Ilkka goes Genelec

**Ilkka** · **09-13-08, 01:24 PM**

Dear fellow audio enthusiasts,

Let's start with sad news. Even though the time line of the events would sound somewhat "convenient", the following announcement doesn't have anything to do with these sad news. Though I have to say that the short time I had the privilege to work with Mr. Ari Varla, was extremely instructive and interesting. May his soul rest in peace.

Now to the happier news. I would like to announce that I have started a permanent employment relationship with Genelec. I will be working at their factory/head office at the heart of Northern Savonia, Iisalmi, Finland. My title is an R&D engineer in acoustics. So my job description will include the research and development of acoustics and also quite a lot of other areas. Even though I will be involved with the development and design of almost all the future Genelec products, the subwoofers, the salt of life (or were they women?), will still be closest to my heart and at top of the priority list of future projects.

So what happens to the subwoofer tests? Well, I think it goes without saying that the subwoofer tests in their current form on the sandfield at Lappeenranta will end. Therefore I would like to thank all the people helping with the tests, and the people who brought their subwoofers to the measuring sessions. You were in part of doing something pretty special even in the scale of the whole world, and things wouldn't have happened without your help, so big thank you to all of you!

So does this mean that the subwoofer tests are completely over? Definitely not. There's electricity too in Iisalmi and there is a perfect spot for measurements at the backyard of the factory, right near a beautiful lake. Naturally the concept has to be thought over for obvious reasons, but generally there are no reasons why subwoofers tests couldn't continue. During the past summer I have already measured quite a lot of, and will be measuring more subwoofers and speakers for only internal use, but a part of the results will be still published here at Home Theater Shack forum. For example the DIY subwoofers could be the area which measurement results could be still published fully. Of course the measurements performed outside the working hours will still be published fully, so people will still have the opportunity to bring their subwoofers to the measurement session and receive reliable and comparable data on their subwoofers for a small cost.

If something bad, there's lot's of good. Working at Genelec gives me the access to a top notch research laboratory equipped with the very finest measuring instruments in the industry (Klippel Analyzer, Audio Precision, MLSSA etc.). From these especially the Klippel Analyzer gives extremely interesting additional data to the regular subwoofer measurement data. Also a private anechoic chamber and several well acoustically designed test and listening rooms are 24/7 reserved for research and development purposes.

I will still be actively participating to the discussions here at Home Theater Shack forum, of course within the limitations of the daily job and the schedule it allows. Even though naturally a certain neutrality is being lost with the new job relationship, don't doubt for a second that one wouldn't still get an honest opinion from me to a question or another. That hasn't change, and won't change forever. Of course I will be more than happy to reply to the questions relating to Genelec, people can still shoot me questions (either public or via PM) relating to anything.

I will be still continue working with Hifimaailma magazine. Naturally I will disqualify myself from all the articles handling speakers and subwoofers, and other articles being against good journalist ethics. All other reviews, tests and so called expert articles are still permitted, which you will be seeing plenty of from me in the future.

With regards to upcoming Genelec products I can't naturally say much. I can say that there are plenty of products at different stages of the R&D process at this very moment, which of course some will be discarded but the best ones will be developed all the way and finally moved to the production. The latest product having made its way to the production is the "little Genelec": the 6010, and the suitable subwoofer for it: the 5040.

At this point I can only say that stay tuned!

-Ilkka Rissanen

**Mike P.** · **09-13-08, 02:43 PM**

Congratulations on your new position, Ilkka! With you being involved in the R&D department, I can't wait to see what develops!

**Sonnie** · **09-13-08, 04:23 PM**

Congratulations Ilkka...

**mrsollars** · **09-13-08, 05:00 PM**

Congrats.....Genelec landed on a goldmine. Good Luck with the new position!

**Christos** · **09-13-08, 05:47 PM**

Congratulations Illka and I wish you all the best!I am sure you will still be helpful and maybe even more now in this forum.

Genelec is a company that I respect very much and I am sure that you were THE man for the job!

**Ilkka** · **09-14-08, 07:42 AM**

Thank you all for those very kind words! Please consider this a beginning of a very interesting new venture rather than goodbyes. I'm positive that you will see lots of "Ilkka" in the future too, whether it be in the form of subwoofer tests or new products from Genelec.

**Blaser** · **09-14-08, 02:59 PM**

Quote:

Now to the happier news. I would like to announce that I have started a permanent employment relationship with Genelec. I will be working at their factory/head office at the heart of Northern Savonia, Iisalmi, Finland. My title is an R&D engineer in acoustics. So my job description will include the research and development of acoustics and also quite a lot of other areas. Even though I will be involved with the development and design of almost all the future Genelec products, the subwoofers, the salt of life (or were they women?), will still be closest to my heart and at top of the priority list of future projects.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Now we have a friend at Genelec!!!!

Quote:

If something bad, there's lot's of good. Working at Genelec gives me the access to a top notch research laboratory equipped with the very finest measuring instruments in the industry (Klippel Analyzer, Audio Precision, MLSSA, B&K, ACO Pacific etc.). From these especially the Klippel Analyzer gives extremely interesting additional data to the regular subwoofer measurement data. Also a private anechoic chamber and several well acoustically designed test and listening rooms are 24/7 reserved for research and development purposes.

I am sure we will directly or indirectly benefit from that

Quote:

I will still be actively participating to the discussions here at Home Theater Shack forum, of course within the limitations of the daily job and the schedule it allows. Even though naturally a certain neutrality is being lost with the new job relationship, don't doubt for a second that one wouldn't still get an honest opinion from me to a question or another. That hasn't change, and won't change forever. Of course I will be more than happy to reply to the questions relating to Genelec, people can still shoot me questions (either public or via PM) relating to anything.

That's sure. Business positions change is quite easy, but personality and values like honesty are extremely hard to change if ever possible. Now guess what when it is about a Finnish stubborn fellow

........

Quote:

With regards to upcoming Genelec products I can't naturally say much. I can say that there are plenty of products at different stages of the R&D process at this very moment, which of course some will be discarded but the best ones will be developed all the way and finally moved to the production. The latest product having made its way to the production is the "little Genelec": the 6010, and the suitable subwoofer for it: the 5040.

Can't wait!!

Nevertheless, it would be great if we could still have some measurements related to other manufacturer's for our benefit. Now that's pretty tough to arrange, but there should be some way...

Lookking forward to posting in the Genelec forum (maybe?)!!

**bobgpsr** · **09-14-08, 03:07 PM**

Congratulations on your position at Genelec! It could not have happened to a more capable person.

I expected something like this would come to pass sooner or later. Have you finished university studies?

**OvalNut** · **09-14-08, 05:47 PM**

Hi Ilkka,

I'm very happy for you. Your mindset will go along way with a firm like Genelec. I wish you all the best!

p.s., don't be a stranger around here.

Tim

**Toolatecrew** · **09-15-08, 08:42 AM**

Best wishes to you. You will now be surrounded by the speakers of my dreams 24/7. Its not work if its something you love!

**Manic Miner** · **09-15-08, 01:21 PM**

I'm really and truly happy for you, even though I have some of the same mixed emotions as I had when Ed went to work for SVS because I would miss his tests. But that is me being selfish, congrats Ilkka

Hope that you'll keep on posting, and that you get to put your signature on future Genelec products

**salvasol** · **09-15-08, 08:24 PM**

Congratulations

Don't forget to send you fellow friends a couple of discount for Genelec products

.

**10-09-08, 08:36 PM**

Well, Ilkka, you'll certainly get the chance to run plenty of subwoofer tests now!

**10-10-08, 09:01 AM**

congrats!!!

a question, for my home studio setup i bought the 6010. (my main studio has 1031+sub and 1034b)

when does the 5040 sub arrive and why has it been delayed two times now?

m

**Ilkka** · **10-11-08, 05:29 AM**

Quote:

markusenochson wrote:

congrats!!!

a question, for my home studio setup i bought the 6010. (my main studio has 1031+sub and 1034b)

Nice setup!

How are you liking about the 6010?

Quote:

when does the 5040 sub arrive and why has it been delayed two times now?

m

The 5040 will be available by the end of October.

**10-11-08, 05:33 AM**

i must say i was quite impressed with the small 6010 size/price/sound ratio. lots of people have been expressing less than great words about them but for me, and i guess with the sub more so, it really give my home setup what i need... any louder and i had to look for a new apt

m

**tweakophyte** · **10-11-08, 08:57 AM**

Congrats! On the other hand, now we know you were so biased in your reviews.... JUST KIDDING!!

SVS took Ed off the market, now Genelec is taking you. The only leaves on other person that posts tests, and we already know how that will go.

But seriously, your tests will be missed. Good luck with your new venture!

**10-11-08, 10:08 AM**

for me my fav speaker of all time is 1031, have had them since they come out. will be hard when your guys run out of spares... scary thought. dont ever wanna change

m

**tonyvdb** · **11-09-08, 06:53 PM**

Quote:

OvalNut wrote:

Hi Ilkka,

I'm very happy for you. Your mindset will go along way with a firm like Genelec. I wish you all the best!

p.s., don't be a stranger around here.

Couldn't have said it better. Ilkka, your testing was and will still be some of the best I have seen. Enjoy you new job and hopefully you will continue testing all be it in a different situation.

Maybe you can talk to Genelec and have them get involved in this forum in some way.

**rick57** · **11-17-08, 11:09 PM**

Hi Ilkka

Do a number of Genelec speakers use PHL drivers; is it possible to make any sort of general (unbiased) statement about the quality of PHL drivers, vs their competitors JBL/ B&C/ etc ? (PM if you prefer)

Thank you

**steve nn** · **12-17-08, 01:41 AM**

I'm glad for you Ilkka, although I'm sad to see you go. You deserve it, all your hard work is paying off. It has been a great pleasure viewing your work along with it being so informative. Knowing you has been a treat, aside from that, a real asset! I can only hope your attitude of giving over the years is directed back your way. Thinking back, we also had some fun

Congrats my friend..

br Steve

**Ilkka** · **12-17-08, 03:36 PM**

Quote:

rick57 wrote:

Hi Ilkka

Do a number of Genelec speakers use PHL drivers; is it possible to make any sort of general (unbiased) statement about the quality of PHL drivers, vs their competitors JBL/ B&C/ etc ? (PM if you prefer)

Thank you

Hi,

You are being correct, we use PHL woofers in our larger main monitors. Though I can't really answer to your second question, other than by saying that the PHL woofers are extremely high quality, though expensive. There's certainly a reason why we are using them.

**Ilkka** · **12-17-08, 03:43 PM**

Quote:

steve nn wrote:

I'm glad for you Ilkka, although I'm sad to see you go. You deserve it, all your hard work is paying off. It has been a great pleasure viewing your work along with it being so informative. Knowing you has been a treat, aside from that, a real asset! I can only hope your attitude of giving over the years is directed back your way. Thinking back, we also had some fun

Congrats my friend..

br Steve

Hi Steve!

So nice that you dropped by.

And thank you, my friend! It has certainly been a treat to get to know you too, but please don't sound like this is the end (of anything), because it isn't. Well of course things are going to change a bit, but in general I'm not going anywhere.

I will reply to that PM of yours in a minute.

And you are spot on about that fun part. Oh the days...

**steve nn** · **12-17-08, 05:03 PM**

Quote:

Well of course things are going to change a bit, but in general I'm not going anywhere.

Oh, somehow I sort of figured you were out of here under some sort of time frame. I'll let you fill me in then. I am glad things are changing, but not so much of a change that your going to be gone.

**rick57** · **12-17-08, 08:33 PM**

Illka,

A wise answer

Cheers & Season’s Greetings from Down Under

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