (woofer, midrange, tweeter) to receive only the signals it’s designed to reproduce. This approach minimizes distortion, improves clarity, and enables precise driver control and system optimization.

---

Protection Circuitry
Integrated Protection Circuitry safeguards both the loudspeakers and amplifiers from overload, overheating, or signal anomalies. This system automatically manages power and signal conditions, allowing Genelec monitors to operate reliably under heavy use in professional environments. It ensures long-term durability and consistent performance without requiring manual intervention or resetting.

---

Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) Technology
The Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) feature automatically places the loudspeaker into a low-power sleep mode after a period of inactivity. When an input signal is detected again, the speaker wakes up automatically. This technology is especially valuable in commercial installations and studios where energy efficiency and automatic operation are important, contributing to reduced power consumption over time.

---

Versatile Mountings
Genelec speakers offer a variety of mounting solutions and accessories designed to suit different installation needs, from wall and ceiling mounts to desktop and stand options. The enclosures are fitted with standard threaded mounting points, making integration into fixed installations both simple and secure. Whether it’s a retail space, conference room, or home environment, Genelec’s mounting options ensure both functional flexibility and aesthetic alignment with interior designs.

---

Final Thoughts

The Genelec 4020C Installation Speaker is an ideal choice for professionals seeking compact size, high output, and precise sound reproduction in fixed installations. Its 4-inch woofer, 80W RMS power, and 100 dB SPL capability set it apart as a serious solution for both background music and more active listening environments.

Whether for high-end retail, hospitality, corporate, or custom residential applications, the 4020C balances aesthetics, performance, and reliability. It reflects Genelec’s commitment to bringing true studio-quality audio into everyday spaces where design and sound must work together seamlessly.

Explore the Genelec Collection at Lux Audio