GENELEC 4040A

Product overview

The GENELEC 4040A is the largest of the 4000 series models: the flagship active installation speaker for larger fixed installations that demand higher playback levels and greater low frequency extension.

With beautiful aesthetics and 120 RAL colour finishes, the 4040A delivers GENELEC's trademark precision and clarity, with controlled directivity and rear panel room compensation switches for challenging acoustic environments: clean, intelligible, non-fatiguing audio whatever the playback level, plus round-the-clock reliability as standard. For theatres, restaurants, conference rooms, museums, art galleries and sports centres, the 4040A is unrivalled.

Key features

• Two-way active design with a 165 mm (6 1/2 in) bass cone and a 19 mm (3/4 in) metal dome tweeter
• 120 W + 120 W Class AB amplifiers with active crossover at 2.5 kHz
• 109 dB maximum short-term SPL at 1 m
• 55 Hz - 20 kHz (±3 dB); -6 dB points at 50 Hz and 25 kHz
• MDE die-cast aluminium enclosure and DCW waveguide
• Balanced 10 kOhm input and 12 V trigger on one 5-pin terminal block
• LEVEL control plus Bass Roll-Off, Bass Tilt and Treble Tilt in 2 dB steps
• Autostart with adjustable sensitivity and off time; LED off switch
• Simple bracket and keyhole wall mount adapter; two sets of M6 rear threads, M10 base thread
• Black, White, RAW or any of 120 RAL colours (custom order); made in Finland

The flagship of the 4000 series

With a 165 mm woofer, two 120 W amplifiers and 109 dB SPL, the 4040A fills larger rooms with full-range sound down to 50 Hz, while the die-cast aluminium Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and the Directivity Control Waveguide keep the sound clear and controlled in reverberant spaces.

12 V trigger and Autostart

Two pins of the 5-pin input carry a 12 V DC trigger that switches the amplifier between standby and on, overriding Autostart: ideal when a control system powers a whole installation. Without a trigger, Autostart puts the speaker into standby (below 0.5 W) when no signal is present and wakes it when audio returns. The off time can be set to 15 minutes, the triggering sensitivity can be reduced for better immunity to noise in the signal network, and the green power LED can be switched off while the red overload indication stays active.

Room response controls

Bass Roll-Off attenuates the output near the 55 Hz cut-off by -2, -4 or -6 dB. Bass Tilt gives -2, -4 or -6 dB below 800 Hz for placement near walls and room boundaries. Treble Tilt offers -2 or -4 dB above 4 kHz for a bright system or +2 dB for heavily damped surroundings. The factory setting is all OFF for a flat anechoic response.

Mounting

Two sets of M6x10 mm threaded holes on the back take loudspeaker mounts or the supplied keyhole wall mount adapter, and an M10x10 mm hole in the base secures the speaker to its base. GENELEC offers table and floor stands, ceiling, truss and wall mounts and a flush mount kit for the 4040A.

In the box

• 1 x GENELEC 4040A installation speaker
• 1 x 5-position terminal block
• 1 x mains cable (1.8 m)
• 1 x simple bracket
• 1 x mounting screw set
• 1 x operating manual

GENELEC 4040A: frequently asked questions

Does the 4040A need a separate amplifier?

No. Two 120 W amplifiers are built in. Connect a line-level source to the balanced input; never connect it to the speaker outputs of an amplifier or receiver.

Can a control system switch the 4040A on and off?

Yes. Connect a 12 V DC trigger to the remote mains switching pins of the 5-pin terminal block; the trigger overrides the Autostart function.

Can it be mounted on a microphone stand?

No. The base has an M10 thread for securing the speaker to its base; use the M6 rear threads with GENELEC mounts or the supplied keyhole wall mount adapter.

Which colours are available?

Black and White as standard; RAW aluminium and any of 120 RAL colours can be ordered as custom finishes.

Where can I buy the GENELEC 4040A in India?

The GENELEC 4040A is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Theatre or auditorium

Full-range programme and speech in a larger room.

Connections

Setup

1. Mount the speakers with the acoustic axes aimed at the audience area.
2. Wire the balanced signal to the 5-pole plugs.
3. Set all tone switches OFF, then choose settings from the table.
4. Switch on and set the LEVEL controls.

Tip: Vertical placement is preferred: it minimises cancellation around the crossover frequency.

Workflow 2: Controlled power with a 12 V trigger

Switch a whole installation on and off from a control system.

Connections

Setup

1. Wire the trigger and the audio to each speaker's 5-pole plug.
2. Push the plugs into the speakers.
3. Switch the trigger on: the amplifiers leave standby.
4. Switch the trigger off at closing time: the speakers go to standby.

Tip: The trigger overrides Autostart, so all speakers switch together.

Workflow 3: Restaurant or hotel

Rich background music with deep bass.

Connections

Setup

1. Choose black, white or a custom RAL colour to match the interior.
2. Mount the speakers clear of reflecting surfaces.
3. Use Bass Tilt near walls and Bass Roll-Off in corners.
4. Set Autostart so the speakers go to standby after closing.

Tip: GENELEC's online colour picker previews the 4040A in the 120 RAL colours.

Workflow 4: Conference room

Clear speech and media playback in a large meeting space.

Connections

Setup

1. Mount the speakers on either side of the screen.
2. Aim the acoustic axes at the seating area.
3. Set Treble Tilt -2 dB if the room sounds bright.
4. Set the LEVEL controls for comfortable speech.

Tip: Keep at least 5 cm free space behind, above and at both sides for cooling and the reflex port.

Workflow 5: Museum, gallery or sports centre

Reliable 24/7 sound in a large public space.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the speakers to cover the visitor area.
2. Increase the Autostart sensitivity setting (switch ON) if network noise keeps the speakers awake.
3. Use the 15-minute off time if the space is used intermittently.
4. Turn the power LED off where it would distract.

Tip: The red overload indication stays active even with the power LED switched off.

Workflow 6: Energy-saving everyday use

Keep the system ready without wasting power.

Connections

Setup

1. Leave Autostart active.
2. Without signal the speaker drops to standby, below 0.5 W.
3. It wakes automatically when audio arrives.
4. Use the mains switch or remove the mains cable to switch off completely.

Tip: Only removing the mains cable disconnects the amplifier completely from the mains.